Cave Story music inspired by ... polka?
by John Bardinelli 
{ Apr 10th 2007 at 1:58PM }
By now we've all played, re-played, and generally gushed over Pixel's freeware platformer Cave Story. The game is so good, we've even fallen in love with the soundtrack. But did you know one of those tunes is a remixed polka song? Yes, polka. And we're not talking Weird Al-style Polkamon, either.The music that accompanies the Finnish dance Letkajenkka (often referred to as Jenkka) bears a striking resemblance to Jenka's theme (track number 16) from Cave Story. And by "striking resemblance" we mean it's the exact same song morphed into a chiptune-style piece. Kinda makes us wonder if, deep down, some twisted part of our being actually enjoys polka.
[Via Independent Gaming]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Kankles @ Apr 10th 2007 2:17PM
Does anyone know the origin of Hell's theme because it really kicks ass.
samfish @ Apr 10th 2007 2:31PM
I don't care what anyone says...I friggin' LIKE polka, god damnit!
benjamin @ Apr 10th 2007 2:54PM
You realize that polka is a music style that's enjoyed by a variety German nationals and ex-pats here in the US, right?
And how it's the official music of the state of Pennsylvania, former home of our country's capital and all-around Colonial very important place?
Go cram your anti-polka mindset.
Todd @ Apr 10th 2007 2:47PM
Hmm, not familiar with the game. I will have to check it out and see what all the fuss is about.
ElPenguino @ Apr 10th 2007 3:25PM
It's no mere coincidence. I believe PIXEL, the author of Cave Story, mentioned this at one point. I believe it's the only song directly inspired by another source, though.
I don't think it's all that uncommon in games, either. After all, Mario Bros borrowed some of Mozart's music.
Jason @ Apr 10th 2007 2:58PM
I like polka.
Todd @ Apr 10th 2007 3:02PM
@benjamin
Heh, what are you so angry about? Did someone say something nasty about Polka or are you venting for attention?
James Kochalka @ Apr 10th 2007 3:27PM
Polka music is awesome. The accordian was the electric guitar of it's time, and polka was it's rock & roll.
James Kochalka @ Apr 10th 2007 3:31PM
Nintendo stole from much more recent sources than Mozart for their Super Mario Bros. themes:
http://maubrowncow.com/index.php/2006/09/21/nintendo-stole-a-super-mario-theme-from-6-years-ealier/
At the time they did it, I guess there wasn't much enforcement of music copyrights when it came to video games, so they seem to have gotten away with it.
miles foreman @ Apr 10th 2007 3:34PM
This summer: Polka is about to make you it's bitch.
miles foreman @ Apr 10th 2007 3:36PM
Pardon the "it's"... I haven't had enough coffee today.
Crono @ Apr 10th 2007 3:46PM
James K.
You need to read the rest of that story, as well as the comments that follow. 6 notes not a rip off make.
Now, what was a ripoff was when Staind ripped the middle of the Zelda II opening theme for the chorus of one of their biggest songs.
Todd @ Apr 10th 2007 3:50PM
@Crono
What song?
Bland @ Apr 10th 2007 4:36PM
Slow news day?
mememe @ Apr 11th 2007 3:07PM
I already played this game 2 years ago..it's great!
Very Metroidy
James Kochalka @ Apr 11th 2007 11:11PM
Yeah, I read the whole story. It's clearly a stolen melody. Six notes or not, it's still copyright infringement on Nintendo's part. Copyright law doesn't specify a particular number of notes that you're allowed to steal.
Add to that the fact that fans have identified the melodies from other older jazz fusion bands in various mario themes, and it's clear the the composer for the mario games borrowed pretty liberally from other people's musical works.