The NEXT Video Game Songs Deserving of a Grammy June 2, 2026

Posted by Maniac in Editorials.
Tags: Best Songs, Music
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A decade ago, we discussed the ongoing injustice and hypocrisy of the music industry’s biggest awards show, the Grammy’s. After much growth over the past decade, we are happy to announce that our opinions of the institution have not changed one bit. It is an absolute shame that the video game industry, the biggest, most profitable form of entertainment today, has routinely been snubbed by mainstream institutions. Since the release of the original Sound Blaster or AdLib sound cards, full musical compositions have accompanied major games. In fact, since the days of games released on compact disc (CD-ROM), games have been able to offer players music composed and arranged on the level of major Hollywood films.

Ten years ago we published a list of what we considered to be each year’s best original song made specifically for a video game and today, we’re going to be continuing that list. However, unlike the previous list, we will consider covers, provided the covers were made specifically for the game’s soundtrack. Every year has its own ups and downs, and for this list we’re going to start at 2015, and move our way up to the present. Will you agree with our picks? Comment below with your thoughts. That all said, let’s get started.

2015 – “O Death” from Until Dawn

I began my first playthrough of Until Dawn with great anticipation. An original horror adventure game with branching storylines and multiple main characters you had to keep alive…until dawn. It had a great prologue for the opening, which did a great job establishing the characters and the stakes. Then that title credit sequence kicked in!

I have NO idea why this song was not reused when the game was remastered for the PS5 and PC.

2016 – “Stand by Me” by Florence and the Machine from Final Fantasy XV

During the celebrated Final Fantasy XV release date announcement event, Square Enix made the announcement that they had obtained the talent of Florence Welsh to do a cover of the B.B. King classic “Stand By Me”. Florence is an incredible single and after watching this mini-documentary following the announcement I was absolutely convinced she would be able to provide an incredible version of the song.

We would first hear the opening moments of the song during the opening scene of the game, as the four main characters run out of gas and are forced to push their vehicle to the nearest rest stop. Seeing the car being pushed down the road surrounded by the beautiful natural lighting, the song began to play. I remembered first seeing that initial moment during an E3 preview, and being utterly captivated. In fact, when the game initially launched, I remember asking the team doing the initial release celebration stream if the song was still being used in that moment, and was very happy to see them confirm it was.

But that wasn’t my favorite use of the song, my absolute favorite use of it was without a doubt the game’s official television trailer. If this doesn’t bring a tear to your eye by the climax you have a heart of stone. Does anyone know if Florence is able to sing this song live when she goes on tour?

2017 – “Jump Up Superstar” from Super Mario Odyseey

Was there any question this was going to be 2017’s number one pick? “Jump Up Superstar” is an iconic toe tapper made specifically for one of the best games Nintendo ever released. At the culmination of Mario’s trip through New Donk City, he reunites with his former flame, the Mayor Pauline, and agrees to participate in their festival. The song is played during the festival, sung by the Mayor herself, and the level is a nostalgic trip through the history of the Super Mario franchise. If you haven’t played it, you can give the whole level a watch below.

2018 – “Country Roads (Take Me Home)” from Fallout 76

In 2018, Bethesda announced the next Fallout game would be taking place in a persistent online world. Since the setting would be the mountains of West Virginia, the publisher commissioned an original cover of the iconic song “Country Roads”. Can I be honest? I was never a fan of this song until I heard Bethesda’s version that premiered during the game’s E3 trailer. While I have tremendous respect for John Denver (RIP) for writing this song, I do not believe he was the correct person to perform it. This version on the other hand is absolutely iconic, and belongs on everyone’s music player, whether you’ve played the game or not.

2019 – “Take Control” By Old Gods of Asgard – Control

Was there any question we were going to include this song for 2019? Control was an absolute trip which is still holding up to this day with multiple successful rereleases. You play as a supernaturally gifted woman searching a classified government bureau. Shortly after entering, you are made to be the bureau’s director, and must search through the deepest corners of the building in your search for your brother, who was kidnapped by the bureau when you were children.

Alan Wake fans will remember The Old Gods of Asgard, a band that technically does not exist. Control offers a brand new original song from that band, which is essential to assist you in completing an important puzzle in the game, The Ashtray Maze.

Honorable Mention – “Suggsn Esseno” by The Hu from Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order

Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order was an incredible return to form on what made for an incredible Star Wars video game. You played as a fledgling Jedi as he tried to recover his connection to the force following his discovery by the Empire. Not only was this in-universe song (produced by a real band) included in the game, a whole music video for it was produced as well. Let’s give it a listen.

I remember shortly after this game came out, I had been informed this song was being played at Oga’s Cantina at Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge. I remember scrambling to find out if the song had indeed been added to DJ REX’s setlist.

That brings us to 2020, which was without a doubt the most difficult year I’ve had to score. No less than five original songs were released through various methods, and to be honest, it has made scoring that year next to impossible. So for next time, we’re going to highlight the best independent game songs of 2020. Stay tuned for that!