Left 4 Dead Soundtrack

Left 4 Dead Soundtrack is composed by Mike Morasky. He was also involved in the soundtrack for other successful Valve franchises such as Team Fortress 2, Portal 2 and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.

Music is a big part of the Left 4 Dead experience. It brings suspense to a bad situation, alerts you when something happens, and sends chills down your spine. The music is dynamic and is controlled by Left 4 Dead Director. Most of the music is centered around the experience of the game through the Survivors, though music does play while playing as the Infected.

Left 4 Dead Main Theme
"Left 4 Dead" is the main theme of the first game. The noticeable cue in this song reoccurs in many other musical pieces in the game, such as in the Tank's themes. This usage of an often-repeated cue in Left 4 Dead soundtrack is similar to how some real-life movies have cues (or leitmotifs) which recur throughout their soundtracks.

Left 4 Dead 2 Main Themes
Left 4 Dead 2 uses main menu songs that are in the style of each campaign ("Dead Center", "Dark Carnival", "Swamp Fever", "Hard Rain" and "The Parish") as the 5 main menu themes.

Left for Death
"Left for Death" plays upon dying as a Survivor. The first twelve seconds of it play if the Survivors have been overwhelmed. When a Survivor other than the player has died, a monotone variant of this song is played. "Left for Death" in Left 4 Dead 2 has changed in tone. Left 4 Dead 2 variation's occasionally only plays the last few notes.

Skin on Our Teeth
"Skin on Our Teeth" plays at the end of every campaign's finale to keep the players on edge when the rescue vehicle has arrived, and the Survivors are attempting to board it while evading the Director's last stand against the Survivors. The theme appears to be a modified section of the Tank theme to set a similar but more urgent mood. The name is wordplay of the well-known idiom "by the skin of one's teeth, " meaning "by a narrow margin; barely." The Left 4 Dead 2 "Skin on Our Teeth" has been changed to fit the music theme of Left 4 Dead 2.

The Monsters Without
At the end of every chapter barring the finale, after the Survivors have reached and closed the safe room door, with statistics being shown and the next chapter loading in Left 4 Dead. The "Monsters Without" in Left 4 Dead 2 has changed.

The Monsters Within
"The Monsters Within" plays after one or more of the Survivors have boarded the rescue vehicle and escaped, and throughout the "credits." The Left 4 Dead 2 "The Monsters Within" is very similar to Left 4 Dead, only the music theme is changed.

Gas Can of Victory
"Gas Can of Victory" plays when both teams have the same number of points on a Scavenge map and is used to keep both teams on their feet, as suggested by similarities to the "Skin on Our Teeth" music theme. The name is self-explanatory as it plays during the fight to fill the gas can that would claim the Survivors victory for the round.

Mob Rules
"Mob Rules" plays when a high number of infected are attacking you.

I Am So Cold
"I Am So Cold" plays when the Survivor is incapacitated and critically low on health (the part where their vision slowly fades to black).

Your Own Funeral and Final Nail
"Your Own Funeral" plays during the horde at a finale. In Left 4 Dead campaigns, "Final Nail" (referencing to the idiom 'final nail in the coffin') will play upon the second horde during finales.

Clinging to Hell
"Clinging to Hell" is played whenever a survivor is hanging or clinging on a ledge. There are four variations of the track:

Main Horde Theme
This is the overlay tune that will play in the midst of a horde attack in the Left 4 Dead 1 campaigns. It features constant drum beats in the background alongside synths sounds which is a common trend with the tracks of the original Left 4 Dead. Unlike with the campaigns of the sequel, which features instruments related to specific campaigns, this horde theme will always play in all the campaigns featuring the original survivors without any different (with the exception of the Left 4 Dead 2 version of "The Last Stand").

The Last Stand's Horde Drums
This is the drumbeat that will play exclusively in the Left 4 Dead 2 version of "The Last Stand" during a horde onslaught (which makes it the only campaign with the original survivors with a distinctive track for the hordes).

Horde Drums
In-game, the horde themes are backed up by a drum beats which are simply refer to as "drums". These drums always play in the background during a horde onslaught in any campaign starring by the Left 4 Dead 2 Survivors.

Dead Center
This is the overlay tune that will play in the midst of a horde attack in the campaign "Dead Center", along with the constant drum beat in the background. It features a banjo to tie in with its southern setting and to link in with "Dead Center"'s other themes.

The Passing
This is the overlay tune that will play in the midst of a horde attack in the DLC campaign "The Passing", along with the constant drum beat in the background. It features a jazz organ to tie in with its tacky nightlife and wedding setting and to link in with "The Passing"'s other themes.

Dark Carnival
This is the overlay tune that will play in the midst of a horde attack in the campaign "Dark Carnival", along with the constant drum beat in the background. It features a carnival carousel and music saw (possibly a theremin) to tie in with its carnival and funfair setting and to link in with "Dark Carnival"'s other themes.

Swamp Fever
This is the overlay tune that will play in the midst of a horde attack in the campaign "Swamp Fever", along with the constant drum beat in the background. It features a violin, or "fiddle", and accordion to tie in with its southern shanty-town setting and to link in with "Swamp Fever"'s other themes.

Hard Rain
This is the overlay tune that will play in the midst of a horde attack in the campaign "Hard Rain", along with the constant drum beat in the background. It features a dobro guitar and a harmonica, or "mouth organ", to tie in with the culture of the southern setting and to link in with "Hard Rain"'s other themes.

The Parish
This is the overlay tune that will play in the midst of a horde attack in the DLC campaign "The Parish", along with the constant drum beat in the background. It features a trumpet to tie in with the culture and its southern setting and to link in with The "Parish"'s other themes.

Cold Stream
This is the overlay tune that will play in the midst of a horde attack in the DLC campaign "Cold Stream", along with the constant drum beat in the background. It features the horde theme heard in Left 4 Dead combined with the drums heard in Left 4 Dead 2, serving as a mashup between the two games' horde themes.

The Parish (Beta)
This was originally going to be the horde music used throughout all of the Left 4 Dead 2 campaigns, and was featured in the beta for "The Parish" campaign (and "Swamp Fever" at one point). It features snare drums playing in the backgrounds which cannot be heard anywhere else in the final game, alongside violin tracks and the horde danger track of the original Left 4 Dead.

Horde Germs
"Germs" are the tunes that play when there's an incoming horde, they are subtly used to warn of the hordes presence giving the survivors a couple of seconds to quickly prepare. Each campaign features different themes and tunes toward their "germs".

No Mercy
"No Mercy" is the theme of the "No Mercy" campaign. It can be heard at various points throughout the campaign, primarily at the beginning of every chapter. The full song plays at the beginning of "The Apartments", and it will not end until the Survivors leave the rooftop.

Crash Course
"Crash Course" is the theme of the "Crash Course" campaign (the name is a possible to a brief, intensive course of instruction, as to prepare one quickly for a test). It can be heard at various points throughout the campaign, primarily at the beginning of every chapter. The full song plays at the beginning of "The Alleys".

Death Toll
"Death Toll" is the theme of the "Death Toll" campaign. It can be heard at various points throughout the campaign, primarily at the beginning of every chapter. The full song plays at the beginning of "The Turnpike", and it will not end until the Survivors begin to move along the road. A coding error on the Xbox 360 version (PC version is unconfirmed) seems to stop this theme from playing completely in some consoles. If one listens closely they will hear a clip of "The Monsters Without" around 25 seconds through the song.

Dead Air
"Dead Air" is the theme of the "Dead Air" campaign. The full song plays at the beginning of "The Greenhouse", and it will not end until the Survivors have entered the room below them.

Blood Harvest
"Blood Harvest" is the theme of the "Blood Harvest" campaign. The full song plays at the beginning of "The Woods", and it will not end until the Survivors leave the campsite.

The Sacrifice
"The Sacrifice" is the theme of "The Sacrifice" campaign. This music has similarities to music found in both Left 4 Dead and Left 4 Dead 2. It can be heard at the beginning of the campaign. Note that after 1:17 music turns into Left 4 Dead 2 banjo theme, not the original game's one.

The Last Stand
The Last Stand is the theme of "The Last Stand" campaign. The song is a edited version of intro_cs.wav, which was the original main theme of the "Cold Stream" campaign. Unlike the rest of themes in the game, "The Last Stand" lacks the signature leitmotifs of Left 4 Dead.

South of Human
"South of Human" (a reference to Slayer's song "South of Heaven" and the game's setting in the American South) is the theme of the "Dead Center" campaign. The full song plays at the beginning of "The Hotel". The main musical tone is to that of a banjo.

Dead Light District
"Dead Light District" (a reference to a red-light district) is the theme of "The Passing" campaign. The tune starts off as the music of "Blood Harvest" as a reference to the presence of the original survivors, then a second theme enters with a strong jazz organ, referred to as "internal organs" in the game file. The music is similar to that played at a party or a night club because Rayford is portrayed as a city with a vibrant nightlife.

Death is a Carousel
"Death is a Carousel" (a reference to Tom Cochrane's "Life Is a Highway") is the theme of the "Dark Carnival" campaign. The full song plays at the beginning of "The Highway".

The main musical theme is to that of a carnival carousel and a musical saw.

Died on the Bayou
"Died on the Bayou" (a reference to Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Born on the Bayou") is the theme of the "Swamp Fever" campaign. The full song plays at the beginning of "Plank Country".

The main musical theme is to that of a fiddle and accordion.

O' Sweet Death
"O' Sweet Death" (referring to the campaigns central location of a sugar mill) is the theme of the "Hard Rain" campaign. The full song plays at the beginning of "The Milltown". Some of this theme can be heard in the Left 4 Dead 2 Zombie Survival Guide Trailer. The melody seems to mimic that of "Toll Collector".

The main musical theme is to that of an acoustic slide guitar and harmonica.

Dead Easy
"Dead Easy" (a reference to Big Easy, the nickname of New Orleans where the campaign is set) is the theme of "The Parish" campaign. The full song plays at the beginning of "The Waterfront".

The main musical theme is similar to that of a jazz funeral.

Cold Stream
This is the introductory theme music for the DLC campaign "Cold Stream", simply known as "Cold Stream". It has a very mystical backing tune and a solemn-like woodwind instrument playing the main tune. It reflects the atmosphere of the campaign's lonely pine forest setting, and gives a depressing and apocalyptic feel to the start of the map. This music was written by Stephan "CosmicD" Vandenborn, based on Mike Morasky's theme.

Saferoom Themes
The Saferoom Themes are tracks that play after the main theme of any campaign and at the beginning of every chapter barring the first one, when the Survivors are gathering their supplies and just about to exit the safe room. These track were made having a very constant rhythm, to give a sense of security but also temporary stay, similar to the music commonly used in elevators. The instruments used in these tracks varies between campaigns, in order to fit with the overall style of said campaign.

No Mercy for You
"No Mercy for You" is the saferoom theme of "No Mercy". This track features a overall "industrial" tone in line with the main theme of the campaign.

Crash Course CP
"Crash Course CP" is the saferoom theme of "Crash Course".

Death Toll Collector
"Death Toll Collector" is the saferoom theme of "Death Toll" and the Left 4 Dead 2 version of "The Last Stand". This track makes heavy uses of "synth" sounds similar to the main theme of "Death Toll".

Dead Air Time
"Dead Air Time" is the saferoom theme of "Dead Air".

Blood Harvestor
"Blood Harvestor" is the saferoom theme of "Blood Harvest". This track in style is similar in style to what can be hear in horror-movies (in specific, the slasher sub-genre).

Pray for Death
"Pray for Death" is the saferoom theme of most Left 4 Dead 2 campaigns. The name refers to the horrible situation that they're in and how they would rather die than become Infected. Like with much of the music in the sequel, this track uses a banjo theme for the backing track to help tie in with the southern setting. Whereas the original Left 4 Dead gives a more dark and sinister feel with a slight variety in the tracks for the separate campaigns to fit in with each setting.

Pray for Passing
"Pray for Passing" is the saferoom theme of the DLC campaign "The Passing". The name refers to the horrible situation that Bill sacrificed himself from the original group and how the Survivors cope with his passing. It also means on how the original Survivors pass on the "torch" to the new Survivors from Left 4 Dead 2. It features combined music from Left 4 Dead 's "No Mercy for You" saferoom theme and Left 4 Dead 2 's "Pray for Death" saferoom theme.

Deep in the Forest
"Deep in the Forest" is the name of the saferoom music played only in the DLC campaign "Cold Stream". The name refers to the situation and environment the survivors are in during the "Cold Stream" maps, as the campaign is based in a pine forest and reflects the fact they are so alone out there. This track was arranged by Stephan "CosmicD" Vandenborn, based on Mike Morasky's themes.

Tank
"Tank" is the musical cue of the Tank, which plays after the Tank has noticed the Survivors and loops until its death. Normally, Tanks have 2 different themes, one that plays when the Tank has spawned during normal campaign known simply as "Tank", and one that plays during the finale (shown in the top left) known as "Taank", which is 27 seconds longer. In "Dark Carnival", finale Tanks are accompanied by a heavy rock version of the Tank's song to associate with the Midnight Riders theme of the finale. The first song is a play on the song "Midnight Ride" called "Midnight Tank". The second song is a play on the song "One Bad Man" called "One Bad Tank". "The Last Stand" campaign features a metalized version of the Tank Theme composed by Richard "Xenogen" Howle which plays with the double Tank wave that takes place after the Scavenge segment.

Witch Enroacher
"Witch Enroacher" is the musical cue of the Witch. The first fourteen seconds of the track loop play as long as the Survivors are in close proximity to the Witch (the closer to her they are, the louder it plays), and from 0:15 to 0:45 is what plays after the Witch has been startled. From 0:44 and on is the music that plays when a witch has been set on fire or is retreating.

The Wandering Witch
The sounds that play for the Witch during the daylight are known as "Little Lost Witch" and "Loud Angry Little Witch". When approaching the Witch 'lost_little_witch' plays, when getting close to the Witch 'loud_angry_little_witch' plays. When startled, it uses the same soundtrack with the original witch soundtrack.

Bride Witch
This song is played when within the Bride Witch's vicinity in the first chapter of the "Passing". It is a variation of the "Bridal Chorus" (generally known as "Here Comes the Bride" or "Wedding March" in English-speaking countries) mixed with the Witch's standard theme. Similar to the original, it will get louder as the Survivors approach her.

Bacteria
"Bacteria" is a name for the Special Infected jingle that plays when one is around. They each have their own tune to identify them by. They also have a song that plays when their attacks hit. Every Special Infected's "Bacteria" have their own select number of notes, and two versions of said notes played on piano and string. A theme played on piano means that a Special Infected has spawned nearby, while a theme played on strings (violin, viola, cello, or double bass) indicates that a Special Infected has spawned further away, or in the distance. However, no Infected has a "Bacteria" with only one note, seven notes or nine notes. It may be a good idea to know which "bacteria" music corresponds to which infected, as it gives clues to what kind of Special Infected is going to attack your team (as Survivors) next when distinct growls and noises Special Infected make are inaudible. As of the November 19th, 2010 patch of Left 4 Dead 2, "bacteria" sounds have been disabled in Versus in the sequel.

Each Bacteria terror music have a shorter, toned down versions that are played when a nearby survivor is pinned by the associated Special Infected. These tracks can be found in the "tags" folder in the game's music folder.

Hunter
The Hunter's attack is known as "Exenteration".

Exenteration is also a medical term for disembowelment, fitting as the Hunter claws at the stomach. Its theme has three notes and its the fastest one to go with the speed of the Hunter.

Smoker
The Smoker has two musical cues that play when attacking. The one when Survivors are being dragged away is named "Tongue Tied", then the song played when fully constricted is called "Asphyxiation".

Asphyxiation is a term for suffocation, fitting for the Smoker. It consists of two notes.

Boomer
The Boomer's attack is known as "Pukricide". This term comes from puke and the suffix -icide, making the term mean "To kill by means of vomit". For the Boomer, five notes play.

Charger
The Charger has two songs that go along with him. "Contusion" plays when he grabs a Survivor then "Mortification" plays as he pounds them into the ground.

Contusion is another term for bruise (probably from being slammed by him or referring to the Charger's bruised and rocky right arm) and Mortification can mean either humiliation, or decay of a part of the body, possibly referring to the Charger's shriveled arm. Its theme has six notes and it has been the only theme that has changed, in the "Swamp Fever" videos from E3 it shows it had only the violin without the trumpets and it was slower but with the same mood.

Spitter
The Spitter's song is called "Enzymicide".

Enzymes are a type of protein that speeds up chemical reactions, and are known to be present in human saliva, while the suffix -icide means to kill. Therefore, the term means "to kill by means of Enzymes". Its theme has four notes.

Jockey
The Jockey's song is called "Vassalation".

The word can be broken into two parts, Vassal and -ation. Vassal means slave, and -ation can be "state of", so the word means "state of being a slave, " referring to the players inability to control their own movements. "Vassalation" is also a play on "vacillation", meaning "to waver in course or opinion" or "to sway through lack of equilibrium"; again, referring to the Jockey's effect on the Survivor. It is the longest "bacteria" at a total of eight notes.

Chocolate Helicopter
"Chocolate Helicopter" is the song used in the intro video of Left 4 Dead 2. The name refers to the sarcastic comment Nick makes toward Coach during the trailer.

Train to Miami
"Train to Miami" is one of the songs featured in the two commercials for Left 4 Dead. It was created by the hardcore punk/noise rock band Steel Pole Bath Tub, fronted by Mike Morasky, and played in their album The Miracle of Sound in Motion. According to Morasky himself, he was surprised when he found out that the person responsible for creating the commercials decided to use his song.

Grounds for Divorce
"Grounds for Divorce" is one of the songs featured in the two commercials for Left 4 Dead. It was created by English band Elbow, which was a part of their album The Seldom Seen Kid, released in 2007.

Lyrics from http://elbow.co.uk/

Electric Worry
"Electric Worry" is a song played by Clutch in the Left 4 Dead 2 TV Spot, off the album From Beale Street to Oblivion, released in 2007.

Jukebox
The following are songs played on the jukebox in "the Waterfront"'s cafe, in the small cafeteria's jukebox in the plank country, the jukebox in the pool-room in "The Underground", and the one inside the house to the left of the bridge in "The Port" and "Port Finale".

Re: Your Brains
"Re: Your Brains" is a song by Jonathan Coulton, also available on the Rock Band Music Store for 80 Microsoft Points. Its chorus (starting after "You're all gonna die screaming!") will attract a horde. The song can also be downloaded from Jonathan Coulton's blog.

The Saints Will Never Come
"The Saints Will Never Come" is a jazzy rendition of "When the Saints Go Marching In", its name in the soundtrack a pun on the song's title. This song also plays in the background when you start up the Crescendo event in "The Quarter".

One Bad Man
"One Bad Man" is a song by the fictional band, Midnight Riders. The riff of the song bears some resemblance with the riff of the song "Seek & Destroy" by the American thrash metal band Metallica and very similar to "Ramshackle Man" by Deep Purple. This song is currently available for download on the Rock Band Network for US$1.99. It has yet to be released for Rock Band 4.

Midnight Ride
"Midnight Ride", sometimes known as "Midnight Riding", is another song by the fictional band, Midnight Riders. Midnight Ride was also used in a commercial advertising Left 4 Dead 2. This song is available on the Rock Band Network for US$1.99. It has yet to be released for Rock Band 4.

Save Me Some Sugar (This Won't Take Long)
"Save Me Some Sugar (This Won't Take Long)" is a Midnight Riders song released in "The Passing". It can be used to obtain the "Killing Them Swiftly To This Song" achievement. After the first chorus is heard (2:03), the lyrics go "Aw yeah..{gibberish}..Alright". There was a rumor when the gibberish is played backwards, it perceivably can be heard as, "Bill is dead", in reference to the "Paul is dead" legend, and the fact that Bill was the Survivor who canonically died.

All I Want for Christmas (Is to Kick Your Ass)
"All I Want for Christmas (Is to Kick Your Ass)" is an official song by the Midnight Riders, meant to celebrate the Holidays. It makes various references to Christmas traditions of Santa Claus, The Christmas song "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" (the lyrics "You stole my woman" humorously refers to this song) and Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol". It also has tune similar to that of "La Grange" by ZZ Top, whom the Riders strongly resemble. It was released around Christmas 2009 but implemented in-game with "The Sacrifice".

The song was given an official backstory on the official Midnight Riders youtube page, "In 1987, the Midnight Riders were asked to participate in a children's charity Christmas album with their rock peers. The Riders refused. In a 1993 Guitar God Magazine article, Dusty explained: „Givin' kids charity just makes 'em weak, man. Teach a kid to fish, he can eat fish his whole life. Teach a kid NOT to fish, he starves to death. Where I come from that's murder, Homes.“ A few years later, the Riders grudgingly agreed to participate in a 1998 Christmas album in exchange for not having to do 30,000 hours of community service. „All I Want For Christmas is to Kick Your Ass“ was written, recorded and mailed in less than one hour."

Still Alive
"Still Alive" is a song by Jonathan Coulton, vocals by Ellen McLain. It is the popular credits song to Portal, another of Valve's games. It stands as the rarest song to play on the jukebox. However the song is played much more frequently on the demo version of Left 4 Dead 2. It appears to have more chances to get played in "The Passing". It's possible that this song was put in as an extremely subtle hint for Portal sequel, Portal 2. This song is available on the Rock Band Network and Rock Band 4 for US$1.99