Why Midna's Lament is the Most Emotional Piece of Zelda Music

[@Nebyulosity]

I never noticed just how deliberately Link's leitmotif was used in this song. The more I think about it, the more I realize how well this piece captures the essence of that moment in the game. For example, It even has a "Call and Response" structure with Midna's theme, where Link's theme is the call and Minda's is the response. Link's theme is still played in it's usual pitch range, despite being striped of it's typical bombast; In contrast, Midna's theme is shifted up by an octave (in addition to having it's rhythm quickened). This makes Midna's theme sound smaller and more fragile, reflecting Midna's dire state at this point in the game. Additionally, you'll notice that there's a suspenseful pause in the melody between the call of Link's motif and the response of Midna's motif (I noticed that pause sometimes makes me feel like Midna's motif response might not play after Link's, like an anxiety that he'll call out and get no response). These factors combine to create a musical scene in my head of Link periodically calling out to Midna, perhaps to reassure her or check on her, but Midna is only able to respond by gasping out fragile sounds of exhaustion and there's an anxiety that perhaps she may not respond at all soon. I don't know about anyone else, but I even distinctly remember periodically pressing the "Call Midna" button only for her to be respond with the same fragile gasps. Meanwhile, this interplay of their leitmotifs sits atop those upwardly moving arpeggios of somber chords (that bring to my mind both wolf Link's frantic galloping paws hitting the ground, and the sound of the rain).

[@Dovah_Slayer]

Exactly that's how I feel about it

[@ravenebony2267]

Midna's Lament is definitely top tier and perfect for the series. It's even far superior to Midna's base theme.

[@Linki8uu]

It fits twilight princess so well because in my opinion twilight princess is mostly a serious game with a lot of somber things

[@MilestheDirtyMindedGoblin2099]

@@Linki8uu true

[@getscared_x3]

@@Linki8uu yea, it feels like a modern Ocarina of Time with better story. Love this game

[@xboxgamer8381]

Your profile picture looks unstoppable

[@traviscunningham7062]

It’s a sequel to Ocarina of Time.

[@skateboardmd9163]

Still can't believe we NEVER ONCE got Midna's Lament played in a live orchestra during the Symphony of the Goddess Concerts in the 7 years they toured and the 3 sets of pieces they had.

[@xboxgamer8381]

Fr

[@Anubis_-vc7fc]

Yea definitely would've wanted that but I understand mixing that smoothly into that type of concert is difficult especially with how simple the song is.

[@chronoxus2216]

In my opinion, its a really vulnerable song. Midna's theme is snuck into different themes and instruments, cause she's hiding her true identity with the mask. But after zant exposes who she really is, and shows how weak she is, it makes midna extremely vulnerable and all her secrets come loose and she can't do anything about it but depend on link to not discard her. The piano's unchanging tempo and repeating patterns really highlight how theres no more secrets between link and midna.

[@fauxfirefur]

This theme is so good, that even when I was a tasteless child plaything cluelessly through the game for the first time I recognized just how well made that theme was. I still tear up when I hear the song or remember Midna's story to this day, which is something no other song or character can do. I 100%% believe Midna is the best character in the Zelda series.

[@wingcap1448]

It's also interesting to note that the three note motif in the beginning of Midna's theme is basically Zelda's lullaby played backwards (not quite exactly, but the relationship has to be intentional).

[@littlebigb5370]

I'm glad how long they let it play. It gave the impression that this was both a sprint and a marathon. Midna dying gave this sense of urgency, but the path to get there was long, winding, and even seemingly impossible, almost like an impromptu dungeon in familiar territory. I also feel like its persistence was a reminder: no matter how far it was, saving Midna was Link's ONLY mission; no distractions from his surroundings would stop him.

[@omicron3012]

As I have stated elsewhere, Twilight princess is very good at fooling players' impressions and feelings. Both its combat mechanics and dungeons are extremely shallow, but visually and thematically appealing enough that people thend to see them as better than they really are. Midna's lament is a perfect representation of this. It plays as you find yourself in some sort of overly dramatic situation, mixes Link and Midna's themes to send off the idea of growing companionship, etc. I can understand why players would be led to think it is extremely emotional or tragic. But when you think about it, it is far from Midna's biggest tragedy in the game. Being the rightful ruler of the Twili, Midna's role is to represent her people, to embody it, in a certain way. My favorite of Midna's motifs actually comes much later in the game and, for me, is the perfect representation of Midna, and secretely, the game's most tragic moment. When you finally repair the mirror of Twilight, Midna talks about her realm and tells how it has a serene beauty, much light the sun from Link's world, and that in this light, her people, despite being descendants from the dark interlopers banished for trying to establish dominion over the sacred realm, were pure, caring and gentle. We understand they are good people, unjustly outcast in another dimension for actions taken by their ancestors of which they know practically nothing. At this time, Midna's motif plays, but with a soft and light instrument, perfectly showing her difficult position as the ruler of Twilight, the bittersweet reality of her realm and people, a faint light cast into shadows. In these notes, her resentment, though still noticeable, gives way to child like innocence. It perfectly represents the tragedy or her character, the weight of her duties to her people and the ambiguity which has characterized her for the entire game, a good soul ready to lie and manipulate to protect the people she holds dear. And if you want, what is in my opinion the most emotional moment in all of Zelda, look no further than Calling the four giants in Majora's mask and the corresponding cutscene when the giants stop the moon from crashing into Termina, as the rising sun peeks above the horizon, carrying the hopes of everyone for the Dawn of a new day...

[@masonschwalm2010]

Serenade of Water would be a close second for me. Especially the Twilight Princess version.

[@CaptBurgerson]

That one is also a great choice!

[@choccymilky25]

I like the song at the ending when she departs forever

[@leahcim6941]

0:59 "Burger, help..."

[@The_Saint52]

I never ran so intently in a game before this moment. It was the saddest I ever felt in a game.

[@nfenestrate]

Midna’s Lament is an incredibly beautiful song. Really appreciate this in depth breakdown, and a look at other light motifs.

[@jimbeaux89]

I’ll never forget the first time I played this in 2007. I left for the Navy shortly after beating the game and everytime I hear this piece, it always brings me right back.

[@Josh_Beck]

My favorite part about this tragically beautiful piece is having it be interrupted by the battle theme every 10 seconds, it really adds to the atmosphere of the moment

[@daniel8181]

I would pay full price for a port that does literally nothing different than KILL THAT STUPID BATTLE MUSIC

[@GoldenHonor_]

The fact that she's the canon love interest for Link in TP makes it even sadder... This song touches my soul and I love it deeply, Midna was a very good developped character, and Midna's Lament was one of the most powerful songs in the whole franchise!

[@tabitcha]

Still not over the manga confirming that, they have one of my favorite dynamics in all of the games!

[@GoldenHonor_]

@@tabitcha I bought it D1 when the 11th tome dropped in France. And I KNEW what would happen... And it had me crying as much as the game. Her being confirmed being the love interest of that Link broke me down. She didn't care for the Light, but she cared for him and then for a World that hates her for simply existing. Midna is underrated and is an amazing character!

[@Voltbolto]

Its not canon

[@luthnien]

@@Voltbolto Have you read the Canonical manga? Twilight Princess Link and Midna are in love, my guy.

[@Voltbolto]

@@luthnien ive read the twilight princess manga its not canon unfortunately. google it

[@envy7026]

Let’s be real. The theme of midna is also brilliant As a character of the LOZ series she’s definitely became as relevant as Link

[@dgouin99]

One of my top moments in all of gaming personally. Every time I hear this song I have to fight the tears building up, I've never felt a characters pain more. Another detail that really hammered it home for me, obvious as it may be, was how Midna's color scheme basically became the exact opposite; white where black was, the shallow blue tinge to her hair as opposed to her bright and bombastic orange, it was like she was in photo negative, suggesting to you even more that something is seriously wrong with her. Twilight Princess will always have a special place in my heart, along with Midna herself.

[@robbybobbijoe]

I remember playing the game as a kid for the first time, and I remember when I got to this sequence it felt as if I was playing another game. It felt surreal, and I was so unsure of what to do. Emotions mixed of sadness, confusion and stress

[@RinRin-ge7bq]

The music of Zelda is probably 1/4 of why they are such good games! Thank you for this video :)

[@hollowedmajora475]

I love this piece and I especially love it when it gets interrupted by the random monster 20 ft away

[@johnwebb6342]

I love when the strings come in. My favorite part

[@HyruletheCheetah]

Midnas Lament is my favorite Zelda song ever

[@xthriteenx]

There’s a part in botw/totk rito village theme that sounds similar to mindas non lament theme

[@realgamerguyvlog32]

I love almost every Zelda song, they just have the adventurous sound

[@wolfman2436]

what i love whit the song is that when you hera only the music in gameplay you can feel the sadness of the of Midna, but when they put lyricks to the song you can relly feel the pain in the storytale from the journey.....Even coldhearted bastard can't hold tears back when hearing this master piece.....

[@ViewTube_Emperor_of_Mankind]

With a Leitmotif you can do great things in video gaming. You can bind a piece of music to a person and or emotion. And that is only the base of the tree it can become. You can then go and put in variables of the Leitmotif. Like in Ganons Castle in your footage around 2:12 you hear a "corrupted" version of Zeldas Lullaby as is reflective of the world you have found yourself in.. the castle being corrupted. But it can also emphasize and amplify an emotion by using a higher pitched variation.. playing it faster to make the player more tense.. use an orchestral version on a emotional or gaming peak moment.. But most importantly the Leitmotif binds it all together. A person who is very well in tune with music cann immediately tell you.. from the first 5-10 seconds (or less) of a piece of music from what game or even expansion of a game it is or even bossfight.. The game that does this on the highest master level I experienced is Final Fantasy 14 where you even have 2 or more different pieces in a single bossfight. There is a phase transition and then the music just gives you goosebumps.. like check out the Fight of FF14 2.0 Ultima Weapon.. every phase has its own music and player are pumped to experience that fight.

[@tabitcha]

Can't believe I used to think this was just a piano version of Midna's theme, this is so much more powerful! The soundtrack for Twilight Princess is so underrated, from the unique boss themes to the iconic versions of old classics (like the haunting Lost Woods theme or all the wolf howling versions of the ocarina songs.) Midna and Link's dynamic is one of my favorites of all the games for the same reason as Tetra & Link in Wind Waker and Zelda & Link in the BOTW memories, I like that you get to see them develop and get closer as they work together and save each other. By the time the final battle comes up, they're a bonfide team who hype each other up and it's really cool to see.

[@daniel8181]

I won't pay a penny for a copy of twilight princess until Nintendo grows the hell up and cuts the combat music out of this moment.

[@aubs_by_art]

this is arguably my favorite zelda song, i was thrilled when i found out there was an entire video dedicated to analyzing it

[@PixelFusionProductions]

Wow, I couldn't agree more with your analysis. Midna's Lament is one of my go-to songs for background music in my videos because I often talk about somber things. I didn't even realize it was a combination of Link and Midna's themes! Thanks for this video, it was great.

[@cindysuarez6533]

I used to actually just run around my during this session of the game because the music was soooo beautiful.... of course being after I beat it once first I had to of course rush her to Zelda with a tear in my eye the first time

[@ScourgeBladeZelda]

Wow this song is more well thought out than I thought. God I love Midna! This just makes me hate the fact that the enemies can interrupt this masterpiece even more! Why oh why couldn't it have just persisted through battle like The Final Hours in Majora's Mask?!?

[@AbelicoMc]

I'm learning to play it on the piano precisely hehe... with the sheet music... as well as the Queen Rutela theme, the Healing Song, Zelda's lullaby, Fi's gratitude, The call of the giants, Last day, the Forest and the Water temple and some more. But those are my favorites.

[@unknownzarby1854]

Same here I’m learning how to play piano, Bro you should try farewell Hyrule king the first part is very easy I’m still trying to learn the second part which is really hard

[@minerwhiteplayclipsandart6705]

I found this video while looking for Midna's lament to listen to and now you mentioned all these facts makes me wonder they will do for tears of the kingdom

[@MontycelA]

Astral observatory and the song of healing still take the cake for me, but midna’s lament is really close. The video goes into why midna’s lament is so emotional so I won’t discuss it. Astral observatory encapsulates an old man knowing that they’re all going to die soon and that there’s nothing anyone can do (😉) to stop their impending doom. So he takes his last days of life to make the bomber kid’s last moments as enjoyable as possible. The song of healing is a dark yet calming song that builds off of the idea that healing can only come through a tough, painful, sad journey to return to being whole. Just my personal opinion though, great video!

[@tetra1767]

CAPTBURGERSON YOU OBSERVANT DEVIL, YOU! This video is so much for my heart 😭This song is so much more amazing to me than it already was!!! Thank you so much for making the video and opening my eyes 💚💚💚💚💚

[@sammiejeanne3846]

i actually never noticed this when i played twilight princess. this is brilliant! and now knowing that its both their themes combined makes it even more emotional 😭

[@Onavi1]

This was one of my favorite themes and i didn't even notice it was a combination of Link and Midna, you made me love it even more, thank you

[@micaheverson5943]

I remember playing this part for the first time when I was young, The absolute terror I felt for this character I loved despite how she treated Link. I never rushed so much in any game, I was absolutely convinced that if I didn't get to the castle in time Midna would d!e ! Twilight Princess will always have this special place in my heart, especially this piece of music

[@Am4t3r4su]

Music is such a huge part of a games success.

[@soupsoup5661]

"This piece is such an emotional piece for such an emotional moment" -"Burger" Ahahahahah

[@soupsoup5661]

I'm not making fun of your name, it's just very comical to see it pop on screen during such a deep gaming moment 💜 aha

[@LoScorpioneRosso1]

Well, I didn't play the whole series but I think it's the first time Link has to save a princess by bringing her to a doctor/healer rather than punching the villain that cages her, it felt like driving someone you love to an emergency room before they bleed out.

[@huguwu_]

Very interesting and well done video, you deserve a lot more views! Twilight Princess's soundtrack and ambiance will never stop amazing me, it's so good

[@DECAF1031]

Honestly I thought "Fi's Farewell" from skyward sword was sadder.

[@CaptBurgerson]

Also a great choice!

[@ultimateroyale5774]

Man, you playing the hyrule castle theme in the video gives me nostalgia because me and my friend beat the whole game once and it took me 8 months.

[@thecrazybiologist]

What a wonderful and informative video! I never knew links theme was in the song as well!

[@Mogojoegotube]

Sounds like Gwyn's theme from dark souls. Both magnificent pieces of music

[@cardboardbox5704]

Saddest music in the whole series: 1. Midna's Lament. 2. Song of Healing. 3. Serenade of Water

[@thetophatguyandroid5959]

personally after playing a couple of Zelda games playing twilight princess I didn't really care about midna I was like ok she just gonna help me through the gameplay UNTIL THIS MOMENT I remember specifically wondering if I should mess around to see where I can go or do during this sequence but somehow the gameplay and the track made me RUN to Zelda for help and the fact that you have to run FIELDS to get to the castle makes it even better is just you running trying to save her and yeah you are getting closer to the castle but it doesn't seem like it after every "loading zone"

[@Not3xactly]

I don't think twilight princess is the best or even one of the better Zelda games objectively but the part of the game when this plays and you're trying to save Midna is seared into my brain and makes it one of my favorite games of all time.

[@GameOverJesse]

Why does Daniel terrorize me

[@CaptBurgerson]

You know EXACTLY why

[@hawkfeather6802]

This piece was very sad and stressful when I first heard it. I thought if I didn't find Zelda fast enough Midna would die. I didn't know if Zelda could even heal her

[@natsu9594]

Great video! defiantly one of my favorite Zelda songs

[@goldrush8770]

This game had a big effect on my childhood

[@vorikus6832]

For me is: final hours

[@halakon666]

Song of storm is my go to, and midnas lament is a close second for sure.

[@SilvieMoon222]

Get Shivers every time

[@unknownzarby1854]

Great video, I love your voice btw, alright in my opinion and I might be biased here but honestly to me the saddest zelda theme I’ve heard is " Farewell Hyrule King " from wind waker the theme is so good they even used it botw for king’s rhoam and during father and daughter cutscene, that theme just hit me so hard like that last goodbye how link tries to reach the king’s hand and then when link floats all the way up the king just looks down it literally made me cry, I love the theme so much that it gave me the inspiration to become a pianist, I learned how to play the farewell Hyrule king theme on the piano

[@kerryvanskonsol792]

Whatever

[@envy7026]

Not sure why this song has been resonating with me lately but KZbin recommended this to me when i searched up the OST! so now im rewatching 😝

[@slightcurve98]

I think most of this game has a beautiful sound track but this song oh my god

[@XanderVJ]

A couple of things (one of them being a small correction): 1.- Did you know the score for Midna's Theme is the score of Zelda's Theme (AKA Zelda's Lullaby) written backwards? No, really.* Take the ocarina in OOT or MM and play the notes from "Zelda's Lullaby" backwards. You'll see. - The main theme from Twilight Princess is not really Link's Theme. Mostly because he already had one, which is the Main Theme of the series, which has been doubling down as Link's Theme since at least "The Wind Waker". The Main Theme from TP specifically is more like the Overworld theme of the game and... Well, a Main Theme in general. * You must be thinking now "What about 'Ballad of the Goddess' from "Skyward Sword'?". Well, "Ballad of the Goddess'" is more like "Zelda's Theme" PLAYED backwards, while "Midna's Theme" is "Zelda's Theme' WRITTEN backwards. And yes, there is a difference.

[@paulgrotebeverborg1119]

Link can have more than one theme though

[@explainer777]

Last hours: am I a joke to you?

[@CaptBurgerson]

Different kind of emotional 😭

[@voltron77]

Ballad of the wind fish.

[@Kirbyfan-x1r]

Midna’s Lament is one my favorite music in the Zelda series.

[@Manakitsune]

frozen peaks soundtrack is my all time favorite soundtrack from video games

[@beedlebur]

I always loved this song but had no idea about the depth of it with the altered leimotifs!!!

[@vernonhardapple6983]

Outstanding, sir. Keep em coming!!!

[@jacob-the-awsome-autist]

My most favorite video games of all time emotions this game can pull out of me is indescribable what I hear Mentalist meant it makes me inconsolable and saddened good memories

[@Alphadog220]

I wonder how many people know about "our children taken"

[@iCatHero]

How are people 16 years after the release of this game still finding more reasons for me to like this game when it's already my favorite game of all time

[@arealhuman826]

Midnas lament Guts theme Plin Plin Plon

[@Dovah_Slayer]

this is my favorite game and i really want a switch port of it

[@Neirean]

Such a shame they didn't code it to override the combat music. It could have been *even more* powerful.

[@getscared_x3]

Now, after seeing your Video, i love this song so much more. That's true art ❤️

[@KayvonJavid]

I’d say Song of Healing comes in second

[@gabrielvillalta4326]

1:00 burger ... please

[@CaptBurgerson]

She hungry

[@arrombaacasa390]

Man that's is my fav vgm

[@reflectionist]

Lee-It-Motif All 3D Zelda games have them. Zelda's Lullaby Song of Healing Wind God's Lyrics/Earth God's Aria Midna's theme Goddess Theme Kass Theme

[@CaptBurgerson]

Indeed, it’s something so great about the series and it’s music, but this one just happens to be my favourite example.

[@reflectionist]

@@CaptBurgerson And it's absolutely the best one, hands down.

[@missm8067]

Also “The Ballad of Twilight”

[@katedp7825]

@@CaptBurgerson I also love both the indoor and outdoor hyrule castle themes because on the inside you can hear Zelda's lullaby and outside you can hear the series' main theme. I it feels like more symbolism like Zelda being trapped in there and trying to keep Ganon from destroying the world while Link is trying to go up and defeat Ganon so I like that musical story telling. I also remember that you can hear the footsteps of the soldiers who died on the outside which makes the theme sad.

[@mr.colbycheese6625]

Its such a shame that this music is constantly being interrupted by the enemies music when playing this game

[@thelinktothegame6081]

God I hope that they port WWHD And TPHD to switch

[@JLONess]

my fav part of the game that song made it

[@beatricesanfilippo6925]

This music made me sad

[@greenlightning6803]

The sad Naruto music of Zelda

[@a5impleGuy]

Song of Healing: am i joke to you?

[@thelinktothegame6081]

I think personally clock towns sound track is more powerful than midnas lament ever so slightly

[@umbreonics2448]

I was really invested and then started busting out laughing when I realised your name in the game was burger

[@CaptBurgerson]

Midna is just hongry

[@russianhackersovietunion]

Midna s lament song it’s pretty sad and Crying song

[@ViewTube_Emperor_of_Mankind]

There is nothing sinister about Midna's Lament, even the first time it plays. Must disagree on that. It is more like a mild angst. The whole piece is like a dampened version of the main "Midna's Lament" that you hear later and it makes sense. She does not know Link. She it cautious and does not know if she can trust him so it all sounds like its a bit dampened. Bound to a character you can use a Leitmotif in way of it being slightly in the background or distorted when the focus is of the camera for example is on person but the actual scene has other people talking and acting. To redirect focus. You can also make a variable that sounds very clear like when you have a passionate dialogue or adventure and fight together (in a fighy ou can even mix 2 leitmotifs for example you could mix Link with Midnas in a fight). You can play a sad version when the person is hurt or has an emotional scene. In FF14 Endwalker it had the most innovative use of a leitmotif I ever heard in what basically is a single piece of music.. You start in an huge area and the first place you arrive has a very distorted music in the background.. you can make out a leitmotif but nothing else.. almost no instruments.. no voices.. it sounds like walking through a incredibly dense mist.. and the further you go the clearer the piece of music gets.. and only in the end do you hear the full piece with lyrics and it all goes together with loss, sacrifice and sadness so when you are at that point when you can hear the lyrics.. and you played the whole game since 12 years and the lyrics make sense to you you cannot do anything else but cry.

[@owls0ma]

i was not expecting your character to be named burger 😭😭😭 that caught me so off guard

[@Brockbuiltmore]

to this day, its a mystery why the developers let the Lament get interrupted by the enemy theme. its still a huge oversight. while it IS kinda nitpicky when you think about how many times this part of the game have been brought up since 2006, its not that bad if you just ignore it. though its a shame to have such a oversight ruin such a beautiful song and a dire part of the game.

[@AbelicoMc]

The temple of the sky soundtrack Is awesome too.

[@tamjam98]

Twilight Princess has all of my favourite pieces of music in it from the whole series. Only exception is Gerudo Valley from ocarina of time

[@cam9873]

great video!

[@paulgrotebeverborg1119]

The remake version of Face Shrine is second place when it comes to being emotional if you ask me

[@CaptBurgerson]

It is definitely an incredible piece of music!

[@paulgrotebeverborg1119]

@@CaptBurgerson yeah. Original was great already, but the remake's certainly one of the best Zelda dungeon tracks of all time

[@paulgrotebeverborg1119]

Another one that personally makes me very emotional is Fi's Farewell. Probably would rank that as my personal top spot

[@GustavoCalvo]

Thank you ❤️

[@coping]

mmm i was thinking the oath to order

[@CaptBurgerson]

Also a great one!!

[@PurpleMonadoBlaze]

I bet Hyrule Gamer agrees with this video

[@erinmoss5959]

Just why wouldn't the castle people help to save midna from dying if they were too afraid of wolf link?

[@kiraleong9135]

Which track is playing at 5:10??? I've been trying to find it for the last 40 mins!

[@CaptBurgerson]

That’s the track that plays after defeating a dungeon boss in TP

[@chewbleema]

First: 690 coins. Nice. Second: the emotion of this piece is so well done, and has always been a standout musically in VGM for me.

[@CaptBurgerson]

COINS?? Lmao

[@chewbleema]

@@CaptBurgerson LOL RUPEESSSZZZ

[@henkaistudio]

7:02

[@CaptBurgerson]

?