What is your favourite song?

[Destructionator XV]

I don't listen to a big variety of music; generally just the same things over and over again, and there are a number of excellent songs I listen to quite often.

But when it comes to picking one song to be above them all, there is one that comes more than any other:



Aria di Mezzo Carattere, the opera song from Final Fantasy VI (the in game version (the live version is good too, but not as good)).

It is a beautiful song, with outstanding lyrics. (Of all my favourite song candidates with lyrics in different languages, I prefer the localized English over the translated others always).

My favourite part of it is the instrumental part in the middle ("Come, Maria, dance with me" part). All the instruments come together perfectly.

Runner up was Aeris' Theme from Final Fantasy VII. Game music beats regular music almost all the time.


How about you? What is your favourite song? (remember, I picked a game song, but you don't have to)

[Lindar]

i don't have one single favorite song.

the closest thing i have to one of those would be "In the Mood" by the Glenn Miller Orchestra. There's also a version where the Andrew Sisters sing it but i can't find it...

[Narsil]

I don't have any one favourite song... my musical tastes are far too varied for that. Though Bohemian Rhapsody comes to mind...

I do, however, have a top twenty:

(In No Particular Order)
1: Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen
2: I Predict a Riot by Kaiser Chiefs
3: Bring Me to Life by Evanescence
4: Iron Man by Black Sabbath
5: One Way Ticket by The Darkness
6: Battle of the Heroes by John Williams
7: Bat Out of Hell by Meatloaf
8: House of Fun by Madness
9: Always Look on the Bright Side of Life by Monty Python, featured in Life of Brian
10: The 2005/2006 Doctor Who theme tune by Murray Gold
11: The Theatrical Version of the Next Generation theme, by Jerry Goldsmith
12: Duel of the Fates by John Williams
13: Anything in Halo
14: Anything in Halo 2
15: Hell's March
16: Hell's March 2
17: Anything Featured in Knights of the Old Republic (created by a mix of John Williams and Jeremy Soule)
18: Anything Featured in Morrowind
19: The "Rebel Camp" theme from Hordes of the Underdark, by Jeremy Soule
20: Most of the music featured in the Legacy of Kain Games.

... I still don't think that quite covers it all... but there we go.

[LadyTevar]

Oh my hero, so far away now
Will I ever see your smile
Our love fades away, like night into day
It's just a fading dream...

I'm the darkness, you're the stars
Our love is brighter than the sun.
For eternity, for me can there be, only you, my chosen one.

Must I forget you, our solemn promise
Must autumn take the place of spring
Oh what can I do, I'm lost without you
Speak to me once more...

(Dance with Draco)

We must part now. My life goes on.
But my heart won't give you up.
Ere I walk away, let me hear you say I meant as much to you...

So gently, you touched my heart.
I will be forever yours.
Come what may, I won't age a day. I'll wait for you, always...

[Something Awesome]

Funny, I prefer the Italian version, and the lyrics and translation are on wikipedia.

I've recently become a huge fan of Jacques Brel, including "Ne me quitte pas [Don't leave me]" and "Quand on n'a que l'amour [When you only have love]". I wouldn't call them my favorite songs, though.

Queen definitely ranks up there definitely. Maybe Under Pressure, or Don't Stop Me Now.

You're So Vain by Carly Simon is amazing. So is Otis Redding's Sitting on the Dock of the Bay.

Don't Stop Believin' by Journey. I Can't Fight This Feeling Anymore by Chicago.

It's The Same Old Song by The Four Tops. And Gloria Gaynor's I Will Survive.

After some thought, I think my all time favorite, for now at least, is Yellowcard's Only One.

[Destructionator XV]

snip

Indeed, best version ever. Though, did you know they also did another English adaptation for one of the awesome video game music concerts Uematsu did? I've never heard it myself (oh man I want to, but can't find it), however, some googling did turn up a fan's transcription of the revision.

Again, a fan transcription, so it is not perfect, however I found it interesting. Many of the words were redone to fit a little better with the music, and it also breaks up the dance with Drako from the original and sticks the wedding in there instead. Anywho, here it is:

(Intro: The battle between the West and the East was growing fiercer and fiercer day by day. On the battleground during a furious skirmish, the soldier Draco of the Western hold thinks of Maria, whom he left in his homeland....)

Draco:
Oh Maria
Oh Maria
Though I call you from afar
Will this message reach your heart?
Oh how I long to be with you!

(The West was defeated, and Maria's castle came under Eastern control. Maria, forced into marriage by the Eastern Prince Ralse, does not abandon her feelings for Draco, but thinks of her lover each night as she watches the skies....)

Maria:
Oh my hero
My beloved
Shall we still be made to part?
Though promises after any our love (? I can't understand this line too clearly)
Yet sing here in my heart

I'm the darkness
You're the starlight
Shining brightly from afar
Through hours of despair
I offer this prayer
To you, my evening star

Must my final vows exchang'd
Be with him and not with you?
Were you only here
To quiet my fear
Oh speak, guide me anew!

(Chancellor: Prince Ralse is looking for a dance partner. Leave the past behind! Our kingdom is adopting the spirit of the East!)

(During the dance party, Draco and survivors of the West attack.)

Draco:
Maria!

Maria:
Draco
I knew you would return to me, my love

Ralse:
Insolent rogue
Knave of the Western hold
(I can't make out the rest of the part...sorry)

Draco:
Never shall you have Maria's heart
I would die before that day comes

Ralse:
Then we duel!

(Draco and Ralse duel.)

Ralse:
Aye, this day is yours, at through
Curse you should you let Maria go

Draco:
Peace, and for you'll have my word
With me, she'll know nothing at (indecipherable)

Ralse:
Maria
Maria
I love you so

Draco/Ralse:
Maria
Maria
Return to me

(song starts back up)

Maria:
I am thankful, my beloved
For your tenderness and grace
I see in your eyes
So gentle and wise
All doubts and fears erased
Though the hours take no notice
Of what fate might have in store

Maria/Draco:
Our love, come what may
Will never age a day
I'll wait forevermore

I'll wait forevermore...

I still prefer the original, but this one looks pretty good nonetheless.

[LadyTevar]

I prefer the original as well

[Ace Pace]

While I love final fantasy music and it's my favorite game music, my favorite 'song' would have to be My Immortal, by Evanescence. But it's hard to pin down a specific song, because every mood has differant songs associated with it. When I'm depressed, it's the above emo stuff.

[Hedgecore]

Secret Nothing by Cub

I don't think i'll ever get tired of hearing that song.

Take a listen! Free and legal.

[Kreshna Aryaguna Nurzaman]

Heh. My everlasting favorite is still No Ordinary Morning by Chicane and Winter Pageant by Aromabar, although lately I find myself really fond of Esta Noche by Frederico Aubele (album: Putumayo Latin Lounge).

Of course, a complete list of my favorite can be found in this thread:

Chicane - No Ordinary Morning
Aromabar - Winter Pageant
Deep & Wide - Esa Magia
Paul Oakenfold - Hypnotized
24 Hours In Paris - Elle (Louie Vega Mix)
OST Command & Conquer - Rain In The Night
Riovolt - Cresce Lentamenta
Putumayo Asian Groove - Pheli War
Smoma - Change Your Mind (Cool Version)
Moby - Landing
Afterlife feat. Danii Minogue - Take Me Inside (Christophe Goze Mix)
OST Fifth Element - Little Light Of Love (End Titles Version)
Egg - Say You Will
OST C&C Red Alert - Vector
Miss Peppermint - Luneacy
Sneaker Pimps - Spin Spin Sugar
Moby - Porcelain
Smoma - Why Can't We Live Together
OST C&C Red Alert 2 - In Deep
Slow pulse feat. Cathy Battistessa - Riva
Bob Brazill - Tuesday

[Batman]

Rather than spending the enire weekend in front of my record collection going slowly insane and gibbering 'So many-can't decide, can't decide. MUST decide. So many, so many'
I'll just chicken out and limit it to my favorite sountrack themes. HA! There goes your evil scheme!

Superman Main Title
The Raider's March
Supergirl Main Title & and End Title
oBSG theme
SeaQuest DSV theme
love theme from BG2:SoA/ToB
TNG theme
B5 Season 5
Star Wars Main Title
The Magnificent Seven
Silverado
Baby Elephant Walk from Hatari
Theme from The Goonies
Top Gun Anthem
Wing Commander (game) theme
storytelling/general ambience theme from IWD2
Once Upon A Time in the West (Main title, NOT the Harmonic song)
Opening Titles incl Underground & 13 O'Clock from Labyrinth
Flying from ET
Love Theme from Howard the Duck
and finally
Axel F.

In order of increasing distance from the top of the post

[Ra]

Lessee... Not precisely in order, but pretty damn close. I can't say I have a favorite, but a whole bunch of favorites.

Imperial March - Star Wars
Duel of the Fates - Star Wars
Bring Me to Life - Evanescence
The Lothlorien Theme - LOTR
Hello - Evanescence
May it Be - Enya (from LOTR)
Radio - C&C 1
No Mercy - C&C 1
Face to the Enemy I - Red Alert
Hell March - Red Alert
Hell March 2 - Red Alert 2
cBSG Theme
Whisper - Evanescence (so I'm a fanboi, sue me)
Nobody's Home - Avril Lavigne
Viconia's Romance Theme - BG II
Setting the Stage - BG I
Bodies - Drowning Pool
Yaga-Shura Theme - BG II ToB (heh, it's pure awesomeness)

I would list a few rap songs that I like too, but that'd probably get people pulling their hair out, so...

[Narsil]

I would list a few rap songs that I like too, but that'd probably get people pulling their hair out, so...

Well, it can't be any worse than my pre-existing grey.

And I only dislike most (c)rap since most of it isn't decent rap. Which was mainly seen in the 80s... like a lot of decent music.

Speaking of which, might I just expand a bit:

-Anything, and I mean anything by Madness, not just the one listed song.
-Ditto for Queen
-Ditto for Black Sabbath
-Ditto for Evanescence
-Ditto for KT Tunstall... a singer who isn't a 'perfect'-looking (using that term loosely) stick insect, and she can do her job well
-Creep by Radiohead.
-Forever Autumn from Jeff Wayne's The War of the Worlds
-Thunder Child from the same.
-Three Lions (a 'soccer' thing)
-Vindaloo by Fat Les (another 'soccer' thing)
-Last Resort by Papa Roach
-Most Lord of the Rings music
-Flight of the Valkyries by Wagner
-Scatman by Scatman John
-Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven
-Fur Elise by Beethoven
-The oBSG theme

It would actually be better to list what isn't my favourite.

EDIT: Moonlight Sonata not Midnight Sonata... bugger my mistake-making nature.

[Ra]

Agreed, most of the rap put out these days is pure unadulterated shit, though I suppose the occasional "gem" can be found.

[Masterharper]

Bard's Song. Blind Guardian.

Skalds and Shadows by the same band is rapidly becoming more my favorite, but it's not nearly as old.

[Narsil]

Agreed, most of the rap put out these days is pure unadulterated shit, though I suppose the occasional "gem" can be found.

I think shit feels insulted by that.

[Mared]

My tastes in music range to anything. Really. The only songs that are NOT my favorites are those that are vulgar, trashy, or support some type of abusiveness/hate.

But.....with that said, I love, absolutely LOVE (L.O.V.E.) the greats fo the 1920's. Big band, swing, blues, and jazz. Give me Frank, Miles, Gene, Fred, Sammy, Nat, Ella.....the list goes on.

I like the music that sings to your heart. The songs that are so simple they leave you in smiling in amazement at how perfectly wonderful they are.

These are the songs you can dance to...slow, up close with someone you love, or with someone you just want to feel next to you. These are the songs you can mellow out to (they go really well with a glass of wine). These are the songs that make up the soundtrack to my life.

Sounds corny....maybe so. But, those who know me, really know me, know that it't true. And, those who wish to impress me, or wish to make me smile know when to use those songs.

Let's face it....I was born in the wrong decade.

[Lindar]

Bard's Song. Blind Guardian.

Great Song. I haven't really found anything else by them i liked though.

I'm in love with Reel Big Fish lately. "Somebody Hates Me"

[Comrade Tortoise]

I have a bunch really

Edelweiss-Sound of Music Soundtrack
A British Tar is a Soaring Soul-HMS Pinafore
Starwars-Moosebutter
Soulforged-Blind Guardian
Planet Hell-Nightwish
Wishamaster-Nightwish
A Past and Future Secret-Blind Guardian

list goes on

[Destructionator XV]

I prefer the original as well

How do you feel about my revisioning of it (changes in bold. most changes are just to make the number of syllables fit a little better):

Oh my hero, so far away now
Will I ever see your smile?
Love goes away, like night into day.
It's just a fading dream

In the darkness, you're the starlight
O-ur love outshines the sun.
For eternity, for me there can be
Only you, my chosen one

Must I forget you, our solemn promise
Will autumn now replace spring
Oh what shall I do? I'm lost without you
Please speak to me once more

music here

We must part now, my life goes on
But my heart won't give you up
Ere I walk away, let me hear you say
I meant as much to you, dear

So gently, you touched my heart
I will be forever yours
Come what may, I won't age a day
I'll wait for you always...


For the In the darkness line (originally I'm the darkness), I don't care much for 'I'm', and changed it to 'in'. The reason is I don't think a stark contrast between the lovers is nearly as nice as saying he is her shining star standing out amongst the darkness of everything else. Definitaly the most significant change I made (originally because I misread the words on my screen but I still like it better after finding my error just a few minutes ago on the game)

I changed stars to starlight for the syllable. The meaning is pretty much the same.

The Must I line also needs some work to make it fit the syllables better, but I have no idea how to make it fit without butchering the beautiful song.

[Kreshna Aryaguna Nurzaman]

Heh, I'm actually listening to one of my favorites now. Here's Hypnotized by Paul Oakenfold (vocals by Tiff Lacey; just like Chicane, Oakenfold never sings his own songs):

You came in from the darkness and held the door open wide
You stood there like a vision before my unbelieving eyes
I believe in what I see and also what I hear
But did the night play tricks on me or were you really there.

Am I being hypnotised
Feeling like I'm hypnotised
Am I being hypnotised
Feeling like I'm hypnotised

Fear has gripped my heart and I am whispering out your name
Can you hear the silence screaming do they sound the same

Am I being hypnotised
Feeling like I'm hypnotised
Am I being hypnotised
Feeling like I'm hypnotised

Am I being hypnotised
Feeling like I'm hypnotised
Am I being hypnotised
Feeling like I'm hypnotised

You came in from the darkness and held the door open wide
You stood there like a vision before my unbelieving eyes
I believe in what I see and also what I hear
But did the night play tricks on me or were you really there.

Am I being hypnotised
Feeling like I'm hypnotised
Am I being hypnotised
Feeling like I'm hypnotised

[Destructionator XV]

Those lyrics there look like something that really bothers me in songs: the same words over and over again. Now, sometimes it is just fine, such as Battle Hymn of the Republic, but more often than not, repeating lyrics throughout the song gets really annoying.

edit: clarity

[Kreshna Aryaguna Nurzaman]

Those lyrics there look like something that really bothers me in songs: the same words over and over again.

Yup, but that's always the case with electronic music.

[vampykat]

Oh tough one..no single favorite, however.

Norah Jones, Turn me On
Phantom of the Opera, all of it
Mozart, any of his works
Etta James, Sunday Kind of Love

oh just too many..I love music!

LOL

[Brother-Captain Gaius]

If I had to pick one -

Deep Purple - Smoke on the Water. The perfect mix of distortion versus music, with a catchy riff plus a mellow, musical but still wicked guitar solo.


My other favorites:

Jimi Hendrix - All Along the Watchtower. Forget Dylan, this is all I need. For pure guitar, there is no better song, IMO. Again it has that mixture of distortion and still-musical sound that I like.

Deep Purple - Child in Time. Best. Guitar solo. Ever. 'Nuff said.

The Hollies - Bus Stop. Hauntingly beautiful and very addictive.

Kenny Loggins - Highway to the Danger Zone. Hahaha. It's so cheesy, I love it.

John Williams - Throne Room. An upbeat, celebratory variant of "May the Force Be With You," I've always loved it.

Ozzy Osbourne - Bark at the Moon. One of the best metal songs ever, IMO. I love being able to hear the faint origins of Duke Nukem. And on that note...

Lee Jackson - Grab Bag. Priceless. Please please please please please please let DNF (if it ever comes out) have a modern, full-length version... (I get ever so tired of various artists' "interpretations" of it, I like the song for a reason, damnit, stop mucking it up!)