"Open Your Heart"' is the main theme of Sonic Adventure, and also the song played in the first stage of the battle against Perfect Chaos. It was performed by Crush 40. The songs lyrics are somewhat character driven as it embodies the epic final battle between Super Sonic and Perfect Chaos.
The song was composed by Jun Senoue, who had been working as the head music director for Sonic related video games for many years. In an early demo version of the song, Jun provided the vocals for the song. Eventually, Hardline frontman Johnny Gioeli was chosen as the lead vocalist and Crush 40 was born (although they were not officially named that until years later; at this point in time, their name was "Sons of Angels"). Also involved in the song are Takeshi Taneda on bass guitar and Toru Kawamura on drums. Jun Senoue took lead guitar duties for the band.
There are many different versions to the same song. These are as follows:
- Album Version - The version that appears on just about every CD release. Has an extended intro and outro that sounds like a destructive storm. This song is also selectable for background music on the Nintendo Wii game, Super Smash Bros. Brawl.
- Game Version - The version that actually appears in the Sonic Adventure (and DX version) video game. Basically the same as the album version, but doesn't have the opening and closing storm sounds. It also has an extra vocal bit at the beginning of Johnny Gioeli yelling "Alright!"
- Original Soundtrack Version - The version that appears on the Original Soundtrack (OST) 2CD set. It is the same as the Game Version, but has a bunch of the extra vocal bits cut out.
- Perfect Chaos Version - The version that is played during the first half of the final boss battle with Perfect Chaos. Vocals-wise, it is just the first verse then the chorus and then loops back to the first verse.
- MJZ Remix - A laid-back remix that can be unlocked in the video game Sonic Gems Collection.
- Transmutor Vs. Razed In Black Remix - A remix that appears on the Sonic Adventure Remix album. Very fast paced and industrial-based.
- Chris Vrenna & Mark Blasques Remix - Another remix appearing on the Sonic Adventure Remix album. This one stays more true to the original song vocal-wise (although it contains some original lyrics), while still adding a techno twist to it. Chris Vrenna is known for his remixes of Nine Inch Nails and P.O.D. songs.
- Demo/Early Version - The original version of the song that features Japanese metal singer Eizo Sakamoto as the lead vocalist.
- Early Demo/Earliest Version - A early version of the song that features Kenichi Tokoi as the lead vocalist.[1]
- Crush 40 V.S. Bentley Jones Remix- This version was released on the True Blue album. It is produced, arranged and co-performed by Bentley Jones and features the original guitar riffs with a new electronic arrangement.
Lyrics[]
Aaaaright!!!
Thunder, rain, and lightning
Danger, water rising
Clamour, sirens wailing
It's such a bad sign
Shadows of dark creatures
Steel clouds floating in the air
People run for shelter
What's gonna happen to us!?
All the steps we take, all the moves we make, all the pain at stake
I see the chaos for everyone who are we what can we do
You and I are same in the way that we have our own styles that we won't change
Yours is filled with evil and mine's not there is no way I can lose
Can't hold on much longer - But I will never let go
I know it's a one way track - Tell me now how long this'll last
I'm not gonna think this way - Nor will I count on others
Close my eyes and feel it burn - Now I see what I've gotta do
OPEN YOUR HEART, IT'S GONNA BE ALRIGHT
Ancient city blazing
Shadows keep attacking
Little children crying
Confusion, hopeless anger
I don't know what it can be but you drive me crazy
All your cunning tricks make me sick, you won't have it your own way
Can't hold on much longer - But I will never let go
I know it's a one way track - Tell me now how long this'll last
I'm not gonna think this way - Nor will I count on others
Close my eyes and feel it burn - Now I see what I've gotta do
OPEN YOUR HEART, IT'S GONNA BE ALRIGHT
OPEN YOUR HEART...AND YOU'LL SEE...
(Guitar Solo)
If it won't stop, there will be no future for us
Its heart is tied down by all the hate, gotta set him free
I know it's a one way track - Tell me now how long this'll last
Close my eyes and feel it burn - Now I see what I've gotta do
GOTTA OPEN YOUR HEART, DUDE!
Can't hold on much longer - But I will never let go
I know it's a one way track - Tell me now how long this'll last
I'm not gonna think this way - Nor will I count on others
Close my eyes and feel it burn - Now I see what I've gotta do
OPEN YOUR HEART, IT'S GONNA BE ALRIGHT, YEAH!
Open Your Heart!
Open Your Heart!
Yeah...
Early Demo/Earliest Version[]
A early version of the song that features Kenichi Tokoi as the lead vocalist.
Lyrics[]
Soothe my weary eyes
I've got something in them,
I will face the beast
We're not so different right?
Soothe my weary eyes
I've got something in them
I will face the beast
We're not so different right?!
Just if you see what i can't say you will know how i feel
I see the fallout everywhere
Who's heading for the light?
It's up to us everybody, sacrifice my head on the fire
Watch it burn as the terror moves forward, We must rebel Everywhere!
Soothe my weary eyes, Somebody realize!
Don't stand down for lives! (Don't stand down for their lives!)
Soothe my weary eyes, Somebody realize!
Don't stand down for lives! (Don't stand down for their lives!)
Go in for the speed, don't suffer chaos!
Remix[]
A remix was recorded with Crush 40 and Bentley Jones and is featured on the True Blue: The Best of Sonic the Hedgehog album
Lyrics[]
I got something new!(Bentley Jones )
(Open Your Heart)
Not until we're through!(Bentley Jones)
(Open your...)
A new mix, and the tricks full of kicks (Bentley Jones)
Bentley Jones and Crush40 makin' a fix (Bentley Jones)
So relax and wait for good luck to ignite, just (Bentley Jones)
Open your heart!
It's gonna be alright...
Sing it! (Bentley Jones)
Thunder, rain, and lightning
Danger, water risin'
Clamor, sirens wailin'
It's such a bad sign
Shadows of dark creatures
Steel clouds floating in the air
People run for shelter
What gonna happen to us?
All the steps we take, all the moves we make
All the pain at stake
I see the chaos for everyone
Who are we, what can we do?
You and I are the same in the way that
We have our own styles that we won't change
Your's is filled with evil and mine's not
There is no way I can lose
Can't hold on much longer
But I will never let go
I know it's a one way track
Tell me now how long this'll last
I'm not gonna think this way
Nor will I count on others
Close my eyes and feel the burn
Now I see what I've gotta do
Open your heart, it's gonna be all right
Ancient cities blazing
Shadows keep attackin'
Little children cryin'
Confusion, hopeless anger
I don't know what it can be
But you drive me crazy
All your cunning tricks make me sick
You won't have it your own way
Can't hold on much longer
But I will never let go
I know it's a one way track
Tell me now how long this will last
I'm not gonna think this way
Nor will I count on others
Close my eyes and feel the burn
Now I see what I've gotta do
Open your heart and you will see
[guitar solo]
( Starts Bentley Jones)
Open your heart, it will be all right
Keep on moving and just hold on tight
Now you've got a trio of music talent for your mind
JG's vocs*, JS' mixin', and BJ's style puts behind
Pundin' through the town at the speed of sound
Breaking down all barriers and steppin' onto new ground
It's what we know, It's what we do, Come on you'll see
So open up your heart cause it will set you free, yeah...
(Ends Bentley Jones)
If it won't stop, there will be no future for us
It's heart's tied down by all the hate, gotta set it free
I know it's a one way track
Tell me now how long this will last
Close my eyes and feel the burn
Now I see what I've gotta do
Open your heart, it's gonna be all right... Yeah!
Open your heart!
OPEN YOUR HEART!!!!!Yeah, yeah, yeah...
Music Video[]
Open Your Heart - Crush 40 Vs. Bentley Jones Remix
Bentley Jones Remix of Open Your Heart
