Braver than we are - Jim Steinman (Final Fantasy VIII)

[@kodiekulp]

He was a legend. All hail Jim Stienman and all the rock n roll he blessed us with. I forgot I had written this comment. What I loved about discovering Jim Steinman was his catalog of songs that he wrote. It's incredible how many songs he wrote for other people that I had no clue that he wrote. But then when you listen to the song after hearing that he wrote it you go, "of course that was a song written by Stienman" . Like when I discovered he wrote "Hero", I listen to it again with that knowledge and then it was just so obvious that it was a song written by him. It reminded me when I got this Prince record after he died from his estate called, "Prince: The Hits". And it was all demos from Prince. Demos of songs he wrote for other people and when you listen to it you end up saying, just like with Stienman, " wait Prince wrote this?" . May all of your rock and roll dreams come true, everyone.

[@atlehauge]

Couldn't agree more. Jim has been my no 1 songwriter since I was an early teenager! And I'm 55 now! :) His albums Original sin (Pandora's Box) and Bad for Good are both brilliant!

[@Kartissa]

Speaking of Prince, I've always found it interesting that he wrote Manic Monday for The Bangles, and then kept them from getting the no.1 spot with a song he released the week after theirs.

[@kodiekulp]

@@atlehauge I just love that he knows his music so well, knows what he wants so much that he heard meatloaf and was like oh that's what I need. And then he can hear another song writer and be like actually this song that I wrote would be perfect for you. A unspoken genius of our time in some circles. Cheers.

[@kodiekulp]

@@Kartissa is that right? Did not know that ! I have this rolling Stone Prince magazine all about him I've been meaning to read. It's on my nightstand. I'm pretty sure that demo is on the record. I should listen to it this weekend again , it's been a while

[@RussellWilson-rq4ps]

@@atlehauge yes my favourite albums in car now,from when jim escaped civilisation

[@Sollyz77]

I wont lie, i absolutely love this song. Its so beautiful.

[@cdavid8139]

Karine Hannah did a great job with this totally amazing song. This is one of those works that you wish would just go on forever. Steinman...you are amazing. RIP.

[@julietreanor9245]

I can't hear this song enough, its beautiful as is the video !! When it comes to lyrics no one is better than Jim Steinman 💜

[@felipenocedal3948]

No one. You're right! Jim is a god

[@garethlloyd1445]

I totally agree. Jim is a genius with lyrics

[@raquellancel9421]

That’s so trueeeeee

[@julietreanor2254]

RIP Jim Steinman, thank you for every song 💔

[@bernienull]

Jim is one of the two best songwriters of all time. What a legend he was my hero growing up and at 55 I cried when he passed.

[@ryanneeley2152]

Really going through some stuff in my life and this song sooo hits home

[@MatthewWilkinson]

RIP Jim Steinman x

[@pandaphil]

Hard to believe this is from a German vampire musical. Such a gorgeous song. I love how the opening notes sound so much like the FF7 theme.

[@RedPony2]

it's not !!!

[@DanySahne85]

It IS! It's from the Musical "Tanz der Vampire" _ Jim Steinman made the music for it and Roman Polanski directed it

[@pandaphil]

Yep. Tons of videos for it on KZbin.

[@FiftyStates5]

It was written in the 70s for a different musical. Meatloaf is right

[@MLBFCollection]

@@RedPony2 True Meat, it's from the 70's, a play called Little Friend from Front Street.

[@techdude550]

Going through a lot in my life right now (medical issues right after a new marriage). I’ve always loved this song, but it really touches me deep down now. I’ve always been a care giver and a provider , and to be facing not being that anymore and the insecurities of all that I feel internally ...

[@uqbar42]

I hope everything is better now, you are be braver

[@raquellancel9421]

Lyrics Sometimes it's the night and the way it seems to cry And whisper terrifying secrets in your ear Sometimes it's the day and the sun has got no mercy Lighting up and burning everything that's in its way There are times I've gotta run Times I've gotta hide Things I've left undone Things I cast aside So many things to try So many things denied If I ever tell you the truth I'm scared you would leave me Show me the proof that you would believe me You think I fly like an angel without any tears Higher and higher, above the world and all its fears Everybody's ready to fly But the storms are never so very far And you think my life is shining like a star But the fears are never very far And we always seem so much braver than we ever are We always dream we'd be braver but we never are Let's run away Let's go so far.... There are secrets I never can tell There are shadows of darkness and heaven There are so many suburbs of hell And their hours are 24/7 There are so many wounds you can't heal So many nightmares are turning to real So much of paradise lost And you add up the cost But there's nothing to be sorry for Now we can feel so much more Now we can be loving you Nothing that we're scared to do You see me smile and you swear that I could walk on air You see me dancing, the moonlight glancing at my hair You see me as powerfully strong But the nightmare's never so very far And you think my life is shining like a star But the tears are never very far The fears are never very far and We always seem so much braver than we ever are We always seem to be braver but we never are Let's fly away Let's go too far Sometimes it's the flesh and the way it seems to yearn For all the magic of a single perfect touch Sometimes it's the soul and it's waiting for salvation You'll know when you get it there can never be too much There are times I've gotta run Times I've gotta hide Things I've left undone Things I've cast aside So many things to try So many things denied If I ever tell you the truth, would you ever believe me? Show me the proof, I'm so scared that you'd leave me You think I fly like an angel without any cares Higher and higher as if I'm breathing sacred air Everybody's ready to fly But the storms are never so very far And you think my life is shining like a star But the fears are never very far The nightmare's never very far And we always seem so much braver than we ever are We always dream we'd be braver but we never are Let's run away Let's go too far Say a prayer for those who crawl Say a prayer for those who run Say a prayer so all in all There's a better life to come Say a prayer for those alone Say a prayer for those apart All the golden boys and girls The crusaders of the heart Say a prayer for all the lost Say a prayer for the unborn Say a prayer for all the young It takes a fire to keep them warm Say a prayer for those obsessed Say a prayer for those enslaved Say a prayer to beat the drums From the cradle to the grave Say a prayer for all the saints Say a prayer for all the sins Let the dancing never end Let the future now begin Say a prayer to all the gods Some are near and some are far Say a prayer to all the gods To make us braver than we are How far is too far baby? Come on and take me, take me We're crusaders of the heart And going all the way is just a start How far is too far? How far is too far, baby? Take me deep inside your heart And going all the way is just a start How far is too far baby? Come on and take me, take me We're crusaders of the heart And going all the way is just a start Say a prayer Say a prayer Going all the way is just a start Make us braver than we are There's no such thing as too far I've got to be where you are Going all the way is just a start The crusaders of the heart How far is too far? I've got to be where you are Going all the way is just a start Make us braver than we are How far is too far baby? Come on and take me, take me We're crusaders of the heart And going all the way is just a start (repeat)

[@stoeggelis]

AWESOME.... Jim Steinman is a real music genius...

[@doppelsnet]

Michael Waldmeier An amazing writer his music is a great pick me up, Steinman's stuff must be felt the woman singing here gets it.

[@felipenocedal3948]

+Doppelganger399 very good

[@lefantomer]

If you don't know about "Tanz der Vampire" the musical that is all his music be sure to seek it out.

[@matthiasbreuer8710]

As much as I like the 2016 Meat Loaf version (and as amazing as it is that a man in his 70s could pull that off), this right here is to me the definitive rendition of this song. If only Meat had gotten a shot a this piece when he was in his prime. I bet that would be on a whole different level :-/

[@JJ-lb6hm]

Sad, but true. Over the years Meat Loaf's voice has lost its touch.

[@Jammythewerewolf]

Have you heard the Tanz Der Vampire version?

[@matthiasbreuer8710]

@@Jammythewerewolf I have! I know it's the original (and I'm pretty sure it was the first I ever heard too, back in the early 2000s IIRC), but I actually prefer this one :-)

[@AlexisSocco]

You think I fly like an angel without any tears Higher and higher, above the world and all its fearsssssssssss

[@Acetrainergold96]

Despite being a HUGE Final Fantasy fan, I've yet to play VIII (I do have it on my switch though!), but I love this song so much, and this remains one of my favorite AMVs ever. Honestly kinda legendary

[@onpointe6404]

In Rock music, Jim is the GOAT.

[@715michala]

isn't it about time Jim Steinman wrote the next bond theme ?

[@juliusnepos6013]

Well, original sin sounds like a good song to be used for a bond theme. (Though it is used as the theme for “The Shadow”)

[@715michala]

@@juliusnepos6013 yes Steinman should have written a Bond theme by now.he's been overlooked for some reason.

[@715michala]

Yes steinman has been overlooked he isn't given the credit he deserves

[@stillaboveground2470]

Awesome song.

[@juergenengineer6915]

That voice is amazing. A mixture of a young girls voice, carrying also the strength and power of a woman. Perfectly meets the sence of the text. I have this recording somewhere but this here is slightly different. She sings a bit more rough. Seems to be a different take.

[@stevenscarboroughSkabz]

Like to hear that

[@zastorlexa9800]

The singer in this video is excellent. She deserves the praise she gets. She earns it all. Do you know her name by any chance? Not to distract from what she achieves here, but I would love to hear a Patti Russo version.

[@thechocoholic]

@@zastorlexa9800 Karine Hannah

[@cdavid8139]

@@zastorlexa9800 Super lady who loves to sing Steinman. Karine Hannah. Really nice person as well

[@rboyles9366]

my favorite shows. dance of the vampire i like to play it i like your songs New York City it’s beautiful

[@lefantomer]

It's in the full score album, but I play the highlights in the car and sadly it's not on that.

[@cutemushroomhead]

In love with this song. Sucks that I can't buy this version on iTunes or find it on Spotify :(

[@sophielafayette3333]

chin meister I don't know if this helps you but look for “draußen ist freiheit“ on spotify

[@karinehannah2386]

xo

[@josheilberg2371]

Looking forward to hearing Meat Loaf sing this, and it will be great to hear him working with Ellen Foley again.

[@TheMonkeysphere]

+Josh Eilberg Ellen Foley's still active? I haven't seen any signs of her since her time on Night Court.

[@dryliner65]

Ellen foley and Karla de Vito are on the new material .

[@Astimoff]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6Pcfntjg9t2hZo

[@peebs6086]

Never played FF8, but this song is making me want to so I can understand the video. Jim Steinman was a genius.

[@bogus7678]

He was.

[@MelinaHelenPapadopoulou]

Jim Steinman... Amazing! And very nice video!

[@felipenocedal3948]

He is a god of musiC

[@felipenocedal3948]

He is a god of musiC

[@museworx6066]

The best RPG ever made now just want to restart the epic adventure again

[@petergreen9995]

great vocals and very typically Steimanesque!! Can't wait for the new album! As Europe's No1 Meat Loaf Tribute I am hungry for more!!

[@BigFatBesty]

Yeah. I bet Meat Loaf is gutted that he never got to play to 50 people in sidari and Warrington.

[@BriGuyIL1980]

I love that the "Say a Prayer" part is right when Squall is lost and RInoa is trying to find him.

[@lefantomer]

That's the part that is also used on Tanz der Vampire.

[@frankmaag927]

Super gemacht, Der Sound von Steinman ist sowieso unerreicht!!

[@sinbysin666]

Is it a coincidence that the beginning sounds like Final Fantasy?

[@tenshialpha]

It is! A complete coincidence! Jim Steinman wrote the basic tune back in the 1970s for a song in the musical "The Confidence Man", and it's so obscure that Nobuo Uematsu can never have heard it before writing the Final Fantasy 7 overworld theme. But they sound so similar! I spent ages in Final Fantasy 7 in the flashback scene, rocking "Braver Than We Are" (or, Draussen Ist Freiheit from Tanz Der Vampire) on Tifa's piano!!

[@tohopes]

@@tenshialpha "Braver" is the name of one of Cloud's limit breaks in FF7, this track is titled "Braver than we are". Seems that the people at Square were fans of Steinman.

[@tenshialpha]

@@tohopes You have your history back to front. First of all in the 1970s, Jim Steinman wrote the basic melody in a song called "Something Of This Masquerade May Follow" - if you've never heard it, look up the track on the Confidence Man soundtrack on Amazon - listen to the preview of the song right to the end of the clip. In the mid-80s a minor production of Confidence Man was performed, but there was no cast recording at that time. Then in January 1997, Final Fantasy VII comes out. October 1997, Tanz Der Vampire comes out with the same melody used in the song Draussen Ist Freiheit, which means "Freedom Is Out There" in English. Then the English Broadway version of Tanz Der Vampire came out in 2002, where the song Draussen Ist Freiheit became Braver Than We Are. So there was no way Squaresoft folks could have heard the title "Braver Than We Are" back in 1996 when FF7 was being developed. It's just a neat coincidence they have this matching melody.

[@tohopes]

@@tenshialpha Thanks very much for the information! I'll look into it!

[@nicksantus5307]

haave just heard meatloaf's version and i hate to say it but i feel this is the better version their is more power and energy in this version of the song

[@vshvevhfrfery638]

Under the circumstances I think meat did a lot better than this version. His voice was made for Steinman's songs, nobody captures them like Meat. Even if age has changed his voice, that's to be expected. To be his age and do something like that is brave and a difficult thing to do. I commend him for it. The new album is amazing!

[@johnmiddleton6967]

MEATLOAF IS MUCH BETTER

[@ilyasadardinov8833]

Same feelings. I respect Meatloaf but he's no more performing as good as he used to. Jim needs to find someone else...

[@jamesholly6711]

you simply just dont find someone else as good as meat

[@sybok71]

i like both versions-any1 disses meat-see me after

[@LocalMultiplex]

And we couldn't wait to grow up.

[@paulpardoe7808]

Thanks a bunch... you made me cry!!! Beautiful!!! Thanks for doing this to me.

[@AmandyProductions]

Mixing Jim Steinman with JRPGs? I like you. I'm subscribing just because of that. Also am enjoying this one more than Meat's, but his is great too even if his voice ain't what it used to be.

[@lipstickGeneration]

I just did a podcast on Bad for Good where The Storm was compared to the FFXII OST.

[@robertevans6674]

This version is better than Meat Loafs Plus the video is great. Cant get enough of this Song.

[@vShaede]

What an amazing song! EPIC!! :-) I'm so anxious to hear Meat Loaf's interpretation. Thanks so much for uploading it. :-D

[@felipenocedal3948]

nooooo

[@vShaede]

+Felipe Nocedal I just heard Meat's version. Sad to say, you're right.

[@felipenocedal3948]

+vShaede thank you. he's being very old right now.

[@vShaede]

+Felipe Nocedal - I did take his age into account and was hoping the recording studio would make adjustments/modifications to help his voice sound better. The recording definitely needed more work, in my humble opinion. I love M.L., and it's really sad to hear his voice sounding so poor; especially coming from a sound studio. :(

[@felipenocedal3948]

+vShaede i did love to him years by years in past... but sadly he's alrady death for está and soul. he was a great performer for severals epic songs equals freddy mercury... you know.

[@paulbateman3922]

OMG! never seen/played FF but this is so goth Disney!

[@PWGamingOfficial]

Just found this after looking for news on the new album, can I just ask where this version came from. I know the song has been around for quite some time but I've never actually heard any version of it. It's just being a FF fan made me click on this particular one but I'm sure I can hear the FF7 themes within the track itself.

[@weishiungliew6078]

It's sung by Karine Hannah, IIRC.

[@spartancmc5036]

If you've been wanting to hear Meat Loaf's Version of this here it is www.rollingstone.com/music/news/hear-meat-loafs-bombastic-new-track-with-bat-out-of-hell-songwriter-20160622

[@bobstermcm1]

Just awesome and perfect in every way!

[@AtanvarnoALDA]

RIP Jim Steinman

[@felipenocedal3948]

Rip dear míster Jim Steinman, we'll never forget!

[@bernienull]

I agree we lost one of the greatest songwriters of all time !

[@MidnightTokenFloyd]

who is actually singing this its def not Jim but its amazing

[@rainymoon9848]

Karine Hannah sings it.

[@zastorlexa9800]

Much better than Meat Loaf's version. His "Braver than We Are" album should never have been made. His voice wasn't up to it - although his co-singers were good. Thank you for posting this version.

[@mariamaria-kl7ne]

who love's meat loaf ??? & Why ? Well i do listen to his music all the thime. Relax's & make's me happy. X

[@bernienull]

Meatloaf is a GREAT singer but would be nothing without Jim!

[@leslyjulissahernandez9551]

Como me gusta este video desde hace años

[@BriGuyIL1980]

5:12 to 6:58 is masterful editing

[@candywhiteandrydegrandches1908]

me encanta

[@cliffphillips2370]

Beautiful.

[@pandaphil]

Anyone happen to know who's singing this? I can't find the info online.

[@xxkewldudexx]

Phil Bolton It's Karine Hannah. There's some proshots of her doing Steinman stuff at a cabaret tribute at 54 Below in NYC.

[@pandaphil]

Thanks!

[@zackmitchell2609]

I cannot wait to hear Meat Loaf sing this song!

[@joeshane5543]

he is!? that should sound amazing?

[@MelinaHelenPapadopoulou]

I prefer female vocals.. but it would be interesting to hear from Meat Loaf :)

[@felipenocedal3948]

+Melina Helen Papadopoulou agree with you, even, meat loaf will destroy it anyway. Greatings

[@Astimoff]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6Pcfntjg9t2hZo

[@stevenscarboroughSkabz]

Meatloaf murdered this song

[@davelightman]

Can anyone comment on the provenance of this version of the song? Is this a demo? I'm not a big fan of the production, but in many ways this works better as an arrangement than the Meat Loaf version. In an alternate world, a Steinman / Rinkoff produced version of this song with Roy Bittan on piano, and Karla and Ellen on vocals - that would have been quite something.

[@katerinarezacova4056]

Does anybody know, where I can download this song?

[@therealbiggdaveholaday6965]

Yes

[@MyLibra2011]

I want t o see meatloaf perform his new stuff.. I want to see the theatrical meatloaf.. Love your music always perform h I s new album

[@RogersGibsonES137]

So who's the singer? Sounded like "Robyn" at first. Great song..

[@rainymoon9848]

The singer is Karine Hannah.

[@marmartin528]

Without meat’s voice it’s just another song

[@NRGTracking]

Karine Hannah's version (this one) is the original - Meat's version was absolutely cringeworthy.

[@KardboardKenny]

correct.

[@silverchanges4946]

In german is it more beautiful and have more Romantik 🤗

[@paluxyl.8682]

I'm from Germany and I like the english lyrics more, they got more power.

[@KseniaSemenovaFan]

Tanz der Vampire song. ^^

[@felipenocedal3948]

Yes

[@RedPony2]

no

[@KseniaSemenovaFan]

+Platinum of course, but it is not originally written for the musical TdV. Jim Steinman Music

[@felipenocedal3948]

***** you're right

[@n1mand]

Same like Dance of the Vampires.;D

[@alex_thegreat999]

Celine Dion should sing this. She already sang another Jim Steinman song before (''It's All Coming Back To Me Now'').

[@juliusnepos6013]

Yeah

[@wgservice]

is this karine hannah?

[@felipenocedal3948]

+Graham Service yes

[@SmellyPooPooHead]

Felipe Nocedal from Where?

[@rboyles9366]

my favorite songs the world. no matter what I say I’m gonna singing this to my boyfriend

[@n1mand]

Der hat auch alles geschrieben....daher dneke ich, dass der ganz schön Kohle haben muss.:D

[@dryliner65]

the more i hear this the more i think meatloaf will destroy it and put the final nail in his coffin . sad but true .

[@felipenocedal3948]

Not belong to him..

[@dryliner65]

+Felipe Nocedal title track of the next meat loaf album

[@dryliner65]

+Felipe Nocedal title track of the next meat loaf album

[@felipenocedal3948]

+dryliner65 please dont. He'll will destroy it.

[@jadakid6942]

+Felipe Nocedal Sad, but I agree. Meats pipes are shot. Love his past music and he was one of the most powerful singers around, but time hasn't been kind to his voice. I hope I'm surprised.

[@strtngfrsh]

Didn''t know there was another version of thiss out before Meat. He should have stopped while he had some dignity, it's laughable compared to this.

[@jonathanpeterlee]

The lyrics and essence is awesome! The music is awful! Meatloaf will deify this song :)

[@felipenocedal3948]

Not

[@jonathanpeterlee]

+Felipe Nocedal great critique lol

[@stillaboveground2470]

RIP Jim Steinman