Introduction
We know how divisive any GTA-based list can be, so for the sake of argument, we’ve decided against listing these in any ranking – rather than an appreciation of best to worst. Cowardly? Perhaps. But there’s a vast range of songs from GTA games over the years, with each title holding a special place in our hearts, taking us back to nostalgic, retro gaming years that we don’t want to face the arduous task of trying to rank them all.
Grand Theft Auto soundtracks are one of many innovations Rockstar has brought into gaming. They pioneered several parts of the gaming industry, including the futuristic casino designs in GTA San Andreas and the more recent slot gaming ideas in GTA V. It’ll be fascinating to see what groundbreaking ideas they implement into GTA VI.
With so many people discussing the rise of cryptocurrency and gambling going through a golden era, who knows whether the emerging subdivision of crypto slots may be an area the new game explores. We’re sure that Rockstar will leave no stone unturned in their quest for innovation and to have GTA VI ranking alongside the greatness of their other GTA titles.
Top GTA Songs
Modjo – Lady (Hear Me Tonight)
One of the most notable tunes from GTA V, Modjo’s early 2000s hit experienced a massive resurgence in popularity when Rockstar integrated it into Non Stop Pop FM.
Paul Engemann – Push It To The Limit
Although Engemman’s synth-driven classic would have been much more at home on GTA Vice City, given the absolute mountain of Scarface references, it was one of the landmark songs you could find on GTA 3.
Given that GTA 3 came out in 2001 (where does the time go?), it didn’t quite have the same capability as hosting dozens of songs on dozens of radio stations like GTA V, meaning the iconic songs were heard more often. Push It To The Limit was a Flashback FM 95.6 classic, and it brought a flood of memories back when I played the anticlimactic Definitive Edition when it was released in November 2021.
A Flock Of Seagulls – I Ran
I Ran wasn’t just a Wave 103 classic, but it was the lead song for the trailer back in 2002 – leading to an increase in people seeking out the classic 1980s band. The trailer for GTA VI has created an even more considerable buzz for Tom Petty’s music, which shows this hysteria back in 2002 wasn’t just a flash in the pan.
Robbie Williams & Kylie Minogue – Kids
Non Stop Pop FM took plenty of inspiration from the early 2000s. At the turn of the 21st century, Robbie Williams was among the biggest names in UK music, which has recently been captured in a captivating Netflix documentary. Kylie Minogue was also one of the most famous women in pop. Combining the two was an almost guaranteed formula for success.
Lynyrd Skynyrd – Free Bird
Does San Andreas have the best soundtrack of them all? It’s definitely up there. Was it flying over the Las Venturas desert, tuning into K-DST, and listening to Free Bird that still resonates with so many? Well, it’s one of my most vivid moments of gaming nostalgia and takes me back in an instant.
Laura Brannigan – Self Control
Cruising around Vice City again, doing a few missions for Lance Vance and the brimming, revving engine of a Faggio scooter. I’m unsure whether it was just me, but Self Control reminds me of Vice City more than any other song. However, TOTO could have a claim to that title, too.
TOTO – Africa
One of the most iconic songs in rock music history, TOTO’s timeless classic Africa was a seminal tune on Vice City, it teleports me right back to when I first played it. For those of us who remember Vice City when it first came out, you could talk for hours about the best song on the game. For me? Africa takes the prize.
Dr Dre & Snoop Dogg – Nuthin’ But A G Thang
Radio Los Santos was the go-to station for rap classics, including Express Yourself by N.W.A. and It Was A Good Day by Ice Cube. Cranking up these songs in a souped-up Remington was part of what made the early stages of San Andreas such an enthralling experience. For many of us, though, no song summed up Los Santos better than this all-time rap classic from Dre and Snoop.
Summary
It’s hard to boil it down to less than a dozen songs from GTA – you can find lists out there that cover the top 25 or 30 songs from individual games. We had a lot of fun going back and listening to some of these legendary tunes.
Of all the things Grand Theft Auto promises, there’s no disputing that the next installment will have a wide range of songs introduced to gamers for the first time, just like all of the tracks we touched today.
