Diligent fans have once again dug deep into the internet and may have discovered a theme song for Rockstar’s upcoming gangster epic.
For months, fans have been soaking up every scrap of information aboutGTA 6like a thirsty person drinking from a bottle of water. Since Rockstar and publisher Take-Two aren’t coming forward with any new info about their potential open-world hit, the community is really leaving no stone unturned and analyzing every tiny detail to death.
Sometimes this just leads to nonsense—fans claim to have correctly predicted the release date of the third trailer about 500 times already. Every now and then, however, the community’s research also unearths something interesting. For example, a Twitter user claims to have discovered one of the theme songs for GTA 6—because the artist himself apparently just casually revealed the partnership with Rockstar online.
The song from the ’70s might already contain hints about some of the game’s story details; and you can even give it a listen right now.
Which song is it?
Specifically, the current rumors revolve around the songPapa Was a Rollin’ Stone
, an R&B classic from the early ’70s. Although the first version of the song was recorded by the band The Undisputed Truth, it became famous in 1972 thanks tothe version by The Temptationsled by singer Otis Williams. His grandson, Trace Austin, is also active as a musician today and appears to be bringing his version of the classic to GTA 6.
As Twitter useriGrandTheftAuto as noted on Trace Austin’s profile on the artist-matching platformProject Casting, that his version ofPapa Was a Rollin’ Stone
is set to become one of the main themes for GTA 6. Since Austin is related to Otis Williams, this musical choice doesn’t seem all that unlikely. A live version of the song featuring Austin on vocals has been available on YouTube for two years now—so feel free to give it a listen:
The song is also interesting thematically, as it deals with an absent and problematic father figure. And if the song really is a theme song for GTA 6, then it was likely chosen for that reason as well,because its content fits the game’s storyline.
We already know that the main character, Lucia, has a close bond with her family. Jason’s relationship with his family, however, remains a complete mystery; the song could possibly reflect some of his personal traumas.
Possible GTA 6 Soundtrack Song: “Papa Was a Rolling Stone” by Trace Austin
NEW FIND: While continuing the search for possible GTA 6 cast members, I recently came across a profile for Trace Austin, a recording artist and actor, which claims his rendition of “Papa Was a Rolling… pic.twitter.com/fy8BVAyck5
— iGrandTheftAuto.com (@iGrandTheftAuto) July 27, 2026
Specifically, the lyrics revolve around a son mourning the loss of his father, whom he later learns had a reputation in the city as a good-for-nothing and a criminal.
One character in GTA 6 to whom this description might apply in some way is Brian Heder, an aging drug smuggler who lets Jason stay with him rent-free. It’s entirely possible that something resembling a father-son relationship could develop between the two over the course of the game. However, if that’s the case, it could also mean that Brian is one of the characters who dies as the story unfolds.
For now, however, all of this is pure speculation.Rockstar has not yet officially commented on the music selection for GTA.Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone
would fit the picture well, though; the two trailers released so far also featured classic songs. The first trailer used Tom Petty’s Love Is a Long Road
, while the second trailer was set to Hot Together
by the Pointer Sisters.
Are there any other songs known?
Another song rumored to be featured in GTA 6 is “Need A Little Time Off For Bad Behavior” by David Allan Coe. The lyrics, with lines like “The devil in me done been asleep too long, I need a little time off for bad behavior,” fit perfectly with the game’s criminal theme. Co-writer Bobby Keel revealed earlier this year in a since-deleted Facebook post that the song will likely be part of the GTA 6 soundtrack.
