Tom Holkenborg, who composed the score for the first two Sonic films, returned to score Sonic the Hedgehog 3[1] and had finished work by July 2024.[2] In December 2023, Crush 40 vocalist Johnny Gioeli said there had been talks of including the song "Live & Learn" from Sonic Adventure 2 (2001) in the film.[3] In February 2024, Gioeli confirmed "Live & Learn" would be included in the film.[4]Jelly Roll released a single for the film, titled "Run It", on November 21, 2024.[5] The film also features the song "Neon" from Japanese rock band One Ok Rock, who previously contributed to the soundtrack for the 2022 game Sonic Frontiers.[6] "It's a Sonic Christmas", the song performed by Ruwanga Samath and featured in the promotional short film of the same name, was released on digital platforms on December 13, 2024.[7][8] The soundtrack album was released by Milan Records on December 20, 2024.[9]
Content
The "Live & Learn" theme is introduced in the opening scene of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 as a riff that Maria Robotnik plays on her guitar, from then on functioning as a leitmotif for Shadow the Hedgehog. The full vocal version appears during Sonic and Shadow's duel and when they transform into Super Sonic and Super Shadow to stop the Eclipse Cannon from destroying the Earth.[10]
Reception
Cameron Frew of Dexerto called the score "superb", praising its incorporation of video game music and the accompanying licensed tracks.[11] Mike Reyes of CinemaBlend similarly commended the addition of the video games' musical cues, feeling that it enhanced the experience.[12] Matt Donata of The A.V. Club said "Shadow’s motorcycle and handgun combo earn their spotlight, as do the musical cues, none more blissful than Crush 40’s Sonic Adventure 2 theme song "Live & Learn" hitting at a pivotal moment during composer Tom Holkenborg’s third-act crescendo".[13]
Track listing
All music is composed by Tom Holkenborg, except as noted.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3: Music from the Motion Picture track listing[9]
No.
Title
Length
1.
"It All Starts With This"
1:01
2.
"The Ultimate Lifeform"
1:41
3.
"Green Hills, Present"
1:06
4.
"New Day, New Adventure"
2:18
5.
"Talk About Low Budget Flights"
1:27
6.
"We're Outta Here!"
0:30
7.
"Wow… He's Fast!"
3:48
8.
"La Ultima Passion"
0:47
9.
"Habanera"
0:34
10.
"A Rotten Eggman"
1:11
11.
"The Eclipse Cannon"
0:57
12.
""MA-RI-A""
2:19
13.
"Wishes Are Eternal"
1:50
14.
"The Truth of 50 Years Ago"
1:30
15.
"I Found You Faker!"
4:06
16.
"That Mad Scientist!"
3:30
17.
"Throw It All Away"
0:59
18.
"I'll Make It Through"
3:06
19.
"La Ultima Passion Pt.2"
0:41
20.
"G.U.N. Control"
2:18
21.
"Big Time Villains"
2:16
22.
"No Time for Games"
1:19
23.
"Feel My Loss, and Despair"
1:40
24.
"I Can't Let You Live"
3:21
25.
"I Die Hard"
2:06
26.
"For All the People On That Planet"
1:58
27.
"Live and Learn (Junkie XL version)"
0:49
28.
"E.G.G.M.E.N."
3:42
29.
"Too Easy, Piece of Cake"
1:16
30.
"Last Story"
4:32
31.
"Sayonara, Shadow the Hedgehog"
1:43
32.
"Green Hills, Good Future"
1:04
33.
"The Edge of Tomorrow"
1:38
Total length:
1:03:03
Additional music
Additional music featured in the film includes the following:[14]
