The roots of my BGM 4/4. ~Game software Part~

This personal scheme began as a way to "DIG" into my roots, as I've always loved soundtracks. 

Now, the final installment of the fourth series is the “Game Software part.”

【ドラゴンクエスト - 序曲】

No explanation needed. This is a masterpiece among masterpieces. When I was in elementary school, I was crazy about “Dragon Quest.”

As I wrote in the animation section, the first CD I bought was the soundtrack for “Sonic Soldier Borgman,” but the first cassette tape I bought was “Suite Dragon Quest.” So, as it turns out, “soundtracks” and “me” really do have a connection. Or rather, it seems we share a deep bond.

【超時空要塞マクロス - BGM】

Although it’s different from the “Roots of BGM,” there’s an amusing story about this song that I’d like to share.

When I was child, there was a “free game corner” at the mall near my house. There was a TV monitor and a FAMICOM (from Nintendo) and the only gamesoft they had was Macross.

Everytime I went to the mall, this game sound’s was blaring at full volume. Because of that, even when I got home, the music would get stuck and play in my head... This 8-bit sound dominated me whether I was awake or asleep lol.
※The original version sung by Mari Iijima-san is also wonderful, so please give it a listen.

【クロヒョウ 龍が如く新章 - YOUR KNIFE FEELS GOOD】

This is the most feel attached game title for me, as it was the first game music I ever composed.

Out of all the reference songs I used for production, this is the one I felt the most sympathy for. The collage-art-like sound was an introduction to a new musical category, and it really thrilled me.

※Later, The composer of this song is "skankfunk." He later became my respected senior and important drinking buddy lol.

【Medal Of Honor Warfighter - With Honors 】

Members of Linkin Park participated in this soundtrack. That’s why I started listening to it.

Personally, this song made me feel that there is no boundary between game music and film music. Back then, I listened to this song a lot.
※I’m a huge fan of LINKIN PARK.

【Payday 2 - Death Row (Assault)】

I still remember the impact this had on me the first time I heard it.

“Cool!” That one word sums up the whole track. Every track on "Payday - BGM" is aggressive and suspenseful, and it contains many of my favorite music.

"I want to be involved in this title someday..." It's one of my dreams.

【Cyberpunk 2077 - Neo Tokyo(Remix)】

I came across this title at The Game Show 2020.

“This soundtrack must be awesome” I thought while watching the trailer... and my assumption was correct. I’d love to play this game someday.

That’s all for now.

I took the opportunity to write down the songs that I consider to be the “Roots of BGM,” but listening to each song again, I felt the keyword was “lyrical,” and I was reminded that this is deeply reflected in my and Hyd Lunch’s style.

In today's fast-paced world, I felt the importance of taking time to reflect and sort out my feelings. It was a very fulfilling time.

”I like it.”

”I empathized.”

If there is such a sound tracks, I would be happy.

If you're interested, please also check out the following parts.

Click here for "Animation part."

Click here for "Live Action Movies - Foreign films part."

Click here for "Live Action Movies - Japanese films part."

ARIGATOU,

and

to be continued...

The roots of my BGM 3/4. ~Foreign films Part~

This personal scheme began as a way to "DIG" into my roots, as I've always loved soundtracks. Following the Japanese Films part of the live-action film series, we now present the Foreign Films part.

It's a big volume, but I hope you enjoy it. Let’s get started →

【Platoon ('87) - Adagio for Strings】

This was a movie I saw in middle school that really shocked me.
This song, which beautifully expresses the complex emotions that I felt, marked a huge shift in my perception of music, especially since at that time I thought “Foreign Films = Star Wars and Indiana Jones.” It’s a great song.

Every time I hear this song, my heart still breaks ...

【The Crow ('94) - Return to the Grave】

This is the debut film and posthumous work title of

Bruce Lee's son, Brandon Lee.

Two soundtracks have been released for this film: a motion picture soundtrack and an omnibus soundtrack. The omnibus soundtrack featured famous bands like The Cure, Nine Inch Nails, Rage Against the Machine and Stone Temple Pilots. I played this on a heavy rotation!

【Titanic ('97) - Southampton】

"Titanic" was a huge hit at the time.

I liked Irish New Age music such as Enya at that time, so I remember buying the soundtrack just for this song.

Back then, there was no Youtube or subscription services I could get the song on, so buying was the only option lol

【Buffalo '66 ('99) - A somewhere place】

I was influenced by this piece of music... Or rather, I was influenced by the atmosphere of this film. Vincent Gallo's worldview is unique and unparalleled, making the word "artist" a perfect fit for him.

【Chapter 27 ('07) - Main Title】

This track plays at the beginning of the movie, and I was instantly drawn into the world view of the film.

Beat out of strings, wave motion bass lines and reverse piano.

This song was released 19 years ago, but still remains a wonderful masterpiece.

【Michael Clayton ('07) - Main Title】

As I mentioned in a certain interview, this piece taught me a great deal when I first began creating incidental music.

"Create a sense of unease and tension to the fullest with minimal part." This song still forms the basic style of my Incidental Music productions.

【Passengers ('08) - End Titles】

I watched this movie because I’m a big fan of Anne Hathaway. This song played during the credits and I thought,

“Wow, what a great song.”

This song beautifully brings out the lingering sadness and warmth of the main story.

【Pacific Rim ('13) - MAIN THEME 】

"This is a hero tune!"

Don't you think all boys like this song? lol  It’s an exciting track to listen to and I think Tom Morello’s guitar is fantastic.

【Lone Survivor ('13) - Lone Survivor】

I happened to see this film at a roadshow. I liked this song so I looked it up...

My favorite band, Explosions In The Sky, was participate, and I remember feeling strangely convinced. This track features the “Shimmer Reverb” effect, which Hyd Lunch also uses frequently, and it's incredibly soothing.

【Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey ('20) - Roller Vs Rollers】

I like "Suicide Squad," so I watched this movie too.

My compositional style doesn't include this kind of British indie rock sound, so I'd like to try composing a battle song in this style someday.

That’s all for my 10 Western film songs.
This time, I choice tracks that only instrumental music. Even now, the tracks on “Platoon” have such a strong presence that they instantly bring back memories of how I felt back then.
If,,, If I could create a music like that, if someone could feel that way listening to my music, there would be no greater happiness to me. Thinking this way has made me realize once again that I want to continue creating music.

”I like it.”

”I empathized.”

If there is such a sound tracks, I would be happy.

If you're interested, please also check out the following parts.

Click here for "Game software part."

Click here for "Animation part."

Click here for "Live Action Movies - Japanese films part."

ARIGATOU.

The roots of my BGM 2/4. ~Japanese films Part~

This personal scheme began as a way to "DIG" into my roots, as I've always loved soundtracks. Following the animation part, we move on to the live-action film part. Since there were many tracks to introduce, we'll present them in two parts: Japanese films and foreign films.

Let's start with the Japanese films →

【あぶない刑事 - KEEP ON CLIMAX】

This is a title beloved by everyone living in the Yokohama area. When I was a kid, I remember getting super excited when this music came on.

BTW... I only found out as an adult that it was a cover of an Alan Parsons Project song.

(I’m from Yokohama♪)

【戦場のメリークリスマス - Merry Christmas Mr.Lawrence】

I think songs that are everyone’s favorite piece of music has both great lyrics and melodies. This is a very rare instrumental piece outside of classical music. This song is really amazing.

It's a famous tune that represents Japan.

【踊る大捜査線 - Moon Light】

The first time I took the initiative to go to the theaters to see a live-action Japanese film was for “Bayside Shakedown 2: Shut Down the Rainbow Bridge!”

As an aside,,, 

The acoustic guitar arrangement of “Receive You” that plays when Kiryu Kazuma appears in “Like a Dragon 7” is a homage to this song.

【tokyo.sora - Skimsky】

In my 20s, I loved “All About Lily Chou-Chou.” “Trifle Song” which is included in this soundtrack, was used as a sound effect when Hyd Lunch preformed live.
I still play this soundtrack for my students.

【Dr.コトー診療所 - Titoli di COTO】

I think no matter how old you are, this song is truly wonderful.
I haven’t written an original song in a while.
If... If I could one day create an original song like this,

I feel like I would be able to look back on my life as having been

“rich.”

That's about it.

I’ve arrange them in chronological order again like last time. There aren't any songs from recent live-action Japanese films, but I feel that this just shows how diverse and fast-paced the industry is these days.

I listened to each song more carefully in the past. I can't deny that feeling.

”I like it.”

”I empathized.”

If there is such a sound tracks, I would be happy.

If you're interested, please also check out the following parts.

Click here for "Live Action Movies - Foreign films part."

Click here for "Game software part."

Click here for "Animation part."

ARIGATOU.