How a self-taught composer turned 8-bit nostalgia into a global musical phenomenon
In short: Toby Fox created the iconic Undertale soundtrack using FL Studio, drawing inspiration from Super Nintendo classics and chiptune bands. By weaving character-specific leitmotifs throughout the game, he crafted a score that critics hail as one of the greatest ever, eventually reaching audiences as diverse as internet meme culture and the Vatican.
The Undertale soundtrack, released in 2015, was the work of Toby Fox, a self-taught musician who composed the score entirely within FL Studio. Fox initially attempted to use FamiTracker but found the interface unintuitive, leading him to record musical segments separately and stitch them together. Unlike many game scores, Fox composed the music before programming the game’s scenes, using the tracks to dictate the emotional flow and pacing of the narrative. Over 90% of the music was written specifically for the project, with the notable exception of the viral hit 'Megalovania', which had previously appeared in Fox's EarthBound ROM hack and the webcomic Homestuck.
The composition style relies heavily on leitmotifs—recurring musical themes tied to specific characters—which critics have praised for grounding the game's emotional arc. A prime example is 'Hopes and Dreams', the boss theme for Asriel Dreemurr, which synthesizes various character themes to provide a sense of completion for players who choose a pacifist path. Fox drew sonic inspiration from a wide array of sources, including the bullet hell series Touhou Project, the band Anamanaguchi, and the game Off, which influenced the jazz elements found in 'Ghost Fight'. While most tracks required little iteration, the song 'Undertale' was the sole piece to undergo significant development changes.
The soundtrack's cultural footprint has expanded well beyond the game itself. It has inspired numerous cover albums, ranging from metal and electronic arrangements like 'Determination' to jazz interpretations such as 'Live at Grillby's' and 'Prescription for Sleep'. The music has also been featured in other titles, including Taito's 'Groove Coaster' and 'Super Smash Bros. Ultimate', where a new arrangement of 'Megalovania' accompanied a Sans-themed costume. Its reach is perhaps best illustrated by its inclusion in a 2022 circus performance during a public audience with Pope Francis, cementing its status as a modern classic in video game music.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Undertale Soundtrack
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