Where do we even begin?
As of October 28th, 2018, the Steam version of Super Meat Boy now allows you to switch between both its "normal" OST from 2010 and the 2015 soundtrack used as a legal alternative in some console releases. Both approach the feel of the game well and live up to its most intense moments. Super Meat Boy Forever's soundtrack is looking up as well, even in absence of Danny and the solo artists involved with Super Meat Boy's 2015 soundtrack.
2010 Soundtrack
One of the things that made Super Meat Boy such a memorable video game was its original soundtrack. Super Meat Boy has a truly iconic, catchy soundtrack like many indie games. DannyB was aiming for a sort of '90s chiptuney music, mixed with modern music technology. The result is an outstanding collage of electronic, metal, orchestra, and old school video game music, and each song fits each world marvelously.
- It only makes sense to start with the title screen music
, which gets you pumped up for the game, with hard rock playing along with the famous Title Scream. SUPERRRR MEAT BOY! One interesting thing about this song is it's written (and played) in 7/4 time, not the usual 8/4, which is a bit jarring for musicians. - "Boy Meats Girl" is a rather calming acoustic guitar song that plays just before the title screen, where it tells you your objective to save Bandage Girl from Dr. Fetus.
- What better way to kick-start a game like this than with the groovy, action-packed "Forest Funk"? The fast-paced electronica riffs help get you off your feet to save the girl, while the heavy use of chime-like instrumentals gives it a dark and frantic tone befitting for the dire situation Meat Boy is in.
- The sinster-sounding, electric guitar-heavy "Ballad of the Burning Squirrel" starts off the Dark World chapters.
- "The Battle of Lil' Slugger" is a fan favorite, with its very fast-paced, action-packed tone, its hard rock influences, its borrowed aspects from "Forest Funk", and even a guitar solo.
- "Betus Blues" is the track for the Hospital, and is very Halloween-esque, matching the stage’s Big Boo's Haunt theme. The Dark World version does not disappoint either.
- The ambient, industrial-sounding theme for the Salt Factory, "Can'o Salt", as well as its Dark World theme.
- Brownie's theme, "Fast Track to Browntown" is a very lively and fast-paced techno track, befitting what the boss battle is.
- The theme for Hell, "Hot Damned", is another fan favorite, and is probably the most hardcore track in the game, with its metal influences, its heavy bassline, and even an ominous choir.
- "Meat Golem", the music for the Little Horn battle, is tied with "Hot Damned" for how downright intense it is.
- The music for The Rapture, with its heavy drumming and mix of electric guitar and orchestra, is guaranteed to give you chills.
- "Dr. Fetus' Castle", the Dark World theme for The Rapture, is an epic, hardcore techno track.
- "Larries' Lament", the Heroic Fantasy-esque boss theme for the Rapture stage.
- "It Ends 2: End Harder", the music that plays as you trek through Dr. Fetus' castle. It provides an epic build-up to the final level.
- The Final Boss Theme, "Carmeaty Burana". It's a fast-paced and fully orchestrated theme with Ominous Latin Chanting that sounds like the type of theme that plays during the climax of an action movie or the final boss battle in a Heroic Fantasy game; a perfect Orchestral Bombing to top off an otherwise perfect soundtrack.
- "Escape!" which plays afterwards, as Meat Boy escorts Bandage Girl out of Dr. Fetus' castle, and it is also an epic orchestrated piece that tenses you up and keeps the adrenaline rushing.
- The end credits suite, which blends together all the themes of the game in one last crescendo of glory.
2015 Soundtrack
As the 2015 soundtrack starts with Ridiculon's twangy country theme for the Forest, many players who prefer the 2010 soundtrack stop listening there. Nonetheless, many of its other tracks that are easily on par with those in the older soundtrack while still fitting their respective worlds.
NOTICE: Most of Ridiculon's non-menu tracks as seen on Bandcamp and YouTube are rather toned down on the first loop, and only match what you hear in-game by the second loop. Keep this in mind and try starting halfway through the songs if the intros are too bland. SCATTLE and Laura Shigihara do not indulge in this and their albums are presented unmodified.
- "Coming to a Deli Near You", an upbeat rock tune by Ridiculon that replaces the title and world map theme for Super Meat Boy.
- Although in some fans' eyes it may not live up to "The battle of Lil' Slugger", "Throw Another Banjo on the Fire" is still an epic song for a boss fight. It's fast-paced and combines the banjo used in the forest levels with a ferocious guitar that makes this theme even more hardcore.
- The dubstep-themed Hospital boss track from SCATTLE, "165°", is much more dramatic and climactic than Danny's same boss theme, and builds up to an incredible drop.
- "The Red Sea", a Surprisingly Gentle Song from SCATTLE, serves as the Salt Factory's Light World menu, and fits the feel of Salt Factory perfectly with its mechanical and ambient sound. The theme for that same menu's Dark World equivalent, "Dry Rub", is harsher but just as good, and the two tracks crossfade quite well.
- "Hell Toupé", made by Ridiculon, is the theme for Hell's dark world. It is more hardcore and down-to-earth metal than any of the Hell tracks from 2010, but it pulls this off very well and provides a tense undertone to the frantic levels of Hell.
- The awe-inspiring "Leather Glove - Well Done", by Ridiculon, which plays in the Chapter 6 menus. It has an urgent tone to it and brings to mind the state of the world you're in.
- Ridiculon's "Meatal Acropolis" is the epic final boss theme to the 2015 soundtrack, and instead of being fully orchestrated like "Carmeaty Burana", it's filled to the brim with heavy drums and electric guitars.
- "Cotton Candy", and "Bandage Girl Boogie", the 2015 Cotton Alley tracks from Laura Shigihara, are very upbeat and relaxing, and kind of make you want to dance a bit.
Super Meat Boy Forever
- Despite its country style, which is the reason why most fans didn't like the 2015 Forest themes in Super Meat Boy, some fans admit to the Pre-Released Green Hills theme, now Chipper Grove Dark World theme, growing on them. Its catchy and upbeat yet distorted sound definitely makes it stand out.
- The Pre-Released Green Hills Dark World theme is loved even more by fans, with its dark and action-packed tone.
- Tenuous, the Light World theme for Tetanusville. Think "Hell Toupé" mixed with "Steak Thru the Heart" and "Fundamentum", then fine-tuned to perfection.
- The theme for the Big Slugger battle which is a hardcore rock tune.
Other
- The Salt Factory and Hell theme in the flash game are just about as good as their "modernized" versions.
- C418 made a techno medley of the 2010 soundtrack, exploring new horizons with snippets from Danny's tunes.
- Josh Whelchel remixed "Power of the Meat", another catchy techno medley complete with vocals.
