Music is the soul of most forms of entertainment, moving us as we watch, play, or listen. It adds mystery and enlightenment, conveys whimsy, and worry. It breaks our hearts and heals them. When a lyrical song is carefully selected for a video game, there is usually meaning behind it. One of the best examples of this is “Stand By Me” by Florence and the Machines used during the trailers, beginning and end of Final Fantasy XV. If you listen to the lyrics, the journey Noctis and his group take is plainly laid out. The same is true for the cover of David Bowie’s “The Man Who Sold The World,” by Midge Ure used in Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain.
Hideo Kojima never does something without purpose, it seems. When he left Konami just after the release of the frustratingly kind of finished Metal Gear Solid V, there was a lot of secrecy surrounding many details of the game. Mum was the word until very recently, when Kojima began opening up through his twitter page.
The meaning of a song
Some of the biggest questions left by the game’s ending apparently are answered, if one knows where to listen. No, I’m not talking about Quiet’s theme, although it is an outstanding piece. Rather, Bowie’s song that plays at the very beginning, and end of the game. Notice a pattern here? According to the Kojima, the fact that Ure’s cover plays, instead of the original, sheds light on the struggles with identity Venom Snake goes through, leading up to the climax of the game, when he discovers things are not as it seems.
“The Man Who Sold The World” opening lyrics give some of the biggest clues as to who, or what Venom Snake is, without going into spoilers.
“We passed upon the stair
We spoke of was and when
Although I wasn’t there
He said I was his friend
Which came as a surprise
I spoke into his eyes
I thought you died alone
A long long time ago
Oh no, not me
I never lost control
You’re face to face
With the man who sold the world”
Ironically, the original version is one of Bowie’s lesser known songs, and Ure’s is not the most popular cover. It could be the Kojima related to the background of the song as well as the lyrics and chose it to convey the sense of confused determination Venom Snake has.
Regardless of the whys, Kojima has impeccable musical tastes. Take a listen and hear for yourself.
For those who have played Metal Gear Solid V, did “The Man Who Sold The World” give you any clues? What other songs do you think fit perfectly with their game’s plotlines? Drop those links and comments!
