Bioshock Infinite: 10 Important Details You Didn't Notice
4. Every Song Has Intended, Hidden Meaning
Many games use licensed songs to set a mood appropriate to the period they’re depicting. But Infinite, like BioShock before it, goes further, using music not only to set the mood but also to build the world.
As an example, when Elizabeth first opens a Tear we hear Tears For Fears’ “Everybody Wants To Rule The World.” The meaning is plain enough: fears at the sight of tears – pronounced ‘Tears,’ as in rip – is exactly what Booker feels at that moment. More ominously in hindsight is the fact that an alternate universe Elizabeth does bring New York, and possibly the world, to its knees.
Another example is “Bonnie Blue Flag.” A favourite among Confederate soldiers during the American Civil War, it is heard outside of the Hall of Heroes ...a propaganda exhibit absolutely drenched in racism.
Yet another example comes from Battleship Bay where a calliope is playing a cover of Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.” This is where we see Elizabeth dancing, finally free after having escaped her tower.
Every song in Infinite is a similar rabbit hole of meaning and it is attention to detail like this that has made BioShock one of gaming’s classic franchises.