I'm sure we've discussed this sort of thing on here before in the eight years I've been around, but I have been itching to listen to some great Final Fantasy VI music and, in doing so, I was inspired to compile a top ten songs from the game. Do you have to agree with them all? Hell to the no. Are there great ones not on this list? Without question. When there are 64 tracks, and MANY of them deserving a spot on the list, you are bound to miss a few worthy tracks. I'm expanding this to essentially a top twelve, giving two honorable mention nods to the tracks that barely lost out in making the list. Interested in making your own list? Feel free to post it within this thread. Want to argue why you think song X deserves a better spot than song Y? Go ahead, post it in here and let us discuss it.
10. Relm's Theme - Ironic how one of the most overlooked and underrated characters in this game has one of the best individual themes. There is such strong emotion contained within this theme, especially if you manage to get your hands on the orchestrated rendition of this tune, or the vocal variation. It sets the mood rather well for a few scenes within the game and will always be for me, as well as for countless other Final Fantasy VI fans, the best thing to come from Relm in this game.
9. Setzer's Theme - The only other character theme to crack into my top ten, this simply makes me want to go out and save the world. Upbeat and motivating, some people might tire of hearing this theme every time they go inside the airship to change characters, but I look forward to this almost as much as the ever-changing commentary of the other characters inside the airship. If you're going to gamble your life away to fight Kefka, why not go with an optimistic outlook? This song helps to deliver that.
8. Phantom Train - I remember the eerie vibe I got the very first time I set foot into the Phantom Train as a child. Surrounded by ghosts and the thought that there is 'No escape...' this is the perfect backdrop for your journey to the front of the train to bargain for your soul's salvation. Check out the piano and orchestrated versions of this tune for some extra enjoyment options.
7. Battle to the Death - Oh holy shit, this music is intense! Well, that was my initial impression upon reaching Atma Weapon. It was a very refreshing change from the usual boss theme (which isn't bad at all, mind you). If you are poorly prepared in strategy or levels, this boss can be one badass mofo who will gladly munch on your bones for breakfast. Even after all these years I can still have an epic struggle to battle my way past him. No wonder the Atma Weapon is such an incredible sword, huh?
6. Johnny C. Bad - I can picture an entire arena of people just jiving with this tune in the background. It has an amazing beat and is catchy as hell. I often find myself whistling or humming this at work. It sticks with you and serves as the theme for the Coliseum, which is disappointing as a whole because you just hate gambling that rare item to have Chupon appear and take it away from you. It represents those endless hours of reset after reset to get that proper combination of gambles for some of the best gear and relics in the game.
BREAKING INTO THE TOP FIVE! YAY YOU FOR STILL READING THIS!
5. The Decisive Battle - Remember how I mentioned Battle to the Death as being a refreshing new boss music? Yeah, well, this is still by far the best theme out of any Final Fantasy game for the endless stream of bosses. It makes me want to get up and Bum Rush the hell out of something, and with the ability to now play this song on Guitar Hero (THANK YOU to whoever added this song!) I am hoping a new generation of RPG gamers will have to agree upon hearing this tune.
4. Forever Rachel - Poor Locke. You have to feel for the guy when you see his story displayed, and the tragedy that shaped him into the ironically chivalrous character he is. A thief with a heart? Say it ain't so! No matter how low I rank Locke's usefulness in the party, I have to say that he is part of some of the best storylines within Final Fantasy VI. Check out the orchestrated version sometime, as that one ALWAYS manages to get me a bit emotional. What can I say? It is a moving theme.
3. Slam Shuffle - I can't get enough of this theme. Leaping from window to window in the pouring rain, chainsaw in hand, this song makes Zozo among the most memorable areas in the game. Everyone in Zozo lies, but even they wouldn't be able to outright tell you that this song is crap. It is far too big of a lie for anyone to tell. I think the best version of this one out there, that I have heard, is by the Minibosses. They completely rock it out, just like you should.
HONORABLE MENTION #1 - Terra's Theme - Simple, yet it is memorable as one of the best songs to play while traveling on the world map in an RPG. It was hard deciding whether this was deserving to place in my top ten, and in the end the heartwrenching nature of Relm's Theme won out and knocked this one off the chart. Check out Terra in Black. You'll thank me later.
2. Aria di Mezzo Carattere - I would imagine nine out of every ten gamers who have played Final Fantasy VI through would likely name the Opera scene as the most memorable part of the game. I certainly would do so, and although I am too lazy to confirm my assumption I doubt it is too far off. Ever since we've seen a few failed attempts at recreating a scene similar to this in other Final Fantasy games, and none come close to reaching its greatness. Going hand-in-hand with this theme would be the Wedding Waltz - Duel, yet it pales in comparison to the magnitude of Aria. If you are lucky enough to find the entire opera scene lumped together into one, like the Darkness and Starlight by the Black Mages, you can enjoy it all wrapped into one lengthy tune of awesome.
HONORABLE MENTION #2 - Celes' Theme - Yes, it is much like Aria di Mezzo Carattere in all due respect, but it is the backdrop theme for one of the most impactful scenes in the game. What better way to capture the heartwrenching emotion when Celes goes to try and commit suicide? That alone makes it worthy of hitting the top ten, but at the same time it was too much like Aria to convince me to leave off Setzer or Relm in favor of this. Either way, I made damn sure to give mention to this incredible composition.
1. Dancing Mad - Dancing. ****ing. Mad. Bitches. Yes, this song is the representation of everything you have fought to achieve after hours of turmoil and emotional strain. People who claim One Winged Angel to be the greatest Final Battle theme of all time must not have played through VI. This music is PERFECT for the battle, and the organ piping the background with the chanting is perfect. The demented genius of Kefka is finally faced head-on and a gamer couldn't possibly demand a better theme to go with it. The Black Mages' version of this is one of my favorite songs of ALL TIME (not just in video games, people), and with valid reason. Long before Sephiroth fought you with his one wing, Kefka started the trend and does it far better.
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