"It Doesn't Matter" is Sonic the Hedgehog's theme song in Sonic Adventure and Sonic Adventure 2. In Sonic Adventure, the song has a BPM around 150, and the song (verses especially) is a little more laid back. In Sonic Adventure 2, the song is much faster and has a different melody and arrangement. Both versions are performed by Tony Harnell.
The Sonic Adventure version also plays briefly in Sonic and the Black Knight in part of the cutscene when the Knights of the Round Table cast their swords to aid Sonic and Caliburn, also a violin remix of the Sonic Adventure 2 version plays during the fan art showcase videos. The Sonic Adventure version is also featured as an unlockable song in the PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions of Sonic Generations. In addition, the song can also be played during Stages and Challenge Acts in place of the level's default music.
Lyrics
Sonic Adventure
Ooooh, yeah!
Well, I don't show off, don't criticize
I'm just livin' by my own feelings
And I won't give in, won't compromise
I just only have a steadfast heart of gold
I don't know why, I can't leave though it might be tough
But I ain't out of control, just livin' by my word
Don't ask me why, I don't need a reason
I got my way, my own way
It doesn't matter now what happens I will never give up the fight
There is no way I will run away from all of my frights
Long as the voice inside me says go, I will always keep on running
There is no way to stop me from going to the very top
It doesn't matter who is wrong or who is right
Well, I won't look back, I don't need to
Time won't wait and I got so much to do
Where do I stop, it's all a blur and so unclear
Well, I don't know but I can't be wrong
This fight is not for anybody, this is purely for myself
There is no way I'm gonna give up 'til the very end
I can't tell what is wrong and what is right, I've got to find the answer
But until I do, there's no way I will ever give up
Place all your bets on the one you think is right
(instrumental)
It doesn't matter now what happens I will never give up the fight
There is no way I will run away from all of my frights
Long as the voice inside me says go, I will always keep on running
There is no way to stop me from going to the very top
It doesn't matter who is wrong or who is right
Sonic Adventure 2
Oh yeah!
All right
Well, I don't show off, don't criticize
I'm just livin' by my own feelings
And I won't give in, won't compromise
'Cuz I only have a steadfast heart of gold
I don't know why, I can't leave though it might be tough
But I ain't out of control, just livin' by my word
Don't ask me why, I don't need a reason
I got my way, my own way
It doesn't matter
Now what happens, I will never give up the fight
Long as the voice inside drives me to run and fight
It doesn't matter who is wrong and who is right
Well I don't look back, I don't need to
Time won't wait and I got so much to do
Where do I stop now, it's all a blur and so unclear
Well, I don't know but I can't be wrong
It doesn't matter now what happens, I will never give up the fight
Long as the voice inside drives me to run and fight
Place all your bets on the one you think is right
Oh, it doesn't matter now what happens, I will never give up the fight
Long as the voice inside drives me to run and fight
It doesn't matter who is wrong and who is right
No, no no no
It doesn't matter!
Connection to character
Well, I don't show off, don't criticize - Sonic's lifestyle.
I'm just livin' by my own feelings - Sonic living by his rules.
And I won't give in, won't compromise - Sonic never surrendering to evil.
I just only have a steadfast heart of gold - Sonic always living on the path of good and looks on the brighter side of life.
I don't know why, I can't leave though it might be tough - Sonic never retreats no matter what.
But I ain't out of control, just livin' by my word - Sonic living by his word.
Don't ask me why, I don't need a reason - Sonic doing what he does by will and not by reasons.
I got my way, my own way - Sonic preferring to do things his own way.
It doesn't matter now what happens, I will never give up the fight - Sonic's "never give up" attitude.
Long as the voice inside me says go, I will always keep on running - Sonic always running for adventures.
There is no way to stop me from going to the very top - Sonic never stops until he wins.
It doesn't matter who is wrong and who is right - Sonic's carefree judgement.
Well, I won't look back, I don't need to - Sonic living without regrets.
Time won't wait and I got so much to do - Sonic always living fast.
Where do I stop, it's all a blur and so unclear - Sonic not knowing where does his trip end.
Well, I don't know but I can't be wrong - Sonic always being sure he is in the right path.
There is no way I'm gonna give up 'til the very end - Sonic never gives up until the enemy is beaten.
But until I do there's no way I will ever give up - Sonic will continue fighting until he makes it right.
Place all your bets on the one you think is right - Sonic's friends are always by his side.
Trivia
The "Twinkle Circuit" music from Sonic Adventure has a remix of the chorus of "It Doesn't Matter".
Similarly, the chorus of "It Doesn't Matter" is remixed in Sonic Adventure 2 during the hero story opening cutscene that plays before the start of City Escape when Sonic escapes from the G.U.N. helicopter.
"It Doesn't Matter" is the only character theme that was remixed by the exact same artist as the original.
In Sonic Generations, City Escape's music contains a small melody from the Sonic Adventure 2 version of "It Doesn't Matter".
