A silver hand, grasping a pistol. A nuke and a guitar. And one Hell of a Vendetta.

The lone cello is rage. Raw and unfiltered. Johnny's rage, specifically. Johnny Silverhand is often signified by the cello as an instrument in the soundtrack, whereas V is represented by the synth beat.

Cyberpunk's ost is perfection. Even all the radio music is fire

Rebel path isn't the backstory you choose at the beginning, but one of the secret endings you can do. This one is my favourite ending, where you go and "attack" the final location, on your own, without any help, and what is in my opinion the best part of this ending, is the fact that when you start it, the game difficulty doubles, and you can't save the game (because you literally went on suicide mission), and the feeling you get, when you hear that music while attacking AN ARMY OF ENEMIES, is one of the best feelings i felt while playing a video game.

Marco: "Man, this part has a certain tension to it." Everyone who played the secret final mission that had this blaring throughout: YEEEEUP.

The Rebal Path has a long corridor walk feel. Like this can only end in death. Either Johnny's or his target's. It escalates more and more, yet has a methodical rhythm. Makes me want to finish up the game.

Of note for this track is that the chord progression you hear in the Cello and throughout the song is actually pulled from the song "The Ballad of Buck Ravers". It's a song from Johnny's band and starts with lyrics about the monotony of work in a corp and breaking out of it to fight against it all. It's funny how you pulled that same feeling from the start about it being monotonous and the same, given that connection. (The Ballad of Buck Ravers is also a banger rock track)

The "Rebel Path" is Johnny Silverhands path, since he lived a life of fighting against Arasaka, one of the most powerful and evil corporations in the setting. Dude got very much consumed by said path he is walking, thats the reason we find him in the situation he is in at the start of the game. The brutality you hear in this track very much describes how Johnny chooses to fight his war against arasaka, because he really has not much mercy at all. Cyberpunk 2077 is awesome btw. I think its very much worht your time and attention.

For me, the music represents Johnny's unbridled rage. The Cello section being ever so slightly out of tune, combined with the dull percussion, I feel represents how he feels in the moments between his revolt. A sharp, sometimes ugly rage that drones in his head and heart. When it shifts into the song proper, the song becomes ordered and focused, like I think Johnny becomes when fighting. The song is still there, but it's become the backing to the violence he's inflicting. As it starts to fade, it feels like the comedown from an adrenaline rush. The song starts to fade in entirety, as if the rage is sated for a time... but it comes back in full force. His rage will not be sated, not even by death.

The cello always amazes me because to be quite frank, the notes it produces for this song sound almost discordant, bordering on being straight up sour. And yet, the intensity with which they’re played and the remaking of the bass beat keeps it all in rhythm and harmony in spite of the harsh, almost hateful sounds of the cello. I wish I could describe it better than that, but there you go.

This by far is my favorite track of the Cyberpunk OST. This mixed with Johnny's introduction is so freaking good. Johnny feels such a badass, especially mixed with this music. And yes, the Rebel Path is Johnny's song.

Again, your explanations just hit so spot-on. When you mentioned " there's an inherent brutality " in this music I immediately thought of Nightcity. Nightcity IS inherent brutality. It may look cool but it's a savage place.

im so happy people give cyberpunk a chance again, even its music. its my fav game. i love it to death

The music in Cyberpunk does an absolutely amazing job at explaining the situation even when you do not have the entire context.

The cello part always sounded to me like the idea of trying to push against the flow with how you can hear the strings straining, it's like it's trying to break free, maybe like a old vs new

the first segment/build up always reminds me/gives me the same vibe of that theme that plays when we first meet The Crones of Crookback Bog; it has that haunting/ mysteriously dangerous atmosphere. Soooo good.

I literally thought to myself yesterday while listening to this piece ''man, I would LOVE if Marco did a video on Rebel Path'' and the man delivers. Awesome stuff, keep it up chief!

Re-downloaded the game and started a new character from the expansion. When Johnny Silverhand assaults Arasaka Tower and this song drops....gaming perfection.

I noted you reviewed both V's theme in Cyberpunk 2077 in addition to this. I think there are quite a few thematic elements common to both that reflect the intimate relationship between Johnny Silverhand and V, and I find that really interesting how they weave their story into the music.

this is not a lifepath theme, but johnnys theme, specifically when hes attacking arasaka

Mr. Marcin Przybyłowicz is another one of today's musical geniuses. The Cyberpunk OST, from ambiental music, to combat music to radio music, all of it is absolutely amazing! Of course, the radio music is composed by the performing artists, most likely under his direction.

Thank you for doing this, this was one of my favorite tracks in the whole game, and my ringtone lol

I think the big thing is that @4:35 when you hear the beat, its the sound of a beating heart. That feeling of feeling your heartbeat in your ears when your heart is racing, adrenaline is pumping, and rage is settling, only for it to reignite @4:59.

Oooh, I’ve been waiting for this one! Glad you got around to it Marco!

To me this song has always been one of frustration and catharsis. In the two most important missions this song plays throughout, the storyline is of either Johnny or V leading an assult on Arasaka. Johnny as revenge for his girlfriend and his city being used as nothing more than a means for arasaka to establish thier power, and V as a last ditch attempt for the life soon to be stolen from them by Arasaka and their relic. They are parallel stories, 50 years apart. The music follows this story. The cello at the start symbolises our protagonists, the only organic, or human, part of our story. It's slow and straining on the longer notes. The drums are forever holding to the time signature, ever moving forward and never stopping. Both keep repeating, and the music feels like it's getting somehow more frustrated each time. This is the low point. The protagonists are about to start their assault. They are ruminating on their lives, and what has been stolen from them by Arasaka as they approach the tower. Finally the instrumentation turns electronic as it starts it's transition to the crescendo. They are at the tower. Rumination has turned into determination. Frustration has turned into anger. The music then breaks into it's more 'action music' part as the first shot is fired. The adrenaline is pumping the brutality of combat is forceful and cathartic. This is a chance to get back at those who wronged them. And each slower section feels like it's just waiting for the next fast part. Our protagonists are eager for every fight as they make they way through the tower... Until finally it stops... they have reached their destination, and they now have to make their decision as for what to do next.

I absolutely love both Johnny’s and V’s ostinatos, but them together in Been Good To Know Ya is an insane combination of them. Great video!

That's Tina Guo mastering the cello.

This game really does have some of the most heart pumping and ethereal music in it, and it's always so emotionally charged

This song is very representative of when it appears, when you play as Johnny silverhand in the flashback and (spoilers) when you decide to do the ending where you storm Arasaka with him (which is basically by yourself but with Johnny guiding you) choosing to become the rebel so no one else gets killed during the mission and kinda rebels the choices the game gives you especially since getting that choice you actually have to wait for it to appear by initially not selecting any of the other possible endings, I like how he also basically summed up the situation with V and Johnny and I think the rebel path is also how they grew with each other to get the situation sorted, the song is all about embodying the spirit of a rebel saying "f**k it all" and doing something yourself to make change, because you say f it I'm not risking my friends lives imma cripple this corporation myself or die trying

The Rebel Path. Defiantly a perfect title for how banger of a song this is! Let’s out the inner Edgerunners within, storming into Arasaka Tower with just me, Johnny, and all the iron I can carry.

Internal Battle, Changing while remaining the Same, essentially sums it up. A great analysis of the song, just earned my sub :)

I think the song is about Night City and its oppressive atmosphere. It is aggressive, and brutal, and constantly shifting. Every element of this song that you might try to rely on to get your bearings will betray you at some point. The groove is hypnotic in the way it pounds at some parts and almost slips away at others. It's the rhythm of a life in which it appears, at least on the surface, that you can only rely on yourself to decide where to go. V's story is a lot like the story of any kid whose life is "taken over" by something bigger than themselves. Johnny is present here I think because he's representative of this pattern of influences trying to make you into their ideal version of you. He promises a "rebel" path against the corporate system, but any rebellion within the cyberpunk system will only get you so far before you risk becoming someone else's puppet in a way you didn't even see coming.

The squeaking sound of cello, like a string pulled near snapping, symbolises silverhand is just 100% unhinged and fallen to cyberpsychosis. It also symbolises the rage and the repeating means Johnny is only focused on one thing only, and that's nuking a tower

This song always made me feel like SUCH a badass when I heard it while playing, in all it’s versions.

I am always amazed at how close you get in ideas to what the game goes for. The song is indeed tied with Johny, there are some variations used across the game used for certain sections, including one particular ending. Would love to see more Cyberpunk analysis, maybe the absolute banger that is "The Heist" from the same game.

What I'm hearing is Johnny's anger towards Arasaka. The cello is the thought of Arasaka in his mind. The repeating lines I see as him unable to get the thought of aggression out of his head. The melody itself feels like it's telling him he's about to do something.

Ahh It's been a rough couple of weeks. Always good to just chill and watch some of Marco's work. Cheers man

I love the cyberpunk soundtrack's it's crazy how the ost's fit the characters so well like this one you can clearly see the rebel Jhonny and Never Fade Away (game ending) fits for V in my opinion.

This tune works so well where its used, that constant unstoppable forward march

That base beat is from the in story SAMURAI song “ The Ballad of Buck Ravers”

Always loved the real heavy techno beat it just goes so hard this piece especially when your in the flashback as johnny silverhand shooting his way through arasaka tower to get alt out and to blow up a nuke just styling on everything while hes doing it

finally.a video i’ve been waiting for but never found

this is johnny's theme, the only times you hear this song while in game are when u are using johnny or when u are using his weapon the malorian arms at the endgame, so I believe the "rebel" here is in fact johnny

Fantastic to hear you'd be returning to Cyberpunk! In my opinion, it is a fantastic game, including a plethora of incredible music! As one of the clips you've shown in the video, the portion of the game while being in "Clouds" - sort of a brothel, has incredible atmosphere especially thanks to the mellow music and calm, yet deep dialogue. One of the endings have, in my opinion, the best backing track in the entire game! Definitely would love it if you completed the game on your channel! :) Would be an amazing experience I reckon!

Yay, my request has been accepted.😁 You actually pretty cool characterize Johnny Silverhand as badass. Thanks for reaction.

“The most dangerous creation of any society is the man with nothing to lose”

This plays in a couple of points in the game. I remember when it first came out during the scenario this played there was the bug where the music wouldn't end. While in one sense it was kind of annoying but it also made the entire scenario feel epic. This music really gets you hyped up for combat. If music can be a drug then this song is either buffout or psycho...for those who like Fallout.

oh boy walking into arasaka tower with the cello playing, felt so great - the bad-assery is real

Your analysis on the song is accurate to what’s going on. I’m seriously impressed that you were able to capture the emotions and theme of the song - without playing the game.

at the part right after the cello in the beginning, i always imagined that the song takes place in a metro, where the main high pitched reverved beats are coming from a screen advert playing throughout the metro, and then blurs out when the rebel attack happens

When it fades out, I seen the disappointment on your face saying "Awww that's it?" Then it flares back up and your smile comes back and you head bop.

Oh I've been waiting for this one. I didn't even know I was waiting for it until I saw it, but that's besides the point.

I usually see the electric cello version of Johnny's Rebel Path theme during A Love like Fire, being the representative V being immersed into Johnny's memories and seeing what he saw and what he felt in the final moments of his life. And later the music alternate to the electric guitar version in For Whom he Bell Tolls (Rogue's ending and the title of Jackie's favourite book), where it was Johnny himself in control over V's body. The beats was closer to a pulsing heart which also count down to the last remnant of Johnny's life which was intertwined by V's fading mind. It also reflect Johnny's personalities; rage, violence and madness but also his passion and sense of righteousness.

Been Waitin' for this.

I know this months after the fact, but the fact this theme is very similar to some tracks in Witcher 3 makes me appreciate it even more. It almost could fit into the Witcher but then the synth kicks in and gets wild AF. I just love the music from CDPR so much.

I don't know if anyone mentioned it, but your glasses reflecting the green light at the beginging is such a nice touch

so there are a few archetypes of villian, and the one that is of interest here is the "force of nature". Jhonny Silverhand is introduced as a force of nature type of villian to the player. their motives are so radical and extreme that V can't really cope with them. The rebel path is one of extreme selfishness, it's about getting what you want despite or sometimes to spite everything opposing you; laws, corpos, gangers, everything can and should burn for getting in your way. It's the quintessential "punk" in cyberpunk. eventually silverhand grows as more of a narrative villian as the game progresses, but right at the start; where there is no motivation, no pathos, just raw anger and power and the will put to path; that is a force of nature.

This song is represented of the game play. Since you get stronger and grow from engaging in fights. This song also gives a clue on how to beat the game on higher difficulties. Since like you this said the badass vibes given off by the song is smart and methodical instead run and gun badass vibes. The smart and tactical way of approaching fights works best since at higher difficulties it is still possible to be flatline by lowe level threats.

Without a doubt cyberpunk has one of the best soundtracks out of any recent game.

Feeling of killing endless of amounts of chooms with silver hands hand gun while the beast of a tune is playing is exhilarating almost

I love two things in this video. How he really enjoyed the music and got excited about it in parts, and how without any knowledge of the game, he got all the intended yet subjective meaning right.

After listening to your analysis of the cello and the beats, I kinda understand what it means. The Cello represents the evolution as what you said. With every new tone, it means "did it work? No? Then let's try this" in an uncertain feel. The beats represents like thump of walks.

One thing that might be interesting to know (I haven't seen it posted) is the term "rebel path" is a reference to a Samurai song Johnny wrote called Chippin' In, the line is "Blaze your way down the rebel path." The song is about his fight against corporations.

1:04 It's interesting you say that, since the band Samurai were known for their songs and lyrics that touched on the mundane, repeating, grinding nature of the daily lives of people in night city, and corpo life in general. It's fitting that this is johnny's theme.

If memory serves part of this track is used in the combat track. It's fitting since getting uncovered or going in guns blazing you have to feed on your rage or rebel path.

He definitely has to react to "Been Good to Know Ya" from Cyberpunk

I just realised the main motif/ intro line in this is the same as the intro riff in one of Samurai’s (Johnny Silverhand’s band) songs; “The Ballad of Buck Ravers”.

I believe the cello piece is reminiscent of those old samurai movies where two people are about to duel and you have this ominous solemn tune that prefaces the confrontation. There are a lot of parallels in the story and game that suggest this samurai theme. Some are more obvious like the name of the band samurai but also in the very nature of the character V as a solo fighter and the very solitary nature of the gameplay and the solitude you tend to experience in the story as a citizen of nightcity. It's stuff like this that really makes me think that this game is an under appreciated masterpiece of an experience.

i always felt like rebel path was V's story of rebelling against night city and the notion of the only legends in the city being dead ones, the chello version plays in peak moments like johnny assaulting arasaka tower or trying to free his friend later in the story, but it also plays in V's final assault too, i think the rebel path is the path to become a true legend in night city which is why it plays at legendary moments in characters stories.

I love all of the music in this game so much (other than Pon Pon Shit). The way that the different artists who mafe music for the game did so as though they were actual characters in the cyberpunk universe*, it's almost like a sort of concept album. *like Run The Jewels portraying the in-universe characters Yankee and The Brave for their song.

Great video as always, another amazing track from the cyberpunk ost you can listen to is Never Fade Away from the in game ending, although try not to get spoiled :).

I used to blast around Sakas backyard with this music:3

when this music plays in the game there are some unique things to keep in mind... this music only plays in Jhonny's flashbacks, or in moments where Jhonny is in control.... the soft Cello plays durring scenes where you are talking and building up to the action, when the drop hits- it's comabt, the deep pounding bang bang bang of your gun in tune of the music, the focus the pain, the anger focused into a weapon... then it dies down... the anger is sated... the combat is over, but the fight goes on you get the backtrack as he finishes up his fight and starts to do what needs to be done, arming the nuke, uploading the data to destroy Mikoshi then it builds again as combat draws near once more... breaking out and becomeing intense once more- time to fight.

Thanks Marco!

When i hear that cello in the beginning, i get the feeling "to escape Night City you have to fight your way out."

The music to this game just made all the more sense to me, when I found out they were collaborating with the guy who scored the Dredd movie. You had the Judge Dredd aesthetic (and attitude) ofc you want the music to go along with that. Edit: But yeah, this is also the Silverhand theme underneath that.

cyberpunk 2077 some amazing songs that hit very hard and yes this is john silverhand's theme during one of the scenes (spoiler) it signifies change to extreme means specifically nuking a corporations main building

Its cause everyone liked the cello in track - and it had the most serious overtone to what the story of silverhand's version of nuking arasaka is. Then the breakdown is obvi the action part.

one of the best soundtracks ever in the gaming industry.

I like how you can hear Witcher 3 folk/tribal music elements in Cyberpunk music :)

Silver hands tower ambush music, is what I'd play while storming a castle

The repeating pattern is from the Samurai(Johnny Silverhand's band) song Ballad of Buck Ravers. This is essentially Johnny Silverhand's theme music.

Simplest way to describe the way this song feels in game is that one scene from The Matrix but you get to play it.

You can't help but move your head alongside with the beat xD

Fun fact that constant repeating pattern is in many songs in Cyberpunk. Blackwall(Alt's Theme), V, Rebel Path just to name a few.

This music is the embodiement of looking death in the eyes and stabbing it, again and again.

OOoohhh finallyytyy ive been obsessed with this game lately

CP2077 ost always gave me such great gritty emotion. The closest way to describe it is like being cussed out and shouted at hard by someone and walking away feeling refreshed as a new man.

I don't know it's name but the OST that plays during saburo arasaka's death in the prologue is god tier.

The drop is INSANE.

You were close with that initial read but you glossed over the repetition thing, which I think I'll come back to. You're right, cyberpunk in its current multimedia state on the whole is about how the system of this world creates martyrs, like Johnny, like David, like V, like (DLC spoilers) songbird. The rebel path is an anguished song on loop, a neverending cry of rage, an allure to self-destruction and a bitter, violent death, distorting and distorting with the fuel of paranoia, adrenaline, and trauma til it fizzles out against the unbreakable wall of oppression and military might arasaka has built. If you nuke a tower, they'll just build another one. I want to say cyberpunk is a perfect interrogation of that very specifically punk kind of nihilism but it falls on its face or goes around the themes it has worked to build a lot, often to be more consumable. I think taken as a whole with the anime and DLC in tow though, it gets close to being the deconstruction I want it to be, it's just missing a line or two that ties it all in a bow.

Makes sense. Johnny is all about fighting the forces of entropy.

Lets goooooo, my favourite song in this game

i forgot this wasnt the only version of this song holy shit O_O

For me, the cello part is the more poetic, gentle, lyrical side of the character. It's still dark, but it's there - and then comes the rage that consumes everything. That "inner Johnny" melody is still there, but it's deep within that all-encompassing rage.

A few other tracks that you might like are V and Been Good To Know Ya. Johnny's Rebel Path is one of the best tracks and for me the entire Cyberpunk feeling is compressed into this song. Edit: Didn't realize you've already done a video on V.

Time to party like it's 2023

I feel like the start of the song is about Johnny but as soon as it comes to the short pause, V enters the scene to continue the rebels path

OMG, it sounds so so so epic.

Never Fade Away goes hard, highly recommend it.