History AwesomeMusic / Cuphead

* "High Noon Hoopla"'s just one example of ''Delicious Last Course'''s varied usage of non-jazzy instruments -- perhaps the most predominant examples (besides the final boss theme) are the two tracks used for the fights on the King's Leap. The one used for the first four bosses, [[https://studiomdhr.bandcamp.com/track/bourree-on-the-board "Bourree On The Board"]], still has a very jazzy melody, features a trumpet about a minute in, and also has a xylophone as one of the backing instruments, but is otherwise dominated by more traditionally orchestral instruments, including a timpani drum, violins, violas, a harpsichord, and a horn. When you reach the final battle against the Queen, a fittingly grander, faster-paced arrangement by the name of [[https://studiomdhr.bandcamp.com/track/the-queen-s-riguadon "The Queen's Riguadon"]] plays instead, which basically ''abandons'' jazz instruments altogether, featuring the same instruments as the original song, but now with more pronounced percussion and the main body of the track being played primarily by orchestral brass and string instruments. There's one other thing both tracks share: a full-on ''choir'' as one last crescendo to punctuate your grand victory!

* [[https://studiomdhr.bandcamp.com/track/one-hell-of-a-dream "One Hell of a Dream"]], the music for the secret Dream Devil fight, is completely different from basically every other boss theme in ''Cuphead'' -- instead of a bombastic jazz piece, it's a slow, quiet, and ominous remix of "One Hell of a Time" that doesn't sound much like a boss theme at all. Despite this, it's the perfect accompaniment for the [[NightmareFuel nightmarish]] MindScrew that is the secret boss.

* At the Game Awards 2021, they got a [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J77phNrJtns musical presentation]] to introduce the DLC in the style of a 1920s band--replacing the original game's barbershop quartet with a female trio in the style of Music/TheAndrewsSisters.

* [[https://studiomdhr.bandcamp.com/track/baking-the-wondertart "Baking the Wondertart"]], Cuphead's answer to "[[VideoGame/TheBindingOfIsaac Revelation 13:1]]" or "[[VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI Dancing Mad]]", is a more epic battle theme then The Devil's playfulness.

* [[https://studiomdhr.bandcamp.com/track/gnome-way-out Gnome Way Out]] is wacky and silly with guitar and tuba, but still manages to convey a sense of danger.
* [[https://studiomdhr.bandcamp.com/track/snow-cult-scuffle Snow Cult Scuffle]], Mortimer Freeze's theme, is a wonderful combination of wintry instruments and samba percussion that's mysterious and whimsical, but also threatening.
* [[https://studiomdhr.bandcamp.com/track/bootlegger-boogie Bootlegger Boogie]] is practically a [[StealthPun distillation]] of ''Cuphead's'' jazziness. Bonus points for the scat singing by Alana Bridgewater herself!
* [[https://studiomdhr.bandcamp.com/track/high-noon-hoopla High Noon Hoopla]] is a frenetic, chaotic piece that shifts frantically between major and minor keys. It also makes good use of several instruments that are usually absent from ''Cuphead'' music, such as fiddle, electric guitar (including lap steel), coconut "hoof" percussion, and ''yodeling''.
* [[https://studiomdhr.bandcamp.com/track/doggone-dogfight Doggone Dogfight]] is jazzy, yet the deep brass conveys a sort of seriousness to it, perfect for a fight against an air force.
* High Noon Hoopla's just one example of ''Delicious Last Course'''s varied usage of non-jazzy instruments -- perhaps the most predominant examples (besides the final boss theme below) are the two tracks used for the fights on the King's Leap. The one used for the first four bosses, [[https://studiomdhr.bandcamp.com/track/bourree-on-the-board Bouree On The Board]], still has a very jazzy melody, features a trumpet about a minute in, and also has a xylophone as one of the backing instruments, but is otherwise dominated by more traditionally orchestral instruments, including a timpani drum, violins, violas, a harpsichord, and a horn. When you reach the final battle against the Queen, a fittingly grander, faster-paced arrangement by the name of [[https://studiomdhr.bandcamp.com/track/the-queen-s-riguadon The Queen's Riguadon]] plays instead, which basically ''abandons'' jazz instruments altogether, featuring the same instruments as the original song, but now with more pronounced percussion and the main body of the track being played primarily by orchestral brass and string instruments. There's one other thing both tracks share: a full-on ''choir'' as one last crescendo to punctuate your grand victory!
* [[https://studiomdhr.bandcamp.com/track/baking-the-wondertart Baking the Wondertart]], Cuphead's answer to "[[VideoGame/TheBindingOfIsaac Revelation 13:1]]" or "[[VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI Dancing Mad]]", is a more epic battle theme then The Devil's playfulness.
* [[https://studiomdhr.bandcamp.com/track/one-hell-of-a-dream One Hell of a Dream]], the music for the secret Dream Devil fight, is completely different from basically every other boss theme in ''Cuphead'' -- instead of a bombastic jazz piece, it's a slow, quiet, and ominous remix of "One Hell of a Time" that doesn't sound much like a boss theme at all. Despite this, it's the perfect accompaniment for the [[NightmareFuel nightmarish]] MindScrew that is the secret boss.

* [[https://studiomdhr.bandcamp.com/track/bootlegger-boogie Bootlegger Boogie]] is practically a [[StealthPun distillation]] of ''Cuphead's'' jazziness. Bonus points for the scat singing.

!!The Delicious Last Course

* [[https://studiomdhr.bandcamp.com/track/high-noon-hoopla High Noon Hoopla]] is a frenetic, chaotic piece that shifts frantically between major and minor keys. It also makes good use of several instruments that are usually absent from ''Cuphead'' music, such as violin, electric guitar, and ''yodeling''.

* [[https://studiomdhr.bandcamp.com/track/baking-the-wondertart Baking the Wondertart]], Cuphead's answer to ''VideoGame/TheBindingOfIsaac'''s ''Revelation 13:1'' or ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI'''s ''Dancing Mad'', is a more epic battle theme then The Devil's playfulness.

* [[https://studiomdhr.bandcamp.com/track/bootlegger-boogie Bootlegger Boogie]] is practically a [[Pun distillation]] of ''Cuphead's'' jazziness. Bonus points for the scat singing.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wdxamIMJ-Y Baking the Wondertart]], Cuphead's answer to ''VideoGame/TheBindingOfIsaac'''s ''Revelation 13:1'' or ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI'''s ''Dancing Mad'', is a more epic battle theme then The Devil's playfulness.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wdxamIMJ-Y Baking the Wondertart]], Cuphead's answer to ''VideoGame/BindingOfIsaac'''s ''Revelation 13:1'' or ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI'''s ''Dancing Mad'', is a more epic battle theme then The Devil's playfulness.

* [[https://studiomdhr.bandcamp.com/track/botanic-panic "Botanic Panic"]] is among the first, if not ''the'' first, boss themes you'll hear and is infectiously catchy. Who would have thought that a fight with sentient vegetables would so intense? Well, this song helps that feeling, along with being a great piece on its own.

* The parts of [[https://studiomdhr.bandcamp.com/track/aviary-action "Aviary Action"]] fit incredibly well with the different parts of Wally Warbles' boss fight. By the time he falls out of his birdhouse and his son appears, you're treated to a sample of Ride of the Valkyries, and it only ramps up from there once the clarinet comes out.

* [[https://studiomdhr.bandcamp.com/track/carnival-kerfuffle "Carnival Kerfuffle"]] is also pretty catchy with its fun-sounding brass and piano sections. It captures the feel of an amusement park booming at night really well.

* [[https://studiomdhr.bandcamp.com/track/funfair-fever "Funfair Fever"]] is perhaps one of the most upbeat songs in the game, which makes it very fun to listen to. The ragtime piano section, which [[SuspiciouslySimilarSong is often compared to the Athletic theme from]] ''VideoGame/SuperMarioWorld'' is perhaps the best part.

* The sax and drums in [[https://studiomdhr.bandcamp.com/track/high-seas-hi-jinx "High Seas Hi-Jinx"]] fit Cala Maria's fight perfectly. Not only does the fast pace match the adrenaline rush that comes with dodging her attacks, but there's the perfect escalation of intensity around the same time she transforms into a gorgon, with a harmonic piano tune joining in shortly afterwards.
* [[https://studiomdhr.bandcamp.com/track/railroad-wrath "Railroad Wrath"]] is a fast-paced, saxophone-heavy tune that weds the simultaneous railroad and Halloween themes of the Phantom Express quite perfectly.

%%* The sax and drums in [[https://studiomdhr.bandcamp.com/track/high-seas-hi-jinx "High Seas Hi-Jinx"]] fit Cala Maria's fight perfectly.
%%Why? This is zero-context as written.

* [[https://studiomdhr.bandcamp.com/track/forest-follies Forest Follies]] is a frantic and fun ragtime piano piece that fits great with the game's aesthetic, sounding very much like something you'll hear in a old silent film. This also applies to the other tracks in the RunAndGun levels, which follow the same general idea.

* [[https://studiomdhr.bandcamp.com/track/forest-follies Forest Follies]] is a frantic and fun piano piece that fits great with the game's aesthetic, sounding very much like something you'll hear in a old silent film. This also applies to the other tracks in the RunAndGun levels, which follow the general idea.

* [[https://youtu.be/UiOAyrrtbOs Forest Follies]] is a frantic, but fun ragtime piece that fits great with the game's aesthetic, sounding very much like something you'll hear in a old timey film. This also applies to the other tracks in the RunAndGun levels, which follow the general idea.

* At the Game Awards 2021, they got a musical presentation to introduce the DLC in the style of a 1920s band.

* [[https://studiomdhr.bandcamp.com/track/die-house "Die House"]] is notable for actually being ''sung''. With King Dice's threatening voice and lyrics, it makes a great, and catchy, VillainSong for him. Did we mention that the singer is a ''woman?'' Talk about vocal range! It's also one of the most popular songs with the fanbase, receiving many fanmade remixes and covers.
** There's also the instrumental version, [[https://studiomdhr.bandcamp.com/track/all-bets-are-off "All Bets Are Off"]], which plays in cutscenes featuring King Dice, and is no less catchy than the vocal version.

* [[https://youtu.be/D6KXf-kXKIA Don't Deal with the Devil]], the ExpositoryThemeTune by the barbershop quartet, is short but sweet and provides a great atmosphere for the game.
* [[https://youtu.be/n2bv7MOQ10w Elder Kettle]] is a beautiful, nostalgia-fueling waltz tune played by the game's orchestra that sounds just like something out of a classic Disney movie.
* [[https://youtu.be/LCdWr3Zrt5s Victory Tune]] is probably the song that players look forward to hearing the most. With its upbeat brass tune, this song is very rewarding to listen to after taking several attempts to beat a boss, or even on its own.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3UguXUvECM Die House]] is notable for actually being ''sung''. With King Dice's threatening voice and lyrics, it makes a great, and catchy, VillainSong for him. Did we mention that the singer is a ''woman?'' Talk about vocal range! It's also one of the most popular songs with the fanbase, receiving many fanmade remixes and covers.
** And then Music/SiIvaGunner mashed it up with Music/RandyNewman's score from ''WesternAnimation/MonstersInc'' - YourHeadASplode [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55IjhuSJjTA from how well it fits.]]
** There's also the instrumental version, [[https://youtu.be/aC4H7o53Ng4 All Bets Are Off]], which plays in cutscenes featuring King Dice, and is no less catchy than the vocal version.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uH2_sPJuLw Botanic Panic]] is among the first, if not ''the'' first, boss themes you'll hear and is infectiously catchy. Who would have thought that a fight with sentient vegetables would so intense? Well, this song helps that feeling, along with being a great piece on its own.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjsJrQXGYY4 Ruse of an Ooze]] is the second boss theme and is just as catchy as "Botanic Panic". The piano emotes the fast pace of Goopy's fight with his first and second phases, but when the trumpet solo plays, you are finally greeted by his gravestone, which makes it funnier yet slightly epic.
* [[https://youtu.be/G9OK1aM68ac Clip Joint Calamity]] was one of the first stage themes debuted at length, which caused many to assume that such a red-hot tune ''had to'' be the game's main theme.
* [[https://youtu.be/yOuAJqsCt0Y Floral Fury]] is a great boss theme. The tribal-sounding percussion blends really well with the adrenaline-pumping brass section. It's the most intense samba you'll ever hear, very appropriate for the [[DamnItFeelsGoodToBeAGangster thug life]] music. The theme became such a fan favorite that it was chosen to represent Cuphead in ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosUltimate''.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elAG4FsjkuA Sugarland Shimmy]]'s drums add to the punchiness of the song.
* [[https://youtu.be/XORwfYUH23Y Carnival Kerfuffle]] is also pretty catchy with its fun-sounding brass and piano sections. It captures the feel of an amusement park booming at night really well.
* The parts of [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnZ7PS31kCE Aviary Action]] fit incredibly well with the different parts of Wally Warbles' boss fight. By the time he falls out of his birdhouse and his son appears, you're treated to a sample of Ride of the Valkyries, and it only ramps up from there once the clarinet comes out.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6yt31MxT0Y Pyramid Peril]] fits the Egyptian/Arabic feel, but as the song progresses it gets a little creepier, and halfway through it makes a tonal shift and gets faster and crazier than ever. All through each phase Djimmi the Great goes through.
* [[https://youtu.be/5TXI3G0cxBU Funfair Fever]] is perhaps one of the most upbeat songs in the game, which makes it very fun to listen to. The ragtime piano section, which [[SuspiciouslySimilarSong is often compared to the Athletic theme from]] ''VideoGame/SuperMarioWorld'' is perhaps the best part.
* Although [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVhkyh5OYSU Coin-Op Bop]] didn't make it into the final game, being the background track for the scrapped arcade in World 2, it's still amazing. It starts out as a cheery piano theme, but then gets darker... and as it gets darker it gets faster until it's pure unbridled insanity. Really captures the feeling of time running out while playing a stressful minigame.
* [[https://youtu.be/WsWkLVi2Xf8 Shootin n' Lootin]] is a fast-paced tune with an upbeat, adventurous sound. It really gets you in a pirate-y mood!
* It's not hard to see why [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEkIgK5kUfw Junkyard Jive]] was the music for the E3 2014 trailer. Menacing and fitting for the mad scientist and robot you're fighting, and much like Pyramid Peril, there's a midway tonal shift, after which the song becomes more intense and crazy than ever before.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foaw2arHA50 Dramatic Fanatic]] stands out from most of the rest of the score for its use of tap dancing as an instrument, with some fun tap solos taking place late in the track.
* The sax in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8e19xlb7mM Murine Corps]] gives the track a distinct, toe-tapping feel, perfect for fighting the goofy BreatherBoss Werner Werman. While the battle is relatively short so the entire track is rarely heard, the baritone sax coming out at the end manages to actually sound imposing.
%%* The sax and drums in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pt6R-_-aEzY High Seas Hi-Jinx]] fit Cala Maria's fight perfectly.

* [[https://youtu.be/l03BFd3wDaE Inkwell Hell]] is surprisingly ominous compared to other songs in the game. It serves as a great buildup to the last two bosses and would fit right in as an [[Film/JamesBond opening to a Bond flick.]]
* [[https://youtu.be/KsReWI83IC8 The King's Court]] is featured in many trailers and ads for the game, and with good reason. It's a great, adrenaline-pumping battle theme that also serves as a slight BossRemix of "Die House".
* [[https://youtu.be/h66Ys4BXCU8 Admission to Perdition]] is the music heard in the first phase of the Devil's battle, and boy, is it awesome! It starts out with a unique melody before it begins to reprise the melodies from other battle themes heard throughout the game, and it's awesome how well they all work together. And toward the end, the music begins its madness and starts descending downward while its tempo is getting slower, indicating that the Devil literally jumps out of his skin and jumps down a hole, with you following him down into the cavernous pit of hell, which is where the real final battle will be imminent...
* [[https://youtu.be/ZhIs6rUn7Pg One Hell of a Time]] is great battle music for the Devil's terrifying final form, being fast-paced and tense yet catchy.
* [[https://youtu.be/uDcpSJIdx5g Winner Takes All]] is a joyful song that is perfect for the GoldenEnding. Made perhaps even better by the cheering sounds heard when it plays in the game itself.
* [[https://youtu.be/kszjdpUF0Js Closing Credits]] is a TriumphantReprise of "Shootin n' Lootin". It's a grand tune where the whole band really shows off. Special mention goes to the short singing section, where Alana Bridgewater goes full-on Cab Calloway, and the barbershop quartet pops back in for a few chords. The tap dancer makes a comeback too.

* [[https://youtu.be/kszjdpUF0Js Closing Credits]] is a TriumphantReprise of "Shootin n' Lootin", mentioned above. It's a grand tune where the whole band really shows off. Special mention goes to the short singing section, where Alana Bridgewater goes full-on Cab Calloway, and the barbershop quartet pops back in for a few chords. The tap dancer makes a comeback too.
* At the Game Awards 2021, they get a musical presentation to introduce the DLC in the style of a 1920s band.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6yt31MxT0Y Pyramid Peril]] fits the Egyptian/Arabic feel, but as the song progresses it gets a little creepier, and halfway through it makes a tonal shift and gets upbeat, faster, and crazier than ever. All through each phase Djimmi the Great goes through.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjsJrQXGYY4 Ruse of an Ooze]] is the second boss theme and is just as catchy as "Botanic Panic". The piano emotes the fast pace of Goopy's fight with his first and second phases, but when the trumpet solo plays, you are finally greeted by his [[spoiler:gravestone]], which makes it funnier yet slightly epic.

* [[https://youtu.be/h66Ys4BXCU8 Admission to Perdition]] is the music heard in the first phase of the Devil's battle, and boy, is it awesome! It starts out with a unique melody before it begins to reprise the melodies from other battle themes heard throughout the game, and it's awesome how well they all work together. And toward the end, the music begins its madness and starts descending downward while its tempo is getting slower, indicating that [[spoiler:the Devil literally jumps out of his skin and jumps down a hole, with you following him down into the cavernous pit of hell, which is where the real final battle will be imminent]]...