To celebrate the release of the thirteenth chapter in the Final Fantasy disjointed saga, we’re bringing you some of the most memorable themes from throughout the series.
So let’s get to it, starting with….
Final Fantasy Prelude – Nobuo Uematsu, Final Fantasy, 1989
(Sample: http://ffmusic.ffshrine.org/ff4midis/ff4-The_Prelude.mid)
A harp sweeping and arpeggiating up and down quickly, backed up with a simply beautiful string section playing a wonderful melody. Perhaps the de facto tune you think of when someone says Final Fantasy, other than the Victory Fanfare.
To Zanarkand – Nobuo Uematsu, Final Fantasy X, 2001
(Sample: http://ffmusic.ffshrine.org/ff10midis/ffx-1-01-i_would_like_to_say_everything.mid)
A simple arrangement of a piano playing a lovely, sad and provocative melody. Inspirational, beautiful, haunting; it sets the scene perfectly and serves as the other memorable track from the ninth pseudo-sequel in the franchise. The piece is also known as “I Would Like To Say Everything”, which probably sounds more clever in the original Japanese, but, a rose by any other name.
One Winged Angel – Nobuo Uematsu, Final Fantasy VII, 1997
(Sample: http://ffmusic.ffshrine.org/ff7midis/ff7-4-16-one_winged_angel.mid)
Orchestral string chords hitting in succession, reminiscent of Hendrix’s “Purple Haze” (which was the inspiration for this piece, Uematsu-san loves him some rock and roll). Ominous, foreboding, catchy and with a killer hook. Latin-esque choir sections, this is Sephiroth’s theme and the final boss battle in the game. Truly a masterstroke and one of the most memorable pieces in the entire back catalogue of Final Fantasy tunes. It was even revamped for Advent Children: a full orchestra with The Black Mages (Uematsu’s band, who “cover” FF tracks in a heavy metal style which ends up very proggy. Uematsu loves him some prog too.)
Otherworld – Nobuo Uematsu, Final Fantasy X, 2001
(Sample: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OONqel6f_8M)
Guitars in a Final Fantasy track? And Heavy Metal vocals? Madness! No, awesomeness. It hits hard, it hits heavy and it blows your mind, especially when coupled with the Blitzball opening video with Sin’s attack on Zanarkand. Sheer genius.
Vamo’ Alla Flamenco - Nobuo Uematsu, Final Fantasy IX, 2000
(Sample: http://ffmusic.ffshrine.org/ff9midis/ff9-01-07-vamo%27_alla_flamenco.mid)
Spanish Guitars playing a lovely little story to accompany the duel scene in the Tantalus production of “I Want To Be Your Canary” to a Flamenco beat, and with some strings to boot. Uematsu isn’t afraid to push the boat out, and this is one of the tracks which prove it.
Matoya’s Cave – Nobuo Uematsu, Final Fantasy, 1989
(Sample: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUc_t3i4qwE)
A funky little theme from the original FF, showing that Uematsu-san injects quite a lot of character into his compositions, as it’s quite different to the rest of the soundtrack. Used in the rather unique area known as Matoya’s Cavern in the game, to help emphasise the wackyness of Matoya.
My Hands - Ina Wroldsen, Arnthor Birgisson, performed by Leona Lewis from her 2009 album Echo, included as EU/US “theme” for Final Fantasy XIII, 2010
(Sample: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8qtteb9FBY)
Wait, what? No! Leona Lewis? I mean, seriously?! Bad move, Squeenix, bad move. Stick to J-pop singers if you’re doing promotional songs, please. I doubt Ms. Lewis even knows what Final Fantasy is. Alright, the song is OK as far as weepy pop ballad junk goes, but as far as I’m concerned, it’s nothing to do with Final Fantasy XIII.
Aaaaaand, finally:
Victory Fanfare – Nobuo Uematsu, Final Fantasy, 1989
(Sample (FFIV version): http://ffmusic.ffshrine.org/ff4midis/ff4-Fanfare.mid)
Heard in EVERY FF game after the conclusion of battle wherein the player is the winner (except, apparantly, XIII). Well, it’s not called Victory Fanfare for nothing. Where would we be without it? I’ll tell ya where: game over, that’s where.
Big thanks to http://ffmusic.ffshrine.org for hosting those midi samples. If you’re interested in FF midis and sheet music, see this site. Also, if you’re going to play the samples (apart from the YouTube ones), you’ll need the Quicktime plugin for your browser.
If you’re interested in hearing some hard rockin’ versions of some of Uematsu’s best work, check out The Black Mages’s albums “The Black Mages” and “The Black Mages II – The Skies Above“, which you can buy off iTunes. They also have a third album, “The Black Mages III – Darkness and Starlight” which may be a bit harder to get a hold of, legally that is. Once again, StartGame does not condone copyright theft of any sort. Be good to the artists and pay for your music.
mynameisblair (75)
wick15 (17)
toutski (14)
Daywalker (13)
gazzagb (12)
I’m not a fan of Final Fantasy but this is awesome.
A Zelda one would be pretty cool!
Well, you’ll just need to wait and see , Blair, my boy. You’ll just need to wait and see…
Shame they took the Victory Fanfare out of FFXIII, it was a quality little tune. I remember the VII version the most; It’s all coming back to me now. I’ve just been listening to a few of the VII themes and some good memories are flooding back. I think I’ll be playing it through again in the near future.
I wonder if the new one will stick or whether each new FF game from now on will have its own victory tune?