"They say this is a big rich town."
If you just sang those words in your head, you aren't alone. Honestly, Joe and 50 Cent created a monster when they dropped the power theme song back in 2014. It isn't just a catchy hook. It’s an anthem for anyone who’s ever stayed up too late chasing a check or trying to build something out of nothing. It sets the mood before Ghost even appears on screen.
The Drama Behind Big Rich Town
Music is tricky. Most shows have a generic 30-second instrumental that people skip as fast as they can. Not Power. When "Big Rich Town" starts, you stay for the whole thing. The track was originally performed by Joe and 50 Cent, blending soulful R&B with that gritty New York rap energy. It’s basically the sonic version of James "Ghost" St. Patrick’s life: polished on the outside, but dangerous underneath.
But things got weird in 2019.
Remember the "Trey Songz incident"? For the sixth and final season of the original series, 50 Cent decided to swap out Joe’s classic vocals for a remix featuring Trey Songz. The internet absolutely lost it. People weren't just annoyed; they were genuinely upset. It’s rare to see a fanbase so protective of a 45-second intro. 50 Cent eventually joked about the backlash on Instagram, but the message was clear: you don't mess with a classic. Fans felt that the power theme song belonged to Joe. The remix lacked that "hustler's spiritual" vibe that made the original so iconic.
Why This Song Hits Different
Most people think a theme song is just a branding tool. It's more than that. It's a psychological cue. In the case of Power, the lyrics tell the entire story of the series in under a minute. It talks about the "big rich town" being "the same on every corner," which is a direct nod to the cycle of the streets that Ghost tried so hard to escape.
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The production by G-Unit’s own Vitamin D is heavy. It has that mid-2000s New York thump but feels modern enough to stay relevant a decade later. When you hear those opening strings, your brain switches into "Power Mode." It’s Pavlovian. You know you’re about to see betrayal, expensive suits, and a lot of "business" being handled in dark alleys.
The Evolution of the Spin-offs
When Starz decided to expand the "Power Universe," they had a massive problem. How do you keep the brand identity without just reusing the same song for four different shows?
They handled it pretty smartly. For Power Book II: Ghost, they kept a variation of the original vibe because Tariq is essentially trying to fill his father's shoes. It felt right. But then came Power Book III: Raising Kanan. Since that show is a prequel set in the 90s, the power theme song had to change. They brought in "Part of the Game" by 50 Cent and NLE Choppa, featuring Rileyy Lanez.
It was a vibe shift.
It captured that 90s South Jamaica, Queens aesthetic perfectly. It proved that the "Power" brand wasn't just about one song, but about a specific feeling of ambition and consequence. Then you have Power Book IV: Force with Tommy Egan. The music there moved to Chicago, getting a bit more aggressive and drill-influenced, matching Tommy’s chaotic energy.
The Cultural Weight of a 50 Cent Intro
50 Cent understands the "hook" better than almost anyone in hip-hop history. Think about In Da Club or Many Men. He knows how to write something that sticks in the back of your throat. With the power theme song, he applied that same logic to television.
He didn't just write a song; he wrote a mission statement.
Joe’s voice is the secret weapon, though. There is a certain weariness in his tone. He sounds like someone who has seen too much but still wants the "big rich town." That duality is why it resonates. It’s the sound of the American Dream if the American Dream was wrapped in a RICO case.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Lyrics
I’ve heard people argue about the lyrics for years. Some think it’s a celebration of wealth. It’s actually the opposite. It’s a warning.
"I just wanna live a little better, maybe even leave a little legacy."
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That line is Ghost’s entire character arc. He wanted the legacy, but the "big rich town" wouldn't let him have it without a price. When you listen to the full version of the song—not just the TV edit—there are verses that dive deeper into the paranoia of being at the top. It’s lonely. It’s dangerous. And usually, it ends badly.
Technical Mastery in Soundtrack Design
From a technical standpoint, the way the power theme song is mixed into the cold opens of the episodes is masterclass stuff. Usually, a dramatic scene ends with a gunshot or a door slamming, and boom—the beat drops. It uses a high-pass filter that slowly opens up, making the bass hit harder when the visuals transition to the title card.
The music supervisor for the show, Jen Malone (who also worked on Euphoria), has talked about how the music needs to bridge the gap between "high-end luxury" and "street grit." The theme song is the bridge.
The Impact on Modern TV
Before Power, most dramas were moving away from lyrical theme songs. Shows like Breaking Bad or Mad Men used short, atmospheric instrumentals. Power went old school. It went back to the Fresh Prince or The Wire style where the song is a character itself.
Now, you see more shows trying to replicate this. They want that "Discover" moment on Spotify. They want a song that fans will stream at the gym. The power theme song has millions of plays across platforms because it functions as a standalone hit, not just a TV jingle.
How to Use This Energy in Real Life
If you’re looking to channel that "Power" energy for your own projects or just your morning commute, here is how you should actually engage with the music:
- Listen to the Full Version: The TV edit is great, but the full 50 Cent verses in "Big Rich Town" provide the actual context. It’s a better workout song than a TV intro.
- Study the Transitions: If you’re a creator or editor, watch how the show transitions from the final line of a scene into the theme. It’s a lesson in "pacing and impact."
- Check the Prequel Soundtrack: If you like the grit of the original, Raising Kanan's soundtrack is a goldmine of 90s boom-bap nostalgia that actually feels authentic, not forced.
- Understand the Narrative: Next time you watch, pay attention to the lyrics during the finale of each season. They often change the visual montage behind the song to reflect who has "power" and who has lost it. It’s a subtle bit of storytelling that most people miss because they’re looking at their phones.
The power theme song isn't just background noise. It’s the heartbeat of a franchise that redefined what a "street soap opera" could be. It’s about the cost of ambition. And honestly? It still slaps.