Zanarkand (Main Theme)
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| "Zanarkand" | |
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- "Listen to my story. This may be our last chance."
- —Opening words, Tidus
Zanarkand (ザナルカンドにて, Zanarukando nite?) or In Zanarkand is the Main Theme of Final Fantasy X, composed by Nobuo Uematsu. The theme is first played during the game's opening, which shows Tidus and the others at the ruins of Zanarkand as they prepare to fight their final battle.
This theme shares the greatest importance in the soundtrack, along with "Suteki da ne", being played at various significant plot events in the game, typically rearranged and under different titles, such as "Movement in Green", "The Truth Revealed" and a large part of Final Fantasy X's "Ending Theme".
Development
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Uematsu got the idea of the tune for the opening theme from a flautist he consulted for help. He requested the tune to be used in Final Fantasy X and coaxed the team in using it for certain event scenes, but they weren't convinced. In the end, they decided to try using it on the opening screen and Uematsu was surprised it was just perfect for it. In the end, the theme together with "Suteki da ne" became the game's main theme, something Uematsu still finds hard to believe.[1]
Other Versions
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| Final Fantasy X's "Movement in Green" | |
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Dissidia Final Fantasy
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An arrangement of "Zanarkand" known as "Movement in Green" in the English release appears in Dissidia Final Fantasy, playing in the Destiny Odyssey X storyline stage boards.
Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy
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This arrangement is reused in Dissidia 012 as the world map theme during Chapter 5 of Light to All.
Piano Collections: Final Fantasy X
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A piano arrangement of Zanarkand named "At Zanarkand" was featured on the Final Fantasy X piano collections album.
The Black Mages II: The Skies Above
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"The Skies Above" is a rearranged version of "Zanarkand" featured as the title track of The Black Mages' second album The Black Mages II: The Skies Above. This version's entrance includes the original "Zanarkand" and is succeeded by a dynamic entry of a heavy metal arrangement of the original song, with lyrics by Alexander O. Smith and performed by Japanese tenor Tomoaki Watanabe credited as "Mr. Goo".
Lyrics
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Added by NeloAngelo- Sparks from the fire rise up to the sky
- Higher and higher oh I want to fly
- Out of the story this time I'll be free
- Wake up for a moment from this dream of me
- Just a legend cold words on a page
- Lift up my eyes and I'm soaring away
- On silver wings spread out to the sun
- I'm leaving this city for the skies above.
- O'er the ruins an ancient light
- Never lost, never failing
- Follow me on my path to the heights
- Before the shadows fade into night
- Running back but I'm out of time.
- I could tell everything
- Hear the words that fill my mind
- How can I say she was mine?
20020220 music from Final Fantasy
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An orchestral arrangement of "Zanarkand" was performed by the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra at the Tokyo International Forum on February 20th, 2002. This arrangement was later included at the concert series "Tour De Japon" in 2004.
More Friends - Music from Final Fantasy
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"Zanarkand" was performed by The World Festival Symphony Orchestra at the More Friends - Music from Final Fantasy concert, which took place at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles, California on May 16th, 2005.
Distant Worlds II: More Music from Final Fantasy
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"Zanarkand" was performed and included in the sequel to Distant Worlds: Music from Final Fantasy and was performed by the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra. This version of the theme introduces previously unheard variations into the, otherwise simple, central melody.
Distant Worlds: Music from Final Fantasy Returning Home
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"Zanarkand" is included on this live recording of an orchestral concert, performed by the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra and conducted by Arnie Roth held in Tokyo, in November 2010.
Guitar Solo Final Fantasy Official Best Collection
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This album features a classic guitar arrangement of "Zanarkand".
Final Fantasy Remix
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A remix by DJ duo Ante is included on this album.
