After ten years of rocking out, Grand Theft Auto 4’s soundtrack gets a major shakeup today thanks to an update that removes a long list of tracks from the game.
If there’s been one constant when it comes to Grand Theft Auto games over the last decade or so, it’s been the amazing selection of songs rotating through the in-game radios. Each city has its own variety of radio stations with unique tracks ranging from oldies to hip hop to classic rock; and sometimes those stations are more memorable and iconic than the game’s plot. Unfortunately, the track list for Grand Theft Auto 4 is about to get a big shake up.
It may sound bizarre that the soundtrack for a ten year old game is about to change, but that’s exactly what is happening. Rockstar agreed to a ten-year licensing deal for select tracks back when GTA4 was coming out and that contract is now ready to expire.
Here’s the list of tracks that are disappearing from the game today…
Terry Riley – “A Rainbow in Curved Air”
Gil Scott-Heron – “Home Is Where the Hatred Is”
IF99 – International Funk
San Juan Sounds
Angel y Khriz – “Ven Báilalo”
Michael Shrieve – “Communique: ‘Approach Spiral’”
Tamiko Jones – “Can’t Live Without Your Love”
“Still In Love” by Rose Royce (The Ballad of Gay Tony)
Marley Marl (feat. Craig G) – Droppin’ Science
Brand Nubian – All for One
Glukoza – “Швайне” [Schweine / Pigs in German]
Seryoga – “King Ring”
Ranetki Girls – “О тебе” [O Tebe / About You]
Ruslana – “Wild Dances” Ukranian FM Version
Kino – “Группа крови” [Gruppa Krovi / Blood Type]
Marakesh – “Ждать” [Zhdat / To Wait]
Zveri – “Квартира” [Kvartira / The Flat]
Oleg Kvasha – “Зеленоглазое такси” Club Remix [Zelenoglazoe * Taksi / Green Eyed Taxi]
Splean – “Линия жизни” [Liniya Zhizni / Lifeline]
Basta – “Мама” [Mama / Mother]
Leningrad – “Никого не жалко” [Nikogo ne Zhalko / A Pity for No One]
Dolphin – “РЭП”
Salvation” by Sucker DJs (The Ballad of Gay Tony)
“Music” by Jonathan Peters feat. Maya Azucena (The Ballad of Gay Tony)
“When Love Takes Over” by David Guetta feat. Kelly Rowland (The Ballad of Gay Tony)
The Smashing Pumpkins – “1979”
Stevie Nicks – “Edge of Seventeen”
Electric Light Orchestra – “Evil Woman”
David Bowie – “Fascination”
“Touch Too Much” by AC/DC (The Lost and Damned)
“Five To One” by The Doors (The Lost and Damned)
“Jane” by Jefferson Starship (The Lost and Damned)
“Run To The Hills” by Iron Maiden (The Lost and Damned)
“Call from the Grave” by Bathory (The Lost And Damned)
“C’est la Vie” by Robbie Nevil
“History” by Mai Tai
“Teardrops” by Womack & Womack
“Wood Beez (Pray like Aretha Franklin)” by Scritti Politti
“You’re the Voice” by John Farnham
Clearly, that’s a big hit and removes some great tracks from the game. The update rolled out this morning, so hopefully players got in one last cruise around the city while blasting Run to the Hills.
Although the change is definitely disappointing, there is a small upside. To help fill the void left by the missing tracks, Rockstar added a handful of new songs, as well…
The update likely won’t impact many gamers, due to the game’s age (although players have been revisiting thanks to Xbox One compatibility), but the community of dedicated fans who are still spending time in GTA4 will likely take notice.
Grand Theft Auto 4 is available for PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Xbox One via backward compatibility.
