Difference between revisions of "References to Sega/Music"

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{{back}}
 
{{back}}
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The following is a list of '''references to Sega in music'''.
+
[[File:References Blackpink Whistle Music Dreamcast.png|thumb|right|"[[wikipedia:Whistle (Blackpink song)|Whistle]]"]]
 +
[[Sega]]'s enduring popularity has resulted in the company being referenced throughout pop culture, including music. From hip-hop samples of [[Mega Drive]] games to thematic inspirations of [[Saturn]]-era memories, Sega has established a unique musical legacy which endures to this day.
 +
 
 +
Around the dawn of the 2010s, artists in the burgeoning [[wikipedia:vaporwave|vaporwave]] genre began adapting their nostalgia of Sega for use in their music. The breakout popularity of [[wikipedia:Oneohtrix Point Never|Chuck Person]]'s August 2010 album ''[[wikipedia:Chuck Person's Eccojams Vol. 1|Chuck Person's Eccojams Vol. 1]]'' (which used a glitchy collage of PAL [[Mega-CD]] release of ''[[Ecco the Dolphin]]'' as its album artwork{{fileref|EccoTheDolphin scd eu cover.jpg}}) kickstarted the genre as a whole, resulting in Sega-related themes becoming a trope of the genre and also establishing the Eccojams microgenre. It also led to vaporwave labels utilizing nostalgia in more direct ways, such as the packaging of independent music releases in [[Mega Drive]] boxes, and even the establishment of [[:Category:Albums released for Sega systems|entire albums programmed for original Sega hardware]].
  
 
For references specific to [[sonic:Sonic the Hedgehog|Sonic the Hedgehog]], see [[sonic:References to Sonic in music|References to Sonic in music]].
 
For references specific to [[sonic:Sonic the Hedgehog|Sonic the Hedgehog]], see [[sonic:References to Sonic in music|References to Sonic in music]].
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!Comments
 
!Comments
 
!Images
 
!Images
 +
|-
 +
|''[[wikipedia:Altered Beast (album)|Altered Beast]]''
 +
|[[wikipedia:Matthew Sweet|Matthew Sweet]]
 +
|1993-07-13
 +
|[[wikipedia:Matthew Sweet|Matthew Sweet]]'s 1993 alternative rock album ''[[wikipedia:Altered Beast (album)|Altered Beast]]'' takes its name from the [[Altered Beast|1988 arcade game of the same name]]. Sweet later told ''[[wikipedia:Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'' magazine that the title meant "whatever is inside you that someday might explode, and maybe you don't know it's there", which he found similar to the game, in which "you have to find these little power-up things, and when you eat them you become the Altered Beast, this other creature that's really powerful and violent."<ref>Kelly, Christian: [https://books.google.com/books?id=ra1GApGshtQC&pg=PA73 King of Pop], ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'', September 1995.</ref>
 +
| [[File:References MatthewSweet Music AlteredBeast.jpg|200px]]
 +
|-
 +
|''The Sega Method''
 +
|[[wikipedia:Drive-By Argument|Drive-By Argument]]
 +
|2007-03-05
 +
|The 2007 single ''The Sega Method'' contains an image of the band on a [[Mega Drive]] cartridge.{{ref|1=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916020612/https://forums.sonicretro.org/index.php?threads%2Fsega-references-in-pop-culture.22988%2Fpage-17#post-1076540}}
 +
| [[File:References DrivbyArgument TheSegaMethod Music MegaDrive.jpeg|200px]]
 
|-
 
|-
 
|''[[wikipedia:Chuck Person's Eccojams Vol. 1|Chuck Person's Eccojams Vol. 1]]''
 
|''[[wikipedia:Chuck Person's Eccojams Vol. 1|Chuck Person's Eccojams Vol. 1]]''
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|The album artwork's background features a screenshot of the city Twin Seeds from ''[[NiGHTS Into Dreams]]'', along with the text "16-Bit Cartridge, Not For Resale" (commonly found on [[Mega Drive]] games packed-in with a system, such as ''[[sonic:Sonic the Hedgehog (16-bit)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]''.)
 
|The album artwork's background features a screenshot of the city Twin Seeds from ''[[NiGHTS Into Dreams]]'', along with the text "16-Bit Cartridge, Not For Resale" (commonly found on [[Mega Drive]] games packed-in with a system, such as ''[[sonic:Sonic the Hedgehog (16-bit)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]''.)
 
| [[File:References AmunDragoon MythrilNights Music NiGHTS.png|200px]]
 
| [[File:References AmunDragoon MythrilNights Music NiGHTS.png|200px]]
 +
|-
 +
|''SUNSET SHIMMER''
 +
|SEPHORA脳バイブス
 +
|2013-08-29
 +
|The album artwork features American [[Game Gear]] border trim and the finish line from ''[[OutRun]]''.
 +
| [[File:References SUNSETSHIMMER Music GameGeartrim OutRun.jpeg|200px]]
 +
|-
 +
|''Plug In, Drop Out''
 +
|Golden Living Room
 +
|2013-08-29
 +
|The album artwork features a softened screencapture from the 1995 US [[Sega Saturn]] commercial ''[https://segaretro.org/File:SAT_US_TVAdvert_IntroducingSegaSaturn.mp4 It's Out There]''.{{fileref|SAT US TVAdvert IntroducingSegaSaturn.mp4}}
 +
| [[File:References GoldenLivingRoom PlugInDropOut Music SaturnUSadvert.jpg|200px]]
 
|-
 
|-
 
|''The future is here''
 
|''The future is here''
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|The album artwork features the [[Sega logo]], and the EP itself is named in reference to both ''[[Ecco the Dolphin]]'' and the Eccojams subgenre.
 
|The album artwork features the [[Sega logo]], and the EP itself is named in reference to both ''[[Ecco the Dolphin]]'' and the Eccojams subgenre.
 
| [[File:References SegaDreamcastle EccovisionEP Music Segalogo.png|200px]]
 
| [[File:References SegaDreamcastle EccovisionEP Music Segalogo.png|200px]]
 +
|-
 +
|''冬季大会 WINTER GAMES''
 +
|人以上VANQUISH組み込ま利益
 +
|2014
 +
|The album artwork features ''[[Sonic Adventure]]'' artwork alongside [[Sega Dreamcast]] border trim.
 +
| [[File:References VANQUISH WINTERGAMES Music Sonic Dreamcast.jpg|200px]]
 
|-
 
|-
 
|''シェンムーONLINE''
 
|''シェンムーONLINE''
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|The album artwork recreates the classic "grid paper" box design of [[Sega Master System]] titles.
 
|The album artwork recreates the classic "grid paper" box design of [[Sega Master System]] titles.
 
| [[File:References PessoasQueEuConheco UmaCartadeAmorParaSEGA Music SMSboxart.jpg|200px]]
 
| [[File:References PessoasQueEuConheco UmaCartadeAmorParaSEGA Music SMSboxart.jpg|200px]]
 +
|-
 +
|''CHAO GARDEN''
 +
|MECHA YURI
 +
|2014-08-01
 +
|The album artwork features artwork of [[Chao]]s alongside an image of a [[Dreamcast Controller]] and [[VMU]].
 +
| [[File:References MECHAYURI CHAOGARDEN Music Chao DreamcastController VMU.jpg|200px]]
 
|-
 
|-
 
|''快い亡霊 OST''
 
|''快い亡霊 OST''
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|The album artwork features an American print advertisement for the [[Sega Mega-CD#Mega-CD 2|Sega CD]].
 
|The album artwork features an American print advertisement for the [[Sega Mega-CD#Mega-CD 2|Sega CD]].
 
| [[File:References FamicomFountains SecretAlbum Music SegaCDadvert.jpg|200px]]
 
| [[File:References FamicomFountains SecretAlbum Music SegaCDadvert.jpg|200px]]
 +
|-
 +
|''█▓▒▒F U N S T A T I O N▒▒▓█''
 +
|nano神社 (✪㉨✪)
 +
|2015-05-17
 +
|The album artwork is overlaid with an image of an arcade containing ''[[Jurassic Park (arcade)|Jurassic Park]]''.
 +
| [[File:References nano FUNSTATION Music JurassicPark.jpg|200px]]
 
|-
 
|-
 
|''Ｊ Ｕ Ｒ Ａ Ｓ Ｓ Ｉ Ｃ Ｐ Ａ Ｒ Ｌ Ｏ Ｒ''
 
|''Ｊ Ｕ Ｒ Ａ Ｓ Ｓ Ｉ Ｃ Ｐ Ａ Ｒ Ｌ Ｏ Ｒ''
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|The album artwork features its name written in the [[Sega logo]] font.
 
|The album artwork features its name written in the [[Sega logo]] font.
 
| [[File:References nano SegasTrilogy Music Segafont.jpg|200px]]
 
| [[File:References nano SegasTrilogy Music Segafont.jpg|200px]]
 +
|-
 +
|''(*°∀°) GAME OVER''
 +
|Internet User
 +
|2015
 +
|The album artwork features a heavily-compressed and uncannily-cropped screenshot of ''[[Shinobi]]''.
 +
| [[File:References InternetUser GameOver Music Shinobi.jpg|200px]]
 +
|-
 +
|''Ｎｉｇｈｔ ｏｆ Ｔｅｒｒｏｒ「成人専用」''
 +
|High School Drama Teacher
 +
|2016
 +
|The album artwork features [[Sega Dreamcast]] border trim, alongside the artist's name presented with the [[Sega logo]] font.
 +
| [[File:References HighSchoolDramaTeacher NightofTerror Music Dreamcasttrim.jpg|200px]]
 +
|-
 +
|''Escape to New York''
 +
|Ursula's Cartridges
 +
|2016-06-17
 +
|The album artwork features both the PAL [[Mega Drive]] logo and [[Mega-CD]] border trim alongside a title presented in the [[Sega logo]] font. Additionally, a February 2020 audio cassette release of the album - the Limited Sega Edition - was presented like a Mega Drive game, with accompanying hardshell box and instruction manual.{{ref|https://citymanprod.com/album/escape-to-new-york}}
 +
| [[File:References UrsulasCartridges EscapetoNewYork Music LimitedSegaEdition.jpg|200px]]
 
|-
 
|-
 
|''DREAMSNATCHER''
 
|''DREAMSNATCHER''
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|The album artwork features a background from ''[[Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master]]''.
 
|The album artwork features a background from ''[[Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master]]''.
 
| [[File:References KhakiBlazer DidntHaveToCut Music ShinobiIII.jpg|200px]]
 
| [[File:References KhakiBlazer DidntHaveToCut Music ShinobiIII.jpg|200px]]
 +
|-
 +
|''ＳＩＭ ＥＡＲＴＨ™ ｕｌｔｒａ気候 & 「ＡＦＴＥＲ ＨＯＵＲＳ」''
 +
|「ｎｅｗｔｙｐｅ」
 +
|2019-01-20
 +
|The album artwork features the Japanese [[Mega-CD]] logo.
 +
| [[File:References newtype SIMEARTHultra+AFTERHOURS Music MegaCDlogo.jpg|200px]]
 +
|-
 +
|''Business Presentation''
 +
|Microsoft Executive & PlayStation ｐｌａｔｉｎｕｍ
 +
|2019-01-27
 +
|The album artwork features Japanese [[Sega Saturn]] border trim, alongside the Saturn logo appearing through a television's static.
 +
| [[File:References MicrosoftExecutivePlayStationplatinum BusinessPresentation Music Saturntrim.jpeg|200px]]
 
|-
 
|-
 
|''Sick & Panic''
 
|''Sick & Panic''
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|The album artwork features the phrase "Rise from your grave" from ''[[Altered Beast]]''.
 
|The album artwork features the phrase "Rise from your grave" from ''[[Altered Beast]]''.
 
| [[File:References MacintoshPlus SickPanic Music Risefromyourgrave.jpg|200px]]
 
| [[File:References MacintoshPlus SickPanic Music Risefromyourgrave.jpg|200px]]
 +
|-
 +
|''VIRTUAL ARCADE SIMULATION''
 +
|W.R.I.
 +
|2020
 +
|The album artwork features a heavily-compressed image of an arcade containing a ''[[Super Hang-On]]'' cabinet.
 +
| [[File:References WRI VIRTUALARCADESIMULATION Music SuperHangOn.png|200px]]
 
|-
 
|-
 
|''Dungeon Explorer''
 
|''Dungeon Explorer''
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|''Or better yet a Terminator, like Arnold Schwarzanegger''<br>
 
|''Or better yet a Terminator, like Arnold Schwarzanegger''<br>
 
''Try to play me out like, as if my name was Sega''
 
''Try to play me out like, as if my name was Sega''
 +
|-
 +
|"Sculpture of Man"
 +
|[[wikipedia:Manic Street Preachers|Manic Street Preachers]]
 +
|1994-06-06
 +
|''Cheap entertainment sold like a new deodorant''<br>
 +
''World War Three''<br>
 +
''A Sega dreamland''
 +
|Sega are cited as an example in the song's litany of vague references to arts and socioculture.
 
|-
 
|-
 
|"[[wikipedia:Juicy (The Notorious B.I.G. song)|Juicy]]"
 
|"[[wikipedia:Juicy (The Notorious B.I.G. song)|Juicy]]"
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''When I was dead broke, man, I couldn't picture this''
 
''When I was dead broke, man, I couldn't picture this''
 
|References the rapper's newfound wealth, and the subsequent ability to purchase what were previously luxuries (like video game systems.)
 
|References the rapper's newfound wealth, and the subsequent ability to purchase what were previously luxuries (like video game systems.)
 +
|-
 +
|"Return of the Crooklyn Dodgers"
 +
|[[wikipedia:Crooklyn Dodgers|The Crooklyn Dodgers]]
 +
|1995-05-13
 +
|''Clips, whatever happened to .38 Special?''<br>
 +
''Now it's Desert Eagles, government issue''<br>
 +
''Probably the same one that killed Noriega''<br>
 +
''Chips that power nuclear bombs power my Sega''
 +
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|"Think Big"
 
|"Think Big"
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''In the back room playing Sega, Street Fighter II''
 
''In the back room playing Sega, Street Fighter II''
 
|
 
|
 +
|-
 +
|"Escape From The Zoo"
 +
|[[wikipedia:List of Wu-Tang Clan affiliates|King Just]]
 +
|1995
 +
|''Yo, who really started this rap shit, I'm addicted''<br>
 +
''And I can't stop sayin shit, like Sega''<br>
 +
''I'm Street Fightin niggas like Vega''
 
|-
 
|-
 
|"Brodels"
 
|"Brodels"
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|''Lost a lot in Vegas, plays a lot of Sega''
 
|''Lost a lot in Vegas, plays a lot of Sega''
 
|
 
|
 +
|-
 +
|"Big Mouth Strikes Again"
 +
|[[wikipedia:Crooklyn Dodgers|Crooklyn Dodgers '95]]
 +
|1995-08-29
 +
|''Clips, whatever happened to 38 Special?''<br>
 +
''Now it's Desert Eagles, government issue''<br>
 +
''Probably the same one that killed Noriega''<br>
 +
''Chips that power nuclear bombs power my Sega''
 
|-
 
|-
 
|"[[wikipedia:Cell Therapy|Cell Therapy]]"
 
|"[[wikipedia:Cell Therapy|Cell Therapy]]"
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|''More flavor than y'all can image havin'''<br>
 
|''More flavor than y'all can image havin'''<br>
 
''Graphic like Sega, Saturn, traffic like the Bodega''
 
''Graphic like Sega, Saturn, traffic like the Bodega''
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
|"Fake Ass Bitches"
 +
|[[wikipedia:2Pac|2Pac]]
 +
|1997-11-25
 +
|''So how about hittin' a motherfucker on my pager''<br>
 +
''Busy now bitch but you can give me the pussy later''<br>
 +
''Fly how I fade her, played her like a game of Sega''<br>
 +
''Fuckin' with the player that done made her, huh''
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
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''Groovy like Ulala, crafty like Kasumi''
 
''Groovy like Ulala, crafty like Kasumi''
 
|References Smile's portrayal of the character Ulala from ''[[Space Channel 5]]'', and the character's notable dancing ability.
 
|References Smile's portrayal of the character Ulala from ''[[Space Channel 5]]'', and the character's notable dancing ability.
 +
|-
 +
|"[[wikipedia:Bigmouth_Strikes_Again#Placebo_version|Bigmouth Strikes Again]]"
 +
|[[wikipedia:Placebo (band)|Placebo]]
 +
|2003
 +
|''The flames rose to her Roman nose''<br>
 +
''and her Mega Drive started to melt''
 +
|The band substitute the hearing aid referenced in the original version of the song by [[wikipedia:The Smiths|The Smiths]] for Mega Drive (alongside changing [[wikipedia:Walkman|Walkman]] to [[wikipedia:Discman|Discman]]).
 
|-
 
|-
 
|"Let Me Watch"
 
|"Let Me Watch"
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|''Hell yeah, word, I'll be rich,''<br>
 
|''Hell yeah, word, I'll be rich,''<br>
 
''and I'll buy the whole world Sega Genesis''
 
''and I'll buy the whole world Sega Genesis''
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
|"Hectic"
 +
|Enter Shikari
 +
|2008
 +
|''We'll convene at mine, 3PM to play''<br>
 +
''Sega Mega Drive, Golden Axe, and Sonic, all day''<br>
 +
''Never played it? I'll teach ya''<br>
 +
''Can't hack it? I'll beat ya''
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
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|
 
|
 
|The title of the song directly references the game ''[[Altered Beast]]''.
 
|The title of the song directly references the game ''[[Altered Beast]]''.
 +
|-
 +
|"Alex Kidd in Miracle World"
 +
|[[wikipedia:Chunk! No, Captain Chunk!|Chunk! No, Captain Chunk!]]
 +
|2010-11-01
 +
|
 +
|The title of the song directly references the game ''[[Alex Kidd in Miracle World]]''.
 +
|-
 +
|"Castles"
 +
|[[wikipedia:Skepta|Skepta]]
 +
|2012
 +
|''Every time the .38 barrel spins Martin Luther turns in the grave''<br>
 +
''It's real life, no computer game, we're living in the Streets of Rage''
 +
| References the popularity of the ''[[Streets of Rage]]'' franchise{{ref|1https://web.archive.org/web/20240916020612/https://forums.sonicretro.org/index.php?threads%2Fsega-references-in-pop-culture.22988%2Fpage-17#post-1077091}} and its connotations with urban violence.
 +
|-
 +
|"[[wikipedia:Nosetalgia|Nosetalgia]]"
 +
|[[wikipedia:Kendrick Lamar|Kendrick Lamar]]
 +
|2013
 +
|''Smokers repeatedly buying my Sega Genesis''<br>
 +
''Either that or my auntie was stealing it''
 
|-
 
|-
 
|"Bimini Run"
 
|"Bimini Run"
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[https://brimaxian.bandcamp.com/track/welcome-to-the-next-level-extended-version Full lyrics]
 
[https://brimaxian.bandcamp.com/track/welcome-to-the-next-level-extended-version Full lyrics]
 
|
 
|
 +
|-
 +
|"Eastside"
 +
|[[wikipedia:G Herbo|G Herbo]]
 +
|2015-09-29
 +
|''Buncha niggas that came up with me''<br>
 +
''Either missing them or they got sentences''<br>
 +
''Back when I used to play Sega Genesis''<br>
 +
''I was born on a building on Bennett''<br>
 +
''And free my bro shorty foe like my blood''<br>
 +
''Fighting first degree murder with witnesses''
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
|"Mad Man"
 +
|[[wikipedia:A$AP Ferg|A$AP Ferg]] & [[wikipedia:Playboi Carti|Playboi Carti]]
 +
|2017-08-18
 +
|''Bury your hood''<br>
 +
''Right in your local bodega''<br>
 +
''Fergie gon' bark like Omega''<br>
 +
''This ain't no game, ain't no SEGA''
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
|"Manilla"
 +
|[[wikipedia:Lupe Fiasco|Lupe Fiasco]]
 +
|2018-09-21
 +
|''Preparations, reparations from segregation''<br>
 +
''Genius at Genesis, master system SEGAs''<br>
 +
''Punjabi mommy, dissecting Vedas on Sepulveda''<br>
 +
''Anointed players who coin phrases, that's metal paper''
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
|"Intro"
 +
|[[wikipedia:G Herbo|G Herbo]]
 +
|2020-02-28
 +
|''He can't chill, he need a pill, guess he too militant, uh''<br>
 +
''Oh, you just like us, they robbed you of your innocence, huh?''<br>
 +
''Real menaces, we grew up like Dennises, huh?''<br>
 +
''Played with pistols, we ain't have no Sega Genesis, uh-uh''
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
|"More M’s"
 +
|[[wikipedia:Drake (musician)|Drake]] & [[wikipedia:21 Savage|21 Savage]]
 +
|2022-11-04
 +
|''Used to be in 'Sauga out at Sega City Playdium''<br>
 +
''Skatin' through this album like a Montreal Canadien''
 +
|References the [[Sega City The Playdium]] venue in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.
 
|}
 
|}
  
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!Comments
 
!Comments
 
!Screenshots
 
!Screenshots
 +
|-
 +
|"Mr. Harley Davidson"
 +
|Cools
 +
|1976
 +
|Footage from the pinball machine ''[[Rodeo]]'' is used in the official music video.{{ref|https://pinballnovice.blogspot.com/2022/04/exploring-arcade-in-1976-music-video.html}}{{ref|1=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6PtdLBT2LI}}
 +
|[[File:References Cools MrHarleyDavidson Music Rodeo.png|200px]]
 
|-
 
|-
 
|"[[wikipedia:Blue Monday (New Order song)|Blue Monday]]"
 
|"[[wikipedia:Blue Monday (New Order song)|Blue Monday]]"
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|The official music video uses footage from the [[Apple II]] version of ''[[Zaxxon (home computers)|Zaxxon]]'' juxtaposed with scenes of real-life military aircraft.
 
|The official music video uses footage from the [[Apple II]] version of ''[[Zaxxon (home computers)|Zaxxon]]'' juxtaposed with scenes of real-life military aircraft.
 
|[[File:References NewOrder BlueMonday Music Zaxxon.png|200px]]
 
|[[File:References NewOrder BlueMonday Music Zaxxon.png|200px]]
 +
|-
 +
|"[[wikipedia:Freewheel Burning|Freewheel Burning]]"
 +
|[[wikipedia:Judas Priest|Judas Priest]]
 +
|1984
 +
|The official music video features a group of people headbanging to the song as they play a row of arcade cabinets, ''[[Astro Fighter]]'' among them.{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20231119112003/https://www.ataricompendium.com/game_library/atari_tube/atari_tube.html}}
 +
|[[File:References JudasPriest FreewheelBurning Music AstroFighter.png|200px]]
 
|-
 
|-
 
|"Ot pechali do radosti"
 
|"Ot pechali do radosti"
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|[[File:References YuriAntonov Otpechalidoradosti Music HangOnJr.png|200px]]
 
|[[File:References YuriAntonov Otpechalidoradosti Music HangOnJr.png|200px]]
 
|-
 
|-
−
|"[[wikipedia:I'll Sail This Ship Alone|I'll Sail This Ship Alone]]
+
|"[[wikipedia:I'll Sail This Ship Alone|I'll Sail This Ship Alone]]"
 
|[[wikipedia:The Beautiful South|The Beautiful South]]
 
|[[wikipedia:The Beautiful South|The Beautiful South]]
 
|1989-11-19
 
|1989-11-19
−
|The deluxe [[taikan]] cabinet for ''[[OutRun]]'' can be seen being played in two scenes shot in an amusement arcade.
+
|The deluxe [[taikan]] cabinets for ''[[OutRun]]'' and ''[[After Burner]]'' can be seen being played in two scenes shot in an amusement arcade.
 
|[[File:References TheBeautifulSouth IllSailThisShipAlone Music OutRun.png|200px]]
 
|[[File:References TheBeautifulSouth IllSailThisShipAlone Music OutRun.png|200px]]
 +
|-
 +
|"[[wikipedia:So Hard|So Hard]]"
 +
|[[wikipedia:Pet Shop Boys|Pet Shop Boys]]
 +
|1990
 +
|The official music video features a brief appearance from an ''[[Astro Blaster]]'' cabinet.{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20231119112003/https://www.ataricompendium.com/game_library/atari_tube/atari_tube.html}}
 +
|[[File:References_PetShopBoys_SoHard_Music_AstroBlaster.png|200px]]
 
|-
 
|-
 
|"[[wikipedia:Even Better Than the Real Thing|Even Better Than the Real Thing]]"
 
|"[[wikipedia:Even Better Than the Real Thing|Even Better Than the Real Thing]]"
 
|[[wikipedia:U2|U2]]
 
|[[wikipedia:U2|U2]]
 
|1992-06-08
 
|1992-06-08
−
|Uses video footage from ''[[G-LOC: Air Battle]]'' and ''[[Rail Chase]]'', alongside footage of [[SegaWorld London]], several [[Virtuality]] machines, and a shot filmed inside a rotating [[R-360]].{{ref|https://forums.sonicretro.org/index.php?threads/sega-references-in-pop-culture.22988/page-9#post-997542}}
+
|Uses video footage from ''[[G-LOC: Air Battle]]'' and ''[[Rail Chase]]''.
 
|[[File:References U2 EvenBetterThanTheRealThing Music GLOC.png|200px]]
 
|[[File:References U2 EvenBetterThanTheRealThing Music GLOC.png|200px]]
 
|-
 
|-
Line 301: Line 521:
 
|[[wikipedia:Sting (musician)|Sting]]
 
|[[wikipedia:Sting (musician)|Sting]]
 
|1993
 
|1993
−
|The official music video features the [[Sega logo]] painted upside-down on a oil drum.
+
|The official music video features the [[Sega logo]] painted on an upside-down oil drum.
 
|[[File:References Sting FieldsofGold Music Segalogo.png|200px]]
 
|[[File:References Sting FieldsofGold Music Segalogo.png|200px]]
 
|-
 
|-
Line 313: Line 533:
 
|[[wikipedia:Republica|Republica]]
 
|[[wikipedia:Republica|Republica]]
 
|1996-04-15
 
|1996-04-15
−
|In the original "European" video, lead singer Saffron is seen looking at footage of ''[[Hang-On GP '96]]'' and the [[Sega Saturn]] version of ''[[Virtua Fighter 2]]''. A completely different video was recorded for the North American market.
+
|In the original "European" video, lead singer Saffron is shown playing the arcade version of ''[[Virtua Fighter 2]]''. A completely different video was recorded for the North American market.
−
|[[File:References Republica ReadyToGo Music HangOnGP96.png|200px]]
+
|[[File:References Music ReadyToGo VF2Arcade.png|200px]]
 
|-
 
|-
 
|"[[wikipedia:Doesn't Really Matter|Doesn't Really Matter]]"
 
|"[[wikipedia:Doesn't Really Matter|Doesn't Really Matter]]"
Line 327: Line 547:
 
|The official music video begins with Nelly and his entourage playing a [[Sega Dreamcast]].
 
|The official music video begins with Nelly and his entourage playing a [[Sega Dreamcast]].
 
|[[File:References Nelly EI Music Dreamcast.png|200px]]
 
|[[File:References Nelly EI Music Dreamcast.png|200px]]
 +
|-
 +
|"[[wikipedia:Hard to Explain|Hard to Explain]]"
 +
|[[wikipedia:The Strokes|The Strokes]]
 +
|2001
 +
|Stock footage of ''[[Turbo]]'' is briefly shown near the beginning of the video.
 +
|[[File:References TheStrokes HardToExplain Music Turbo.png|200px]]
 +
|-
 +
|"[[wikipedia:God Gave Me Everything|God Gave Me Everything]]"
 +
|[[wikipedia:Mick Jagger|Mick Jagger]] feat. [[wikipedia:Lenny Kravitz|Lenny Kravitz]]
 +
|2001
 +
|Mick Jagger walks through an arcade during parts of the music video, resulting in a brief appearance from a ''[[Jurassic Park (pinball)|Jurassic Park]]'' pinball machine.{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20231119112003/https://www.ataricompendium.com/game_library/atari_tube/atari_tube.html#videos}}
 +
|[[File:References MickJagger GodGaveMeEverything Music JurassicParkpinball.png|200px]]
 
|-
 
|-
 
|"The Theme"
 
|"The Theme"
Line 345: Line 577:
 
|In the original video, lead singer [[wikipedia:Mike Skinner (musician)|Mike Skinner]] is seen playing ''[[Motor Raid]]''.
 
|In the original video, lead singer [[wikipedia:Mike Skinner (musician)|Mike Skinner]] is seen playing ''[[Motor Raid]]''.
 
|[[File:References TheStreets FitButYouKnowIt Music MotorRaid.png|200px]]
 
|[[File:References TheStreets FitButYouKnowIt Music MotorRaid.png|200px]]
 +
|-
 +
|"[[wikipedia:DVNO|DVNO]]"
 +
|[[wikipedia:Justice (band)|Justice]]
 +
|2011-02-04
 +
|The official music video consists of homages to vintage and famous logo designs, including one directly based on Sega's [[Sega logo|distinct typeface]]. The logo itself is backed by two offset ovals reminiscent of those used in the [[Game Gear]]'s design and packaging.
 +
|[[File:References Justice DVNO Music Segalogo.png|200px]]
 
|-
 
|-
 
|"Take Control"
 
|"Take Control"
Line 351: Line 589:
 
|The official music video prominently features both the [[Sega Dreamcast]] and a number of its games, alongside the artist wearing a Dreamcast T-shirt for the majority of the song.
 
|The official music video prominently features both the [[Sega Dreamcast]] and a number of its games, alongside the artist wearing a Dreamcast T-shirt for the majority of the song.
 
|[[File:References NinetiesBoy TakeControl Music Dreamcast.png|200px]]
 
|[[File:References NinetiesBoy TakeControl Music Dreamcast.png|200px]]
 +
|-
 +
|"Tiny Tortures"
 +
|[[wikipedia:Flying Lotus|Flying Lotus]]
 +
|2012
 +
|The official music video features a number of objects levitating around a bedroom, one of which is a [[Sega Dreamcast]].{{ref|1=https://dreamcast-talk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4261&start=50}}
 +
|[[File:References FlyingLotus TinyTortures Music Dreamcast.png|200px]]
 +
|-
 +
|"Have A Nice Day"
 +
|[[wikipedia:World Order (band)|World Order]]
 +
|2014-03-20
 +
|The band passes a number of [[Sega]] arcade venues and games throughout the course of the video.
 +
|[[File:References WorldOrder HaveANiceDay TV Sega.png|200px]]
 
|-
 
|-
 
|"[[wikipedia:Whistle (Blackpink song)|Whistle]]"
 
|"[[wikipedia:Whistle (Blackpink song)|Whistle]]"
 
|[[wikipedia:Blackpink|Blackpink]]
 
|[[wikipedia:Blackpink|Blackpink]]
 
|2016
 
|2016
−
|The official music video features a [[Sega Dreamcast]] and [[Dreamcast controller]].{{ref|https://www.reddit.com/r/dreamcast/comments/9xpmxu/dreamcast_in_the_meida/}}
+
|The official music video features a [[Sega Dreamcast]] and [[Dreamcast controller]].{{ref|1=https://forums.sonicretro.org/index.php?threads/sega-references-in-pop-culture.22988/page-11#post-1008841}}{{ref|https://www.reddit.com/r/dreamcast/comments/9xpmxu/dreamcast_in_the_meida/}}
 
|[[File:References Blackpink Whistle Music Dreamcast.png|200px]]
 
|[[File:References Blackpink Whistle Music Dreamcast.png|200px]]
 +
|-
 +
|"Heart Demolition"
 +
|[[wikipedia:DragonForce|DragonForce]]
 +
|2019
 +
|The official music video features the protagonist playing a DragonForce video game on his [[Mega Drive]], which features a number of homages to Sega games (such as the fire-breathing dragon magic from ''[[Golden Axe]]''.)
 +
|[[File:References DragonForce HeartDemolition Music MegaDrive.png|200px]]
 +
|-
 +
|"Bat Out of Hell"
 +
|[[wikipedia:Punk Rock Factory|Punk Rock Factory]]
 +
|2019
 +
|The official music video features the band playing a fictional [[Mega Drive]] game titled ''Protest The Hero''.
 +
|[[File:References PunkRockFactory BatOutofHell Music MegaDrivegame.png|200px]]
 +
|-
 +
|"All These Years"
 +
|[[wikipedia:Static-X|Static-X]]
 +
|2020
 +
|The official music video features a scene where a child tunes his TV to an [[Atari 2600]]-esque console which displays an homage to the [[Sega logo]] upon powering up.
 +
|[[File:References StaticX AllTheseYears Music Segalogo.png|200px]]
 
|}
 
|}
  
Line 377: Line 645:
 
|1995-07-25
 
|1995-07-25
 
|"Character Biographies" - ''[[Eternal Champions]]''
 
|"Character Biographies" - ''[[Eternal Champions]]''
−
|
+
|''[[Eternal Champions]]'' composer [[Andy Armer]] has expressed displeasure with his work going uncredited when it was sampled for the 1995 [[wikipedia:Bone Thugs-N-Harmony|Bone Thugs-N-Harmony]] album ''[[wikipedia:E. 1999 Eternal|E. 1999 Eternal]]''.{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20231008173849/https://singingmountainpod.com/episodes/59-eternal-champions-bone-thugs}}
 
|-
 
|-
 
|"Tha Crossroads"
 
|"Tha Crossroads"
Line 383: Line 651:
 
|1995-07-25
 
|1995-07-25
 
|"Bad Ending" - ''[[Eternal Champions]]''
 
|"Bad Ending" - ''[[Eternal Champions]]''
−
|
+
|''[[Eternal Champions]]'' composer [[Andy Armer]] has expressed displeasure with his work going uncredited when it was sampled for the 1995 [[wikipedia:Bone Thugs-N-Harmony|Bone Thugs-N-Harmony]] album ''[[wikipedia:E. 1999 Eternal|E. 1999 Eternal]]''.{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20231008173849/https://singingmountainpod.com/episodes/59-eternal-champions-bone-thugs}}
 
|-
 
|-
 
|"Mucho Stereo"
 
|"Mucho Stereo"
Line 431: Line 699:
 
|2012
 
|2012
 
|"Pit" - ''[[Mortal Kombat II]]''
 
|"Pit" - ''[[Mortal Kombat II]]''
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
|"SHOPPINGTIMES"
 +
|ショッピングワールドjp
 +
|2013-03-07
 +
|"Menu Theme 2" - ''[[Shenmue]]''
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
Line 527: Line 801:
 
|2014-01-02
 
|2014-01-02
 
|"Maeda Barbershop" - ''[[Shenmue]]''
 
|"Maeda Barbershop" - ''[[Shenmue]]''
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
|"SEGΔ DREΔMLΔND"
 +
|VAPERROR
 +
|2014-xx-xx
 +
|"Start-up jingle" (sound effect) - [[Dreamcast]]
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
Line 708: Line 988:
 
|lpower
 
|lpower
 
|
 
|
−
|Composed to sound similar to early [[Mega Drive]] shoot-'em-up games, like ''[[Whip Rush]]'' and ''[[Gaiares]]''.
+
|Composed with similar compositions and soundfonts from early [[Mega Drive]] shoot-'em-up games, like ''[[Whip Rush]]'' and ''[[Gaiares]]''.
 
|-
 
|-
 
|''Abinox II'' (album)
 
|''Abinox II'' (album)
 
|lpower
 
|lpower
 
|
 
|
−
|Composed to sound similar to early [[Mega Drive]] shoot-'em-up games, like ''[[Whip Rush]]'' and ''[[Gaiares]]''.
+
|Composed with similar compositions and soundfonts from early [[Mega Drive]] shoot-'em-up games, like ''[[Whip Rush]]'' and ''[[Gaiares]]''.
 
|-
 
|-
 
|''Abinox III'' (album)
 
|''Abinox III'' (album)
 
|lpower
 
|lpower
 
|
 
|
−
|Composed to sound similar to early [[Mega Drive]] shoot-'em-up games, like ''[[Whip Rush]]'' and ''[[Gaiares]]''.
+
|Composed with similar compositions and soundfonts from early [[Mega Drive]] shoot-'em-up games, like ''[[Whip Rush]]'' and ''[[Gaiares]]''.
 
|-
 
|-
 
|''Blazing Force'' (album)
 
|''Blazing Force'' (album)
 
|lpower
 
|lpower
 
|
 
|
−
|Composed to sound similar to early [[Mega Drive]] shoot-'em-up games, like ''[[Whip Rush]]'' and ''[[Gaiares]]''.
+
|Composed with similar compositions and soundfonts from early [[Mega Drive]] shoot-'em-up games, like ''[[Whip Rush]]'' and ''[[Gaiares]]''.
 
|-
 
|-
 
|''Dreams'' (album)
 
|''Dreams'' (album)
 
|Winter Sleep
 
|Winter Sleep
 
|
 
|
−
|Composed to sound similar to ''[[NiGHTS Into Dreams]]''.
+
|Composed as a hazy allusion to ''[[NiGHTS into Dreams]]'''s soundtrack, with sparkling, dream-like sounds and classic game music composition.
 
|-
 
|-
 
|''Return To Dream City'' (album)
 
|''Return To Dream City'' (album)
 
|Winter Sleep
 
|Winter Sleep
 
|
 
|
−
|Composed to sound similar to ''[[NiGHTS Into Dreams]]''.
+
|Composed as a hazy allusion to ''[[NiGHTS into Dreams]]'''s soundtrack, with sparkling, dream-like sounds and classic game music composition.
 
|-
 
|-
 
|''快い亡霊 OST'' (album)
 
|''快い亡霊 OST'' (album)
 
|Kobayashi Yamato
 
|Kobayashi Yamato
 
|
 
|
−
|Composed to sound similar to a [[Dreamcast]] game, and presented as a long-long, rediscovered prototype.
+
|Composed to sound similar to an airy, low-budget, Japanese-developed [[Dreamcast]] game, and presented as a long-lost, rediscovered prototype.
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
==Packaging==
 +
{| class="prettytable sortable"
 +
!Album
 +
!Artist
 +
!Release date
 +
!Comments
 +
!Images
 +
|-
 +
|''Great Pine''
 +
|Seagulls
 +
|2015
 +
|An album released on a limited-edition faux [[Mega Drive]] cartridge.
 +
|[[File:Notavailable.svg|200px]]
 +
|-
 +
|''Thrown Voice''
 +
|Seagulls
 +
|2019-01-11
 +
|An album released on a limited-edition faux [[Mega Drive]] cartridge.
 +
|[[File:Notavailable.svg|200px]]
 +
|-
 +
|Multiple albums
 +
|[[wikipedia:Cat System Corp.|Cat System Corp.]]
 +
|2019
 +
|Beginning in 2019, the independent Finnish music label [https://citymanproductions.bandcamp.com Cityman Productions] began releasing the discography of vaporwave artist [[wikipedia:Cat System Corp.|Cat System Corp.]] in limited-edition [[Mega Drive]] boxes.
 +
|[[File:References CatSystemCorp Music MDboxes.png|200px]]
 
|}
 
|}
  

Latest revision as of 00:19, 25 October 2024

Back to: References to Sega.
"Whistle"

Sega's enduring popularity has resulted in the company being referenced throughout pop culture, including music. From hip-hop samples of Mega Drive games to thematic inspirations of Saturn-era memories, Sega has established a unique musical legacy which endures to this day.

Around the dawn of the 2010s, artists in the burgeoning vaporwave genre began adapting their nostalgia of Sega for use in their music. The breakout popularity of Chuck Person's August 2010 album Chuck Person's Eccojams Vol. 1 (which used a glitchy collage of PAL Mega-CD release of Ecco the Dolphin as its album artwork[1]) kickstarted the genre as a whole, resulting in Sega-related themes becoming a trope of the genre and also establishing the Eccojams microgenre. It also led to vaporwave labels utilizing nostalgia in more direct ways, such as the packaging of independent music releases in Mega Drive boxes, and even the establishment of entire albums programmed for original Sega hardware.

For references specific to Sonic the Hedgehog, see References to Sonic in music.

Album artwork

Album Artist Release date Comments Images
Altered Beast Matthew Sweet 1993-07-13 Matthew Sweet's 1993 alternative rock album Altered Beast takes its name from the 1988 arcade game of the same name. Sweet later told Spin magazine that the title meant "whatever is inside you that someday might explode, and maybe you don't know it's there", which he found similar to the game, in which "you have to find these little power-up things, and when you eat them you become the Altered Beast, this other creature that's really powerful and violent."[2] References MatthewSweet Music AlteredBeast.jpg
The Sega Method Drive-By Argument 2007-03-05 The 2007 single The Sega Method contains an image of the band on a Mega Drive cartridge.[3] References DrivbyArgument TheSegaMethod Music MegaDrive.jpeg
Chuck Person's Eccojams Vol. 1 Chuck Person 2010-08-08 The album artwork features a collage of distorted and edited scans of Ecco the Dolphin's PAL Mega-CD release. References ChuckPerson ChuckPersonsEccojams Music EccotheDolphin.png
New Dreams Ltd. Laserdisc Visions 2011 The album artwork features Japanese Sega Saturn border trim alongside artwork of Virtua Fighter's Dural. References LaserDiscVisions NewDreamsLtd Music Saturntrim Dural.jpg
Dreams Winter Sleep 2012 The album artwork features a Sega Saturn system. References WinterSleep Dreams Music Saturn.jpg
AM2 Pt 1 s ? e c i a l - k 2013-01-21 The album artwork prominently features the Sega AM2 logo. References specialk AM2Pt1 Music AM2logo.jpg
Mythril Nights Amun Dragoon 2013 The album artwork's background features a screenshot of the city Twin Seeds from NiGHTS Into Dreams, along with the text "16-Bit Cartridge, Not For Resale" (commonly found on Mega Drive games packed-in with a system, such as Sonic the Hedgehog.) References AmunDragoon MythrilNights Music NiGHTS.png
SUNSET SHIMMER SEPHORA脳バイブス 2013-08-29 The album artwork features American Game Gear border trim and the finish line from OutRun. References SUNSETSHIMMER Music GameGeartrim OutRun.jpeg
Plug In, Drop Out Golden Living Room 2013-08-29 The album artwork features a softened screencapture from the 1995 US Sega Saturn commercial It's Out There.[4] References GoldenLivingRoom PlugInDropOut Music SaturnUSadvert.jpg
The future is here 猫 シ Corp. 2013-09-13 The album artwork features Sega Saturn border trim. References CatCorp Thefutureishere Music Saturntrim.jpg
AM2 Pt 2 s ? e c i a l - k 2013-11-12 The album artwork prominently features the Sega AM2 logo. References specialk AM2Pt2 Music AM2logo.jpg
Eccovision EP ∆Ｓega Dream☾astlε▲コンピュータ天国 2014 The album artwork features the Sega logo, and the EP itself is named in reference to both Ecco the Dolphin and the Eccojams subgenre. References SegaDreamcastle EccovisionEP Music Segalogo.png
冬季大会 WINTER GAMES 人以上VANQUISH組み込ま利益 2014 The album artwork features Sonic Adventure artwork alongside Sega Dreamcast border trim. References VANQUISH WINTERGAMES Music Sonic Dreamcast.jpg
シェンムーONLINE death's dynamic shroud.wmv 2014-02-02 The album artwork features a softened screenshot of Shenmue. References deathsdynamicshroud ONLINE Music Shenmue.jpg
virtua.zip ESPRIT 空想 2014-05-07 The album artwork features a screenshot of Akira from Virtua Fighter textured on a 3D cube. References ESPRIT virtuazip Music VirtuaFighter.jpg
Uma Carta de Amor Para SEGA Pessoas Que Eu Conheço 2014-03-22 The album artwork recreates the classic "grid paper" box design of Sega Master System titles. References PessoasQueEuConheco UmaCartadeAmorParaSEGA Music SMSboxart.jpg
CHAO GARDEN MECHA YURI 2014-08-01 The album artwork features artwork of Chaos alongside an image of a Dreamcast Controller and VMU. References MECHAYURI CHAOGARDEN Music Chao DreamcastController VMU.jpg
快い亡霊 OST Kobayashi Yamato 2014 The album artwork features Sega Dreamcast border trim alongside the Sega logo. References KobayashiYamato PleasantSpecterOST Music Dreamcasttrim.jpg
秘密專輯 Famicom Fountains 2015 The album artwork features an American print advertisement for the Sega CD. References FamicomFountains SecretAlbum Music SegaCDadvert.jpg
█▓▒▒F U N S T A T I O N▒▒▓█ nano神社 (✪㉨✪) 2015-05-17 The album artwork is overlaid with an image of an arcade containing Jurassic Park. References nano FUNSTATION Music JurassicPark.jpg
Ｊ Ｕ Ｒ Ａ Ｓ Ｓ Ｉ Ｃ Ｐ Ａ Ｒ Ｌ Ｏ Ｒ Valet Girls 2015-06-10 The album artwork features American Sega Genesis border trim. References ValetGirls JurassicParlor Music Genesistrim.jpg
SEGAS (SuperDeluxeEdition) nano神社 (✪㉨✪) 2015 The album artwork features its name written in the Sega logo font. References nano SegasTrilogy Music Segafont.jpg
(*°∀°) GAME OVER Internet User 2015 The album artwork features a heavily-compressed and uncannily-cropped screenshot of Shinobi. References InternetUser GameOver Music Shinobi.jpg
Ｎｉｇｈｔ ｏｆ Ｔｅｒｒｏｒ「成人専用」 High School Drama Teacher 2016 The album artwork features Sega Dreamcast border trim, alongside the artist's name presented with the Sega logo font. References HighSchoolDramaTeacher NightofTerror Music Dreamcasttrim.jpg
Escape to New York Ursula's Cartridges 2016-06-17 The album artwork features both the PAL Mega Drive logo and Mega-CD border trim alongside a title presented in the Sega logo font. Additionally, a February 2020 audio cassette release of the album - the Limited Sega Edition - was presented like a Mega Drive game, with accompanying hardshell box and instruction manual.[5] References UrsulasCartridges EscapetoNewYork Music LimitedSegaEdition.jpg
DREAMSNATCHER ImCoPav / Silhouettes 2017 The album artwork features a screenshot from Snatcher. References ImCoPavSilhouettes DREAMSNATCHER Music Snatcher.jpg
Eternal Youth Costanza 2017 The album artwork is an homage to the Dynamite Headdy boss Baby Face. References Costanza EternalYouth Music DynamiteHeaddy.jpg
Didn't Have To Cut Khaki Blazer 2017-05-19 The album artwork features a background from Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master. References KhakiBlazer DidntHaveToCut Music ShinobiIII.jpg
ＳＩＭ ＥＡＲＴＨ™ ｕｌｔｒａ気候 & 「ＡＦＴＥＲ ＨＯＵＲＳ」 「ｎｅｗｔｙｐｅ」 2019-01-20 The album artwork features the Japanese Mega-CD logo. References newtype SIMEARTHultra+AFTERHOURS Music MegaCDlogo.jpg
Business Presentation Microsoft Executive & PlayStation ｐｌａｔｉｎｕｍ 2019-01-27 The album artwork features Japanese Sega Saturn border trim, alongside the Saturn logo appearing through a television's static. References MicrosoftExecutivePlayStationplatinum BusinessPresentation Music Saturntrim.jpeg
Sick & Panic Macintosh Plus 2019-12-20 The album artwork features the phrase "Rise from your grave" from Altered Beast. References MacintoshPlus SickPanic Music Risefromyourgrave.jpg
VIRTUAL ARCADE SIMULATION W.R.I. 2020 The album artwork features a heavily-compressed image of an arcade containing a Super Hang-On cabinet. References WRI VIRTUALARCADESIMULATION Music SuperHangOn.png
Dungeon Explorer スーパー1999コンソール 2020 The album artwork features Sega Dreamcast border trim. References Super1999Console DungeonExplorer Music Dreamcasttrim.jpg
MEGACDWAVE WONDERMEGA 2020 The album artwork features American Sega CD border trim alongside the Mega-CD logo. References WONDERMEGA MEGACDWAVE Music SegaCDtrim.jpg

Lyrics

Song Artist Release date Lyrics Comments
"Jump Around" House of Pain 1992-05-05 Or better yet a Terminator, like Arnold Schwarzanegger

Try to play me out like, as if my name was Sega

"Sculpture of Man" Manic Street Preachers 1994-06-06 Cheap entertainment sold like a new deodorant

World War Three
A Sega dreamland

Sega are cited as an example in the song's litany of vague references to arts and socioculture.
"Juicy" The Notorious B.I.G. 1994-08-09 Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis

When I was dead broke, man, I couldn't picture this

References the rapper's newfound wealth, and the subsequent ability to purchase what were previously luxuries (like video game systems.)
"Return of the Crooklyn Dodgers" The Crooklyn Dodgers 1995-05-13 Clips, whatever happened to .38 Special?

Now it's Desert Eagles, government issue
Probably the same one that killed Noriega
Chips that power nuclear bombs power my Sega

"Think Big" The Notorious B.I.G. 1995 Flipping coke in corner store bodegas

In the back room playing Sega, Street Fighter II

"Escape From The Zoo" King Just 1995 Yo, who really started this rap shit, I'm addicted

And I can't stop sayin shit, like Sega
I'm Street Fightin niggas like Vega

"Brodels" 311 1995-07-11 Lost a lot in Vegas, plays a lot of Sega
"Big Mouth Strikes Again" Crooklyn Dodgers '95 1995-08-29 Clips, whatever happened to 38 Special?

Now it's Desert Eagles, government issue
Probably the same one that killed Noriega
Chips that power nuclear bombs power my Sega

"Cell Therapy" Goodie Mob 1995-09-26 See Sega aint in this new world order

Dem experimenting in Atlanta, Georgia

"You're Only a Customer" Jay-Z 1997-02-11 More flavor than y'all can image havin'

Graphic like Sega, Saturn, traffic like the Bodega

"Fake Ass Bitches" 2Pac 1997-11-25 So how about hittin' a motherfucker on my pager

Busy now bitch but you can give me the pussy later
Fly how I fade her, played her like a game of Sega
Fuckin' with the player that done made her, huh

"Robyn Turns 26" Pavement 1999 Kick it with the trustafarians

Call her at her college
Are they Sega or Atarians?

"Proto Culture" Del the Funky Homosapien 2000-04-11 Hey KU you know my SEGA collection is massive

Got all the past hits and classics
Herzog Zwei now Panzer Zwei
Originality that made me a fan today

Full lyrics

"Sunshine Slayer" Apollo Smile 2000 Slick like Lara, fast like Chun Li

Groovy like Ulala, crafty like Kasumi

References Smile's portrayal of the character Ulala from Space Channel 5, and the character's notable dancing ability.
"Bigmouth Strikes Again" Placebo 2003 The flames rose to her Roman nose

and her Mega Drive started to melt

The band substitute the hearing aid referenced in the original version of the song by The Smiths for Mega Drive (alongside changing Walkman to Discman).
"Let Me Watch" Viktor Vaughn 2003-09-16 Spit religion and politics, Sega and chess

Roots and culture, hip-hop, skunk and cess
I caught him sneekin' peeks at my breasts

"Those Were the Days" Lady Sovereign 2007-04-16 Catch a joke with my next door neighbor

We played the first Mortal Kombat on the Sega

"Go Go Gadget Flow" Lupe Fiasco 2007-12-18 I'm back, I'm back, I'm cool, I'm cool, Westside representative

All me, no ghost, no 16-bit like Sega Genesis

"Cannon" Asher Roth 2008-06-15 Hell yeah, word, I'll be rich,

and I'll buy the whole world Sega Genesis

"Hectic" Enter Shikari 2008 We'll convene at mine, 3PM to play

Sega Mega Drive, Golden Axe, and Sonic, all day
Never played it? I'll teach ya
Can't hack it? I'll beat ya

"Altered Beast" We Are Scientists 2008 The title of the song directly references the game Altered Beast.
"Alex Kidd in Miracle World" Chunk! No, Captain Chunk! 2010-11-01 The title of the song directly references the game Alex Kidd in Miracle World.
"Castles" Skepta 2012 Every time the .38 barrel spins Martin Luther turns in the grave

It's real life, no computer game, we're living in the Streets of Rage

References the popularity of the Streets of Rage franchise[6] and its connotations with urban violence.
"Nosetalgia" Kendrick Lamar 2013 Smokers repeatedly buying my Sega Genesis

Either that or my auntie was stealing it

"Bimini Run" Mondo Lava 2014-10-21 The title of the song directly references the game Bimini Run.
"Welcome To The Next Level (Extended Version)" Brimaxian 2014-11-22 I turned on my TV,

Stared right into the screen,
Plugged in Sega CD
Best games I'd ever seen!

Full lyrics

"Eastside" G Herbo 2015-09-29 Buncha niggas that came up with me

Either missing them or they got sentences
Back when I used to play Sega Genesis
I was born on a building on Bennett
And free my bro shorty foe like my blood
Fighting first degree murder with witnesses

"Mad Man" A$AP Ferg & Playboi Carti 2017-08-18 Bury your hood

Right in your local bodega
Fergie gon' bark like Omega
This ain't no game, ain't no SEGA

"Manilla" Lupe Fiasco 2018-09-21 Preparations, reparations from segregation

Genius at Genesis, master system SEGAs
Punjabi mommy, dissecting Vedas on Sepulveda
Anointed players who coin phrases, that's metal paper

"Intro" G Herbo 2020-02-28 He can't chill, he need a pill, guess he too militant, uh

Oh, you just like us, they robbed you of your innocence, huh?
Real menaces, we grew up like Dennises, huh?
Played with pistols, we ain't have no Sega Genesis, uh-uh

"More M’s" Drake & 21 Savage 2022-11-04 Used to be in 'Sauga out at Sega City Playdium

Skatin' through this album like a Montreal Canadien

References the Sega City The Playdium venue in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.

Music videos

Song Artist Release date Comments Screenshots
"Mr. Harley Davidson" Cools 1976 Footage from the pinball machine Rodeo is used in the official music video.[7][8] References Cools MrHarleyDavidson Music Rodeo.png
"Blue Monday" New Order 1983 The official music video uses footage from the Apple II version of Zaxxon juxtaposed with scenes of real-life military aircraft. References NewOrder BlueMonday Music Zaxxon.png
"Freewheel Burning" Judas Priest 1984 The official music video features a group of people headbanging to the song as they play a row of arcade cabinets, Astro Fighter among them.[9] References JudasPriest FreewheelBurning Music AstroFighter.png
"Ot pechali do radosti" Yuri Antonov 1987 Uses video footage from Hang-On Jr. References YuriAntonov Otpechalidoradosti Music HangOnJr.png
"I'll Sail This Ship Alone" The Beautiful South 1989-11-19 The deluxe taikan cabinets for OutRun and After Burner can be seen being played in two scenes shot in an amusement arcade. References TheBeautifulSouth IllSailThisShipAlone Music OutRun.png
"So Hard" Pet Shop Boys 1990 The official music video features a brief appearance from an Astro Blaster cabinet.[9] References PetShopBoys SoHard Music AstroBlaster.png
"Even Better Than the Real Thing" U2 1992-06-08 Uses video footage from G-LOC: Air Battle and Rail Chase. References U2 EvenBetterThanTheRealThing Music GLOC.png
"Fields of Gold" Sting 1993 The official music video features the Sega logo painted on an upside-down oil drum. References Sting FieldsofGold Music Segalogo.png
"Wild Wood" Paul Weller 1993-08-22 The upright cabinet for OutRun can be seen being played in several scenes towards the end; the video climaxes with footage of the player crashing. References PaulWeller WildWood Music OutRun.png
"Ready to Go" Republica 1996-04-15 In the original "European" video, lead singer Saffron is shown playing the arcade version of Virtua Fighter 2. A completely different video was recorded for the North American market. References Music ReadyToGo VF2Arcade.png
"Doesn't Really Matter" Janet Jackson 2000 During the scene where Jackson and her entourage are dancing on a swiveling platform, video monitors in the background display clips from numerous Dreamcast games, such as Samba de Amigo, Space Channel 5, and Jet Set Radio.[10] References JanetJackson DoesntReallyMatter Music Dreamcastgames.png
"E.I." Nelly 2000-10-17 The official music video begins with Nelly and his entourage playing a Sega Dreamcast. References Nelly EI Music Dreamcast.png
"Hard to Explain" The Strokes 2001 Stock footage of Turbo is briefly shown near the beginning of the video. References TheStrokes HardToExplain Music Turbo.png
"God Gave Me Everything" Mick Jagger feat. Lenny Kravitz 2001 Mick Jagger walks through an arcade during parts of the music video, resulting in a brief appearance from a Jurassic Park pinball machine.[11] References MickJagger GodGaveMeEverything Music JurassicParkpinball.png
"The Theme" Jurgen Vries 2002 The second half of the official music video is a rail shooter homage to Space Harrier. References JurgenVries TheTheme Music SpaceHarrier.png
"Hella Good" No Doubt 2002 Jet Set Radio Future is significantly featured throughout the music video.[10][12] References NoDoubt HellaGood Music JetSetRadioFuture.png
"Fit But You Know It" The Streets 2004-04-26 In the original video, lead singer Mike Skinner is seen playing Motor Raid. References TheStreets FitButYouKnowIt Music MotorRaid.png
"DVNO" Justice 2011-02-04 The official music video consists of homages to vintage and famous logo designs, including one directly based on Sega's distinct typeface. The logo itself is backed by two offset ovals reminiscent of those used in the Game Gear's design and packaging. References Justice DVNO Music Segalogo.png
"Take Control" Nineties Boy 2012 The official music video prominently features both the Sega Dreamcast and a number of its games, alongside the artist wearing a Dreamcast T-shirt for the majority of the song. References NinetiesBoy TakeControl Music Dreamcast.png
"Tiny Tortures" Flying Lotus 2012 The official music video features a number of objects levitating around a bedroom, one of which is a Sega Dreamcast.[13] References FlyingLotus TinyTortures Music Dreamcast.png
"Have A Nice Day" World Order 2014-03-20 The band passes a number of Sega arcade venues and games throughout the course of the video. References WorldOrder HaveANiceDay TV Sega.png
"Whistle" Blackpink 2016 The official music video features a Sega Dreamcast and Dreamcast controller.[14][15] References Blackpink Whistle Music Dreamcast.png
"Heart Demolition" DragonForce 2019 The official music video features the protagonist playing a DragonForce video game on his Mega Drive, which features a number of homages to Sega games (such as the fire-breathing dragon magic from Golden Axe.) References DragonForce HeartDemolition Music MegaDrive.png
"Bat Out of Hell" Punk Rock Factory 2019 The official music video features the band playing a fictional Mega Drive game titled Protest The Hero. References PunkRockFactory BatOutofHell Music MegaDrivegame.png
"All These Years" Static-X 2020 The official music video features a scene where a child tunes his TV to an Atari 2600-esque console which displays an homage to the Sega logo upon powering up. References StaticX AllTheseYears Music Segalogo.png

Samples

Song Artist Release date Song sampled Comments
"Rise From Your Grave" Phuture 1992 "Rise from your grave" (sound effect) - Altered Beast (Mega Drive)
"Eternal" Bone Thugs-N-Harmony 1995-07-25 "Character Biographies" - Eternal Champions Eternal Champions composer Andy Armer has expressed displeasure with his work going uncredited when it was sampled for the 1995 Bone Thugs-N-Harmony album E. 1999 Eternal.[16]
"Tha Crossroads" Bone Thugs-N-Harmony 1995-07-25 "Bad Ending" - Eternal Champions Eternal Champions composer Andy Armer has expressed displeasure with his work going uncredited when it was sampled for the 1995 Bone Thugs-N-Harmony album E. 1999 Eternal.[16]
"Mucho Stereo" Indelible's 1998 "Entrance" - Mortal Kombat
"Money, Cash, Hoes" Jay-Z 1998-12-18 "Theme of Thief" - Golden Axe
"Childish Gambino - Let Me Dope You (Streets of Rage)" Team Teamwork 2011-03-28 "Stealthy Steps" - Streets of Rage
"Ghostface Killah - The Champ (Ristar)" Team Teamwork 2011-03-28 "Break Silence" - Ristar
"Kanye West - Touch The Sky (Mortal Kombat)" Team Teamwork 2011-03-28 "The Pit" - Mortal Kombat
"E-40 & Busta Rhymes - One Night Stand (X-Men 2: Clone Wars)" Team Teamwork 2011-03-28 "Inside Avalon" - X-Men 2: Clone Wars
"Laserdisc Visions" Laserdisc Visions 2011-07-01 "After The Dream" - NiGHTS into Dreams
"Get Yah Head Bust" SpaceGhostPurrp 2012 "Pit" - Mortal Kombat II
"SHOPPINGTIMES" ショッピングワールドjp 2013-03-07 "Menu Theme 2" - Shenmue
"WORLD TRAVEL" death's dynamic shroud.wmv 2014-01-02 "Global Travel" - Shenmue
"あなたの笑顔が 私たちの喜び！" death's dynamic shroud.wmv 2014-01-02 "Tomato Convenience Store" - Shenmue
"『ギルドシステム』" death's dynamic shroud.wmv 2014-01-02 "Oishi's (Bunkado) Antiques" - Shenmue
"BEGIN TODAY'S SESSION?" death's dynamic shroud.wmv 2014-01-02 "Menu Theme 2" - Shenmue
"3个刀" death's dynamic shroud.wmv 2014-01-02 "Ajiichi Chinese Restaurant" - Shenmue
"WIN IT ALL" death's dynamic shroud.wmv 2014-01-02 "Bob's Pizza" - Shenmue
"Slot House" - Shenmue
"MEMORY BLOSSOM" death's dynamic shroud.wmv 2014-01-02 "Lapis" - Shenmue
"怪しげなバー" death's dynamic shroud.wmv 2014-01-02 "MJQ" - Shenmue
"明美" death's dynamic shroud.wmv 2014-01-02 "Bar Yokosuka" - Shenmue
"鹿威し" death's dynamic shroud.wmv 2014-01-02 "Hazuki Residence" - Shenmue
"SUBURBAN" death's dynamic shroud.wmv 2014-01-02 "FREE 9" - Shenmue
"エアコン完備のレストラン" death's dynamic shroud.wmv 2014-01-02 "Manpukuken Ramen" - Shenmue
"夏の夜のパーティ" death's dynamic shroud.wmv 2014-01-02 "Bob's Pizza" - Shenmue
"MAN OF MYSTERY" death's dynamic shroud.wmv 2014-01-02 "Bar Linda" - Shenmue
"吉田寮" death's dynamic shroud.wmv 2014-01-02 "You Arcade" - Shenmue
"FINALE" death's dynamic shroud.wmv 2014-01-02 "Maeda Barbershop" - Shenmue
"SEGΔ DREΔMLΔND" VAPERROR 2014-xx-xx "Start-up jingle" (sound effect) - Dreamcast
"DOLPHIN" death's dynamic shroud.wmv 2014-03-01 "After The Dream" - NiGHTS Into Dreams
"ファンタシーTREE" death's dynamic shroud.wmv 2014-03-15 "Mother Earth of Dishonesty PART1" - Phantasy Star Online
"宇宙空間RPG" death's dynamic shroud.wmv 2014-03-15 "Day Dawns" - Phantasy Star Online
"星に願いを" death's dynamic shroud.wmv 2014-03-15 "Next Cruise (Ending 2)" - Ristar
"実績" death's dynamic shroud.wmv 2014-03-15 "Can Still See The Light" - Phantasy Star Online
"Sherwood Zone" Napoleon 2014-03-26 "Sega jingle" (sound effect) - Sega
"Continue jingle" (sound effect) - Sonic the Hedgehog
"リラックスENJOY" death's dynamic shroud.wmv 2014-04-06 "The Place Where The Sun Sets" - Shenmue
"whispers.wav" ESPRIT 空想 2014-05-07 "Sega AM2 Theme" - Games developed by Sega AM2
"SPIRIT OF ADVENTURE" death's dynamic shroud.wmv 2014-06-20 "Unknown Track 3" - Conquering the World III
"夕日" death's dynamic shroud.wmv 2014-06-20 "Wandering Wilderness" - NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams
"MACHINE天使" death's dynamic shroud.wmv 2014-06-20 "Valentine" - Phantasy Star Universe
"馬" death's dynamic shroud.wmv 2014-06-20 "Rolling Start" - Daytona USA
"NEONアーキテクチャ (パート2)" death's dynamic shroud.wmv 2014-06-20 "Nostalgia in Solitude, Pt.2" - Phantasy Star Online Episode 4
"なだらかな上り坂" death's dynamic shroud.wmv 2014-06-20 "Ending Theme" - Batman
"THE TOWER RISES EVER HIGHER" death's dynamic shroud.wmv 2014-06-20 Unknown song - Phantasy Star Online
"THE INTERNET" death's dynamic shroud.wmv 2014-06-20 Unknown song - Phantasy Star Online
"VISION OF STARS" death's dynamic shroud.wmv 2014-06-20 "BIOS Theme" - Sega CD (Model 2)
"SITUATION" death's dynamic shroud.wmv 2014-06-20 "Arms Black Market" - Virtua Cop
"MACHINE天使 (パート2)" death's dynamic shroud.wmv 2014-06-20 Unknown song - Phantasy Star Online
"SHROUD DYNAMICS" death's dynamic shroud.wmv 2014-07-01 "Relics" - Phantasy Star Online
"Mizuraki C.D." - Phantasy Star Online
"PLAZA WINDS" death's dynamic shroud.wmv 2014-11-08 "<JINGLE> Introduced Dream" - NiGHTS Into Dreams
"시원한 파도소리 좋아요" death's dynamic shroud.wmv 2015-05-15 "The Kink in the Wind and the Way PART1" - Phantasy Star Online
"BUSINESS CLASS" death's dynamic shroud.wmv 2015-05-31 "Back In Time" - Sonic R
"Can You Feel The Sunshine?" - Sonic R
"Dreams Dreams: A-Cappella Ver." - NiGHTS Into Dreams
"（万ボルト） ｐｅｒｉｍｅｔｅｒ ｆｅｎｃｅ ｊｅｅｐ ｒｉｄｅ" Valet Girls 2015-06-10 "Replay" - Virtua Racing Deluxe
"POWER UP" Miami Health Spa™ 2015 "Power up" (sound effect) - Altered Beast (Mega Drive)
"Sad and Free" izzy 2016-03-23 "Let's Go Away" - Daytona USA
"DISNEY PRINCE$$" death's dynamic shroud.wmv 2016-05-13 "Field (Chapter 1)" - Traysia
"Pennington Acres" death's dynamic shroud.wmv 2017-08-15 "Green Grove Zone - Act 2" - Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island (Saturn)
"Visitor's Center" - Jurassic Park (Mega Drive)

Styles

Song Artist Release date Comments
Abinox (album) lpower Composed with similar compositions and soundfonts from early Mega Drive shoot-'em-up games, like Whip Rush and Gaiares.
Abinox II (album) lpower Composed with similar compositions and soundfonts from early Mega Drive shoot-'em-up games, like Whip Rush and Gaiares.
Abinox III (album) lpower Composed with similar compositions and soundfonts from early Mega Drive shoot-'em-up games, like Whip Rush and Gaiares.
Blazing Force (album) lpower Composed with similar compositions and soundfonts from early Mega Drive shoot-'em-up games, like Whip Rush and Gaiares.
Dreams (album) Winter Sleep Composed as a hazy allusion to NiGHTS into Dreams's soundtrack, with sparkling, dream-like sounds and classic game music composition.
Return To Dream City (album) Winter Sleep Composed as a hazy allusion to NiGHTS into Dreams's soundtrack, with sparkling, dream-like sounds and classic game music composition.
快い亡霊 OST (album) Kobayashi Yamato Composed to sound similar to an airy, low-budget, Japanese-developed Dreamcast game, and presented as a long-lost, rediscovered prototype.

Packaging

Album Artist Release date Comments Images
Great Pine Seagulls 2015 An album released on a limited-edition faux Mega Drive cartridge. Notavailable.svg
Thrown Voice Seagulls 2019-01-11 An album released on a limited-edition faux Mega Drive cartridge. Notavailable.svg
Multiple albums Cat System Corp. 2019 Beginning in 2019, the independent Finnish music label Cityman Productions began releasing the discography of vaporwave artist Cat System Corp. in limited-edition Mega Drive boxes. References CatSystemCorp Music MDboxes.png

References

  1. ↑ File:EccoTheDolphin scd eu cover.jpg
  2. ↑ Kelly, Christian: King of Pop, Spin, September 1995.
  3. ↑ https://forums.sonicretro.org/index.php?threads%2Fsega-references-in-pop-culture.22988%2Fpage-17#post-1076540 (Wayback Machine: 2024-09-16 02:06)
  4. ↑ File:SAT US TVAdvert IntroducingSegaSaturn.mp4
  5. ↑ https://citymanprod.com/album/escape-to-new-york
  6. ↑ [1https://web.archive.org/web/20240916020612/https://forums.sonicretro.org/index.php?threads%2Fsega-references-in-pop-culture.22988%2Fpage-17#post-1077091 https://forums.sonicretro.org/index.php?threads%2Fsega-references-in-pop-culture.22988%2Fpage-17#post-1077091] (Wayback Machine: 2024-09-16 02:06)
  7. ↑ https://pinballnovice.blogspot.com/2022/04/exploring-arcade-in-1976-music-video.html
  8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6PtdLBT2LI
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 https://www.ataricompendium.com/game_library/atari_tube/atari_tube.html (Wayback Machine: 2023-11-19 11:20)
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 https://www.reddit.com/r/dreamcast/comments/ft5whd/the_dreamcast_in_pop_culture/
  11. ↑ https://www.ataricompendium.com/game_library/atari_tube/atari_tube.html#videos (Wayback Machine: 2023-11-19 11:20)
  12. ↑ https://dreamcast-talk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4261&start=50
  13. ↑ https://forums.sonicretro.org/index.php?threads/sega-references-in-pop-culture.22988/page-11#post-1008841
  14. ↑ https://www.reddit.com/r/dreamcast/comments/9xpmxu/dreamcast_in_the_meida/
  15. ↑ 16.0 16.1 https://singingmountainpod.com/episodes/59-eternal-champions-bone-thugs (Wayback Machine: 2023-10-08 17:38)
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