30 Days of Video Game Music: Day 5 -- Hub World Music

Check out the Day 1 post for the full challenge list.

“Gruntilda’s Lair” - Grant Kirkhope

Game: Banjo-Kazooie (1998, N64)
Original: YouTube
Cover: PPF (YouTube, Spotify, Google Play, iTunes)
Cover: FamilyJules (YouTube)
Cover: FamilyJules feat. Grank Kirkhope, Final Boss Arrangement (YouTube)

Picking this did not take long, it’s easily the best hub world song! I hope you’ll listen to the PPF cover, he has more instruments than any other. I’m also fond of FamilyJules. If you like metal, he’s got the tools.

I don’t have Grunty’s stamina to write this whole post in rhyme, but I sure love this theme! Varying the instrumentation as you approach each level entrance is a great touch and keeps the theme from getting old as you navigate Grunty’s lair. To me, the theme is appropriately witchy, but it also matches Banjo’s plodding, honey bear pace. Really just perfect for its setting.

The final boss theme I guess is technically a different track, but it’s so good I had to include that FamilyJules cover as well!