The Fallout New Vegas soundtrack consists of an incredible selection of classic hits from various decades. The music adds to the atmosphere and tone of the game, providing a constant sonic companion for the Courier as they make their way across the lonely Mojave Wasteland. With so many great songs on this soundtrack, it is difficult to choose a favorite. While determining what the ‘best’ songs are is purely subjective, we will showcase three of our favorites in this article.
3. Ain’t That A Kick in the Head
First up we have Dean Martin’s “Ain’t That a Kick in the Head”, which is probably the most recognizable song in the entire series behind The Ink Spots’ “I Don’t Want to Set the World on Fire”. Written by Sammy Cahn and James Van Heusen, and performed by Dean Martin in 1960. The song is about a man who has a sudden turn of good luck in his life and is in a state of disbelief. The song superbly expresses the joy of falling in love and the incredulousness that the singer feels when realizing it’s actually happening to him.
“Ain’t That a Kick in the Head” feels a little ironic to listen to, especially in the early hours of the game when the Courier is quite literally down on their luck after being shot in the head by Matthew Perry and left for dead in the middle of the desert. In such a hostile environment like the Mojave, feelings of joy are rare and fleeting, so the song provides an interesting contrast with its upbeat tone and euphoric lyrics. Conversely, the song can feel contextually apt when you’re on a winning streak of blackjack in one of New Vegas‘ many casinos, or decimating your enemies with ease while wearing a suit of formidable power armor.
2. Once in a Blue Moon
Frank Sinatra’s “Blue Moon” is the first song you hear in Fallout New Vegas, played during the opening cutscene. The song was written in 1934 by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart and has been covered by numerous artists through the years. Sinatra’s version is one of the most popular renditions of the song, initially recorded in 1960 and released as part of Sinatra’s Swingin’ Session!!! album in 1961. The song is a fitting addition to the Fallout New Vegas soundtrack, complementing the retro-futuristic cultural landscape present throughout every nook and cranny of the Fallout universe.
The lyrics portray a person who is alone, without a dream in their heart and no one to love, until the titular blue moon appears and grants the narrator their wish. The song evokes shifting emotions; from the melancholic pining for a love seemingly out of reach, to a more relaxed contentment upon finally finding that love. “Blue Moon” starts with a desperate feeling of isolation that soon gives way to hope and eventually a happy ending. This matches the themes of New Vegas well as its harsh world still manages to preserve a semblance of hope among a desolate background.
1. Play the Guitar
“Johnny Guitar” is a supremely beautiful song whose inclusion in the Fallout New Vegas soundtrack is well deserved. With lyrics written by singer-songwriter Peggy Lee and music written by Victor Young, this 1954 classic has stood the test of time with its simple but haunting guitar melody and crooning vocals. “Johnny Guitar” was the theme song to the 1954 western film of the same name starring Joan Crawford, in which Crawford performs on the piano in a saloon during a particularly climactic scene. Interestingly, the song’s musical composition is loosely derived from Enrique Granados’ “Spanish Dance No. 5: Andaluza”.
“Johnny Guitar” is a song about the oft-lamented “one who got away”, where Peggy Lee sings about a man who presents a cold demeanor on the outside, while she sees the potential for warmth that he has, singing, “But if you’re cruel, you can be kind, I know”. She longs to hear him play the guitar again and expresses her grief of never being able to see him again, for “there was never a man like my Johnny”. It’s a fairly short but heartbreaking track that perfectly captures the feelings of longing and loneliness that the Mojave continuously conjures up with its bleak atmosphere.
Soundtrack to the Apocalypse
The importance of a great video game soundtrack cannot be overstated. The Fallout universe is home to many classic pieces of music that echo the series’ themes of isolation, loss, and hope. The Fallout New Vegas soundtrack continues this tradition with its inclusion of songs from decades past that reflect the cultural scenes from those eras and expertly blends them into the atmosphere of the game, enhancing the experience with an audible layer of immersion that has become integral to the core identity of the franchise. These are just three of our favorites, but Fallout New Vegas has a fabulous roster of amazing songs that help make the game the masterpiece that it is.
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