Discography of Final Fantasy VIII

The music of the video game "Final Fantasy VIII" was composed by regular series composer Nobuo Uematsu. The "Final Fantasy VIII Original Soundtrack", a compilation of all music in the game, was released on four Compact Discs by DigiCube in Japan, and by Square EA in North America. A special orchestral arrangement of selected tracks from the game—arranged by Shiro Hamaguchi—was released under the title "Fithos Lusec Wecos Vinosec Final Fantasy VIII", and a collection of piano arrangements—performed by Shinko Ogata—was released under the title "Piano Collections Final Fantasy VIII".

The game's soundtrack is best known for two songs: "Liberi Fatali," a Latin choral piece that is played during the introduction to the game, and "Eyes on Me," a pop song serving as the game's theme, performed by Chinese singer Faye Wong. Reviewers were generally pleased with the music, although several cited issues while comparing the score to previous games or looking at individual tracks.

Creation and influence

Nobuo Uematsu's usual influences include Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Simon and Garfunkel, and Elton John.cite web|url=http://wdch.laphil.com/about/performer_detail.cfm?id=1895|title=Walt Disney Concert Hall - NOBUO UEMATSU|publisher=Walt Disney Concert Hall|accessdate=2007-03-15] cite web|author=IGN Music|url=http://music.ign.com/articles/741/741101p1.html|title=Twelve Days of Final Fantasy XII: Nobuo Uematsu Interview|publisher=IGN|accessdate=2007-03-30] In regard to "Final Fantasy VIII", Uematsu did not prefer to use multiple sources to find MIDI instruments—"I could be coming up with a great melody in the very moment"—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 dialog...!"Maeda, Yoshitake (1999). Final Fantasy VIII Original Soundtrack (Limited Edition). DigiCube.] In response to a question by IGN music stating that the music of "Final Fantasy VIII" was very dark and perhaps influenced by the plot of the game, Uematsu stated "the atmosphere of music varies depending on story line, of course, but it's also my intention to put various types of music into one game".

Uematsu enjoys writing lyrical songs, but tries not to be genre-specific. He asserts that expressing the emotions he desires is more important than improving skills. "I think it will be a shame if we won't be able to cry as we play our own game." The absence of character themes was due to him finding those of "Final Fantasy VI" and "Final Fantasy VII" ineffective. Uematsu considers it reasonable to have character themes if each character has a "highlight" in the game, but he found "Final Fantasy VIII" only focused on Squall Leonhart and Rinoa Heartilly as a couple, resulting in the "Eyes on Me" theme.

Near the end of "Final Fantasy VII"'s production, the developers suggested to use a singer, but abandoned the idea due to a lack of reasoning based on the game's theme and storyline. However, Nobuo Uematsu thought a ballad would closely relate to the theme and characters of "Final Fantasy VIII". This resulted in the game's developers sharing "countless" artists, eventually deciding on Faye Wong, a Chinese vocalist. Uematsu claims "her voice and mood seem to match my image of the song exactly," and that her ethnicity "fits the international image of Final Fantasy." After negotiations were made, "Eyes on Me" was recorded in Hong Kong with an orchestra.

Musical pieces

"Eyes on Me"

Infobox Single
Name = Eyes on Me


Cover size = 100
Artist = Faye Wong
Released = February 24, 1999
Format = CD
Genre = Pop
Label = Toshiba-EMI
Writer = Kako Someya (lyrics)
Nobuo Uematsu (music)

"Eyes on Me" is the ballad that serves as the theme of the game "Final Fantasy VIII". It was performed by Chinese singer Faye Wong and composed, like the rest of the game music, by Nobuo Uematsu. The song's lyrics, written in English by Kako Someya, unveil the hopes of a night club singer for romance with a member of her audience.

It was released as a CD single in Japan, including an instrumental version and Wong's ballad "Red Bean". The song sold more than 400,000 copies, [cite web | author=Square Enix USA site staff | title=Nobuo Uematsu's Profile | url=http://www.square-enix-usa.com/uematsu/profile/index.html | publisher=Square Enix USA | accessdate=2006-03-17] placing it as the best-selling video game music disc ever released in that country until "Hikari" by Utada Hikaru for "Kingdom Hearts". "Eyes on Me" was the first song in video game history to win an award at the 14th Annual Japan Gold Disc Awards, where it won "Song of the Year (Western Music)" in 1999.

Within the game, the song is written by Julia Heartilly, a pianist who is the love interest of Laguna Loire. [Raine: "Then the first song she released was 'Eyes On Me'?" / Laguna: "H-How does the song go?" / Raine: "You don't know?" / Laguna: "Well, you never let me hear it!" / Raine: "I didn't think you listened to music. The song's about being in love... I really like it." ("Final Fantasy VIII")] It is heard repeatedly throughout the game in various incarnations as an instrumental piece, including a version entitled "Julia". Its full version is heard during a moment between Squall Leonhart and Rinoa Heartilly—the main protagonists—onboard the Ragnarok. It is played once more during the game's ending.

A dance remix of the song was included on the Japanese release of Wong's 2000 album "Fable". Remixes also appeared in Toshiba EMI's Dancemania series. In 2004 a Japanese-language version entitled "Natsu no Arubamu" (Summer Album) with lyrics by Kazushige Nojima was included on "". It was also covered by Ailyn in 2005, and by Angela Aki for release on her 2006 single "Kokoro no Senshi". [cite web|url=http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=ESCL-2768|title=Angela Aki/Kokoro no Senshi|publisher=Neowing|accessdate=2007-03-27]

tracklist
collapsed = yes
headline = Track listing

title1 = Eyes on Me
length1 = 5:36

title2 = Fruit of Acasia
note2 = nihongo2|アカシアの実
length2 = 4:15

title3 = Eyes on Me (Instrumental)
length3 = 5:42

"Liberi Fatali"

"Liberi Fatali" is a choral piece sung in Latin that is played during the introduction of the game. The song was played during the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens during the women's synchronized swimming event. [cite web | author=Suds | title=Video Game Music In the Olympics! | date=2004 | url=http://vgmusic.com/news/older/2004/q3.shtml | publisher=Video Game Music Archive | accessdate=2006-08-29] [cite web | title=The Culture of Videogame Music | date=2005 | url=http://www.empirearcadia.com/community/com-016.htm | publisher=Empire arcadiA | accessdate=2006-08-29] It was arranged by Shiro Hamaguchi and the original Japanese lyrics were written by scenario writer Kazushige Nojima, being translated into Latin for the game by Latin translator Taro Yamashita. "Liberi Fatali" translates to "Fated Children", although with a grammatical error, as it should be "Liberi Fatalis" by correct Latin grammar.

"Fithos Lusec Wecos Vinosec" is an additional song in the game, which is heard during the parade sequence. It is named after the recurring lyrics in Liberi Fatali. A similar track, "Succession of Witches", is featured on Hamaguchi's Piano Collections album. This track is essentially Liberi Fatali transcribed into a piano score.

Albums

"Final Fantasy VIII Original Soundtrack"

Infobox Album
Name = Final Fantasy VIII Original Soundtrack
Type = soundtrack
Artist = Nobuo Uematsu


Cover size = 150
Released =

March 1, 1999
January 2000 ("Music Collection")
May 10, 2004 (reissue)

Recorded = Sound City, Tokyo
Length = 62:07 (disc one)
62:31 (disc two)
63:38 (disc two)
61:14 (disc three)
Label =

DigiCube
Square EA ("Music Collection")
Square Enix (reissue)

Producer = Nobuo Uematsu
Reviews =
* [http://www.altpop.com/stc/ Soundtrack Central] [http://www.altpop.com/stc/reviews/ff8ost.htm link]
* [http://www.squareenixmusic.com/ SquareSound] [http://www.squareenixmusic.com/reviews/chris/ff8.shtml link]

"Final Fantasy VIII Original Soundtrack" is a soundtrack of the music from "Final Fantasy VIII"; composed and produced by Nobuo Uematsu. The soundtrack spans four discs and 74 tracks, covering a duration of 4 hours and 9 minutes. It was first published by DigiCube on March 10, 1999, and subsequently published by Square Enix on May 10, 2004. [(2005). " [http://na.square-enix.com/music/tunes/ff/ SQUARE ENIX MUSIC Download] ". SQUARE ENIX MUSIC. Retrieved April 1, 2007.] Unlike most other "Final Fantasy" soundtracks, "Final Fantasy VIII Original Soundtrack" is completely comprised of English track names.

The soundtrack has sold at least 300,000 copies in Japan. [cite web|url= http://ff8.hoogetech.com/page.php?file=press-23nov1999.php|title=PSquaresoft Online Store Opening in Early December|publisher=Business Wire|accessdate=2007-03-17] Adam Corn of SoundtrackCentral.com claims the score shows similarities to previous "Final Fantasy" games, but asserts he is "not overly impressed with this one." [cite web|url=http://www.altpop.com/stc/reviews/ff8ost.htm|title=Final Fantasy VIII Original Soundtrack |publisher=SoundtrackCentral.com|accessdate=2007-03-30] A reviewer from Square Enix Music Online claims the soundtrack is "unique and very special" due to its contrasts—"When signs of age of the "Final Fantasy" franchise are shown, Uematsu counterbalances this by creating something weird and wonderful. When the soundtrack becomes too serious, Uematsu suddenly inserts a light-hearted number to lighten the mood."—he adds—"When the soundtrack is showing signs of consistent high quality, Uematsu randomly plunges into the depths of direness." [cite web|url=http://www.squareenixmusic.com/reviews/chris/ff8.shtml|title=Final Fantasy VIII Original Soundtrack |publisher=Square Enix Music Online|accessdate=2007-03-30]

"Final Fantasy VIII Original Soundtrack" was also released in North America under the title "Final Fantasy VIII Music Collection: Music From The Final Fantasy VIII Video Game". It features changes such as packaging design, translation, and additional images. [cite web|url=http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/ff8music/index.html|title=Final Fantasy VIII Music Collection|publisher=RPGFan|accessdate=2007-03-27] In addition, a limited edition was produced, which has a beige background instead of a full motion video montage.

; Track listingtracklist
collapsed = yes
headline = Disc one

title1 = Liberi Fatali
length1 = 3:07

title2 = Balamb Garden
length2 = 3:29

title3 = Blue Fields
length3 = 2:54

title4 = Don't Be Afraid
length4 = 2:52

title5 = The Winner
length5 = 1:07

title6 = Find Your Way
length6 = 3:47

title7 = SeeD
length7 = 4:16

title8 = The Landing
length8 = 4:36

title9 = Starting Up
length9 = 1:19

title10 = Force Your Way
length10 = 3:53

title11 = The Loser
length11 = 1:26

title12 = Never Look Back
length12 = 3:23

title13 = Dead End
length13 = 1:11

title14 = Breezy
length14 = 2:43

title15 = Shuffle or Boogie
length15 = 2:04

title16 = Waltz for the Moon
length16 = 3:00

title17 = Tell Me
length17 = 3:24

title18 = Fear
length18 = 2:24

title19 = The Man with the Machine Gun
length19 = 2:49

title20 = Julia
length20 = 1:23

title21 = Roses and Wine
length21 = 2:18

title22 = Junction
length22 = 1:37

title23 = Timber Owls
length23 = 2:51

tracklist
collapsed = yes
headline = Disc two

title1 = My Mind
length1 = 3:12

title2 = The Mission
length2 = 3:36

title3 = Martial Law
length3 = 3:48

title4 = Cactus Jack (Galbadian Anthem)
length4 = 1:30

title5 = Only a Plank Between One and Perdition
length5 = 2:24

title6 = Succession of Witches
length6 = 3:18

title7 = Galbadia Garden
length7 = 3:37

title8 = Unrest
length8 = 2:36

title9 = Under Her Control
length9 = 3:30

title10 = The Stage is Set
length10 = 3:39

title11 = A Sacrifice
length11 = 3:26

title12 = Fithos Lusec Wecos Vinosec
length12 = 4:33

title13 = Intruders
length13 = 2:31

title14 = Premonition
length14 = 4:36

title15 = Wounded
length15 = 0:53

title16 = Fragments of Memories
length16 = 3:13

title17 = Jailed
length17 = 3:50

title18 = Rivals
length18 = 3:30

title19 = Ami
length19 = 4:37

tracklist
collapsed = yes
headline = Disc three

title1 = The Spy
length1 = 3:46

title2 = Retaliation
length2 = 0:45

title3 = Movin'
length3 = 5:18

title4 = Blue Sky
length4 = 0:44

title5 = Drifting
length5 = 2:56

title6 = Heresy
length6 = 4:10

title7 = Fisherman's Horizon
length7 = 3:35

title8 = Odeka ke Chocobo
length8 = 1:16

title9 = Where I Belong
length9 = 3:40

title10 = The Oath
length10 = 3:25

title11 = Slide Show Part 1
length11 = 1:23

title12 = Slide Show Part 2
length12 = 1:47

title13 = Love Grows
length13 = 4:28

title14 = The Salt Flats
length14 = 3:36

title15 = Trust Me
length15 = 3:13

title16 = Silence and Motion
length16 = 5:47

title17 = Dance with the Balamb-Fish
length17 = 3:39

title18 = Tears of the Moon
length18 = 1:12

title19 = Residents
length19 = 3:06

title20 = Eyes on Me
length20 = 5:38

tracklist
collapsed = yes
headline = Disc four

title1 = Mods de Chocobo (Featuring N's Telecaster)
length1 = 2:24

title2 = Ride On
length2 = 3:03

title3 = Truth
length3 = 3:40

title4 = Lunatic Pandora
length4 = 3:28

title5 = Compression of Time
length5 = 4:34

title6 = The Castle
length6 = 5:19

title7 = The Legendary Beast
length7 = 5:50

title8 = Maybe I'm a Lion
length8 = 5:35

title9 = The Extreme
length9 = 6:44

title10 = The Successor
length10 = 3:37

title11 = Ending Theme
length11 = 13:20

title12 = Overture
length12 = 3:36

"Fithos Lusec Wecos Vinosec Final Fantasy VIII"

Infobox Album
Name = Fithos Lusec Wecos Vinosec Final Fantasy VIII
Type = soundtrack
Artist = Nobuo Uematsu
Released =

November 19, 1999
July 22, 2004 (reissue)

Recorded = Sunrise Studio, Sound City, and Victor Studio
Length = 64:22
Label = DigiCube
Square Enix (reissue)
Producer = Nobuo Uematsu
Reviews =

"Fithos Lusec Wecos Vinosec Final Fantasy VIII" is a collection of orchestrated pieces originally from "Final Fantasy VIII", arranged and conducted by Shiro Hamaguchi. It also includes three unchanged tracks from "Final Fantasy VIII Original Soundtrack"; "Liberi Fatali," "Eyes on Me," and "Ending Theme." The album spans 13 tracks, covering a duration of 64 minutes. It was first published on November 19, 1999 by DigiCube, and subsequently published on July 22, 2004 by Square Enix. [cite web | author=Daryl | date=2002 | title=FITHOS LUSEC WECOS VINOSEC Final Fantasy VIII | url=http://www.ffmusic.info/fithos.html | publisher=ffmusic.info | accessdate=2005-07-14] [cite web | author=Gann, Patrick | date=2000 | title=Final Fantasy VIII Fithos Lusec Wecos Vinosec | url=http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/ff8flwv/index.html | publisher=RPGFan | accessdate=2006-04-18]

Adam Corn of SoundtrackCentral.com claimed "the superior instrumental quality, well-done arrangements, and tasteful selection of themes boost the OST's ["Final Fantasy VIII Original Soundtrack"] qualities while hiding its flaws," elaborating that "even people such as myself who are not fans of the original will be impressed by its prowess, and fans will simply be enamored." [cite web|url=http://www.altpop.com/stc/reviews/ff8ov.htm|title=Fithos Lusec Wecos Vinosec: Final Fantasy VIII Orchestra Version|publisher=SoundtrackCentral.com|accessdate=2007-03-30]

tracklist
collapsed = yes
headline = Track listing

title1 = Liberi Fatali
length1 = 3:08

title2 = Blue Fields
length2 = 3:38

title3 = Don't Be Afraid
length3 = 3:49

title4 = Balamb Garden ~ Ami
length4 = 5:16

title5 = Fisherman's Horizon
length5 = 4:01

title6 = Fithos Lusec Wecos Vinosec
length6 = 4:38

title7 = Eyes on Me
length7 = 5:43

title8 = The Man with the Machine Gun
length8 = 3:36

title9 = Dance with the Balamb-Fish
length9 = 3:16

title10 = Love Grows
length10 = 4:35

title11 = The Oath
length11 = 5:09

title12 = Ending Theme
length12 = 13:22

title13 = Fragments of Memories
length13 = 4:05

"Piano Collections Final Fantasy VIII"

Infobox Album
Name = Piano Collections Final Fantasy VIII
Type = soundtrack
Artist = Nobuo Uematsu
Released =

January 21, 2000
July 22, 2004 (reissue)

Recorded =
Length = 48:08
Label = DigiCube
Square Enix (reissue)
Producer = Shiro Hamaguchi
Reviews =

"Piano Collections Final Fantasy VIII" is an album of piano arrangements from "Final Fantasy VIII", arranged by Shiro Hamaguchi and performed by Shinko Ogata. It was published by DigiCube on January 21, 2000 and subsequently re-published by Square Enix on July 22, 2004.cite web | url=http://www.altpop.com/stc/reviews/ff8pc.htm | title=Final Fantasy VIII Piano Collections | publisher=SoundtrackCentral.com | accessdate=2007-03-27] [cite web | url=http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/ff8piano/index.html | title=Piano Collections Final Fantasy VIII | publisher=RPGFan | accessdate=2007-03-27]

Robert Steen of SoundtrackCentral.com commended the performance, claiming "Shinko Ogata seems to be a very capable player" and noted that although the arrangements are similar to the original pieces, they "breathe new life into the songs." A total of 11 user-created reviews on Amazon.com reached an aggregate of 95.5%. [cite web | url=http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/customer-reviews/B000058AB3/ref=cm_cr_dp_2_1/002-4582852-9312861?ie=UTF8&customer-reviews.sort%5Fby=-SubmissionDate&n=5174 | title=Reviews for Final Fantasy VIII: Piano Collections | publisher=Amazon.com | accessdate=2007-03-30]

tracklist
collapsed = yes
headline = Track listing

title1 = Blue Fields
length1 = 3:19

title2 = Eyes on Me
length2 = 3:26

title3 = Fisherman's Horizon
length3 = 3:58

title4 = Succession of Witches
length4 = 3:49

title5 = Ami
length5 = 3:34

title6 = Shuffle or Boogie
length6 = 2:53

title7 = Find Your Way
length7 = 3:44

title8 = The Oath
length8 = 3:57

title9 = Silence and Motion
length9 = 3:20

title10 = The Castle
length10 = 3:43

title11 = The Successor
length11 = 5:05

title12 = Ending Theme
length12 = 5:40

title13 = Slide Show Part 2
length13 = 1:35

Reception and legacy

"New Zealand PlayStation" magazine claimed "Final Fantasy VIII" has "one of the most memorable scores you will ever hear." [Cheung, Kevin (1999). New Zealand PlayStation. Next Gaming, 53.] Reviewers from multimedia news website IGN stated that much of the game's impact is owed to its "terrific" musical score, but were disappointed by "yet another" variation of the traditional battle theme.cite web | author=Lundigran, Jeff | date=1999 | title=IGN: Final Fantasy VIII Review | url=http://psx.ign.com/articles/153/153847p1.html | publisher=IGN | accessdate=2007-03-17] IGN later named the "Final Fantasy VIII" soundtrack as fourth best in its "Final Fantasy" Soundtrack Countdown feature. [cite web | author=Sullivan, Meghan | date=2006-09-01 | title=Final Fantasy Soundtrack Countdown | url=http://music.ign.com/articles/730/730189p2.html | publisher=IGN | accessdate=2007-03-29] GameSpot considered the game's sound its weakest point, but still commended it, claiming it has "more 'quality' songs than "Final Fantasy VII"." [cite web | author=Vestal, Andrew | date=1999-02-24 | title=Cast all fears aside: the latest Final Fantasy is the greatest game ever to bear the name. | url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps/rpg/finalfantasy8/review.html | publisher=GameSpot | accessdate=2007-03-19] Lastly, Game Revolution stated that "there are only a few tracks that really stand out," including "Eyes on Me," which it deemed a "cliched, but beautiful love song.".cite web | author=Liu, Johnny | date=1999 | title=Game Revolution Review Page - "Final Fantasy VIII" | url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/oldsite/games/sony/rpg/final_fantasy_8.htm | publisher=Game Revolution | accessdate=2006-07-16]

The music of "Final Fantasy VIII" has appeared in various official concerts and live albums, such as "20020220 music from FINAL FANTASY", a live recording of an orchestra performing music from the series including several pieces from the game. [cite web|url=http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/20020220/index.html|title=20020220 - Music from FINAL FANTASY|publisher=RPGFan|accessdate=2007-04-01] Additionally, Tour de Japon performed one song from the game, entitled "The Oath". [cite web|url=http://www.squareenixmusic.com/albums/dvds/tourdejapon.shtml|title=Album Information - Tour de Japon: Music from Final Fantasy DVD|publisher=SquareEnixMusic|accessdate=2007-04-01] At "Dear Friends" in Los Angeles, "Liberi Fatali" and "Love Grows" were conducted by Miguel Harth-Bedoya. [cite web | author=Schneider, Peer | date=2004 | title=Dear Friends: Music From Final Fantasy | url=http://music.ign.com/articles/513/513292p1.html | publisher=IGN| accessdate=2007-04-01]

The Black Mages, a band that arranges music from "Final Fantasy" video games into a rock music style, has arranged five pieces from "Final Fantasy VIII". These are "Force Your Way" from "The Black Mages", published in 2003, "The Man with the Machine Gun" and "Maybe I'm a Lion", from "", published in 2004, and "The Extreme" and "Premonition" from ". [(February 19, 2003). The Black Mages. DigiCube. SSCX-10080] [(December 22, 2004). The Black Mages II: The Skies Above. Universal Music. UPCH-1377] [(March 19, 2008). The Black Mages III: Darkness and Starlight. Sony Music Distribution. DERP-10002]

References

External links

* [http://na.square-enix.com/uematsu/ Nobuo Uematsu's official website]
*MusicBrainz release|name=Final Fantasy VIII: Original Soundtrack |id1=1c82c54c-58e2-46e3-8a53-23185af40795 |id2=0827d683-933b-431d-a97e-dcb71d3bc3a4 |id3=bed52222-4ba1-4e83-b514-34f017e44f46 |id4=1d11fa6b-2b33-41bc-a16b-dff27b44c394