Pilot Wings 64 OST 10 - Birdman

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Pilot Wings 64 OST 10 - Birdman
Song 10 of 13

[@SonicArtist313]

I'm the creator of the PilotWings 64 soundtrack. Love the posts here, blows me away. I'm wondering if any of you would be interested if I started a KickStarter Project to recreate the tracks, possibly more organically. If there is enough interest, I may start soon. Let me know!

[@maxcurtis431]

+Dan Hess Hell yes

[@nintendoboy128]

+Dan Hess Yes by all means!! These tracks have been stuck on my mind forever!! The way they make you feel is something that no other game have achieved. Pleas let us know if you decide to start a Kickstarter. :D

[@modeux]

This would probably end world hunger.

[@mcren6781]

+Dan Hess Heck yeah! This music is freaking awesome!

[@Hellion47]

+Dan Hess Take my money!

[@SonicArtist313]

Amazing to read all the posts. I'm Dan Hess, the composer for Pilot Wings 64, and it is so cool to see that the target audience got the music, unlike the 40 year old reviewers at the time. I posted a couple of the Pilot Wings demos on my channel if you're interested. Thanks so much for posting this.

[@poopsintub]

It's a good feeling to be able to talk to the man behind the music. I recently made a comment on this video, describing the impact that this particular piece had on me as a child. By the way, some of these melodic lines give off strong Russell Ferrante vibes.

[@SonicArtist313]

@@poopsintub I may have missed your last comment, sorry for that. I created my own KZbin channel and a Patreon and I monitor that those much more closely, so feel free to post there. So cool to hear from all of you old time PilotWings 64 players! Cool reference on Russell Ferrante! By the way, I created my own remake of Birdman and some other tribute songs on my channel. Let me know what you think.

[@SonicArtist313]

@@esmul LOL! That just hit my feed, too funny. Well, you may want to check out my own remake of it on my channel first...

[@Redvox57]

@@SonicArtist313 you did an amazing job at creating spacey and floaty songs for this game. Its extremely peaceful

[@oberindraco6587]

Hey Dan, my brother and I just came back recently to this ost, we grew up playing Pilotwings 64 and we also play a weekly vgm quiz that has Pilotwings 64 in its vgm pool (it came up today in fact!) so thought you could use another "this was great" from us!

[@JuN0]

This song sounds like a theme of a detective in a movie down on his luck, drinking away his sorrows at a nearby bar. Later he steps out for a smoke while its raining then pulls out a picture of his ex wife.. blows the smoke away and tucks the picture back in his coat pocket then walks away down the street sidewalk with cars passing by.

[@TheHarrisment]

Jun0 That's perfect! I can totally imagine that when I listen to this!

[@Aversive_Pond]

And then he finds a good skyscraper, gets his hangglider and solemnly watches the city's neon lights pass under him😂 Jokes aside, love your description! :)

[@getoutofmygym]

Sounds like a Mel Gibson movie scene

[@Noobsaibot21]

It does have a 'Glen Frey - You belong to the city' vibe to it

[@alphablitz1024]

The 90's video game jazz is real, son.

[@ducklord679]

Smooooooth

[@vel2118]

it's more funk than jazz

[@newlander55]

This IS the most peaceful, smoothest piece of music I think I’ve ever heard.

[@SonicArtist313]

Check out the remake I did on my channel. I think you'll like it.

[@WillyShakes]

When I was a lad, my friend and I would take the gyro-copter on the map of the US. We'd land on a highway in California and tap the throttle, never taking off, all the way across the US to the east coast. This game was awesome.

[@2beJT]

Me too! Getting this game before I could drive a car was awesome. Especially since we never knew 3D graphics like this could be possible before that generation.

[@aaronwalters9312]

Miss this game and soundtrack

[@HereForTheComments]

I don't know why, but no game has ever felt as open world as the maps of Pilotwings 64. There are plenty of games that are technically bigger and more open than it, but they just lack the feeling that exploring Little States gave.

[@zaccarver8913]

Wow its William Shakespeare!

[@nietzchepreacher9477]

I don't think anyone actually played the real game we just vibed messing around

[@DEFkon001]

damn.. I hear this song, and I'm young again. 1996. Watching my dad flying around free roaming, landing and taking snap shots of the scenery. Sure we had MS Flight Sim, and Falcon etc on the PC, but there was something special about laying out on the couch listening to smooth jazz while exploring a then "state of the art" Nintendo game. Sharing a moment without saying a word. RIP Dad.

[@BLARGHALT]

[seductively dims lights]

[@FizzyArtCola]

[Takes off woman's top off]

[@maccodifavole]

*buttsecs intesifies*

[@vikingfortiesfaeroes]

[doesn't see coffee table in dark > trips, hits head on marble fireplace > pronounced dead on arrival]

[@DanHassan]

[Flies into the bedroom on my gyrocopter]

[@takemetoyonk]

vikingfortiesfaeroes ilu

[@prux]

I always played Birdman at night on Holiday Island. It was so peaceful. It'd help me fall asleep too.. I miss this game greatly. :)

[@scottrosell875]

One of the best features of the game... the soundtrack. I remember this track during a twilight stage. I miss playing this!

[@kevingoss635]

Man, when that organ kicks in near the end, I get chills for days. Definitely one of the best video game music tracks ever.

[@Compozzi916]

Omg I would play those birdman levels forever on the midnight mode with this playing...damn...good times!

[@noncrediblecase341]

That flute solo, man.

[@npz4208]

He wanted that check 🔥

[@newton3010]

Thats some smooth ass, welcome to the cool side of the pillow kinda shit...

[@k0ngbuster]

Awesome story bro. My dad and I used to play this in our basement on our unfoldable couch into a bed. I still play it to this very day! Much respect to your dad! He'll be flying forever now in Heaven with the Birdman as his wingman if you know what I mean ;)

[@5persondude]

When you hit that bonus star just right

[@AlexDeLarge1]

And everyone claps

[@segaking5846]

✋😔👌

[@KayFiOS]

Man, this music almost makes me cry. I got my N64 with Mario 64 and Pilotwings 64 for Christmas 1996 (I was almost 8 at the time). I loved exploring 3D environments as Mario, sure, but flying around in Pilotwings 64 was a freedom in a videogame I'd never experienced before. I love this game so much.

[@sethnile9332]

The Nostalgic is Strong in this one.

[@TheChrismcclellan]

Thank u for keeping this collection alive bro. U have fans. We love u

[@JoJoTheOtter]

If I EVER think of my N64 days, this is the first game to come to mind. My Father was a pilot, and when this game first came out, I showed it to him cause I KNEW he'd just go nuts over it. He ended up buying his own N64 just to play this. Sigh... Rest in Peace, Pop. This song is for you. :'-]

[@JoJoTheOtter]

Thanks again to everyone over the years for responding to this. It’s a shame that the comments were made back in the day when KZbin didn’t stack comment threads. Ha ha. Lots of love.

[@seananton743]

I AM EVER SO SORRY I SOLD MY N64

[@sethnile9332]

We all make mistakes Soldier.

[@thefellduck]

I've still got mine! My PS1 stopped spinning discs long ago. N64 still running strong. There's always eBay to ease those sorrows!

[@Ostnizdasht206]

Rip

[@BOND19951]

An awesome game and soundtrack. I'm still got that I still have this game and my N64 to play it every now and then.

[@LORDMETALMAN]

This was the second game my dad bought me for the n64, brings back good memories (DAD YOU ARE THE BEST) :D

[@buescherg]

Years and years ago, when I was in college, away from home, stressed about work and everything, I would play this game to help me relax. Specifically, I would just go to a freeform flight, birdman suit, at night and just casually fly around, chilling out while this song played. Always helped.

[@SwaxMain4u]

love bluesy soundtracks like this

[@EXsoldier141]

till this day every now and then i hook up the old n64 and play pilot wings lol. I used to spend hours on birdman in the first stage just taking photo's and flying. I even used to sleep to this music sometimes, its relaxing. I dun know how u were able to get it, but great job. The memories are priceless...I wouldn't mind getting a copy if possible

[@kenshinkarou]

I've never heard of this game until now, and listening to this song makes me sad for some reason...like something great has passed on or something.

[@EXsoldier141]

kenshinkarou Those words are soo true. Where has the past 21 years gone!? It feels as if it was only yesterday...

[@trueschoolmediagroup8312]

That’s the blues baby

[@father_opan4358]

Feel this profoundly

[@rjzavala87]

Its a great piece that perfectly represents the mood, environment and vibe of a bygone era. Things before the 2000s were just so much more chill. People actually lived in the moment instead of being inundated by technology and propaganda. I feel blessed almost everyday i got to experience the very last decade before the internet.

[@Glareth]

Man, I typed in Pilot Wings music to search for this very song, and sure enough it's the very first link. So much nostalgia from this while flying around that island at night, exploring all the hidden areas and taking nice pictures. It's good to know that so many other people share the same memory :)

[@LagunaWSU2]

I LOVED this soundtrack when I was a kid, and I listen to it to this day! This song in particular is super awesome, you hit this soft jazz feeling that I just can't get enough of. Thank you!

[@redcat608]

I have so many found memories of playing this game/tune on a rainy, Sunday afternoon--just chilling with no rhyme or reason. Laid back, enjoying the game, care-free--life was good. Thank you Nintendo for the damn fine memories: my childhood was great! Fuck games today with their sneaking, incomplete, charge you up the ass for everything. R.I.P interactive storytelling.

[@alecathesensfan]

I remember renting this game with my cousin one weekend, and we loved it.. Good times

[@awjm]

I used to love flying to this tune :D

[@mick358]

Friend of mine mentioned a recent P4K article discussing a few of "Gaming's Best Ambient Tracks". Of course, Pilotwings 64 was referenced, with "Hang Glider" being singled out for demonstration. My favorite track, however, was always the "Birdman" tune, but I was still happy to be reminded of just how good this shit is. Like a lot of folks here, I've probably spent several days' time simply floating around in that wing-suit, with no small credit going to the music for feeding my habit. According to an interview on NintendoLife, Hess said this track was the one that gave him the most difficulty to create. Perhaps it's all of the sublimated anguish that makes the track so endlessly, almost oppressively appealing; the carefree blues which spellbinds the listener even as it dismisses him. (edit: spelling.)

[@SonicArtist313]

Great comments here. To be clear, it was difficult to create mostly because of the language barrier between me and the Game Director, Wada-san. I loved working with him, he and the Nintendo team that worked with us at Paradigm were excellent! But he kept telling me that he wanted "floaty-fluffy" for the Birdman. I wrote dozens of tracks that I felt were that but he didn't feel the same. He walked into the studio one day when I was playing around with this track and immediately started flapping his arms. Birdman!!!

[@Larry]

Beatles: Free as a bird.

[@Koops2245]

Earth, Wind, and Fire: That’s the Way of the World.

[@SonicArtist313]

Yeah, I'm not hearing that so much. But great tune.

[@SonicArtist313]

@@Koops2245 Closer, definitely diggin' EWF...always

[@Alexshadock999]

Duuuuuude, I haven’t played this game in like, 15 years. I always think of this when I hear soft jazz. Brings me back

[@spotifyseascapessmoothjazz]

Nice smooth jazz tune

[@BIGW0RM]

Fell asleep to birdman while playing this game through n64oid on my phone. I woke up rested. So good.

[@drgreenthumb8617]

such an amazing tune! i love it and almost brings a tear to my eye thinking about my childhood days. me and my dad like most of the comments. thats what i remember as well. thanks for posting

[@xPXGx]

I've always loved the soundtrack of this game.

[@JoJoTheOtter]

Thanks to you, my friend. I think I know what you are trying to say. Each generation of video games have had their share of crappy titles, but the ones that were good were superb. You could somehow feel the heart and passion put into them by those who worked so hard to create it. The titles that are good now are still good, but they feel like what they are; a TRIPLE-A TITLE A money-maker, enjoyable as it may be.

[@espaceman000]

So many memories of endless hours exploring Little States. Used to love flying at low altitude all the way from New York over the mid-west plains and down into the Grand Canyon. *sigh....*

[@UnwrittenSpade]

I freaking love the soundtrack for this game! It was amazing when I got this for Christmas when it came out and it’s amazing now

[@cosmicpaws6717]

Amazing memories of this game and its smooth soundtrack. Riding the feels train ~

[@Contrariwise37]

the most vaporwave shit

[@prod.explizit6755]

+Contrariwise37 hahaha thought this too

[@llefty]

Jazz fusion, boi

[@TimoonMoth]

I really liked the game when I was a kid but what I remember the most is doing birdman just to listen to that music. At the time I never thought I'd get a chance to thank the guy who composed it, so now I'm glad to say thank you for putting so much effort in this soundtrack :)

[@AlonzoTompkins]

Now watch this be the best unfitting song in the new Smash Bros. lol

[@akarandompilot]

I played a lot of this as a kid…..chilling…flying around and for some reason always stuck with me. I knew I always wanted to be a pilot, now I am ATP flying corporate in a jet flying high and fast, and in my headset I still listen to this…flying at 45,000 feet with a sweet smile on my face 😎

[@Rodriquez124]

You made alot of kids happy with your music back then, that's something to be proud of !

[@TheChrismcclellan]

Thanks again man for this amazing track and the others bro. God knows I need this lifting sound. I use it to advance the secret

[@drgreenthumb8617]

i just found this today and already listened to it about 20-30 times. brings back so many memories. thanks for posting it :)

[@slipstream703]

i so loved using the helicopter with rockets and just blasting the lake monster. lol good times.

[@aussieJarh3ad]

its been an amazing journey through the evolution of video games and i for one will be proud to say i grew up with the likes of pilot wings and mario cart as stated. When my grandchildren down the track show me the latest game with lifelike graphics, i will look back to these and think how far they have come, and that we were the pioneers in the gaming world. Games nowadays are not original, only taken from the 1980s and 90s and remade. There will never be quality like this again.

[@kdwormy]

I LOVE YOU! I used to do birdman for hours just because of your music. Your music was a great part of my youth :)

[@irena7777777]

Hey Dan...I loved this game as a kid, and not because of the game play but because of the music...this is pure nostalgia. Reminds me of my first...ah, forget it...

[@ruedafest]

man, great job! not only for this game, not only for this song and not only for that era. thank you for remember. we wont forget october 1996, no we don`t. that moment in time is golden sealed in our lives.we are lucky. we lived that moment. tears of happynes come when we remember don,t we? where been you living? who were your friends? what did you feel first time you turn on the n64? and when mario starts walk outside the castle? and when you finally land without crash the gyrocopter? forever!

[@ChicaGOrilla4CHN]

this was my favorite song on this game when I was a kid. I used to just fly, fly, fly. I'd fly to another universe with this song if I could...

[@Xozona]

I had always liked this because it reminded me of Earth, Wind, and Fire's "After the Love is Gone" and "I Can't tell you why" by the Eagles, two songs I listened to alot when I was a kid.

[@SonicArtist313]

Right on! Absolutely some of my influences for this. Good ears!

[@ForeverMore10]

I love playing Birdman mode for 3 reasons, the music, the atmosphere (i.e. weather, sea), and the easter eggs. Every now and then I find something in the easter eggs like sound effects (i.e. traffic noise, windmill creaking), exploring new areas, and just peaceful gaming.

[@AcidBong]

I use this tune to practice my guitar soloing ... Love it. Played this game so much as a teen. :) You are a great composer, and more games need your influence!!

[@rashoietolan3047]

AcidBong the composer is in the comments section of this video He even remade the track Support him

[@alltogethernow2738]

Ahh memories, this was one of my first games. Didn't like it all that much as I was a young kid but still wasn't too bad

[@Ulrigh]

This song is absolutely EPIC! when I die i'll make my Top 10 games of my life... this game will be at the top!

[@getBlackbird]

My cousin and I played this game over a weekend Blockbuster rental and could never really do much more than fly around and crash spectacularly, but I do remember that this was far and away my favorite track

[@TKOblue]

Your work is incredible and a huge inspiration. Thanks very much for having a role in the N64 legacy.

[@TransitAngst]

I used to love this game as a kid, especially for this song. My siblings hated it though. Thanks for uploading it!

[@McSaggler]

This takes me back.

[@zodzecht]

This level was a great reward for unlocking levels, a sense of freedom, a taste of what it's like to be a bird, going wherever your wings take you, also I'm high af right now. ♥️

[@AngelHerrera-et6pn]

Jesus this song never gets old, majestic!

[@georgeyb91]

Amen to that! I remember I had an N64 for Christmas 1997, I think. Pilotwings 64 was the first game I ever had for it, so it will always hold a special place in my heart.

[@MrAzazel666]

This track was Vaporwave before there even was Vaporwave. It's OG Vaporwave.

[@Saskidan]

God I played the shit out of this game back in 96, finding all the hidden areas or just crusing and enjoying the sights. This tune made up the majority of my experience.

[@Rodriquez124]

One of my all time favorites, played this game alot in my childhood together with friends it was a great game and with this track it found a place in my heart!

[@davehooper6481]

I hear Donald Fagen's voice quietly in my head when I hear this

[@Eragarev]

I only just came looking for the soundtrack to this game to hear this song again. I think it's been, like, 10 years. I'm glad I found it.

[@sambo1198]

*casually lights cigarette and takes a sip of his gin & tonic* 𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞 𝙘𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙖 𝙗𝙤𝙥

[@rashoietolan3047]

Sam Kilpatrick No cap no sarcasm

[@indiana1977]

I remember when I first heard this song and thought 'wow'. I was very impressed by the more realistic nature of this music compared to what had been done before. Seems funny now. And listening to this while flying around as birdman, talk about relaxing! Great concept.

[@PunYT]

The gratifying feeling of going into birdman mode without having to find the hidden star.

[@sonofjenova717]

I remember playing this whenever i needed to relax or study for school, such a good tune

[@VinzZissou78]

Damn I used to love playing this at my grandma's. the game made me drift off into my own world, especially the birdman stage with this song. I have a ps3 and a few other recent systems but none of their games ever make me feel like I did when I played N64 back in the day, I miss that era.

[@shaggj]

Thank you for posting this music I too miss this game and was also disappointed that they never made another I only hope they make it for the wii look at all the comments people liked it I am glade Im not the only one who felt that way......Thanks

[@cocofellas]

@Dan Hess you know I’m gonna smoke a ton of weed to this song. ☀️✌🏻

[@anxiaohong7]

Wow, this one truly is beautiful

[@sirsweet3022]

So good. Even now... I forgot what the tune was like. It's even better than I remember.

[@themysticfedora]

The box art says K-A, but that flute solo's rated M.

[@snake1mi]

I remember I used to chillax playing the night stages. Used to lean back in the sofa, rest my feet and enjoy it.

[@JuanCarlosDuenasGarcia]

A sense of freedom and carelessness that will never come back... Thank you Dan Hess for such unbelievable music, it brings back buried memories...

[@k0ngbuster]

All excellent games bro. You are a true pilotwing now. Much respect to your family and especially your dad. If only Nintendo could make games like this again. Sincerely - TheRetroNintendo Eric

[@Incognito1986]

Wow. Such well stated commentary on KZbin. Couple this with the music, I almost have a tear in my eye. lol. Well said, friend. I agree 100 percent.

[@antontonable]

This was always my favorite music from Pilot Wings. I would go out of my way with the rocket belt sometimes just to find the star so I could fly around as Birdman. I don't know if I like the states better or the island (cannot remember the name!) at sunset. This track is arguably the best 64 track, and there are literally hundreds of songs that I love from the 64. Great job Mr. Hess! You have a loyal following of fans!

[@edishdraws]

Damn this brings me back! Gotta light a spliff for this

[@wunderwaffefries]

I'm blazed

[@Crixus64]

Brings back alot of good memories. these were the days

[@Spotcats]

I load this up and play it wile flying around in GTA5 in my Duster.

[@EXsoldier141]

EPIC! xD

[@myke336]

cery soothing tune. loved this game. really wish i could go back and time and play it all over again. Good timesg ever. it would be to upload the song that plays on Pilotwings 64 after you crash and asks you if you want to try again. that song is laid back to and i love it. dude you gotta upload it.

[@Fearosius]

This song always reminds me of being eight years old, turning off the lights in the living room at 10pm when everyone is asleep in the house, putting in the game and choosing the bird mode, choosing the stage that looked very similar to the USA, on the clear setting and at evening. Flying past the Statue of Liberty, flying above the Twin Towers and attempting to fly under the Brooklyn Bridge.... ahhh, memories.

[@jeremiahstoe6925]

I really fucking have and always will love this song and jam it almost every day!!!! Thank you sirrrrr!!!!!

[@SonicArtist313]

You're welcome, Jeremiah! Love that you still listen to it after all these years.

[@Ekkobelli]

It's beautiful. Fucking beautiful. The game, the relaxed atmosphere, the incredibly cool music. This game and this music shaped a big part of my childhood. Sounds sad and nerdy, but it's the opposite, it was a small thing back then that instantly made me smile and feel relaxed. I'm buying an N64 tomorrow.

[@Kevin_40]

I totally agree with you. The 1990's was the pinnacle of videogames. 1990-2000 had the best and most innovative 2d and 3d games of all time. After 2000, only the 3d graphics got better and 2d is pretty much dead. They just rehashed everything from the 90's. Also a much smaller selection of game systems... I was entranced by this game in 1996. The musis is so relaxing. It fits the game perfectly.

[@myke336]

dude...just.....wow....amen brother...of course i always say that my golden days of gaming were in the clinton years, such as crash bandicoot and mario 64 and tekken 2. orcarina of time, mario kart 64, kirby 64, banjo kazooie, pilotwings 64, sigh...growing up really sucks. i still have my 64 but i when i play i just don't feel the same joy as i did when i was a kid....waking up on a sat. morning, with the thought of switching on your 64 first thing. the glory days have come and gone my friends

[@Tampajoe77]

can't get enough of your pilotwings baby..

[@dropkickirish4449]

Long before experiencing the drugs equivalent to this music, I’d spend hours playing this Birdman game in Pilot Wings, just flying around aimlessly, which wouldn’t have happened if not for the lull of this song, and of which planted the seed for my gravitation to this genre music as an adult.