Main Story | Cyberpunk 1987

This playlist attempts to capture the story of "Cyberpunk 2077" in a retro-futuristic style. By using songs released before or during 1987, (with the exception of Duran Duran’s “A View to a Kill”, released in 1989, and Metallica’s “One”, released in 1988,) it follows the narrative of V’s journey and their blooming romance with Johnny Silverhand.

"Cyberpunk 2077"* is a game with a beautiful branching story that may take many differing paths as you play, for this playlist the choices are as follows.

V is from the Street Kid lifepath.

V chooses not to explore other romance options.

V supports Johnny during The Oilfields encounter.

V completes the hidden "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" final mission, and decides to give Johnny their body in the "Temperance" ending.

*I personally have not played through "Phantom Liberty", and have managed to avoid all spoilers somehow, so there’s no mention of it throughout this retelling.

This playlist is organized in a chronological order of events style, however some events may appear out of order in relation to your own experience. This is due to the nature of an open world RPG. For clarity, there will be a brief explanation of when songs take place included with each entry.

Act 1

"Kids in America" - Kim Wilde, 1981

An overture. Street kid prologue: The Streetkid.

"She Works Hard For The Money" - Donna Summer, 1983

During the opening 6-month montage. V works with Jackie to make it to the major leagues.

"Venus" - Bananarama, 1986

The Ride, The Pickup, The Information.V proves themselves to be capable of pulling off The Heist.

"Fame" - Irene Cara, 1980

The Heist. V enters this mission with a positive, but naive, perspective on life. They return from it forever changed. The motivational mantra now becomes a haunting reminder of the loss they've experienced.

_{“I'm gonna live forever
I'm gonna learn how to fly

I feel it coming together
People will see me and cry

I'm gonna make it to heaven
Light up the sky like a flame

I'm gonna live forever
Baby, remember my name.”}

Interlude

"Welcome To The Jungle" - Guns N' Roses, 1987

A Love Like Fire. Johnny Silverhand's memories swirl in V's brain, recounting his final explosive stand in Night City.

Act 2

"White Rabbit" - Jefferson Airplane, 1967

Playing For Time. V's weeks-long coma, punctuated by Misty's advice in their apartment.

"Stayin' Alive" - Bee Gees, 1979

Playing For Time. V meets with Takemura for information about potential leads.

"It's My Life" - Talk Talk, 1984

Playing For Time. V and Johnny's conversation at Tom's Diner. V tells Johnny they're not on the same team, that they want him gone.

"Talking In Your Sleep" - The Romantics, 1983

Automatic Love. Johnny and V's memories and personalities are slowly merging into one. Angel/Skye brings them the comfort they both need.

"Out of Touch" - Daryl Hall & John Oates, 1984

Tapeworm. Johnny makes a deal with V to help them if they can find Mikoshi.

"Roxxane" - The Police, 1978

The Space In Between, Diasterpiece. V is on the hunt for Evelyn Parker.

"Save A Prayer" - Duran Duran, 1982

Double Live, Both Sides Now. Evelyn falls into a depression due to what she's experienced and takes her own life as a result.

"Barracuda" - Heart, 1977

Talkin' bout a Revolution, Pisces. V helps Judy free Clouds from Woodman.

"The Witch Queen of New Orleans" - Redbone, 1971

I Walk The Line. V meets the Voodoo Boys and their leader Brigitte.

"Ride The Lightning" - Metallica, 1984

Never Fade Away. Johnny's hastiness and ego proves to be fatal for Alt Cunningham.

"Break on Through (To the Other Side)" - The Doors, 1967

Transmission. V ventures beyond the Black Wall to speak with Alt.

"Mad World" - Tears For Fears, 1983

Tapeworm. Johnny explains to V why he wants to take down Arasaka.

"Secret Agent Man" - Johnny Rivers, 1966

Down on the Street, Gimme Danger. V meets with Takemura and Oda and begins preparing to hijack the Dashi parade.

"The Passenger" - Souxsie and the Banshees, 1987

Ghost Town. V meets Panam Palmer and helps her retrieve her vehicle.

"99 Luftballons" - Nena, 1983

Lightning Strikes. V works with Panam to shoot down the Kang Tao AV carrying Anders Helman.

"Hammer To Fall" - Queen, 1984

I'll Fly Away. V and Mitch give Scorpion a proper send off.

"Invisible Touch" - Genesis, 1986

Tapeworm. V and Johnny discuss Mikoshi, and how it feels to absorb each other's memories and identities.

"Private Eyes" - Daryl Hall & John Oates, 1981

I Fought The Law, Dream On. V meets River and helps him with his investigation.

"One" - Metallica, 1988*

The Hunt. V and River investigate Edgewood Farm.

"(Ghost) Riders In The Sky" - Johnny Cash, 1979

Riders on the Storm. V works with Panam and the Aldecaldos to rescue Saul.

"Hear My Train a Comin'" - Jimi Hendrix, 1967

With a Little Help from My Friends. V helps the Aldecaldos assault the Militech convoy.

"Eye of the Tiger" - Survivor, 1985

Play It Safe. V takes on Oda at the Dashi parade.

"Holding Out For a Hero" - Bonnie Tyler, 1986

Search and Destroy. V fights their way through Arasaka's forces to rescue Takemura and escape the compromised safehouse.

"Digital" - Joy Division, 1979

Tapeworm. V experiences a Relic malfunction and passes out. Johnny takes the pseudoendotrizine and brings them to an old hideout of his.

"Born in the U.S.A." - Bruce Springsteen, 1984

Tapeworm. Johnny tells V about his past.

"Two of Hearts" - Stacey Q, 1986

Tapeworm. V and Johnny agree to do whatever it takes to save each other.

Act 3

"Cum on Feel the Noize" - Quiet Riot, 1983

Chippin' In, A Cool Metal Fire. Johnny looks for information on Adam Smasher's whereabouts, and gets up to no good doing so.

"Still The Same" - Bob Segar, 1978

Chippin' In. Rogue and Johnny reunite, Rogue tells V that Johnny is instantly recognizable in their body.

"Sunglasses At Night" - Corey Hart, 1983

Chippin' In. Johnny and V's conversation at The Oilfields. Johnny opens up to V about his insecurities.

"Lucky Star" - Madonna, 1983

Chippin' In. The Oilfields, V reassuring Johnny that they need him just as much as he needs them.

"Man in the Mirror" - Michael Jackson, 1987

Chippin' In. The Oilfields, Johnny asks V for help to make things right with the people he's wronged.

"Do You Really Want To Hurt Me" - Culture Club, 1982

Blistering Love. Johnny and Rogue's movie date, Rogue turns him down.

"Lonely in Your Nightmare" - Duran Duran, 1982

Holdin' On. Johnny checks in on Kerry, and asks him to get the band back together.

"The Boys Are Back In Town" - Thin Lizzy, 1976

Second Conflict. Johnny and V gather together the former members of Samurai.

"We Built This City" - Starship, 1985

A Like Supreme. Samurai reunite for one last gig.

"Born To Be Wild" - Steppenwolf, 1968

Rebel! Rebel! Kerry takes V on a late night ambush against Us Cracks.

"Pop Muzik" - Robin Scott, 1979

I Don't Wanna Hear It. Kerry confronts Us Cracks and comes to an agreement with V's help.

"Old Time Rock & Roll" - Bob Segar, 1978

Off the Leash. Kerry explains to V why he felt so defensive over Us Cracks using his song, and how he still thinks about Johnny.

"Everybody Wants To Rule The World" - Tears For Fears, 1985

Nocturne Op55N1. Johnny and V meet Hanako at Embers and prepare to make their final stand.

"Time in a Bottle" - Jim Croce, 1972

Nocturne Op55N1. V and Johnny consider their options on the rooftop.

"A View to a Kill" - Duran Duran, 1989*

(Don't Fear) The Reaper. Johnny and V decide to take on Arasaka alone.

"Another One Bites The Dust" - Queen, 1980

(Don't Fear) The Reaper. Johnny and V carry out their assault on Arasaka Tower.

"Fame - Instrumental Version" - Michael Gore & Dean Pitchford, 1980

(Don't Fear) The Reaper, Changes. V encounters Jackie in Mikoshi, their friend's words now nothing but an echo. They've made it this far, but at what cost?

"Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)" - Kate Bush, 1985

(Don't Fear) The Reaper. Alt tells V that only one of them can remain in their body, and that Johnny has a better chance of making it.

"Broken Wings" - Mr. Mister, 1985

(Don't Fear) The Reaper. V chooses to let Johnny keep their body, and remains in Mikoshi.

Epilogue

"Tragedy" - Bee Gees, 1979

New Dawn Fades. Johnny tries to move on.

"Valerie" - Steve Winwood, 1982

New Dawn Fades. Johnny memorializes V at the Columbarium.

"Together In Electric Dreams" - Phil Oakey & Giorgio Moroder, 1985