Unknown from M.E.

"Unknown from M.E." is the theme song of Knuckles the Echidna from Sonic Adventure and Sonic Adventure 2. It was performed by Marlon Saunders with Dred Foxx in Sonic Adventure, and by Marlon Saunders and Hunnid-P in Sonic Adventure 2. It was also featured in Sonic and the Black Knight as Sir Gawain's theme and could be played when the Medal of Gawain is used.

Legacy

Like most of the character theme songs from the Adventure games, the lyrics of both versions of "Unknown From M.E." are written in a way so that Knuckles himself is talking. He talks about how he never wanted to be given the lonely job of watching the Master Emerald with lines like, "Is this the way, the path I chose?" However, he still fulfills his responsibilities as Guardian like when he says, "My duty is to save the flower from evil deterioration." He also talks about his great strength and stubborn personality with lines like, "No-one stops Knuckles' feat," and "Cold and stubborn but I'm still gon' live it." Knuckles even mentions his rivalry with Sonic in the line, "Don't approve of him, but gotta trust him."

There are differences between the Sonic Adventure version and the Sonic Adventure 2 version. The arrangement is much different, and while the Sonic Adventure version consists more of acoustic and live-recorded instruments, the Sonic Adventure 2 version consists more of electronic sounds and much more programming.

Lyrics

Sonic Adventure

File:Sonic Adventure DX Music Knuckles the Echidna

Here I come, rougher than the rest of them

The best of them, tougher than leather

You can call me Knuckles, unlike Sonic I don't chuckle

I'd rather flex my muscles

I'm hard as nails, it ain't hard to tell

I break 'em down whether they're solid or frail

Unlike the rest I'm independent since my first breath

First test, feel the right, than the worst's left

Born on an island in the heavens

The blood of my ancestors flows inside me

My duty is to save the flower

From evil deterioration

I will be the one to set your heart free, true

Cleanse yourself of them evil spirits that's in you

Streaking lights, loud sounds, and instincts

Are the elements that keep me going

I am fighting my own mission

Nothing's gonna stand in my way

I will be the one to set your heart free, true

Cleanse yourself of them evil spirits that's in you

Won't be frightened, I'll stand up to all the pain and turmoil

Just believe in myself, won't rely on others

Get this power to wipe out the havoc and anarchy

This is my planet, gonna fight for my destiny

Here I come, rougher than the rest of them

The best of them, tougher than leather

You can call me Knuckles, unlike Sonic I don't chuckle

I'd rather flex my muscles

I'm hard as nails, it ain't hard to tell

I break 'em down whether they're solid or frail

Unlike the rest I'm independent since my first breath

First test, feel the right, than the worst's left

I have no such things as weak spots

Don't approve of him, but gotta trust him

This alliance has a purpose

This partnership is only temporary

I will be the one to set your heart free, true

Cleanse yourself of evil spirits that got in you

Won't be frightened, I'll stand up to all the pain and turmoil

Just believe in myself, won't rely on others

Freedom will be waiting when serenity is restored

This is my planet, I shall not surrender

Won't be frightened, I'll stand up to all the pain and turmoil

Just believe in myself, won't rely on others

Get this power to wipe out the havoc and anarchy

This is my planet, gonna fight

Won't be frightened, I'll stand up to all the pain and turmoil

Just believe in myself, won't rely on others

Freedom will be waiting when serenity is restored

This is my planet, I shall not surrender

The new porcupine on the block with the buff chest

In the wilderness with the ruggedness

Knock, knock, it's Knuckles, the bloat thrower

Independent flower, Magical Emerald holder

I'll give you the coldest shoulder

My spikes go through boulders

That's why I stay a loner

I was born by myself, I don't need a posse

I get it on by myself, advisories get shelved

Sonic Adventure 2

File:Sonic Adventure 2 "Unknown from M.E."

Okay

Something's callin' me; I don't know what (Yeah)

Something's talkin' but I don't know who (Yeah)

Something's callin' me more and more

No one stops Knuckles' feet

Something's callin' me; I don't know what (Yeah)

Something's talkin' but I don't know who (Yeah)

Something's callin' me more and more

No one stops Knuckles' feet

K-N-U-C-K-L-E-S (Uh)

Was born for a lifetime on Angel Island yeah (Yeah)

His duty's to protect Master Emerald diamond

Hold the climate, he's searching for shining

But every time he look for the sun, can't find it (Uh)

Is this the way, the path I chose? (Yeah)

Then why am I living with my heart so cold? (Uh)

All that I see is a storm of stones?

I like to dig holes in search of gold

(Born on an island)

Large pots of treasure, if they're much better (Uh)

(In the heavens)
If I find Eggman, Rouge, whoever (Yeah)

(The blood of my ancestors)

Clench my fists tight, become more reddah (Yeah)

(Flows inside me)

I don't wanna hurta, my passion observed

(My duty is)

Been lonely all my life, doesn't matter

(To save the flower)

Here for the mission, whoever want it bring it

(From evil)

Call me stubborn but I'm still gonna live it (Uh)

(Deterioration, yeah)

Doing anything to get the pieces of the Emerald

Climb the mountain, through the valley around the hill

(Oh, yeah)

Wild and hungry, ain't a damn thing funny

My philosophy's my knuckles and feet

Streaking lights, loud sounds, and instinct,

Are the elements that keep me going?

I am fighting my own mission

Nothing's gonna, stand in my way, no

Something's callin' me; I don't know what (Yeah)

Something's talkin' but I don't know who (Yeah)

Something's callin' me more and more

No one stops Knuckles' feet! (No no, no, no, no)

Okay

Yeah, yeah

(Oh) Won't be frightened, I'll stand up to all the pain and turmoil

Just believe in myself, won't rely on others

(Oh) I get this power to wipe out the havoc and anarchy

This is my planet, gonna fight for my destiny

Something's callin' me; I don't know what (Yeah)

Something's talkin' but I don't know who (Yeah)

Something's callin' me more and more

No one stops Knuckles' feet

I have no such things as weak spots

Don't approve of him but gotta trust him

This alliance has a purpose

This partnership is only temporary, oh

Hey

(Oh) Won't be frightened, I'll stand up to all the pain and turmoil

Just believe in myself, won't rely on others

(Oh) Freedom will be waiting when serenity is restored

This is my planet, I shall not surrender

I was born like this, to fear no one

I'm straight thugged out, only live to my ones

Diamonds and gems, we could battle to the end

You best to be aware of the knuckles that I send

Once they penetrate, they put you to your death

They hard as iron, and my feet is like fire

You'll never see me run and I won't surrender

I just fire away like no other contender, uh

(Oh) Won't be frightened, I'll stand up to all the pain and turmoil

Just believe in myself, won't rely on others

(Oh) I get this power to wipe out the havoc and anarchy

This is my planet, gonna fight, ah

(Oh) Won't be frightened, I'll stand up to all the pain and turmoil

Just believe in myself, won't rely on others

(Oh) Freedom will be waiting when serenity is restored

This is my planet, I shall not surrender (Oh)

Something's callin' me; I don't know what (Yeah)

Something's talkin' but I don't know who (Yeah)

Something's callin' me more and more

No one stops Knuckles' feet

Something's callin' me; I don't know what (Yeah)

Something's talkin' but I don't know who (Yeah)

Something's callin' me more and more

No one stops Knuckles' feet

Something's callin' me; I don't know what (Yeah)

Something's talkin' but I don't know who (Yeah)

Something's callin' me more and more

No one stops Knuckles' feet

Something is callin' me; I don't know what

Something is talkin' but I don't know who

Something is callin' me more and more

No one stops Knuckles' feet

Connection to character

Both versions

• Born on an island in the heavens - Born on Angel Island
• The blood of my ancestors flows inside of me - He is a descendant of the Knuckles Clan.
• My duty is to save the flower from evil deterioration! - His job is to protect the Master Emerald from anything that could harm it.
• Streaking lights, loud sounds, and instincts are the elements that keep me going - Anything he finds suspicious gives him a reason to fight.
• I am fighting my own mission. Nothing's gonna stand in my way! - He is fulfilling his duty, and nothing will stop him from doing so.
• Won't be frightened, I'll stand up to all the pain and turmoil. - He's not scared to face the dangers ahead.
• Just believe in myself, won't rely on others. - He won't count on others to do the job or help him out
• I get this power to wipe out the havoc and anarchy. - His power to sense the Master Emerald allows him to fight evil.
• Freedom will be waiting when serenity is restored - He won't rest until the job is done.
• This is my planet. Gonna fight for my destiny!/I shall not surrender! - He won't stop fighting to seize his destiny.
• I have no such things as weak spots. - He believes he's not one to be defeated.
• Don't approve of him but got to trust him. This alliance has a purpose. This partnership is only temporary. - He must trust Sonic regardless of his differences with him.

Trivia

Sonic paraphrasing part of the Unknown to M.E. song.

• In the Sonic the Hedgehog comic series, specifically during the Sonic the Hedgehog and Mega Man comic crossover event, Worlds Collide, after saving Knuckles, Sonic paraphrases several parts of the lyrics of the original version from Unknown to M.E., as he quotes "'Cause you're tougher than the rest of them? The best of 'em? Tougher than leather?" (WC #8)
  • While although it could be a mistake, Knuckles is furious at Sonic after the hedgehog paraphrased "Unknown to M.E.". This could be a reference to the reaction and legacy to this song by the fans, as many fans consider the song cheesy or don't like it.
• This song, "Kick the Rock!" (the Wild Canyon theme), and "Deeper" (the Death Chamber theme) gave Sonic Adventure 2 its mild lyrics warning.
• The drum beat at the beginning of the song is exactly the same as "My Sweet Passion".
• The lyrics for the Sonic Adventure version of "Unknown from M.E." calls Knuckles a porcupine, but he is actually an echidna (The two species look similar, but are unrelated). Scylla calls Knuckles a porcupine too.
• In Sonic and Sega All-Stars Racing, the SA2 version of the song plays when Knuckles uses his All-Star Move.
• In Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, the version from Sonic Adventure is heard when Knuckles uses his All-Star Move.
• Like "Dreams of an Absolution", this song has a similar beat to a Genesis era level theme, specifically Angel Island Zone.
• The M.E. could be a reference to the Master Emerald.
• In Sonic and the Black Knight, if you equip the Medal of Gawain, you can hear a shortened version of the Sonic Adventure version of the song.
• In the Sonic Adventure 2 version, this is the first song where a curse word ("damn") is used in the Sonic series. This was also the main reason why the ESRB rating for Sonic Adventure 2: Battle had the "Mild Lyrics" warning, alongside "Deeper" (which ironically censored the conversation the warning would have been at) and "Kick the Rock!" (which had unintended double entendres laced into the lyrics, in reference to the Master Emerald/its shards) and also Shadow The Hedgehog.
• The line "Streaking lights, loud sounds, and instinct are the elements that keep me going" is Knuckles' gameplay aspect. The emerald shards, listening closely to the emerald detector and roaming the action stage to find the shards.
• The song features a singer named Dred Foxx. Dred Foxx was the voice actor for PaRappa in the PaRappa the Rapper video game series.
• If you set the pitch to A#Bb on Audacity on the Sonic Adventure version when getting to the singing part fans do not know why a female sang the song.

Songs

Sonic Adventure

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Main article · Scripts (Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Amy, Big, Gamma, Super Sonic) · Story Screens (Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Amy, Big, Gamma) · Credits · Glitches · Beta elements · Gallery · Pre-releases (Limited Edition, DX Demo Version) · Re-releases (DX, 2010)

*Appears in only the original Dreamcast version · **Appears in only Sonic Adventure DX · ^Appears in only the Sonic Adventure DX DLC of the 2010 remaster
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Sonic Adventure 2

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Main article · Scripts (Hero, Dark, Last) · Staff · Manuals · Glitches · Beta elements · Gallery · Pre-releases (The Trial, Preview, TRIAL Version) · Re-releases (Battle, 2012)

*Appears or is playable in only the 2P mode · ^Appears in only the original Dreamcast version
V·T·E · {{Adventure info}} · Category