I couldn't agree more that music is a huge, and often overlooked aspect of gaming.
I grew up in the 80s when bleeps and bloops were as good as it got. Even still, I can honestly say that there were games I played specifically because I liked the music in them. I'd even go as far as to say that if a game does not have a compelling sound track there is an above average chance I will not be as willing to go deeper into the experience.
Megaman games, especially, piqued my interests and were the first titles I really found myself humming on the playground after lunch.
That's a great story. For me the first song stuck in my head was the clocktown theme from LoZ:MM.