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This has been painful and painless at the same time. Listening to the tracks to remind myself of them has been an absolute joy but compiling the list and narrowing it down has been horribly difficult. I've mainly played FF's 7-10 so will only be picking from these as I cannot be fair to other titles like 6 and crisis core which i've only played tiny parts of. Whittling down this list was very difficult. I've put 100 into a shortlist and have decided to try my best to form some sort of top 10, although I was tempted to give out 15 or so 'honourable mentions'.
Here is the list before it got narrowed down. Apologies for any spelling or grammatical mistakes in this list but that wasn't exactly my priority. What I planned to do as whittle it down from 100 to about 25 at which point i'll begin ranking them from 1-10 and talking over them in more detail as to why the appealed to me. I understand that 99.9% of you probably wont even read this, let alone care but it kept me busy for a couple of hours and was fun so; here goes.
For my first list, I decided to rank them in a star rating; 3 being highest and 1 being lowest. HM stands for honourable mention which is one I decided to talk about a bit more despite it not being in the top ranking bracket.
FF7: 25
One-Winged Angel - ***
Tifa's Theme - ***
Great Warrior - ***
Off the edge of despair - ***
Cids theme - ***
Weapon Raid - ***
The Highwind Takes to the Skies - ***
On the other side of the mountain - ***
Interrupted by fireworks - ***
Anxious Heart - **
Holding my thoughts in my heart - **
J-E-N-O-V-A - **
Descendant Of Shinobi - **
Those Chosen By The Planet - **
Cait Sith's Theme - **
Aeris Theme - **
Shinra Corporation - *
Turks Theme - *
Crazy Motorcycle - *
Costa Del Sol - * (HM) - Not the most influential of tracks and probably not one most people would associate with FF7 but I think this piece is brilliant. I could listen to it all day on repeat and not get bored. It's simple but funky. A massively underrated piece in my humble opinion.
Mining Town - *
sending a dream into the universe - *
Jenova absolute - *
Life Stream - *
Sandy Badlands - *
FF8: 25
Liberi Fatali - ***
Force Your Way - ***
The man with the machine gun - ***
Maybe I'm a Lion - ***
The Landing - **
Julias Theme - **
Premonition - **
Fishermans Horizon - ** (HM)* The 4 HM tracks i've listed in FF8 all follow eachother in the official OST and they are all great tracks. It's a part of the OST I really look forward to. Usually there is a track seperating some of my favourites but not in this instance; hence why they got honorable mentions. Fishermans Horizon is very much like Costa Del Sol; massively underrated but one of those songs that fits perfectly.
The Oath - ** (HM)
Eyes on me - **
Starting Up - *
Waltz for the moon - *
My Mind - *
The Mission - *
Only a plank between one and perdition - *
succession of witches - *
The Stage Is Set - *
Ami - *
Movin' - *
Odeka Ke Chocobo - * (HM)* My favourite Chocobo related theme (Kweh, not Wark!). Although there are some great ones from 7 and 9; this tribute to earlier games is my favourite.
Where I belong - * (HM)
Truth - *
The Castle - *
The Legendary beast - *
The Extreme - *
FF9: 25
Hunters Chance - ***
Terra - ***
You're not alone - ***
Zidane's Theme - **
Forgotten Face - **
Kujas Theme - **
Mystery Sword - *
Immoral Rhythm - **
The Thing I must protect - **
The Dark Messenger - **
Vamo' alla Flamenco - *
Eye Catching - *
Memory of that day - *
Run! - *
Crossing the Knoll - *
One Problem settled - *
Extraction - *
Ambush Attack - *
Loss Of Me - *
Eikos Theme - *
Lifa Tree - *
Pandemonium - *
Crystal World - * (HM) - For those who didn't know; this is the main FF theme played backwards. It gives that sense of recollection and remembrance running parallel with the new and the unexpected. Great touch in my opinion, repeated in another FFX track too.
Melodies of Life - *
Prelude - *
FFX:25
Spiran Scenery / Sight of Spira - ***
Auron's Theme - ***
Challenge - ***
Seymour Battle - ***
At Zanarkand - **
Otherworld - **
This is your story - **
Al Bhed Tribe's Chi - **
Blitz Ball Gamblers - **
Besaid Island - **
Rikku's Theme - **
Start/Raid - **
Someday the dream will end - **
Decisive Battle - **
Tidus' Theme - *
Normal Battle - *
Enemy Attack - *
Silence before the storm - *
The splendid performance - *
Seymour's Ambition - *
Crisis - * (HM) - Honestly, this track is odd. I feel like it needs to be in the list 'cause of how good it is as a track but I don't like to listen to it much. It's good, like I said, but it makes me feel very uneasy and on edge..
isn't it wonderful (orchestra version) - *
Yunas decision - *
Wandering flame - *
Summoned Beasts Battle - *
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So, including all of the 3* tracks leaves me with 20 to cut down to a top 10.
One-Winged Angel
Tifa's Theme
Great Warrior
Off the edge of despair
Cids theme
Weapon Raid
The Highwind Takes to the Skies
On the other side of the mountain
Interrupted by fireworks
Liberi Fatali
Force Your Way
The man with the machine gun
Maybe I'm a Lion
Hunters Chance
Terra
You're not alone
Spiran Scenery / Sight of Spira
Auron's Theme
Challenge
Seymour Battle
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Honourable mention - Off The Edge Of Despair - FF7
Playing through my first ever Final Fantasy, I already felt connected and enthralled in a game like never before with FF7 and this music hit home particularly hard to a young Smiff. Especially with the squeek of the wheelchair (albeit a tad annoying) it really hit home how lost our hero really was; and Tifas helplessness. There are some tracks that you will never forget and I can safely say that this is one of them, although I imagine I will be saying that about the next 10 too..
10th Place - Challenge - FFX
Sure, it takes a while to get going; but when it does this makes a great boss battle theme. I could've easily picked Seymours battle theme instead but for some reason this one just clicks with me more. I think Seymours have more of a holy vibe going on whereas this one is more rugged, almost mechanical.
9th Place - Force Your Way - FFVIII
The final fantasy with the best collective group of battle themes in my opinion. I can still hear Ifrits roar in my head when I listen to this. I have found myself listening to the extended version (30:00m+ version) of this on YouTube many times, tapping on the desk with my fingers. It's great.
8th Place - Tifas Theme - FFVII
To me this is the main theme of FF7. I've never been big on the whole Aeris v Tifa side of FF7 so it's nothing to do with that. It's not my favourite piece from FF7 but it's the first thing that comes in to my head when I think about the game. The piano version from Advent Children is dreamy, and the original is equally as good. I think the sign of good music is one that evokes a variety of emotions within the space of a couple of minutes. Nobuo Uematsu is a freakin' genius. I love that guy.
7th Place - Aurons Theme - FFX
As the FFs progressed so did the technical quality of some of the tracks. This theme just suits Auron down to the ground. It's so laid back and awesome; and has the crispness that some of the older FF titles music lacked due to technological restraints of the time. Sure, Alot of ff7s tracks have been remastered over the years but those arent the tracks you fell in love with; so i'm glad this one was a higher quality to begin with. I'm not really sure what else to say other than I love it.
6th Place - Maybe I'm A Lion - FFVIII
I really think Square (or whatever they were called back then; Squaresoft?) missed a trick with this track. They ended up using it in one of the final boss battles. It was OK there, but I think it is the PERFECT end credits theme. I know the tradition of the FF series dictates that the prelude accompanies the ending or whatever but I imagined that after the final FMV had rolled; the screen goes black and at around the 0:09 moment of the song just 'FINAL FANTASY VIII' slashes up on screen and the credits roll
I get way too into this stuff...
5th Place - One Winged Angel - FFVII
Perhaps some of you are surprised this isn't higher, although at the same time I know some of you in the SB aren't too fond of it so are probably happy it isn't higher after all. The worst thing i've ever heard said about this piece is 'It's ok, it's not my favourite' or 'I don't like the chanty choir part' which is fair enough. On the other hand i've heard this track called the greatest piece of video game music, greatest boss battle theme etc etc and I can understand why. It suits the final battle of the FF7 epic down to the ground. I'm not big on Sephys final boss render model but this song + Super Nova =
4th Place - Liberi Fatali - FFVIII
FF8 is by no means my favourite of the four FF titles i'm picking music from; but it has its moments that are just EPIC. The opening FMV + this theme is one of those moments. The first time watching it I remember getting goosebumps, and I still do when I listen to this from time to time. I can picture exactly what is going on in my head just by listening to it and don't need to watch the video. I think that's the sign of a great piece of music, especially from a video game soundtrack. Lucky for Squall facial scarring is less frowned upon than it is in reality.
3rd Place - You're Not Alone - FFIX
Zidanes self doubt. Even the title of the track is perfect. His nightmare has just been realised. Zidane? Yeah, I was called that once.. As the thoughts and words of his companions and friends flash through his mind; the music plays and it just feels natural. What starts out as Zidanes battle to find himself slowly becomes the realisation he's not alone, and never has been. You are who you are, not who someone else wants you to be. Ahh, this song makes me all philosophical. Despite Quina trying it's utmost best to ruin a good moment; this is where Dagger really came of age for me as a character that I liked, Steiner too..
2nd Place - Great Warrior - FFVII
This is the most emotionally evoking music in FF in my opinion. I think this scene is the closest i've ever been to tears playing a video game as a kid. The whole scene is perfect, and the music even more so. The moment; "I am Nanaki of Cosmo Canyon! The son of the warrior, Seto! I'll come back a warrior true to that noble name! So please, Grandpa..." The feels-train has well and truly left the station
CHAMPION - Cids Theme - FFVII
And on the other side of the coin from the feels you get from 'Great Warrior'. Cids theme; wow. It fills me with a sense of pride. I really thought i'd have much more to say considering it's my #1 . I think it's partly due to the way Cid is and the way his backstory is written. I can't help but think of 'hopes and dreams'.... Now someone get me my goddamned TEA
Thank you all for pretending to read
.
Here is the list before it got narrowed down. Apologies for any spelling or grammatical mistakes in this list but that wasn't exactly my priority. What I planned to do as whittle it down from 100 to about 25 at which point i'll begin ranking them from 1-10 and talking over them in more detail as to why the appealed to me. I understand that 99.9% of you probably wont even read this, let alone care but it kept me busy for a couple of hours and was fun so; here goes.
For my first list, I decided to rank them in a star rating; 3 being highest and 1 being lowest. HM stands for honourable mention which is one I decided to talk about a bit more despite it not being in the top ranking bracket.
FF7: 25
One-Winged Angel - ***
Tifa's Theme - ***
Great Warrior - ***
Off the edge of despair - ***
Cids theme - ***
Weapon Raid - ***
The Highwind Takes to the Skies - ***
On the other side of the mountain - ***
Interrupted by fireworks - ***
Anxious Heart - **
Holding my thoughts in my heart - **
J-E-N-O-V-A - **
Descendant Of Shinobi - **
Those Chosen By The Planet - **
Cait Sith's Theme - **
Aeris Theme - **
Shinra Corporation - *
Turks Theme - *
Crazy Motorcycle - *
Costa Del Sol - * (HM) - Not the most influential of tracks and probably not one most people would associate with FF7 but I think this piece is brilliant. I could listen to it all day on repeat and not get bored. It's simple but funky. A massively underrated piece in my humble opinion.
Mining Town - *
sending a dream into the universe - *
Jenova absolute - *
Life Stream - *
Sandy Badlands - *
FF8: 25
Liberi Fatali - ***
Force Your Way - ***
The man with the machine gun - ***
Maybe I'm a Lion - ***
The Landing - **
Julias Theme - **
Premonition - **
Fishermans Horizon - ** (HM)* The 4 HM tracks i've listed in FF8 all follow eachother in the official OST and they are all great tracks. It's a part of the OST I really look forward to. Usually there is a track seperating some of my favourites but not in this instance; hence why they got honorable mentions. Fishermans Horizon is very much like Costa Del Sol; massively underrated but one of those songs that fits perfectly.
The Oath - ** (HM)
Eyes on me - **
Starting Up - *
Waltz for the moon - *
My Mind - *
The Mission - *
Only a plank between one and perdition - *
succession of witches - *
The Stage Is Set - *
Ami - *
Movin' - *
Odeka Ke Chocobo - * (HM)* My favourite Chocobo related theme (Kweh, not Wark!). Although there are some great ones from 7 and 9; this tribute to earlier games is my favourite.
Where I belong - * (HM)
Truth - *
The Castle - *
The Legendary beast - *
The Extreme - *
FF9: 25
Hunters Chance - ***
Terra - ***
You're not alone - ***
Zidane's Theme - **
Forgotten Face - **
Kujas Theme - **
Mystery Sword - *
Immoral Rhythm - **
The Thing I must protect - **
The Dark Messenger - **
Vamo' alla Flamenco - *
Eye Catching - *
Memory of that day - *
Run! - *
Crossing the Knoll - *
One Problem settled - *
Extraction - *
Ambush Attack - *
Loss Of Me - *
Eikos Theme - *
Lifa Tree - *
Pandemonium - *
Crystal World - * (HM) - For those who didn't know; this is the main FF theme played backwards. It gives that sense of recollection and remembrance running parallel with the new and the unexpected. Great touch in my opinion, repeated in another FFX track too.
Melodies of Life - *
Prelude - *
FFX:25
Spiran Scenery / Sight of Spira - ***
Auron's Theme - ***
Challenge - ***
Seymour Battle - ***
At Zanarkand - **
Otherworld - **
This is your story - **
Al Bhed Tribe's Chi - **
Blitz Ball Gamblers - **
Besaid Island - **
Rikku's Theme - **
Start/Raid - **
Someday the dream will end - **
Decisive Battle - **
Tidus' Theme - *
Normal Battle - *
Enemy Attack - *
Silence before the storm - *
The splendid performance - *
Seymour's Ambition - *
Crisis - * (HM) - Honestly, this track is odd. I feel like it needs to be in the list 'cause of how good it is as a track but I don't like to listen to it much. It's good, like I said, but it makes me feel very uneasy and on edge..
isn't it wonderful (orchestra version) - *
Yunas decision - *
Wandering flame - *
Summoned Beasts Battle - *
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So, including all of the 3* tracks leaves me with 20 to cut down to a top 10.
One-Winged Angel
Tifa's Theme
Great Warrior
Off the edge of despair
Cids theme
Weapon Raid
The Highwind Takes to the Skies
On the other side of the mountain
Interrupted by fireworks
Liberi Fatali
Force Your Way
The man with the machine gun
Maybe I'm a Lion
Hunters Chance
Terra
You're not alone
Spiran Scenery / Sight of Spira
Auron's Theme
Challenge
Seymour Battle
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Honourable mention - Off The Edge Of Despair - FF7
Playing through my first ever Final Fantasy, I already felt connected and enthralled in a game like never before with FF7 and this music hit home particularly hard to a young Smiff. Especially with the squeek of the wheelchair (albeit a tad annoying) it really hit home how lost our hero really was; and Tifas helplessness. There are some tracks that you will never forget and I can safely say that this is one of them, although I imagine I will be saying that about the next 10 too..
10th Place - Challenge - FFX
Sure, it takes a while to get going; but when it does this makes a great boss battle theme. I could've easily picked Seymours battle theme instead but for some reason this one just clicks with me more. I think Seymours have more of a holy vibe going on whereas this one is more rugged, almost mechanical.
9th Place - Force Your Way - FFVIII
The final fantasy with the best collective group of battle themes in my opinion. I can still hear Ifrits roar in my head when I listen to this. I have found myself listening to the extended version (30:00m+ version) of this on YouTube many times, tapping on the desk with my fingers. It's great.
8th Place - Tifas Theme - FFVII
To me this is the main theme of FF7. I've never been big on the whole Aeris v Tifa side of FF7 so it's nothing to do with that. It's not my favourite piece from FF7 but it's the first thing that comes in to my head when I think about the game. The piano version from Advent Children is dreamy, and the original is equally as good. I think the sign of good music is one that evokes a variety of emotions within the space of a couple of minutes. Nobuo Uematsu is a freakin' genius. I love that guy.
7th Place - Aurons Theme - FFX
As the FFs progressed so did the technical quality of some of the tracks. This theme just suits Auron down to the ground. It's so laid back and awesome; and has the crispness that some of the older FF titles music lacked due to technological restraints of the time. Sure, Alot of ff7s tracks have been remastered over the years but those arent the tracks you fell in love with; so i'm glad this one was a higher quality to begin with. I'm not really sure what else to say other than I love it.
6th Place - Maybe I'm A Lion - FFVIII
I really think Square (or whatever they were called back then; Squaresoft?) missed a trick with this track. They ended up using it in one of the final boss battles. It was OK there, but I think it is the PERFECT end credits theme. I know the tradition of the FF series dictates that the prelude accompanies the ending or whatever but I imagined that after the final FMV had rolled; the screen goes black and at around the 0:09 moment of the song just 'FINAL FANTASY VIII' slashes up on screen and the credits roll
I get way too into this stuff...5th Place - One Winged Angel - FFVII
Perhaps some of you are surprised this isn't higher, although at the same time I know some of you in the SB aren't too fond of it so are probably happy it isn't higher after all. The worst thing i've ever heard said about this piece is 'It's ok, it's not my favourite' or 'I don't like the chanty choir part' which is fair enough. On the other hand i've heard this track called the greatest piece of video game music, greatest boss battle theme etc etc and I can understand why. It suits the final battle of the FF7 epic down to the ground. I'm not big on Sephys final boss render model but this song + Super Nova =
4th Place - Liberi Fatali - FFVIII
FF8 is by no means my favourite of the four FF titles i'm picking music from; but it has its moments that are just EPIC. The opening FMV + this theme is one of those moments. The first time watching it I remember getting goosebumps, and I still do when I listen to this from time to time. I can picture exactly what is going on in my head just by listening to it and don't need to watch the video. I think that's the sign of a great piece of music, especially from a video game soundtrack. Lucky for Squall facial scarring is less frowned upon than it is in reality.
3rd Place - You're Not Alone - FFIX
Zidanes self doubt. Even the title of the track is perfect. His nightmare has just been realised. Zidane? Yeah, I was called that once.. As the thoughts and words of his companions and friends flash through his mind; the music plays and it just feels natural. What starts out as Zidanes battle to find himself slowly becomes the realisation he's not alone, and never has been. You are who you are, not who someone else wants you to be. Ahh, this song makes me all philosophical. Despite Quina trying it's utmost best to ruin a good moment; this is where Dagger really came of age for me as a character that I liked, Steiner too..
2nd Place - Great Warrior - FFVII
This is the most emotionally evoking music in FF in my opinion. I think this scene is the closest i've ever been to tears playing a video game as a kid. The whole scene is perfect, and the music even more so. The moment; "I am Nanaki of Cosmo Canyon! The son of the warrior, Seto! I'll come back a warrior true to that noble name! So please, Grandpa..." The feels-train has well and truly left the station
CHAMPION - Cids Theme - FFVII
And on the other side of the coin from the feels you get from 'Great Warrior'. Cids theme; wow. It fills me with a sense of pride. I really thought i'd have much more to say considering it's my #1 . I think it's partly due to the way Cid is and the way his backstory is written. I can't help but think of 'hopes and dreams'.... Now someone get me my goddamned TEA
Thank you all for pretending to read
.
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