Awesome Music / Transformers

It's not called "Autobots, Rock Out!" for nothing.

General

• Before the individual entries, this page starts with the song that was so gloriously awesome that it has become the theme song for the entire franchise: "The Touch" by Stan Bush.

The Transformers: The Movie

• The soundtrack to the 1986 animated movie is so 80s it hurts.
• Here's the HAIRMETAL version of the Transformers theme song, with lyrics more relevant to the movie. And then there's the alternate Vince DiCola version of the theme, which is among Barney Stinson's favorite music picks in the Bro Code!
• Nothing's Gonna STAND IN OUR WAY! is like something right out of a Metal album cover: "Killer metal sharks hacked to death with a band saw, transforming robot turns into a sports car, fights a giant octopus with lasers and all played out to the backing of some classic 80's hair metal. Is there anyway of packing in any more awesomeness into 2 minutes!?!"
• The Unicron Medley is perhaps the polar opposite of the Transformers theme, being slow, sinister and mysterious in contrast to the upbeat, to the point nature of the main theme. And it is AWESOME.
• The theme for the battle of Autobot City" is pretty good seving in its role as classically 80s action-drama BGM.
• "NRG's Instruments of Destruction gives the Decepticons some truly badass music to mow down Autobots to. The song's climaxing with a metal scream as Megatron blows Ironhide away is particularly awesome.
• "Megatron Must be Stopped" is the ultimate battle BGM with more frantic synths and hints of brash heavy metal by Vince DeCola, as Optimus Prime and Megatron duke it out to the death one more time.

Transformers

• No mention of Transformers music would be complete without "Arrival to Earth", or any of its various reprises.
• Scorponok's theme boasts a great beat showcasing not just Scorponok's strength but also the American army's valor in trying to fight him.
• The two-part "Decepticons/ Allspark" theme carries tension and awe in describing the threat of the Decepticons and how vital and powerful the Allspark is.
• Another excellent two parter: "Sector 7/Bumblebee Captured", both a pulse pounding chase piece and a massive Tear Jerker.
• The completely awesome four-part finale, encompassing "You're a Soldier Now", "Sam on the Roof", "Optimus Vs Megatron" and the aforementioned "No Sacrifice, No Victory".
• Some of the unreleased tracks are pretty epic as well: "Bogey Approach" and "Are You Ladiesman217?" stand out.
• Linkin Park's cover of the original 1984 theme song. Awesome. Now bring it to the same key as the original. Pure. Bliss.

Transformers: Revenge of The Fallen

• "NEST" is the best rock out to Lock-and-Load Montage song since Halo's "Blow Me Away". This theme also manages to sample the theme of the film, "New Divide", to great effect.
• The epic "Forest Battle" found HERE. What happens when this music is playing is both one of the best moments in the movie AND a BIG Moment of Awesome for Optimus Prime.
• "Einstein's Wrong", the main theme for the Seekers manages to carry an air of tension and never seems to go loud and bombastic, fitting for the sneaky status of those Decepticons.
• "The Fallen", the Leitmotif for the eponymous character, stands out for being an extremely creepy and alien combination of measured synthesizer beats and human voices. It shouldn't work, but it does, and the end result is both awesome and a prime example of Hell Is That Noise (and potential Nightmare Fuel).
• "Infinite White" and its sister track, "Tomb of the Primes" carry melancholy and awe in showing how amazing the Tomb of the Primes and the Matrix in its depths are. Beautiful...
• The two finale tracks, titled "I Claim Your Sun" and "I Rise, You Fall", are so utterly epic that they lend a kind of credence to the final battle it wouldn't normally have. Right before that, there is "Matrix of Leadership", generally considered the album's best track, and for very good reason.
• The unreleased complete score is, if anything, more awesome than its predecessor. Some of the best include "Optimus to the Rescue", "Orange Smoke", and "Autobots on the Move" (called "Roll Out" among the fandom for obvious reasons).

Transformers: Dark of the Moon

• Dark of the Moon adds the unimaginatively-titled yet absolutely epic "Battle", and the even more epic later-in-the-movie reprise "It's Our Fight".
• The entire score is incredible. "Sentinel Prime", "There Is No Plan", "I Promise", "I'm Just the Messenger", "No Prisoners, Only Trophies" and "The Fight Will Be Your Own" deserve special mention for being extra awesome or tear-jerkers.
• Amongst the complete score, the standout track would have to be the awesome "Autobots Return". At 0:45, you know that things just got real.

Transformers: Age of Extinction

The EP:

• The first piece of the movie's music ever released, "Hunted", especially the end, an extended version of the climax of "Honor to the End".
• "Tessa", the main leitmotif for the humans, was good enough to make it into the trailers.
• "Autobots Reunite" is an excellent throwback to "Arrival to Earth" and the ''Transformers: Prime" theme.
• It's easy to see why Lockdown's Leitmotif was chosen as the trailer music. It's an eerie, discordant track that plays as he stalks out of the smoke after incapacitating Optimus Prime.

The Main Album

• "Your Creators Want You Back", a reprise of Lockdown's theme which plays during his capture of Optimus, nails the terror and sadness of those involved perfectly.
• "Dinobot Charge" is an amazing Triumphant Reprise of the Decision suite. Six and a half minutes of giant robots riding to the rescue on colossal metal dinosaurs doesn't usually get much much more awesome than it already is, but the inclusion of this track manages just that.
• "Honor to the End" plays during the final showdown between Optimus and Lockdown. And it is incredible.
• "Leave Planet Earth Alone", which plays during the final scene, is every bit as good.
• "His Name is Shane, and He Drives" plays when Shane shows up and gets the Three away from Cemetery Wind, and keeps playing during the first chase sequence of the movie.

Transformers: The Last Knight

• "We Have to Go" is in equal parts majestic and tragic, and really drives home the magnitude of the final battle.
• "Calling All Autobots", a triumphant reprise of the Autobot theme from the first three films.
• Ursine Vulpine's "Do You Realise" from the trailer. The track feels like it was made to convey one emotion: dread. And it succeeds.

The Various Animated Series

• The Transformers:
  • Every variation of the G1 series opening theme is pretty damn awesome, hyping up children for the show and their favourite Cybertronians, especially Optimus Prime and Megatron.
  • The Japanese theme song Fight! Super Robot Lifeforms Transformers also hypes up viewers for the show as well as the American theme songs, only this time, it carries awe-inspiring vocals set to a groovy instrumentation.
• Transformers: Super-God Masterforce gives us the masterpiece that is We Believe Tomorrow, carrying an air of sadness and comfort which perfectly encapsulates the will of both Autobots and humans to defend themselves.
• Beast Wars:
  • "Theme of Hero," the quasi-orchestral song that plays during Dinobot's funeral in "Code of Hero" is a solemn send off to this honourable Maximal for giving his spark to save his comrades, even in the face of extreme adversity.
  • The Japanese opening themes for Beast Wars Metals:
    • "Evolution of the Spirit" carries an exciting rock tune to prepare viewers for their favourite Maximals and Predacons as they do battle against each other, setting the mood for the story.
    • "Millennium Soldier", a soothing yet rocking piece describing the strength of the heroes and setting the stage for the next phase of the Beast Wars.
• As much as fans tend to despise Beast Machines, the show has consistently been praised for its soundtrack, with the usage of techno and electronic music to thematically match the mechanical world of Cybertron.
• "Honō no Overdrive ~Car Robot Cybertron~", the opening from Car Robots, kicks off with a sense of urgency by musically mimicking the sound of emergency sirens, and shifts into setting the stage for the series' Hot-Blooded BURNING JUSTICE!! The theme song for the American Robots in Disguise redub sees Haim Saban and Shuki Levy granting the series a fast-paced sci-fi techno song that fits the alien robotic nature of the Transformers themselves. The real biscuit taker is the full version.
• Transformers: Armada:
  • Perhaps the one track that stands out to anyone who has watched the series would be the tragically epic Painful War, which plays during Starscream's last stand.
  • The English theme is a fast-paced, energetic track that immediately gets you pumped for action once you hear it.
  • The second opening of Micron Legend, Transformers ~Kōtetsu no Yūki~, is a bombastic song with a powerful beat, helping to highlight the more serious tone and narrative changes of the show's second half, which slowly builds up to the final threat of Unicron/Sideways. The lyrics even bring up important points that characters have raised by this stage.
  • The second ending of Micron Legend, Don't Give Up!!, contains a jamming beat and includes lyrics that highlight the tonal shift and character motives.
• Transformers: Energon: The music is sometimes pointed to as the series' only consistent saving grace.
• Transformers: Cybertron had an awesome soundtrack, although the original Japanese version, Galaxy Force, and the US version (which was mostly unchanged, with a few exceptions such as the exclusion of the Japanese vocal songs) have individual fan bases.
  • The English theme song, especially due to Optimus Prime's epic Opening Narration and Introdump, as well as that random dramatic announcer heard in the middle of it.
  • The US version inserted "Our Ally" into a few places where it worked better than the original track, such as Optimus Prime's last clash with Galvatron, which made the mood more heroic than somber.
  • The use of "Fierce Battle! Super Mode" for the final leg of Galvatron vs. Starscream made it feel more dramatic. But both can easily be viewed on YouTube, so take your pick.
  • Other Galaxy Force OST favorites include the Stock Footage drivers "Courageous Theme" and "Fierce Battle! Super Mode", and the solemn, even mournful "The Light that Blurs the Temple".
  • "Our Courage", and the ever Tear Jerker pieces "A Time to Part" with "Our Journey Is At An End" carries in enough grief to make you feel sorry for our heroes, whether they be human or Autobot.
  • Galaxy Force's opening Call you... Kimi to Boku no Mirai packs in a fast-paced rocking melody to increase anticipation for the show and all of its Autobots.
  • Presenting "A Great Power", a grand number with equally grand instrumentation to showcase the Autobots' determination and valour.
• Transformers: Animated:
  • This series somehow makes the theme more awesome.
  • And then friggin' JAM Project comes along and makes this little number for Animated, "Transformers EVO." (TV opening version.)
  • And then JAM Project went and made it EVEN MORE EPIC by performing a symphonic version with a live orchestra!
• Transformers: Prime:
  • Most of the soundtrack, but special mention goes to the theme and "We Have Returned". Regarding the theme, there are no words whatsoever, yet they somehow manage to fit all the epicness of the series, no, the ENTIRE TRANSFORMERS MULTIVERSE in one 44 second long song. Even if you don't like the show itself, there's a pretty good chance you'll like the song anyway. And that five-note pattern repeated in the song? It's the godamn classic transformation sound, turned into a song.
  • In the Japanese Dub, the second opening theme "Transformerz" by m-flow, a cool electronic Rap/Hip-Hop theme, and the third ending song, "Discord" by Tokyo Girls Style, are both great themes packing in action in their lyrics.
• The 2015 sequel to Prime, also titled Robots in Disguise, features its fair share of kickass tunes, with the opening theme's full uncut release being a sweet track. Numerous remixes of this same track are used in some of the show's most badass moments, and it never disappoints. And then there's the Japanese theme, which, considering the fact it's the last Transformers theme original to Japan, ends the trend with an absolute banger.
• Transformers: Rescue Bots: This show continues the franchise's long standing record of producing awesome opening music.
• Transformers: Rescue Bots Academy: Being marketed to an even younger audience than its predecessor wasn't enough to stop this show from having a solid (and catchy) intro theme.
• Transformers: Cyberverse: While the series theme song is remarkable itself, the remixes for the final season's 4-part specials only boost the intensity. Cyberverse's main musical credits, however, are in some of the leitmotifs; listen to the music played when Soundblaster exits the Mercenaries' ship and you'll see why.

The Video Games

• Transformers (2004) has an extremely memorable soundtrack, especially the boss themes. Then there's the extra theme song remixes unlocked by collecting Data-cons. The ending credit song by The Brown Hornet puts a funky spin on the original theme song. The lyrics make this song even more awesome.
• While Beast Wars: Transmetals was a pretty bad game, it had this gem.
• Transformers: War for Cybertron:
  • The end credits, reeking of the old-school credits sequences from the cartoon, with Stan "The Touch" Bush singing "Till All Are One". Watch it here.
  • This should speak for itself with a driving pulsating beat urging you to hurry over and save Zeta Prime fast.
• Transformers: Fall of Cybertron: The Humbling River is atmospheric, dark, moody, powerful, and perfect for the first trailer in the darkest Transformers game ever created.
• Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark: Say what you will about the game itself, but the music playing in the main menu is awesome. It initially starts out calmly and mysteriously, but soon escalates into something epic.
• Transformers: Devastation: Since the game was developed by none other than Platinum Games, musical wonders are ensured to happen. Being composed by the same guy who did the music for the 1986 movie doesn't hurt, either.
  • Motormaster boasts a sick rock and roll riff and tune to herald the arrival of the self-proclaimed "king of the road" as he does battle with his long-time self-proclaimed rival, Optimus.
  • Constructicons/Sentry Bot is a frantic spark-pounding theme showcasing the Constructicons' power, even when they're not combined.
  • Insecticons packs in a crazy disjointed introduction which melts into harmony, showcasing how menacing the Insecticons are, especially in huge numbers.
  • Blitzwing's theme rolls in three musical styles in its score, fitting to his triple changer status and brute strength.
  • Decepticon. Yes, they may be Mooks, but even these minions of Megatron are no slouch in battle. Their theme allows a taste of the full power of the Decepticon army.
  • Devastator packs in grizzly rock music showcasing this combiner's true strength.
  • Menasor's theme boasts grizzly, distorted metal-like music backed by an ominous choir to show the insane power of this giant, sword-wielding highway menace. This track returns during the final battle against Devastator when you whack that green brute hard and long enough.
  • Decepticon Sergeant boasts a jarring rock and roll theme to describe how experienced and strong the Decepticons' Elite Mooks are.
  • Shockwave rocks in both orchestra and 80's rock and roll melded together to show how insane and powerful this Decepticon scientist is.
  • Soundwave theme superior, Autobots inferior. The hardest 80's rock you'll ever hear, mixed with audio distortions fitting the master of sound blasters and second in command for the Decepticons.
  • Cargo Lift drips tension in its beat and melody as you try to defend yourself while accessing the Proudstar's mode of transport.
  • Final Battle is a truly glorious piece with grand choral harmonies, a blaring orchestra and 80's rock to set the stage for Optimus and Megatron's battle for Earth's fate.

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