Red Dead Redemption 2 might be nearly two years old at this point, but a sprawling map, tons of side missions, and a plethora of game mechanics will keep you engrossed for hundreds of hours. It's no wonder the game is a timeless classic, and in these strange times, it's a story that might fit the bill for anyone yearning for adventure.
The story of Arthur Morgan in this game is harrowing, thrilling, and emotional all at once. Every great hero needs even better theme music, and thanks to the various artists from the official soundtrack, Arthur's adventures have the perfect score to set the tone. Let's take a look (and listen) to the top 10 songs from Red Dead Redemption 2 based on Spotify plays. Oh, and if you're worried about spoilers, then just close this article and go finish the game already.
10 Table Top (Daniel Lanois)
A haunting guitar track that chimes in while the endgame credits are rolling, Table Top is first on our list with a current total of 923,126 plays. This is a great piece for reminiscing and reflecting on everything that happened leading up to end-game.
Music industry veteran Daniel Lanois produced the album in its entirety to give the soundtrack a uniform sound, but he's also credited as the artist on many of these tracks. Table Top is a great example of his sonic palate, and his soundtrack compositions only enhance the adventures of Arthur Morgan.
9 Cruel World (Josh Homme)
For Arthur and his gang of bandits, the world has certainly not been friendly. In a society that is changing by the day, their kind of outlaws are no longer welcome, and thus a song titled Cruel World is punishingly befitting.
As RDR2 comes to an end, this sultry ballad starts playing, and the lyrics sum up the game pretty well. Lines like "As I wander through the pines, the whisperings, they tell of the many before me who tried and fell" accurately portray the failed schemes that plagued many of the characters who didn't make it this far.
8 Red (Daniel Lanois)
Give the question "what does red represent?" a quick Google and you'll receive multiple results that are questionable. No matter the research that goes into these subjects, this description fits well into the world of RDR2, "Red is the color of fire and blood, so it is associated with energy, war, danger, strength, power, determination."
These descriptions may resemble the events of RDR2, but not the overall mood of Red. Rather, this track focuses on love and the world as a whole. Daniel Lanois also lends his vocal talents as the credited artist.
7 Moonlight (Multiple Artists)
In the world of RDR2, the sun has set on the era of outlaws and cowboys, and all that remains is the moonlight illuminating what's left of their legacy. Perhaps it's fitting that Moonlight has the most artists singing on one song, and their melodic contributions don't go unnoticed.
Throughout the game, Arthur and his gang of bandits stick together through a series of problems that repeatedly force them into new locations and different hideouts. They remain together through it all, and just as each day the sun rises, moonlight returns at night to shine down on the outlawed compatriots.
6 Mountain Banjo (Rhiannon Giddens)
Nothing sets the tone for a cowboy game quite like a banjo, but Mountain Banjo isn't your typical hoedown, cheery and chipper square-dancing type song. A banjo has never sounded so cool or so dangerous as it has here, and as YouTube user HPNomad points out, it's a fretless banjo played with the clawhammer technique. Not gonna' lie, that just sounds cool.
All credit is due to artist Rhiannon Giddens, a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist whose contributions don't go unnoticed on the RDR2 soundtrack. You can hear Mountain Banjo playing after escaping capture from the nasty O'Driscoll gang in Chapter 3. Suddenly, we want to learn to play the banjo.
5 Crash Of Worlds (Rocco DeLuca)
The world of the law does not take kindly to Arthur and his people, and as an age of industrial development and large cities begin to take shape, outlaws and cowboys find themselves on the fringes of a mysterious universe.
In Crash Of Worlds, the lyrics may remind you of a certain song that appears later on this list, but their sentiments are worthy of repeating. The stars of RDR2 must remain unshaken amidst the world that is crashing down around them, and while they can't hold out forever, they rely on each other's sanity for as long as they can. In a strange sort of way, it's inspiring.
4 Mountain Hymn (Rhiannon Giddens)
As Arthur and his gang traverse a variety of landscapes while evading the law, the mountains loom over their every move. In times where reliable constants are few and far between, the towering folds of earth's crust are an ever-present sight. They also make for great screenshots, so it's only fitting they have their own hymn.
Mountain Hymn has racked up nearly 1.5 million plays on Spotify, and millions more when you consider how many have heard it in-game after leaving the snowy mountains. It's another fantastic contribution from Rhiannon Giddens.
3 Cruel World (Willie Nelson)
The world of RDR2 is cold and brutal, and despite the gorgeous landscapes that make every corner you turn a picturesque experience, the events in-game require two versions of a song called Cruel World.
This time, Willie Nelson lends his legendary abilities to Cruel World, and you can hear this version while playing as John Marston (we warned you, spoilers) when he decides to leave his old ways behind him. Of course, this change of heart won't last, but it's a beautiful moment coupled with an equally-moving song.
2 That's The Way It Is (Daniel Lanois)
"It is what it is" is a tremendous expression. In difficult or problematic times, sometimes it really is best to throw your hands in the air and accept the fact that things are the way they are. For Arthur, That's The Way It Is is a perfect description and great coping mechanism for the tragic events that snowball as the story unfolds.
Playing during Arthur's last ride, That's The Way It Is has so many plays not only because it's a great song, but it also resonates with anyone who has experienced Arthur Morgan's story. As he comes to terms with his fate at the hands of tuberculosis, he takes one last gallop with his horse as this song plays. Sometimes, that's just the way it is.
1 Unshaken (D'Angelo)
When Arthur Morgan returns from his gallivanting escape on the island of Guarma, he has changed drastically. Having spent a large part of the game realizing the errors of his life while accepting the reality of his impending doom, Arthur is not the same man we met in the snowy mountains.
On the way back to Lemoyne, Dutch insists the group splits up and lay low for now. In Arthur's mind, the damage is already done. During his first horse ride since returning home, D'Angelo's Unshaken sneaks in and it's sublime. The creeping guitars come in without fanfare, but when the game suggests you enter cinematic mode and the lyrics hit, it's a moment that is impossible to forget.