Final Fantasy VIII: Original Soundtrack
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| Final Fantasy VIII: Original Soundtrack | |
| Catalog # | SSCX-10028 SQEX-10005~8 (re-release) |
| Composer(s) | Nobuo Uematsu |
| Arranger(s) | Nobuo Uematsu |
| Producer(s) | Nobuo Uematsu |
| Publisher | DigiCube Square Enix (re-release) |
| CD Info | 4 CD - 74 Tracks |
| Length | 4:09:30 |
| Release date | March 10, 1999 May 10, 2004 (re-release) |
Final Fantasy VIII: Original Soundtrack is the complete soundtrack for Final Fantasy VIII written by Nobuo Uematsu.
Contents |
[edit] Development
Uematsu did not use multiple sources to find MIDI instrument, instead using a Roland SC88 synthesizer for the entire score. Uematsu wrote notes based on character designs and screenplays, creating a general picture of the songs' moods. He could not express a character's emotions solely with plot, instead using images of appearance and attire.
- ""It's important to know when their emotions are at their height, but it usually takes until a month before release for them to finish the ending dialogue!"
- —Nobuo Uematsu
Uematsu wrote no character theme for Final Fantasy VIII because he found them largely ineffective. The only times he decided to include a personal theme was whenever a character was highlighted. Because the game only focuses on the romantic plot between Squall and Rinoa, it resulted in the creation of the "Eyes on Me" theme.
Final Fantasy VIII's soundtrack was the first to include all of its tracks bearing English language titles. It was received to mixed reviews, being called "one of the most memorable scores you will ever hear" by some sources and yet being pointed as "dull" by others.
The Black Mages have covered more themes from Final Fantasy VIII's soundtrack than from any other soundtrack in the series.
[edit] Track List
[edit] Disc 1 (62:07)
1. Liberi Fatali - 3:07
- The opening theme of Final Fantasy VIII.
2. Balamb GARDEN - 3:29
- Eponymous theme of the location. It was orchestrated for FITHOS LUSEC WECOS VINOSEC: Final Fantasy VIII.
3. Blue Fields - 2:54
- The game's world map theme, and Main Theme of sorts. It received an orchestration as included in FITHOS LUSEC WECOS VINOSEC.
4. Don't be Afraid - 2:52
- The game's battle theme. It is included as an orchestrated arrangement in the album FITHOS LUSEC WECOS VINOSEC. It was also played live during the Distant Worlds: music from Final Fantasy concert tours.
5. The Winner - 1:07
- Victory theme for almost every fight in the game.
6. Find Your Way - 3:47
- One of the dungeon themes played in the Fire Cavern, Tomb of the Unknown King, Trabia Canyon, and Centra Ruins. Also included in the Piano Collections: Final Fantasy VIII album.
7. SeeD - 4:16
- The theme for SeeD, played during mission briefings and related scenes.
8. The Landing - 4:36
- Played at the beginning of the Siege of Dollet, while the SeeD force reaches the shores.
9. Starting Up - 1:19
- Played when the Communications Tower in Dollet begins its transmission.
10. Force Your Way - 3:53
- The game's boss battle theme. It is included as a heavy metal arrangement in the Black Mages' first eponymous album.
11. The Loser - 1:26
- The Game Over track. Incorporates the song Final Fantasy slowed down, followed by the Prelude in similar fashion.
12. Never Look Back - 3:23
- Played during suspenseful moments, first when being chased by the X-ATM092.
13. Dead End - 1:11
14. Breezy - 2:43
- The town theme of Balamb, also heard in the Shumi Hotel.
15. Shuffle or Boogie - 2:04
- The theme for Triple Triad that is played during card battles. It is included in the Piano Collections album.
16. Waltz for the Moon - 3:00
17. Tell Me - 3:24
- Heard when Quistis speaks with Squall in the secret area of the Training Center.
18. Fear - 2:24
- The theme played in the Training Center of Balamb Garden.
19. The Man with the Machine Gun - 2:49
- The alternate battle theme, played whenever Laguna, Kiros and Ward engage in a fight. It is included as a heavy metal arrnangement in the Black Mages' second studio album The Black Mages II: The Skies Above and as an orchetrated arrangement in FITHOS LUSEC WECOS VINOSEC.
20. Julia - 1:23
- Julia Heartilly plays this song on piano at the Galbadia Hotel. This song follows the main melody of Eyes On Me.
21. Roses and Wine - 2:18
- First played when Laguna and Julia converse at the Galbadia Hotel.
22. Junction - 1:37
- An ambient track played during mysterious moments, and most memorably at the Deep Sea Research Center.
23. Timber Owls - 2:51
- Played during scenes with the Forest Owls.
[edit] Disc Two (62:31)
01. My Mind - 3:12
- Eventually comes to be a love theme for Squall and Rinoa, which follows the melody of Eyes On Me.
02. The Mission - 3:36
- First heard during the Timber Owls' train mission.
03. Martial Law - 3:48
- Played whenever the party visits Timber.
04. Cactus Jack(Galbadian Anthem) - 1:30
- Heard during Vinzer Deling's speech on live television.
05. Only a Plank Between One and Perdition - 2:24
- A suspenseful song played in several scenes, including when fighting Bahamut and the Ultima Weapon.
06. Succession of Witches - 3:18
07. Galbadia GARDEN - 3:37
- Eponymous theme of the location.
08. Unrest - 2:36
09. Under Her Control - 3:30
- Played when the party is in Deling City.
10. The Stage is Set - 3:39
- Played during the preparation to kill Edea, as well as when the party enters the MD level of Balamb Garden.
11. A Sacrifice - 3:26
12. FITHOS LUSEC WECOS VINOSEC - 4:33
- This song is played during Edea's parade in Deling City, and is included in FITHOS LUSEC WECOS VINOSEC.
13. Intruders - 2:31
- Heard when the party traverses the sewer system of Deling City.
14. Premonition - 4:36
- Played when the party fights a sorceress, namely Edea. The theme is included in the Black Mages' third studio album The Black Mages III: Darkness and Starlight.
15. Wounded - 0:53
- The song that plays when Squall is injured by Edea at the end of Disc 1.
16. Fragments of Memories - 3:13
- This song is played in Winhill during Laguna's stay, and during some flashback scenes. The theme is included in FITHOS LUSEC WECOS VINOSEC as the last track.
17. Jailed - 3:50
- The theme played in the D-District Prison.
18. Rivals - 3:30
- A theme of sorts for Seifer, specifically his rivalry with Squall. The song is also played at Tears' Point.
19. Ami - 4:37
[edit] Disc Three (63:38)
01. The Spy - 3:46
- Plays in the Missile Base.
02. Retaliation - 0:45
03. Movin' - 5:18
- Plays when Balamb Garden first flies and escapes from missiles.
04. Blue Sky - 0:44
- Played on the balcony of Balamb Garden after it takes flight if Rinoa is in your party.
05. Drifting - 2:56
06. Heresy - 4:10
- Played during the meeting with NORG.
07. Fisherman's Horizon - 3:35
- Played in the song's namesake, and when Squall and friends visit Winhill.
08. ODEKA ke Chocobo - 1:16
- The theme of Chocobo World, also heard on a road in Winhill with Squall's party. The title is a pun on the traditional "de" used in Chocobo theme titles, and "odekake" which means "going out" in Japanese.
09. Where I Belong - 3:40
- Heard in Trabia Garden, and somewhat represents Selphie.
10. The Oath - 3:25
- Played during scenes when Squall's leadership and heroism is highlighted. The theme is included in FITHOS LUSEC WECOS VINOSEC.
11. Slide Show Part 1 - 1:23
- Heard when Laguna is acting for a movie in Trabia Canyon.
12. Slide Show Part 2 - 1:47
- Played when Laguna faces the Ruby Dragon during the "movie". This song is included as the last track in Piano Collections.
13. Love Grows - 4:28
- The theme is included in FITHOS LUSEC WECOS VINOSEC. It shares the central melody of "Eyes On Me".
14. The Salt Flats - 3:36
- Heard in the Great Salt Lake.
15. Trust Me - 3:13 16. Silence and Motion - 5:47
- The theme of the city of Esthar.
17. Dance with the Balamb-fish - 3:39
- Played during the Graduation Ball, in Dollet, and at the Lunar Base, the theme was included in FITHOS LUSEC WECOS VINOSEC.
18. Tears of the Moon - 1:12
- As the name implies, played during the Lunar Cry.
19. Residents - 3:06
- Played on the Ragnarok during the extermination of the Propagators
20. Eyes On Me - 5:38
- Final Fantasy VIII's theme song. Played when Squall and Rinoa head home on the Ragnarok. In game, the song is sung by Julia Heartilly about Laguna, and how she feels for him. Sung by Faye Wong.
[edit] Disc Four (61:14)
01. Mods de Chocobo(featuring N's Telecaster) - 2:24
- Heard when Squall enters a Chocobo Forest and also when riding a Chocobo.
02. Ride On - 3:03
- The theme that is played when the party flies in the Ragnarok.
03. Truth - 3:40
04. Lunatic Pandora - 3:28
- Eponymous theme of the location.
05. Compression of Time - 4:34
- Heard during the brief state of Time Compression.
06. The Castle - 5:19
- Played during the party's travails through Ultimecia Castle. Included in Piano Collections.
07. The Legendary Beast - 5:50
- Played during the fight against Griever, the second tier of the final boss.
08. Maybe I'm a Lion - 5:35
- Played against the third tier of the final boss, and was rearranged by The Black Mages for their second album.
09. The Extreme - 6:44
- Played during the final battle with Ultimecia's final form.
10. The Successor - 3:37
- Played during the final scene, when Ultimecia gives her powers to Edea.
11. Ending Theme - 13:20
- The game's ending theme begins with a mysterious opening that leads into "Eyes on Me" with a different arrangement than that of the single version. Then plays a medley of the Main Theme of the series, the central melody of "Liberi Fatali" and finally the Prelude, played in a minor key, as opposed to its characteristic major key.
12. Overture - 3:36
- The title song from the game, played along with the opening credits. Placed as the final track in similar fashion the soundtracks of Final Fantasy V and VI.
[edit] Limited Edition
A limited edition first print version of the soundtrack was also produced. The cover shows the Final Fantasy VIII logo on a beige background instead of FMV montage. The liner notes with the package were scaled to 10 inches by 5.75 inches and were sewn into the inside cover.
[edit] FF VIII: Music Collection
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| Final Fantasy VIII Music Collection: Music From The Final Fantasy VIII Video Game | |
| Catalog # | EASQUARE-0001 |
| Composer(s) | Nobuo Uematsu |
| Arranger(s) | Nobuo Uematsu |
| Producer(s) | Nobuo Uematsu |
| Publisher | Square Electronic Arts |
| CD Info | 4 CD - 74 Tracks |
| Length | 4:09:30 |
| Release date | January 2000 |
Final Fantasy VIII Music Collection: Music From The Final Fantasy VIII Video Game is the North American release of the Final Fantasy VIII: Original Soundtrack album. While the packaging differs, the tracks and names are the same.
[edit] See Also
[edit] Links
- VGMdb - Final Fantasy VIII Original Soundtrack
- VGMdb - Final Fantasy VIII Original Soundtrack (Limited Edition)
- VGMdb - Final Fantasy VIII Original Soundtrack (reprint)
- VGMdb - Final Fantasy VIII Music Collection
