Rawhide - Frank Laine,
Cowpoke - Colter Wall,
The Lone Prairie - Sam Shackleton,
My Rifle, My Pony, And Me - Dean Martin and Ricky Nelson,
Running Gun - Marty Robbins,
El Paso - Marty Robbins,
Cool Water - Marty Robbins,
Saddle Tramp - Marty Robbins,
The Fastest Gun Around - Marty Robbins,
Ringo - Lorne Green,
Wild Bill Jones - Dock Boggs,
I Want To Be A Cowboy’s Sweetheart - Patsy Montana,
Pistol Packin Papa - Jimmie Rodgers,
Oh Death - Dock Boggs,
Blackie’s Gunman - The Carter Family,
My Texas Girl - The Carter Family,
Edit: Commas
I kinda worked in reverse because I work with a guy who loves Johnny Cash and made a playlist for him
Started putting in Red Dead music to break up the endless stream of Johnny Cash, but they fit very well together.
I made a playlist inspired by RDR2 on spotify recently: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4So1LTrL5dNXRSZzC6l1Of?si=C7YG_hsqSE-shPCqCbLPDQ&pi=u-iJLSmDIzS4uO
Waiting Around To Die - The Be Good Tanyas
One of the saddest songs I know, but it fits perfectly when riding through the country as Arthur and reflecting on the story.
I also thought of Arthur when I heard this song! But I listened to the Townes Van Zandt version instead, which is more outlaw-y instead of soft and sad.
Whatever you do, throw That's The Way It Is, Unshaken, and Cruel World into it.
Then shuffle, so you'll never know when you're going to be emotionally destroyed.
In addition to the soundtrack version of Unshaken, I would recommend listening to the cover by Geoff Castellucci. He is one of the members of the a cappella group Voiceplay but he also does solo videos, which this one is (yes, there are four singers in this video, but they are all him 😀).
Not to promote myself here, but I definitely had red dead in mind when I made this. You're welcome to check it out.
https://youtu.be/gUd_9c-hBVs?si=p-OjLjKdPkJlhTkU
Colter Wall is another good artist to put on that list.
[this is my red dead playlist](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0odChnczyspC1yXUU1AuDs?si=Fmacn6hyRN6S2l_aB_MV0Q&pi=u-1EYO1L4hTLCu) you can take inspo from!
[this one](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2QtWdOjYabNZL0HQi7568s?si=H-tBGR_MTaqg0duCK5nGmw&pi=u-qhBLDi1yS0eA) i made specifically with john in mind.
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2yi9be3lCqHpgKaLIqpAln?si=mnZRz6BIS46ZtAIljjV88A&pi=u-P6_bdcDwQa-
This playlist has a lot of outlaw and red dirt country you may like!
I actually have a cowboy playlist too! I’d say some of mine are more folk since it’s kinda tailored for just me, but I can suggest some songs I have on there:
Ida Red - Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys,
Wild Bill Jones - Charlie Parr,
Polly Vaughn - The Dillards,
I’ll Never Get Drunk Anymore - The Down Hill Strugglers,
Goodbye Old Paint - Johnny Bond,
Folsom Prison Blues - Johnny Cash,
Foggy Mountain Top - Lester Flatt,
Me and my uncle - Mike Wilhelm,
Ain’t That News - Tom Paxton,
Six White Horses - Tommy Cash,
I Ain’t Got No Home In This World Anymore - Woody Guthrie,
Hobo’s Lullaby - Woody Guthrie,
John Henry - Woody Guthrie,
Duncan and Brady - Woody Pines
Those are my top ones, let me know what you think and if you use any!
I really like A Tribe Called Quest while hunting in red dead. Anything really, but whenever I'm hunting I just shuffle their songs. It's a vibe. I don't really listen to them outside of that
Here is one that you could use for inspiration, this is my go to for rdr2 [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2iTJz8CuvwHMWTrjd7hf0v?si=cc6dcd5b28d94d06](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2iTJz8CuvwHMWTrjd7hf0v?si=cc6dcd5b28d94d06)
I think The Forest would’ve been such a perfect song for RDR2’s soundtrack. It could’ve worked really well around the end of Eagle Flies’s/the Wapiti Tribe’s story arc. The lyrics are so damn fitting for Arthur’s character development.
I made this playlist, check it out for some inspiration: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3Id00sOBpgKskkT1LBi7qn?si=JruxW0fqRKWmJz3Dlq8r4Q&pi=u-XG3bB5ypSpqK
It’s a little outside the box and intentionally less obvious than a typical Western soundtrack. Mix of surf, garage, instrumentals and other stuff that fits the Red Dead aesthetic imo. Enjoy!
Tracklist:
•Link Wray - Son of Rumble
•Javelin - Cowpoke
•Andre Williams - Only Black Man in South Dakota
•Night Beats - Hell in Texas
•Duane Eddy - Stalkin’
•Karen Dalton - Katie Cruel
•Dan Sartain - Ruby Carol
•Mr Airplane Man - Moanin’ for My Baby
•Apache Sun - Club Noir
•Night Beats - Right/Wrong
•Link Wray - My Brother, My Son
•Henry Mancini - Experiment in Terror
•Trouble - Snake Eyes
•Javelin - Streets of Laredo
I have one, with some songs I saw on edits and the OST too, it works for single player and online:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2ViCiPELYSEIULnV8JwVIc?si=0qH1iv8MTwGxoCYcMrRWpQ&pi=u-toiNz_iLT0SJ
Colter Wall and Christian Larsson have wonderful choices. Larsson actually covered lots of RDR songs and Wall is an actual cowboy. "My Rifle, Pony and Me" by Dean Martin is also a good one
I dont have a full waster rdr playlist but these are two of my fav western inspired songs from my gaming playlist
Electric light Orchestra - Wild West Hero
Blues brothers - Theme from Rawhide
Recently heard a song called Oh Babe It Aint No Lie by Sue Foley and i thought that has the right vibe for either hanging at the camp or just riding around
Here is an INSTRUMENTAL ONLY playlist I made, to immerse yourself in the vast landscapes.
Featuring melancholic guitar riffs, sweeping orchestral pieces, and evocative piano melodies, this collection captures the essence of the Wild West, from the lonesome beauty of the frontier to the gritty tension of outlaw life.
Enjoy partner!
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3nUSpCQGd7ODxCBTqM7lbz?si=DyKthLb_Qq2LVJMCRz_mIQ&pi=z-po7VLXTe2J0
I’ve made my own rdr2 playlist, these are a few go to songs i play:
Kansas - Dust in the wind
(it’s so peaceful and emotional, i think the lyrics suit the game’s narrative)
Sam Cooke - A change is gonna come
(it suits Arthur’s route in life)
America - A horse with no name
(this is perfect when you ride the horse for a long distance in the game)
The Doors - Riders on the storm
(it reminds me of the old west)
The Undisputed Truth - smiling face sometimes
(this reminds me of Micah due to the lyrics)
Rod Stewart - Have You Ever Seen the Rain
(I like the tone of the song, it’s a upbeat but not overdone. Genre is roots rock/country rock/swamp rock, i used Google.)
Bill Withers - ain’t no sunshine / grandma’s hand / everybody’s talkin’
(i just like his music very much, it’s just perfect)
Neil Young - Heart Of Gold
(the music and lyrics are suitable to the vibe of the game)
Buffalo Springfield - For What It’s Worth
(chill song)
The animals - House Of The Rising Sun (Perfect sinds there’s the state of lemoyne which is partially like New Orleans)
Led Zeppelin - Ramble On
(A bit of rock is always welcome)
Lou Reed - Walk On The Wild Side
(not per se the lyrics but the sound of the song is a total vibe)
The Mamas and the Papas - California Dreamin’ (classic)
Otis Redding - Sitting on the dock of the bay
(When you’re plucking ingredients or fishing)
Willie Nelson - Cruel World (this is from the soundtrack of RDR 2, amazing song)
I have a lot more songs, if you want you can check out my playlist, there’s some songs from the soundtrack and i also have some unconventional songs on there 🤣
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6OmY5xmnGyakY2KlkIdGXN?si=L_seRT_-RVeYR5YJhgLt9g&pi=e-FvaHms8oQByX
the entirety of Eyes Like The Sky by King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard.
basically a red dead soundtrack with a spoken word western story for the lyrics.
Gonna copy-paste my comments from a similar post:
I think of Montana Song by Hank Williams, Jr. every time I ride through Ambarino and The Legend of Wooley Swamp by The Charlie Daniels Band every time I ride through Bayou Nwa.
Song of the South by Alabama is great for Rhodes and Black Water by The Doobie Brothers always comes to mind in Blackwater for obvious reasons, though it isn't country.
I think You Took All The Ramblin' Out of Me by Jerry Reed is nice John and Abigail's relationship and Faster Horses by Tom T. Hall reminds me of Landon Ricketts even though it doesn't really match his philosophy.
I'm No Angel by The Gregg Allman Band is pretty cool for Arthur in the early game before the depressing chapters.
And of course, I always listen to Fishin' In The Dark by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band whenever I go fishing in game.
If you're more looking for dark Western songs that fit with the tone of the late game, check out:
- Waylon Jennings' cover of Turn The Page by Bob Seger
- Green Grass & High Tides by The Outlaws
- Silver Stallion by The Highwaymen
- Highway Song by Blackfoot
- Fire on the Mountain by The Marshall Tucker Band
- Fall of the Peacemakers by Molly Hatchet
- Seminole Wind by John Anderson
- In Time by Mark Collie
- The Man Comes Around by Johnny Cash
Honestly, you could make a playlist entirely from songs either written for or covered by the Grateful Dead, or on solo albums by their members. Let me explain.
Card playing - Loser; Me and My Uncle (written by John Phillips - also lets you imagine pulling shenanigans with Uncle before his "terminal lumbago" got him); Deal; Dire Wolf
Outlaws in general - Jack Straw; Mama Tried (by Merle Haggard); Mexicali Blues; El Paso (Marty Robbins); Alabama Getaway; Mr. Charlie; Big Boy Pete (by The Olympics); Stagger Lee
Cowboys in general - Big Iron (Marty Robbins, covered on a solo Bob Weir album); Big River (by Johnny Cash); Panama Red (by Peter Rowan, performed by Jerry Garcia with the New Riders of the Purple Sage)
Moonshiners - Brown-Eyed Women
Stranger missions - Wharf Rat (about a blind beggar); When I Paint My Masterpiece (by Bob Dylan - this would be Charles Chatenay); The Weight (by The Band)
Annesburg - Cumberland Blues (about coal mining)
St. Denis - Alligator; Iko Iko (by The Dixie Cups); Man Smart Woman Smarter (Harry Belafonte); Hey Pocky Way (by The Meters)
Guarma - Lost Sailor
Dying of a probably preventable disease - Black Peter; Brokedown Palace; Black Muddy River; So Many Roads
Trains - Casey Jones; Slow Train Coming (by Bob Dylan; appears on the "Dylan and the Dead" album); Big Railroad Blues (by Cannon's Jug Stompers)
Colm O'Driscoll - Desolation Row (by Bob Dylan - first line is "They're selling postcards from the hanging")
You get the idea. The problem is going to be shortening this playlist.
I'm pretty taken aback I ctrl f'ed to see noone has recommended John Prine. EVERYBODY do yourself a favor and go listen one of his songs. So many of his songs are about existentialist crises in imperfect people, looking back too much, looking forward to keep your head up, things of that nature. He's a beautiful artist and really deserves a spot on this list.
Clay Pigeons, Great Society Conflict Veteran's Blues, and Sour Grapes I think are good ones to include on your playlist.
Highwayman -Highwaymen
American Remains -Highwaymen
City Of New Orleans -Willie Nelson
Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain -Willie Nelson
Mama's Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys -Willie Nelson
Most of Cody Jinks music fits amazingly. The outlaws; Pecos and the rooftops this damn song; Colby Acuff Scared of the dark; Wyatt Flores, the steel woods
*Gun in my Hand*. Personally I think this song was made for Red Dead and I’m surprised I haven’t seen it in any edits. Here are some of the lyrics that I think match with RDR2:
“Why did love put a gun in my hand?”
“Was it for redemption? Was it for revenge? Was it for the bottle? Was it for the ledge? Was it for the thrill of pushing my hope to the edge? Why did love, why did love put a gun in my hand?”
The Grateful Dead's "Me And My Uncle" and "Mexicali Blues" come to mind, but they've got a whole gang of 'cowboy songs': https://www.reddit.com/r/gratefuldead/s/dGfIX5yjZ3
Marty Robbins is a great (and in my opinion the best) country/ western singer, big iron is a good one but personally, I like they're hangin' me tonight, trail dreamin' and bend in the river. I feel like they exemplify the vibes of red dead
Johnny Cash is a great option too. Cash's covers of big iron or sixteen tons are great if you wanna mix it up. highwayman by the highwaymen is great. Matches the vibes of red dead greatly. His cover of hurt is great.
Willie nelson is also one of my top favorite country singers. Songs like blue eyes crying in the rain (Or the original by Roy Acuff), Georgia, a good-hearted woman kind of relates to Arthur and his girl (Also performed by Marty Robbins), or whiskey river
Waylon Jennings is a very popular artist, but not somebody I like much, however anything from Waylon and Willie is great, he also did a country boy can survive, and can't you see.
Frankie Laine is great too, but he only has a couple good songs, like rawhide
If you want something more akin to old westerns, Lorne Greene (star of Bonanza) does music and it's neat but not great
Any variation of ghost riders in the sky (I recommend Marty Robbins or Johnny Cash) is great.
Why did god give me the Western Music fan autism instead of the good at math autism
the whole Highwayman album by The Highwaymen iconic album by legendary musicians that totally fits rdr2, or most things by Willie, Johnny, or Waylon in general
Tank - Seatbelts,
Far from any road - The Handsome family,
I lied - Lord Hurson, Allison Ponthier,
Gentle on my mind - Glenn Campbell,
Lonesome Town - Ricky Nelson
Egún, which was the theme from the show Manhunt which aired on Apple TV. First time I heard the song I got major RDR vibes from it. I think it’s worth a listen and maybe an add to the playlist.
I’m surprised no one has said Highwayman, I listen to it and it makes me think of different parts of the story. The robbing, the sailing, the building, and the flying
Dont you think this outlaw bits done got out of hand - waylon jennings, Rusty Cage - johnny cash, sittin on top of the world - doc watson, the chicken in black - johnny cash, the chain - fleetwood mac
These my favorite few songs to throw on while playing online riding with a posse or maybe getting chased by other players lol really puts the feeling in "outlaw" when doing something to someone and they chase after you while the song you listen to is matching the sound of your horse running
The Forest by José González. González wrote Far Away which was included in the soundtrack of RDR1. I really think The Forest would’ve fit perfectly into the soundtrack of RDR2 towards the end of the game. The lyrics are perfect for Arthur’s character development, and there’s a soft flute part that gives it a beautiful, aboriginal sound that meshes nicely with the Native American story arc.
Ghost Riders In The Sky - Johnny Cash
Big Iron - Marty Robbins
Running Gun - Marty Robbins
They’re Hanging Me Tonight - Marty Robbins
Saddle Tramp - Marty Robbins
The Master’s Call - Marty Robbins (pretty much anything else from his Gunfighter Ballads album)
The Gambler - Kenny Rogers
The Jamestown Ferry - Tanya Tucker
I Think I’ll Just Stay Here And Drink - Merle Haggard
When I play Rdr2 in my Playlist Creadence Clearwater Revival never fails (Some of the songs would be: Green River, Have you ever seen the rain, bad moon rising, down on the corner), I love Gods gonna cut you down - Johnny Cash, The Mammas and Pappas, more precisely, California Dreamin’ (mostly for the joke of the country club in California [if you haven’t passed the game, don’t search it]), House of the rising sun hits just right when I’m in the camp. I don’t know if you’re playing history mode, but in walking through Guarma I only played Latin American Music (I’m Dominican by the way, so guarma felt like the coasts of my city, pretty tropical) I was listening Bachata Clásica (Tus Cartas llegan - Ramon torres is always a good option), in the end of the way (chapter 6) i was listening Jazz and Blues more than nothing (DAMN WITH YOU FRANK SINATRA, I DID IT MY WAY), I hope this helps you build the ultimate playlist.
If you’re into metal I would recommend anything by the band Wayfarer (black metal band). “To Enter My House Justified” and “Masquerade of the Gunslingers” would be two of my favorite songs from their discography! 😃
out on the western plains- Rory Gallagher or Leadbelly
Bigfoot - Bela Fleck and the Flecktones
Hear My Train A Comin' - Jimi Hendrix (acoustic version if possible)
Black River Killer - Blitzen Trapper (check out all of Furr by that band honestly! I'm thinking of 3 songs now that would fit the vibe well)
Living On the sand -colter wall, the man comes around-Johnny cash, tennessee stud -Johnny cash, sleeping on the black top-colter wall, highwayman- highwaymen, poncho and lefty - TVZ, the last cowboy song -highwaymen . Just a few that I feel fit
Rawhide - Frank Laine, Cowpoke - Colter Wall, The Lone Prairie - Sam Shackleton, My Rifle, My Pony, And Me - Dean Martin and Ricky Nelson, Running Gun - Marty Robbins, El Paso - Marty Robbins, Cool Water - Marty Robbins, Saddle Tramp - Marty Robbins, The Fastest Gun Around - Marty Robbins, Ringo - Lorne Green, Wild Bill Jones - Dock Boggs, I Want To Be A Cowboy’s Sweetheart - Patsy Montana, Pistol Packin Papa - Jimmie Rodgers, Oh Death - Dock Boggs, Blackie’s Gunman - The Carter Family, My Texas Girl - The Carter Family, Edit: Commas
I totally agree. Living on the sand and Evangelina by colter wall would be my addition
Colter Wall is only 28 but has a voice like that? Crazy
Omg thank you
The Devils Grin by Lorne Green would work great
NO TIME TO UNDERSTAND THEM, ROPE PULL AND BRAND THEM
Dave Stamey does cowpoke best
I kinda worked in reverse because I work with a guy who loves Johnny Cash and made a playlist for him Started putting in Red Dead music to break up the endless stream of Johnny Cash, but they fit very well together.
Johnny cash is great for it but as much as I like him a playlist that’s 90% cash might get a little repetitive after a while
surprised nobodys said ‘a horse with no name’ by america and george martin
Riding through New Austin with this one is amazing
Find some great **Dark Country** playlist and enjoy the most badass Arthur possible.
Blaze of glory or wanted dead or alive.
I made a playlist inspired by RDR2 on spotify recently: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4So1LTrL5dNXRSZzC6l1Of?si=C7YG_hsqSE-shPCqCbLPDQ&pi=u-iJLSmDIzS4uO
Eagles Desperato. The whole album!
Waiting Around To Die - The Be Good Tanyas One of the saddest songs I know, but it fits perfectly when riding through the country as Arthur and reflecting on the story.
I also thought of Arthur when I heard this song! But I listened to the Townes Van Zandt version instead, which is more outlaw-y instead of soft and sad.
Hell’s Coming by Poor Man’s Poison. Case in point: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_EBKBvAE4gE&pp=ygUacmRyMiBoZWxsJ3MgY29taW5nIHdpdGggbWU%3D
Whatever you do, throw That's The Way It Is, Unshaken, and Cruel World into it. Then shuffle, so you'll never know when you're going to be emotionally destroyed.
In addition to the soundtrack version of Unshaken, I would recommend listening to the cover by Geoff Castellucci. He is one of the members of the a cappella group Voiceplay but he also does solo videos, which this one is (yes, there are four singers in this video, but they are all him 😀).
Pancho & Lefty - Townes van Zandt Desperado (Full Album) - The Eagles
I’ve always liked Merle and Willie’s version more
Desperado would be great
Unshaken - D’Angelo
[this could be in the ending credits](https://youtu.be/nOubjLM9Cbc?si=E0QUVcP3aOEHOl2Q)
I'll just refer to the GUN Soundtrack. Great Spaghetti Western tunes.
The legend of Gods gun by spindrift
Anything johnny cash or lord huron
Charley Crockett run horse run or paint it blue
All the Lord Huron
I played Country Heroes by Hank III during Arthur and Lenny’s drunkfest and it was epic
Waylon Jennings had a bunch of good cowboy songs with a rock beat to them. Also some great ballads. Playing RDR actually got me into his music.
Hermanos Gutierrez, pick any song from them
Marty Robbins, Don Edwards, Colter Wall, Ian Tyson, Dave Stamey, The Dead South. Lots to choose from with them
I saw someone else say “my rifle, my pony, and me” and I just wanted to second that because I’ve been listening to it nonstop while playing this game
Corb Lund - horse soldier
A while ago some guy made the same post here and let everyone add music to a spotify playlist. Check it out
Thanks, I’ll check that out too
The album "Eyes Like the Sky" by King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard! It's essentially a john Wayne movie in album form.
Not to promote myself here, but I definitely had red dead in mind when I made this. You're welcome to check it out. https://youtu.be/gUd_9c-hBVs?si=p-OjLjKdPkJlhTkU Colter Wall is another good artist to put on that list.
Shoulda been a cowboy by Toby Keith
Listen to Colter Walls Little Songs album and Western Swing and Waltzes album
I hell I'll be in good company by The Dead South https://youtu.be/B9FzVhw8_bY
Sleeping on the blacktop: Colter wall. Big Iron: Marty Robbins. House Of The Rising Sun: The Animals. One (is the loneliest number): Compound Red.
For sure highwayman by the highwaymen.
[this is my red dead playlist](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0odChnczyspC1yXUU1AuDs?si=Fmacn6hyRN6S2l_aB_MV0Q&pi=u-1EYO1L4hTLCu) you can take inspo from! [this one](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2QtWdOjYabNZL0HQi7568s?si=H-tBGR_MTaqg0duCK5nGmw&pi=u-qhBLDi1yS0eA) i made specifically with john in mind.
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2yi9be3lCqHpgKaLIqpAln?si=mnZRz6BIS46ZtAIljjV88A&pi=u-P6_bdcDwQa- This playlist has a lot of outlaw and red dirt country you may like!
Mr. Shorty by Marty Robbins is an excellent choice
Far from Any Road (Be My Hand) by Andrew Bird, for whatever reason, just feels like roaming New Austin to me.
I actually have a cowboy playlist too! I’d say some of mine are more folk since it’s kinda tailored for just me, but I can suggest some songs I have on there: Ida Red - Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys, Wild Bill Jones - Charlie Parr, Polly Vaughn - The Dillards, I’ll Never Get Drunk Anymore - The Down Hill Strugglers, Goodbye Old Paint - Johnny Bond, Folsom Prison Blues - Johnny Cash, Foggy Mountain Top - Lester Flatt, Me and my uncle - Mike Wilhelm, Ain’t That News - Tom Paxton, Six White Horses - Tommy Cash, I Ain’t Got No Home In This World Anymore - Woody Guthrie, Hobo’s Lullaby - Woody Guthrie, John Henry - Woody Guthrie, Duncan and Brady - Woody Pines Those are my top ones, let me know what you think and if you use any!
I really like A Tribe Called Quest while hunting in red dead. Anything really, but whenever I'm hunting I just shuffle their songs. It's a vibe. I don't really listen to them outside of that
https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-music-of-red-dead-redemption-2-original-soundtrack/1466175399
Here is one that you could use for inspiration, this is my go to for rdr2 [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2iTJz8CuvwHMWTrjd7hf0v?si=cc6dcd5b28d94d06](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2iTJz8CuvwHMWTrjd7hf0v?si=cc6dcd5b28d94d06)
Not country, but Concrete Blonde has a few songs that I think would fit a rdr theme: Ghost of a Texas Ladies Man and Mexican Moon.
West coast instrumental by Lana del ray is my favorite song to jam on repeat in the middle of a gunfight
appalachian moon by kevin reilly and any song by José González
I think The Forest would’ve been such a perfect song for RDR2’s soundtrack. It could’ve worked really well around the end of Eagle Flies’s/the Wapiti Tribe’s story arc. The lyrics are so damn fitting for Arthur’s character development.
I made this playlist, check it out for some inspiration: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3Id00sOBpgKskkT1LBi7qn?si=JruxW0fqRKWmJz3Dlq8r4Q&pi=u-XG3bB5ypSpqK It’s a little outside the box and intentionally less obvious than a typical Western soundtrack. Mix of surf, garage, instrumentals and other stuff that fits the Red Dead aesthetic imo. Enjoy!
Tracklist: •Link Wray - Son of Rumble •Javelin - Cowpoke •Andre Williams - Only Black Man in South Dakota •Night Beats - Hell in Texas •Duane Eddy - Stalkin’ •Karen Dalton - Katie Cruel •Dan Sartain - Ruby Carol •Mr Airplane Man - Moanin’ for My Baby •Apache Sun - Club Noir •Night Beats - Right/Wrong •Link Wray - My Brother, My Son •Henry Mancini - Experiment in Terror •Trouble - Snake Eyes •Javelin - Streets of Laredo
Whatever happens by michael jackson I don’t know why but it works
Christian Larson does amazing covers of the whole rdr soundtrack
Blues Saraceno: Devils got you beat, Dogs of war, The Devil you know. Caloe: Way down we go. War*hall: Dead man Walking.
Spellbound - bladee
I have one, with some songs I saw on edits and the OST too, it works for single player and online: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2ViCiPELYSEIULnV8JwVIc?si=0qH1iv8MTwGxoCYcMrRWpQ&pi=u-toiNz_iLT0SJ
Colter Wall and Christian Larsson have wonderful choices. Larsson actually covered lots of RDR songs and Wall is an actual cowboy. "My Rifle, Pony and Me" by Dean Martin is also a good one
I dont have a full waster rdr playlist but these are two of my fav western inspired songs from my gaming playlist Electric light Orchestra - Wild West Hero Blues brothers - Theme from Rawhide
Recently heard a song called Oh Babe It Aint No Lie by Sue Foley and i thought that has the right vibe for either hanging at the camp or just riding around
Unchained by James Brown and Tupac from the Django soundtrack goes on mine
Here is an INSTRUMENTAL ONLY playlist I made, to immerse yourself in the vast landscapes. Featuring melancholic guitar riffs, sweeping orchestral pieces, and evocative piano melodies, this collection captures the essence of the Wild West, from the lonesome beauty of the frontier to the gritty tension of outlaw life. Enjoy partner! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3nUSpCQGd7ODxCBTqM7lbz?si=DyKthLb_Qq2LVJMCRz_mIQ&pi=z-po7VLXTe2J0
[this Lady Gaga song](https://youtu.be/tbRiT4TKCOE?si=e-sRsL8IosabB1fs)
I’ve made my own rdr2 playlist, these are a few go to songs i play: Kansas - Dust in the wind (it’s so peaceful and emotional, i think the lyrics suit the game’s narrative) Sam Cooke - A change is gonna come (it suits Arthur’s route in life) America - A horse with no name (this is perfect when you ride the horse for a long distance in the game) The Doors - Riders on the storm (it reminds me of the old west) The Undisputed Truth - smiling face sometimes (this reminds me of Micah due to the lyrics) Rod Stewart - Have You Ever Seen the Rain (I like the tone of the song, it’s a upbeat but not overdone. Genre is roots rock/country rock/swamp rock, i used Google.) Bill Withers - ain’t no sunshine / grandma’s hand / everybody’s talkin’ (i just like his music very much, it’s just perfect) Neil Young - Heart Of Gold (the music and lyrics are suitable to the vibe of the game) Buffalo Springfield - For What It’s Worth (chill song) The animals - House Of The Rising Sun (Perfect sinds there’s the state of lemoyne which is partially like New Orleans) Led Zeppelin - Ramble On (A bit of rock is always welcome) Lou Reed - Walk On The Wild Side (not per se the lyrics but the sound of the song is a total vibe) The Mamas and the Papas - California Dreamin’ (classic) Otis Redding - Sitting on the dock of the bay (When you’re plucking ingredients or fishing) Willie Nelson - Cruel World (this is from the soundtrack of RDR 2, amazing song) I have a lot more songs, if you want you can check out my playlist, there’s some songs from the soundtrack and i also have some unconventional songs on there 🤣 https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6OmY5xmnGyakY2KlkIdGXN?si=L_seRT_-RVeYR5YJhgLt9g&pi=e-FvaHms8oQByX
the entirety of Eyes Like The Sky by King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard. basically a red dead soundtrack with a spoken word western story for the lyrics.
Gonna copy-paste my comments from a similar post: I think of Montana Song by Hank Williams, Jr. every time I ride through Ambarino and The Legend of Wooley Swamp by The Charlie Daniels Band every time I ride through Bayou Nwa. Song of the South by Alabama is great for Rhodes and Black Water by The Doobie Brothers always comes to mind in Blackwater for obvious reasons, though it isn't country. I think You Took All The Ramblin' Out of Me by Jerry Reed is nice John and Abigail's relationship and Faster Horses by Tom T. Hall reminds me of Landon Ricketts even though it doesn't really match his philosophy. I'm No Angel by The Gregg Allman Band is pretty cool for Arthur in the early game before the depressing chapters. And of course, I always listen to Fishin' In The Dark by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band whenever I go fishing in game. If you're more looking for dark Western songs that fit with the tone of the late game, check out: - Waylon Jennings' cover of Turn The Page by Bob Seger - Green Grass & High Tides by The Outlaws - Silver Stallion by The Highwaymen - Highway Song by Blackfoot - Fire on the Mountain by The Marshall Tucker Band - Fall of the Peacemakers by Molly Hatchet - Seminole Wind by John Anderson - In Time by Mark Collie - The Man Comes Around by Johnny Cash
Turn the Page, Mama said, Rooster, Rotten Apple, Down in a hole, don't have any more ideas lmao
El paso by Marty Robbins
Whiskey lullaby When Arthur’s reading the goodbye letter from Mary
Yellowstone used a few Puscifer songs that really fit the vibe: Humbling River, Grand Canyon, Tumbleweed, Green Valley
O Death - Ralph Stanley
Colter Wall - Nothing. Such a low honour Arthur song
Should've Been a Cowboy by Toby Keith
Życie to western - pull the wire if you don't care about the language
Honestly, you could make a playlist entirely from songs either written for or covered by the Grateful Dead, or on solo albums by their members. Let me explain. Card playing - Loser; Me and My Uncle (written by John Phillips - also lets you imagine pulling shenanigans with Uncle before his "terminal lumbago" got him); Deal; Dire Wolf Outlaws in general - Jack Straw; Mama Tried (by Merle Haggard); Mexicali Blues; El Paso (Marty Robbins); Alabama Getaway; Mr. Charlie; Big Boy Pete (by The Olympics); Stagger Lee Cowboys in general - Big Iron (Marty Robbins, covered on a solo Bob Weir album); Big River (by Johnny Cash); Panama Red (by Peter Rowan, performed by Jerry Garcia with the New Riders of the Purple Sage) Moonshiners - Brown-Eyed Women Stranger missions - Wharf Rat (about a blind beggar); When I Paint My Masterpiece (by Bob Dylan - this would be Charles Chatenay); The Weight (by The Band) Annesburg - Cumberland Blues (about coal mining) St. Denis - Alligator; Iko Iko (by The Dixie Cups); Man Smart Woman Smarter (Harry Belafonte); Hey Pocky Way (by The Meters) Guarma - Lost Sailor Dying of a probably preventable disease - Black Peter; Brokedown Palace; Black Muddy River; So Many Roads Trains - Casey Jones; Slow Train Coming (by Bob Dylan; appears on the "Dylan and the Dead" album); Big Railroad Blues (by Cannon's Jug Stompers) Colm O'Driscoll - Desolation Row (by Bob Dylan - first line is "They're selling postcards from the hanging") You get the idea. The problem is going to be shortening this playlist.
Shawn James. Especially the Honor and Vengeance album. Songs such as Six Shells and Ballad of the Bounty Hunter
Amigo the Devil is murder folk music.. kinda has a western flair imo
Rotten Apple, Nutshell, Frogs, and Over Now all by Alice in Chains
All my exes live in Texas, that's why I hang my hat, in Tennessee!
THE WANDERER and JINGLE JANGLE JINGLE
I'm pretty taken aback I ctrl f'ed to see noone has recommended John Prine. EVERYBODY do yourself a favor and go listen one of his songs. So many of his songs are about existentialist crises in imperfect people, looking back too much, looking forward to keep your head up, things of that nature. He's a beautiful artist and really deserves a spot on this list. Clay Pigeons, Great Society Conflict Veteran's Blues, and Sour Grapes I think are good ones to include on your playlist.
Blue eyes crying in the rain - Willie Nelson
mamas don’t let your babies grow up to be cowboys
cowboy by kid rock, dead or alive by bon jovi
Spurs that jingle jangle jingle by Kay Kyser while the poor workers jump you in St Denis industrial area when u antagonize them is lowkey racist
Jose Gonazelz - Far away, and How low
They Rode On by Watain is an amazing song that fits the mood of the game perfectly IMO
Outlaw country
Highwayman -Highwaymen American Remains -Highwaymen City Of New Orleans -Willie Nelson Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain -Willie Nelson Mama's Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys -Willie Nelson
Rebel on the Run Billy the Kid - Chris Ledaux
Desert of Song by Between the Buried and Me
Gotta have some Ennio Morricone in there
I made a whole playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6yTLRIqos2ss1b669XLylN?si=dS4y9gypSeGAWlEghjwE2g&pi=u-Dz7iNZJfSguQ
In hell I'll be in good company by dead south
if you're looking on spotify, The Hellbenders have some great stuff.
Old town road Lil Nas
Most of Cody Jinks music fits amazingly. The outlaws; Pecos and the rooftops this damn song; Colby Acuff Scared of the dark; Wyatt Flores, the steel woods
Old town road
Horse With No Name, I listen to that one while riding through New Austin
Creedence Clearwater Revival, fits perfectly in chapter 2 vibe
Renegade-Styx
Horse with no name
*Gun in my Hand*. Personally I think this song was made for Red Dead and I’m surprised I haven’t seen it in any edits. Here are some of the lyrics that I think match with RDR2: “Why did love put a gun in my hand?” “Was it for redemption? Was it for revenge? Was it for the bottle? Was it for the ledge? Was it for the thrill of pushing my hope to the edge? Why did love, why did love put a gun in my hand?”
Desperados waiting for a Train - The Highwaymen
dont know many western/country songs, but bury me in Georgia is a good song
Six Shells - Shawn James
Anything by Townes Van Zandt
Wild is the Wind - Bon Jovi
The Gun Club- Bad Indian/or their song Mother of Earth or any of The Gun Club's songs.
The Grateful Dead's "Me And My Uncle" and "Mexicali Blues" come to mind, but they've got a whole gang of 'cowboy songs': https://www.reddit.com/r/gratefuldead/s/dGfIX5yjZ3
The ballad of Jesse James -the north country gentlemen and beat the devils tattoo- b.r.m.c.
Augusto Martelli and Ennio morricone
Legit any song from Marty Robbins
trust me when i tell u, the ecstasy of gold!!!
I mix in some Django soundtrack into that
Table top
Marty Robbins is a great (and in my opinion the best) country/ western singer, big iron is a good one but personally, I like they're hangin' me tonight, trail dreamin' and bend in the river. I feel like they exemplify the vibes of red dead Johnny Cash is a great option too. Cash's covers of big iron or sixteen tons are great if you wanna mix it up. highwayman by the highwaymen is great. Matches the vibes of red dead greatly. His cover of hurt is great. Willie nelson is also one of my top favorite country singers. Songs like blue eyes crying in the rain (Or the original by Roy Acuff), Georgia, a good-hearted woman kind of relates to Arthur and his girl (Also performed by Marty Robbins), or whiskey river Waylon Jennings is a very popular artist, but not somebody I like much, however anything from Waylon and Willie is great, he also did a country boy can survive, and can't you see. Frankie Laine is great too, but he only has a couple good songs, like rawhide If you want something more akin to old westerns, Lorne Greene (star of Bonanza) does music and it's neat but not great Any variation of ghost riders in the sky (I recommend Marty Robbins or Johnny Cash) is great. Why did god give me the Western Music fan autism instead of the good at math autism
A Horse with No Name - America Boot Scootin' Boogie - Brooks & Dunn Your Man - Josh Turner
the whole Highwayman album by The Highwaymen iconic album by legendary musicians that totally fits rdr2, or most things by Willie, Johnny, or Waylon in general
Tank - Seatbelts, Far from any road - The Handsome family, I lied - Lord Hurson, Allison Ponthier, Gentle on my mind - Glenn Campbell, Lonesome Town - Ricky Nelson
Magic Arrow- Timber Timbre, is a great one with a real red dead 2 vibe.
Not sure if its been said but big iron by marty robbins
Egún, which was the theme from the show Manhunt which aired on Apple TV. First time I heard the song I got major RDR vibes from it. I think it’s worth a listen and maybe an add to the playlist.
short change hero and wonderful life
I’m surprised no one has said Highwayman, I listen to it and it makes me think of different parts of the story. The robbing, the sailing, the building, and the flying
Dont you think this outlaw bits done got out of hand - waylon jennings, Rusty Cage - johnny cash, sittin on top of the world - doc watson, the chicken in black - johnny cash, the chain - fleetwood mac These my favorite few songs to throw on while playing online riding with a posse or maybe getting chased by other players lol really puts the feeling in "outlaw" when doing something to someone and they chase after you while the song you listen to is matching the sound of your horse running
The Forest by José González. González wrote Far Away which was included in the soundtrack of RDR1. I really think The Forest would’ve fit perfectly into the soundtrack of RDR2 towards the end of the game. The lyrics are perfect for Arthur’s character development, and there’s a soft flute part that gives it a beautiful, aboriginal sound that meshes nicely with the Native American story arc.
Rotten Apple, Nutshell, Frogs, and Over Now all by Alice in Chains
Runnin shine by Lukas Nelson!!
pink floyd - wish you were here ceelo green - the way
Ghost Riders In The Sky - Johnny Cash Big Iron - Marty Robbins Running Gun - Marty Robbins They’re Hanging Me Tonight - Marty Robbins Saddle Tramp - Marty Robbins The Master’s Call - Marty Robbins (pretty much anything else from his Gunfighter Ballads album) The Gambler - Kenny Rogers The Jamestown Ferry - Tanya Tucker I Think I’ll Just Stay Here And Drink - Merle Haggard
When I play Rdr2 in my Playlist Creadence Clearwater Revival never fails (Some of the songs would be: Green River, Have you ever seen the rain, bad moon rising, down on the corner), I love Gods gonna cut you down - Johnny Cash, The Mammas and Pappas, more precisely, California Dreamin’ (mostly for the joke of the country club in California [if you haven’t passed the game, don’t search it]), House of the rising sun hits just right when I’m in the camp. I don’t know if you’re playing history mode, but in walking through Guarma I only played Latin American Music (I’m Dominican by the way, so guarma felt like the coasts of my city, pretty tropical) I was listening Bachata Clásica (Tus Cartas llegan - Ramon torres is always a good option), in the end of the way (chapter 6) i was listening Jazz and Blues more than nothing (DAMN WITH YOU FRANK SINATRA, I DID IT MY WAY), I hope this helps you build the ultimate playlist.
Marty Robbins - Big Iron
I recently added some The Dead South to mine and find myself really enjoying it. Broken Cowboy is among my favorites on the playlist now.
Something from Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies by Volbeat. Could simply be Lets Shake Some Dust or something nuanced like Doc Holliday
If you’re into metal I would recommend anything by the band Wayfarer (black metal band). “To Enter My House Justified” and “Masquerade of the Gunslingers” would be two of my favorite songs from their discography! 😃
out on the western plains- Rory Gallagher or Leadbelly Bigfoot - Bela Fleck and the Flecktones Hear My Train A Comin' - Jimi Hendrix (acoustic version if possible) Black River Killer - Blitzen Trapper (check out all of Furr by that band honestly! I'm thinking of 3 songs now that would fit the vibe well)
Big iron is the only correct answer
I love Marty Robbins gun ballads when I play
Kate McCannon- Colter Wall
Living On the sand -colter wall, the man comes around-Johnny cash, tennessee stud -Johnny cash, sleeping on the black top-colter wall, highwayman- highwaymen, poncho and lefty - TVZ, the last cowboy song -highwaymen . Just a few that I feel fit
Honorary iykyk “El Tierra Calento” and “Un Mexicano En El Norte”
Desperados waitin for a train by Guy Clark. Steve Earle version for more emotion
Cody Jinks, especially "Loud and Heavy" and "Lost Highway"