Classical Composer Reaction/Analysis to DANCING MAD from FINAL FANTASY by Nobuo Uematso | Ep. 766

#finalfantasy #dancingmad
In this edition of #thedailydoug, I'm returning to the music of Nobuo Uematso and the Final Fantasy gaming franchise with the epic work Dancing Mad. This music accompanies the player through the culmination of the game and the final battle...and the music is simply epic. There's great orchestral rips and dissonances...choir chants...electric guitars...and everything in between! I know you'll love this one!
Reference Video: • Distant Worlds II: Dan...
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[@gameoverguyl2577]

There's a common saying that originated in a youtube comment somewhere, but someone said "Nobuo Uematsu composing Dancing Mad on the SNES sound chip would be like Michaelangelo making the Sistene Chapel out of crayon."

[@darkarpatron]

I know I've seen Jeremy Jahns say as much in his review of the game.

[@LordMalice6d9]

I​t is Nobuo's greatest musical achievement for the FF series Iin my opinion!

[@vlander1992able]

While dancing mad is playing you ascend an almost biblical tower of flesh and machinery melded together by the twisting corrupted power of a long dead magic once again taken from it's source hidden away for thousands of years and now in the hands of a once lowly, traitorous jester turned and changed, descending from the heavens on rays of light, the God of Magic made flesh. This blew my 10 year old mind, I got into prog, metal, and classical because of this music, life changing.

[@davidramirezrodriguez3373]

Yo, beautiful thoughts

[@Hato1992]

Whats more, pillar symbolize hell, purgatory and heaven.

[@DontMockMySmock]

+

[@TheDondoran]

Same. It wasn't until a few years ago that I made the connection between Uematso's music (and definitely this song in particular) and my love for prog and metal. FF6 is my all-time favorite game, and its music kind of changed my life. At the very least, it was very formative music. I think that experiencing this music in the context of the game also gives it a lot more weight than the CDs and cassettes I was listening to at the time. Long songs kind of became an obsession of mine because it felt like a journey. A song like this just never gets boring.

[@ThePancakeChef]

This song blew me away as a teenager and One Winged Angel did not exist back then yet. This is easily one of my favourite songs but all of the Final Fantasy music enchanted me. Very cool thoughts on the song.

[@seekittycat]

I was a child when I first faced this boss. My parents thought it was just a silly game for kids. I'm so grateful this composer decided to write and squeeze this absolute beast into something that's pretty much a floppy disk. He saw this pixel game with swords and decided the story deserves THIS. Nobuo LOVES prog rock and I'm always excited when I hear it in his songs because I know he's happy to write it ❤️.

[@wren7195]

The man is indeed a legend. I can imagine how satisfying it would've been for him to finally hear someone orchestrate it the way he heard it back in the day. (That or the poor guy was just dead, DEAD tired from composing like 19 operas in a month and a half using just a toaster, a spoon, waffle iron and NONE of those connected to the internet)

[@jonathonbartos3061]

13:27 Is perhaps my favorite moment ever. Hearing the full choir, orchestra, and organ come in on that absolutely gorgeous mournful melody, with the electric guitar wailing above just hits on a deep level. For the context of this boss battle, it is the final battle against Kefka, who is basically an insane clown due to the awful experiments performed upon him by the Gestahlian Empire. Earlier in the game Kefka had made himself into a god, and effectively destroyed the world (the game is split in half, with the first half being the World of Balance, and the second half the World of Ruin). Kefka is a deeply nihilistic individual, who at this point has grown jaded with even godhood, and has decided that he will end all of existence since your group still has hope, which he finds to be a horrible joke. Your party has, through the course of the World of Ruin, seen the hope that still springs even amongst the sorrow and suffering of that destroyed world, and is now fighting to give the world a chance to rebuild. Each segment of this song is a different phase of the boss battle, and each phase is inspired by "The Divine Comedy". You are scaling a tower in the fight, with the tower being the enemy for much of the fight. The first phase ( 2:52 - 6:19) is the battle against the first portion of the tower, representing "Inferno". The second phase (6:20 - 7:47) is the next portion of the tower, "Purgatorio". The third phase (7:48 - 10:30) is the final part of the tower, and represents "Paradiso". This version skips the transitional bridge between the 3rd phase and the final phase, which sees the party leave the tower, enter the golden sky of heaven, and Kefka's godly form descend to meet them. The final phase then goes from 10:31 to the end of the piece, and doesn't have a direct Divine Comedy segment, as it is meant to represent seeing the face of God Himself. There's a reason I consider "Dancing Mad" to be Nobuo Uematsu's finest work, even above the more well-known "One-Winged Angel" from Final Fantasy VII. The vivid musical imagery he uses throughout the piece is remarkable. And that he was able to make such a masterpiece with the Super Famicom/Super Nintendo's limited sound capabilities is nothing short of remarkable.

[@SilverKnight16]

Never clicked so fast in my life. Edit: I love me some One Winged Angel, but Dancing Mad is definitely the best song Uematsu has ever written, and may well be the best video game piece of music ever written. Edit 2: If you want another one of Uematsu's best, look up "Answers" from Final Fantasy XIV. That one is definitely a journey of a song.

[@heroinpenguin666]

Nobuo Uematsu is a true master of video game composition. I would always recommend his work to anyone interrested in game soundtracks.

[@KyleBaran90]

I think a lot of the younger gamers that are now making their own games or audio, and were inspired by him

[@LordMalice6d9]

It really comes down to Nobuo Uematsu and Koji Kondo, and David Wise as some of the best video game composers.

[@KyleBaran90]

@@LordMalice6d9 Don't forget Tim Follin !! absolute legend

[@LordMalice6d9]

​@KyleBaran90 There are so many great ones to choose from. But in terms of widespread influence in the video game music sphere, it's really Nobuo Uematsu, Koji Kondo, and David Wise in the top 3.

[@clintonwilcox4690]

The most amazing thing of all is Nobuo Uematsu never had any formal training in music. So for him to be able to compose masterpieces like this is astounding. Uematsu would most definitely be named among modern composers like John Williams if he were composing for movies and not video games.

[@Soldano999]

I would generally agree but this particular track was a complete ripoff of the kansas "leftoverture" album.

[@TopOfAllWorlds]

​@@Soldano999 elaborate, this is the first I've heard of this

[@clintonwilcox4690]

@@Soldano999 This is also the first I've heard of it. Kansas is my all-time favorite rock band, and I've heard the Leftoverture album dozens of times. I've never associated it with this track. On what grounds do you claim it to be a complete ripoff of that album?

[@Soldano999]

@@clintonwilcox4690 maybe you could listen to "magnum opus" one more time then.

[@clintonwilcox4690]

@@Soldano999 You said this track is a complete ripoff of the album. Now you're making a different claim. I'm familiar with Magnum Opus, but I haven't played FFVI all the way through (and it's been over a decade since I've tried). I am familiar with Dancing Mad, though, having the Black Mages' version on CD. So again, how is this track a complete ripoff of the Leftoverture album, or Magnum Opus, in general? What similarities are present that you think Uematus was ripping off that song or the album, in general? I ask because even if there are similarities (and I don't think they're as similar as you seem to think they are), that doesn't make it a ripoff of the song or the album. There are millions of songs and only 12 notes, so obviously nothing is truly original because there are only so many notes and chords a composer can work with.

[@r2dezki]

The fact that they made this with a 16-bit sound chip and it is absolutely glorious in the game is mind-blowing.

[@Remenschneider]

The file size of FF6 is about 3 MB in total. That's equivalent to about 3 minutes of mp3 playback (128Kbps)

[@IDESTROYER236]

So you also know, for the "3" theme: Final Fantasy 6 was released as Final Fantasy 3 in the US.

[@alzurath2607]

Nobou Uematsu is a legend, and certainly one of the greatest modern composers.

[@blondafro4112]

how many real modern composers do you actually know to make this statement?

[@ms.mittenz]

Praise be the fox God

[@Goujiki]

@@blondafro4112 How much do you know of Uematsu to imply that's not the case? Or perhaps it's because he composed music for video games, a medium that you do not consider to be "real art" ...

[@Alucard12456]

@@blondafro4112and you?

[@ignacioalvarezcorona89]

8-bit Music Theory has a detailed analysis of the piece that I'm sure will interest you, Doug.

[@HollowGolem]

Yeah, that Bach pastiche in the middle (which plays during the part of the fight where Kefka looks like a parody of an angelic being) was where I went from liking the song to loving it. And then that final prog-rock breakdown at the end solidified it. Uematsu was on fire for pretty much all of the 90's. The song also hits well at the end of the game because of how it weaves earlier motifs from the game (specifically Kefka's own theme). I've always said, video game soundtracks are often more like opera than film soundtracks because of the way in which character is associated so closely with music, and how much variation and reprise are used to contextualize scenes. It's also worth noting with this song that each movement would repeat until you finished that part of the fight, and then would transition to the next as you finished. And this is even more impressive when you hear what the limitations of the soundcard on the SNES were, in terms of how many channels could play at once, and the limited range of MIDI it could produce. The analogy has been used that Uematsu painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in crayon on this piece, and it's an apt one. The Black Mages version is spectacular as well. Much more rock/metal oriented but still contains all of those movements.

[@davidramirezrodriguez3373]

Exactly, and I mean, really a lot video game music is just outstanding taking account of what could be done, is the fine art of obtaining water from rocks

[@Psianth]

11:45 I love this moment. It's a little leitmotif from Kefka's personal theme song in the rest of the game. Kefka himself is basically a mad jester, trying to become a god, which I think comes through in his theme and Dancing Mad

[@MyNameIsBucket]

also 9:01

[@Boricua2k]

Yes! So many people hear that part and don't know what it represents. It's Kefka's jester theme peeking thru for a second. Both playful and menacing like Kefka himself

[@Kmmlc]

Not trying to become a god. He becomes the god of magic and is eventually defeated.

[@mr.j3rs3y]

The craziest part about the entirety of the 4th movement of Dancing Mad, minus the sad and tragic part near its middle and end is that it is an overhauled remix of Kefka’s theme song, it’s just far more intense sounding.

[@Tmpp88]

Dancing Mad is a proper suite, each of the four sections corresponds to a different phase in Kefka's penultimate bossfight. All of his battle stages have their own gimmicks that you have to adjust to, and if you fail you start aaaaall over again! This was both game mechanically and compositionally mind-blowing back in the mid-90s, one of the most memorable video game encounters of all time!

[@Soldano999]

All of of it is ripped off the Kansas album "leftoverture"

[@TheApol93]

@@Soldano999 no

[@for_the_lore5567]

Great music, but the easiest final boss of Final Fantasy’s 8-bit era.

[@VikTimmy]

@@Soldano999this is so far from true it’s not even funny, and yes I went and listened to the entire album you brought up before commenting on just how wrong you are.

[@DaisyAzuras]

@@for_the_lore5567this was a snes game. The 3rd of the 16 bit era.

[@Satarack]

It's worth seeing a recording of this final boss fight to get a sense of what each section of the song represents. In short the final battle mimics the journey of Dante through Inferno, Purgatorio, Paradiso, and finally meeting God. In the story Kefka has usurped the three goddesses of Magic and has taken their place as the God of Magic, and the final battle is meant to be Kefka's satire of God as he has descended into nihilism. The first part of the fight is against a Satan-like demon, similar to the depiction in the Inferno, trapped at the waist in a frozen lake at the center of hell; where the beating of his wings causes as he tries to escape causes the lake to only further freeze and harden. The second part depicts a group of humans including a crucified woman bound to machines, representing the punishments of purgatory. The third part depicts a scene inspired by the Michelangelo statue Madonna della Pietà, where Mary is holding the crucified Jesus. Finally, with the protagonists rising up through the clouds, Kefka, the villain turned God, descends to meet them and greets them with mocking laughter.

[@trabucodonosor838]

Prog rock in videogame music? TIM FOLLIN is your man

[@krisjen5612]

Thank you for reacting to one of my all time fav Nobuo Uematsu songs, Doug!

[@Doug.Helvering]

Thank you for your incredible support!

[@thebrigandier]

This is a good track, even more incredible when you consider it was on a Nintendo cartridge.

[@HittokiriBattousai17]

Uematsu is the 8-Bit god

[@cames]

Exactly the reason why ff6 has the best ost in final fantasy series Uematsu wrote a fking opera in it

[@HittokiriBattousai17]

@@cames Nah, that's FFVIII by a lightyear.

[@Psianth]

@@HittokiriBattousai17 16-bit for this one, it was on snes, but your point stands

[@dwb1980]

Never underestimate the pure sonic excellence of a Nintendo cartridge. That's GB, NES, SNES, N64 ect ect. Packed full of leg wiggling fist pumping hits! YEAH!

[@robstorm6867]

To fully get Dancing Mad, you have to know Kefka's main theme that plays whenever he is present. It uses his melodic themes throughout Dancing Mad. Like during the organ solo section, you can hear his melody in the bass, but in major instead of its usual minor before going back to minor. During the proggy section, another part of his theme is used. Also the intro is the same as the introduction to the game itself. It is a culmination as you said that's full effect comes with having experienced those motifs throughout the game.

[@Mrdardas99]

FYI, this is the final battle (after a 50+ hour game!), where you are fighting Kefka, the court jester of the evil empire who went power mad and killed the emperor before infusing himself with magic by upsetting the balance of the old gods and destroying most of the planet in the process - to become a nihilistic self-proclaimed God. After fighting all the way up his tower, you meet him with all of your party members and after a dialogue where you try to show him there is value in life and love, he decides to fight you all and destroy everything. The fight itself is made up of 4 parts, as is the musical piece, where each one is distinct visually also we get some musical references to familiar tracks. All in all, along with Chrono Trigger, this is the best soundtrack for a video game ever - and all done on the extremely limited synthesizer of the SNES!!!!! You can also find many renditions of tracks from it: solo piano albums, string quartets, metal bands, up to full orchestral arrangements - the music really is that iconic and well written. I'd suggest going for a few short themes and contrasting the original SNES track to those modern full-bodied versions for the fun of it, they are only a couple of minutes each (looping, in the game).

[@wren7195]

"Now behold, I am divine, my proclamations are absolute, my holiness can't be questioned (listen to that pipe organ)... Wait, stop that. Stop, not dying. BITCH I'm a GOD I DO WHAT I WANT! ...wait why am I disintegrating?"

[@richardisworthless]

Incredible breakdown of a classic track. I'm amazed how this dude can just break down exactly what's being played the second he hears it.

[@lobojoe6351]

Doug's rock-out pout always makes me smile.

[@IslandUsurper]

I’ve only seen a couple of his videos, but I still know that if it looks like he’s sneering, he likes it. 😂

[@guilhermefardinhermes9211]

He should do Liberi Fatali next!! Awesome video!

[@ZeGarrepito]

Anything from FF8 would be sick.

[@Bluesruse]

This. FF8 through 10 is where the music peaked imo.

[@Mynamesbob8]

He would absolutely love Liberi Fatali

[@metaridley0015]

I saw this preformed live at the Symphony Center in Chicago. This guy was jamming on the huge pipe organ they have there and it was glorious.

[@deshende]

I was going to make the same comment! Pipe organ during one of the Chicago shows definitely made an impression on me.

[@maximilianocarrion1599]

Every time I've seen an organist get the chance to go all out, they absolutely take it and it's the best!

[@W1ngedBlitzer]

I saw this in Chicago as well, in June 2010. 1st time Distant Worlds did a “Marathon” concert. 2 concerts on the same day. One-Winged Angel sung by an audience “choir” is wild.

[@devinsmith5926]

No freakin way! 😮😮😮!!!

[@inrainbows1829]

I'm 43 just turned 43 on April 9th It took me 20+ years to beat FF6 Im excited to hear Doug's breakdown

[@Mowmauf]

I just finished the game for the first time in March it was an amazing game. It was the pixel remaster that came out on the switch

[@inrainbows1829]

@Mowmauf ps4 pixel remaster only on I didn't complete is 2 but all other pixel remasters 7 I'm working on 9 right now

[@Mowmauf]

@@inrainbows1829 I just finished FF 10 today for the first time as well

[@inrainbows1829]

@Mowmauf 10 is next for me I went in a weird order After Pixel remasters I bought 16 finished it went back to 15 finished it now on 9 then to 10

[@inrainbows1829]

@Mowmauf greatest role playing video games ever Chrono trigger is good too

[@Kurotora86]

We had the 3rd movement played at our wedding on church organ, really cool moment. Unfortunately divorved now but a nice memory lol.

[@ditmavic]

You'll have to do more of these, so cool, had everything a prog/classic/rock fan like me wants in a piece of music. I'm not a gamer but love the great tunes they come with!

[@Relyx]

Uematsu has always been my favourite composer in gaming, precisely because of his clear appreciation and inspiration of hard rock and prog rock. The first long form game I ever played was Final Fantasy 7, and I remember the first time I got into a boss fight and heard the boss fight theme "Those Who Fight Further" and I thought "wow this really sounds like Deep Purple". Big fan ever since

[@Lagzlot]

Dancing Mad is what happens when the composer sits down on a long flight, starts composing a final boss song, and never stops.

[@heroinpenguin666]

As a lifelong videogame nerd I enjoy Doug discovering some good music from games. For a game on the SNES with all its limitations FF 6 has some really great tracks.

[@Elric70]

This is part of the reason why a lot of video game fans consider Uematsu-san one of the greats, and if you want to hear more of his compositions in a more "metal" style, check him out with his band The Black Mages.

[@vayix]

^ This! There is a great version that they do of Dancing Mad.

[@Soldano999]

Except the whole thing was ripped of a kansas song on the leftoverture album...

[@A_wholeass_kim]

@@Soldano999 which song?

[@LittleAl016]

​@@Soldano999 Citation needed.

[@0Impeesa]

The Black Mages version of Dancing Mad in particular is really good, because it flows like a complete composition and not individual movements designed to loop separately.

[@IvoryMadness.]

Well new you know why we were so loud about this piece! 😂 That's not exactly a reaction request, but you should def listen to the original version of dancing mad from the snes when you got the time!

[@xellestar]

If I had to recommend 1 version for someone to listen to it'd have to be the black mages album version, it's really the definitive one

[@simbelanger1]

@@xellestar agreed, amazing what they did

[@GeorgeBezerra85]

@@xellestar I was the one to recommend this version (thought it better suited the channel's premise), but I'm 100% into a comeback to this in the Black Mages version! I weas so split between those two when writing my recommendation!

[@carbxncle]

I think the FFXIV version catches the essence of Dancing Mad the best

[@skawttie1115]

Now if Liquid Tension Experiment can just cover this song, I can die a happy man... thanks for reviewing this childhood favorite!

[@Soldano999]

Kansas already did... In the 70's. The album's name is "leftoverture" And this entire song is a complete ripoff

[@DravenxEyeless]

@@Soldano999 how many more times are you gonna try and be a troll?

[@Soldano999]

@@DravenxEyeless i'm not trying to be a troll. Listen to magnum opus by kansas first then tell me you don't find very obvious similarities

[@Arkouchie]

@@Soldano999 Is it, perhaps, the case, that Both are referencing the same musical tradition of symphonic suites, and by doing so, end up with similarities by coincidence of attempting the same thing?

[@Soldano999]

@@Arkouchie i'm not talking about similar styles i'm talking about specific parts that are exactky the same

[@GeorgeBezerra85]

Hi Doug! So happy you reacted to this, as I was the one who initially suggested it (with a lot of people who supported the suggestion afterwards, lol) So, risking to repeat what other people already said: the battle has four parts, hence the four movement structure. The first three are a Tower of Babil-like structure, called Statue of the Gods, which has three tiers you have to ascend, to then get to Kefka on the fourth stage of the fight. The reason the original OST is 17 minutes is that it plays each "movement" twice before progressing to the next -- in the actual game, whenever you beat a tier of the statue, you go to the next and the music is (cleverly) cut wherever it is to progress to the next movement. Each movement is repeated how many times it is needed before going to the next one. The fight is an epic in a sense that it is 4 uninterrupted parts and you set up 3 teams for it -- whenever a team is wiped, the next one enters. All 3 teams wiped and it's game over and you have to restart from the beginning. About the choice of version: the original OST is amazing, but totally 8-bit (as expected for a SNES game). The Black Mages version is full prog/hard rock and also an amazing version and I was really split between that one and this, but I felt this had more layers to analyze because of all the symphonic orchestral parts. However, I 100% support a comeback/revisit to this one in the Black Mages version. I searched for a live Distant Worlds version, but the only one I found was full-orchestral (even the last movement) and recorded from a cell phone. Doesn't look like something that was allowed by the concert's production. Also, I laughed so much at the Emerson, Lake & Palmer reference, lmao Thank you so much for reacting to this. You made several Final Fantasy fans really happy!

[@MrKlarthums]

In this part of Uematsu's career, he was probably the strongest in terms of melodic emphasis and near the top of leitmotif usage to build a coherent soundtrack across the entire gameplay experience. Good to mention the ELP influence 10:40 as you can definitely hear it in Uematsu's work, primarily battle themes and especially ELP's Tarkus. Prog was a big influence to the early Japanese VGM composers.

[@Apfelkind4000]

Leitmotiv is a word in English? Funny. 😂

[@Arkouchie]

@@Apfelkind4000 yeah, but we angecize it a bit, calling it leitmotif, with an f instead of a v

[@Apfelkind4000]

@@Arkouchie Up until now, I only knew about Kindergarten and Poltergeist.

[@asthasr2]

@@Apfelkind4000 zeitgeist? liverwurst? kohlrabi? sauerkraut? ...

[@Apfelkind4000]

@@asthasr2 Liverwurst is "Leberwurst" in German. The rest I dodn't know.

[@ronaldotimberlake]

I wonder if the professor adds any of these songs to his playlists.. I sure can't get one day without hearing this masterpiece. Nobuo is a genius

[@SerenaCrocker]

I saw them perform this arrangement at the Royal Albert Hall, and my word that organ hits so hard live

[@yuantheblue]

It brings me joy to see someone who has never heard this fantastic track before respond with so much enthusiasm. It certainly is one of my top favorite with or without game footage. Also, a big deal is how much the organ shines through on this one, its a lovely sound.

[@RallBoyable]

The boss has 4 stages with this theme playing, starting from hell, ascending to heaven. Nobuo is a genius

[@pvolt7]

This one... Playing this game back in the 90s as a teenager to this music was just mindblowing. Absolute classic. Thanks for this!

[@jashin5252]

I’d do anything to hear Doug react to anything from Shadow of the Colossus. The best video game OST ever in my opinion.

[@BJGvideos]

Honestly you missed out by not listening to the original version. Hearing what it accomplished with all the limitations it had on it from a technical perspective is really important for context.

[@tuomaspuumalainen3018]

Nobuo Uematsu is such a brilliant composer!

[@williamsanborn9195]

I’ve said this many times, and I’ll say it again. Uematsu is a freaking GENIUS! To think he wrote one of gaming’s most iconic final boss themes ON THE SUPER FAMICOM is simply amazing! 🤩 Suggestions for you if you’re looking into Uematsu’s Final Fantasy works, I recommend either “Eyes on Me” from Final Fantasy VIII or “Melodies of Life” from Final Fantasy IX. Both pieces are fantastic!

[@Qrczaqq]

6:52 Funnily enough, there is a rendition of this track that is included in one of the Final Fantasy XIV OST CDs, and it is split there into 4 movements with this one being the 2nd one.

[@c_brenon]

My favourite video game song since the first time I heard it on my SNES back in 1994. Really happy that you react to it.

[@devinsmith5926]

Dude, you can literally be the first person to do what you are doing with FF and anime. You will most likely dominate this "little" niche. No one else has done quite what your doing and we all love it

[@ridethesnake6920]

I never comment on KZbin, but I was glad you finally encountered Nobuo Uematsu at his best. I know you got a great ear (which is nice to observe, btw) and Uematsus music just goes to so many places and splits up traditional harmony in so many ways... It was nice to see you encounter one of his best.

[@moestrif7431]

if you enjoyed that, continue to listen to Uematsu works ! he worked from the first to the tenth episode if i'm correct and few other games too, and there are at least one marvelous track in every games he worked on ! he had his own group of instrumental rock, The Black Mages (he was playing himself during concert) and made 3 albums covering his own composition from Final Fantasy with his band, if you want a playlist of final fantasy tracks to listen ( not necessarily these albums in particular) just use the track list of it ! The Black Mages I, II and III are probably the best track list for a final fantasy best of ! but don't forget to listen to other Squaresoft/SquareEnix composer, they are all very talented and made a bunch of very cool music for nearly 40 years now ! like Kenji Ito, Masayoshi Soken or Yoko Shimomura for exemple :)

[@frostmourne1986]

The change of my man's face each time it goes into another section lmao

[@MrBimboMetal]

Absolutely majestic piece of art by Uematsu, glad you got to it!

[@devinsmith5926]

I freakin love watching you work it out dude!!! THAT IS DOPE!!!!

[@nicobones9608]

That shift in the music at 13:00 always brings tears to my eyes. You can just hear the pain in it. Kefka's pain, the pain his victims suffered, and the pain the heroes have endured in trying to stop him. So well done!

[@LockeTheCole]

This is a great version, although I still prefer The Black Mages' (Nobou Uematsu's Prog band) version of the song.

[@thend4427]

He has to listen to some black mages songs someday

[@hannahananab]

The Distant Worlds albums are some of my favorite to listen to. I absolutely love the Final Fantasy music.

[@dkg8985]

It's structured as a 4 movement movement symphony and the boss battle is a 4 phase fight so 1 movement per phase. Kefkas theme is the "regurgitation" as you said it pops up a few times. The story the music tells as you're fighting Kefka once he's become a god is really something and it seemed you were catching on to some of the themes even without having played the game nor knowing anything about the characters. It might be worth having a quick listen to the original just to hear how different it sounds.

[@frozennz1]

Loved your review of this track and glad to hear you liked it! It is a real journey.

[@ZeGarrepito]

Dancing Mad is top tier music. It's one of my absolute favorites.

[@Jamie720p]

The section at the end as the boss realises he is about to be defeated, and especially the highly emotional guitar at 12:50 onwards, really gives me a sense of Kefka's narcissism and psychosis; I love it. It sounds to me as though he's crying out at the injustice of being killed by the heroes, when he is clearly the infallible and just God who deserves to rule forever. The Black Mages (a rock band with Uematsu and other musicians from the company who made the Final Fantasy games) have a great version of this song, and that end section in particular really evokes that feeling in me. Others have likely mentioned it, but the entire suite seems to be from his point of view - he sees himself as God - not in the usual "small G" way that a lot of Japanese anime and videogame antagonists are, but he sees himself as an omnipotent Big G God, hence the church organ and various Christian themes during the battle

[@edwardhelms]

Oh fuck yeah! I've been wanting you to do Nobuo Uematsu stuff ever since I first saw your Tool reactions from years ago! This piece is worth listening to in all its iterations. If you listen to the original 16 Bit SNES version, keep in mind the limitations of the sound card and what Uematsu had to work with in terms of instrumentation.

[@verver6]

I cant wait! This is an all time favorite of mine

[@sultanofswing44]

I'm glad you did the distant worlds version. I love these albums.

[@user-ef4dl9ey9w]

immediate like at 6 seconds !. edit: DISTANT WORLDS is the Orchestral version. The Black Mages is the rock version.

[@thend4427]

Love the black mages songs

[@Ceelvesta]

The ending part is my absolute favorite. Especially in this version, they've added vocals and everything. It's just so peak, bros.

[@V.F.D.DaleSalvador]

Doug would LOVE the Music from Dark Souls and Bloodborne. Such HUGE Symphonic sounds.

[@poethepenguin2438]

Agree he needs to hear Lady Maria of the Astral Clocktower, Ludwig the Holy Blade and Gehrman, the First Hunter. Each of them has such amazing orchestration.

[@thalesn]

It's even more impressive when you consider that this was composed in the 16-bit era. The Super Nintendo had a pretty advanced sound chip for its time, but it was still late 80s/early 90s tech.

[@krisjen5612]

His music on the snes platform was just as innovative as the game’s graphics, design, and gameplay. With each installment in the series, too.

[@lanonyme-vod8090]

Final Fantasy is just amazing I'm so glad you reacted to it! (Funny how you mentioned ELP as Nobuo himself has told they inspired his music)

[@V.F.D.DaleSalvador]

If you want proggy video game music, you gotta check out Tim Foillin. Pictionary Main Theme and Solstice Main Theme. also the Streets of Rage 2 Soundtrack from Yuzo Koshiro is good too. Not as proggy, but lots of cool harmonies and such. I'd be cool if Doug starts listening to the original works. I get the appeal of orchestra covers/renditins, but the beauty in some of these songs is the limitations back then and the things composers did to overcome them, like Tim Follin.

[@fratt41]

Quite a lot of music from vidya gaems is really damn incredible.

[@xeroscl]

One of the best video game tracks in history for one of the best villains on video game history

[@Metathrom]

He actually did it! Awesome.

[@valence686]

I do feel that the ultimate vision the composer had in mind for this piece can be found in the lesser known Earthbound Papas version (his last prog metal band), which takes all the final flourishes added over time to the song, also adding lyrics and chorus on top of it.

[@Verd254]

Uematsu is a legend, imo not just among video game composers but all-time. And this song might be his opus.

[@DragonOrbProductions]

he didnt knew he was in for a RIDE

[@OliBP]

OMG How the hell did i missed that!! AWESOME!!!! Thanks for reacting to this!!!! :) I've been a huge fan of video game music for a very long time, and in the last few years i really got into progressive music and i am amazed at how much some of my favorites music game composer were definitely huge prog fan! I have way too much suggestions for video game song, but i would highly recommend music from Xenogears or Xenoblade Chronicles 1. I'm sure it would make you feel similar to Dancing Mad.

[@garrettwhite3828]

I recently found your channel and was going through your songs and was wondering if you had found one of my all time favorite songs Dancing mad and lo and behold its only 2 weeks old!!!

[@AndreySomov1]

Yay!!! Almost what I asked for😅👌 Still hoping for Jake Kaufman's Impressario

[@Water_Lily44]

This was a great breakdown of a legendary song! If I may make a suggestion to your remark about wanting to see someone play through the game to see where the musical journey takes place, I'd recommend a KZbinr by the name of ProJared. This is his favorite game of all time and his playthrough from a few years back really lets you experience the story alongside him and appreciate everything it has to offer. I think his most commonly used phrase throughout is "Are you ready for the best song in the game?" It's a long watch, for sure, but if you've got some time to kill and the curiosity to spare, it's one beautiful, memorable adventure.

[@brianparker5323]

This game and its music have always mesmerized me. There's quite a bit of depth to this piece to analyze in regards to Kefka and what he is/becomes and his worldview. I suggest maybe looking up Marco Meatball here on youtube, hes got a breakdown and it might be interesting to get the two of you to talk/colab.

[@g-01]

I've been waiting for this moment since you started your channel! This is going to be an epic video.

[@githane]

Dancing Mad... I remember when Final Fantasy 6 (released as 3 in the US) came out. My friend and I played it together and it is honestly still one of the best games I have ever played. Hands down STILL my favorite FF game. So much of the OST is incredible. You mention how it's structured like a mini-symphony, which is interesting because the game is really structured like an opera/play. It's incredible. I would highly recommend Celes and Terras theme as well as the other monumental piece, Aria di mezzo Carattere. I was lucky enough to see it performed by Video Games Live with Jillian Averse about a decade ago; I was in tears. It's incredible seeing appreciation for game music like this, knowing it can hit without needing to have the background and nostalgia of the track. Also maybe check out some FF14 tracks, totally not because and old friend of mine got to sing on some of them :-D

[@alejandroguerra7561]

Simply incredible, every time a listen to this piece I appreciate it more

[@BADDEC101]

Have you already or do you have plans to visit the Symphony of the Night soundtrack?? If you haven't already, I think you will IMMENSELY enjoy it, any track.

[@THeDoMeTB]

the way uematsu paints feelings and pictures, from good to evil, from hope to despair, from godly to merely human... in just one coherent song? also fitting the circumstances when its played? "absolutely blows my mind" is a severe understatement

[@eternalgamer9270]

Basically Dancing Mad is supposed to represent the Final Fantasy 6 main villain Kefka who is basically the very incarnation of chaos so this theme being so chaotic is very fitting.👍

[@johndorian1644]

This piece becomes even better when you realize the composer wove in elements of music from earlier in the game-the third movement showed parts of The Decisive Battle and Kefka’s Theme mixed together from earlier key moments of gameplay. It’s a masterclass of using subtle elements of music to subconsciously make the listener remember why the struggle is so important.

[@Mr.Stizblee]

I love it whenever you make videos about video game music! It's the primary reason I subscribed. Orchestral music is very common in JRPG games nowadays and I think a bit part of that is the vast influence and enduring popularity of the old Final Fantasy games. JRPGs have always been my favorite game genre but for some reason I never really got into Final Fantasy. The only one I ever completed was Final Fantasy X. I don't know if you take comments suggestions but I just want to list some games and music from them that I especially love. Recently I've been absolutely obsessed with the Project Moon games, which all take place in an extremely disturbing dystopian setting called the City. The City is ruled by these megacorporations called Wings that each control a physics defying super technology called a Singularity. Some examples of Singularities are healing nanomachines, time manipulation, and near instant transportation. Unfortunately all of the singularities have some sort of dark secret to them that requires the Wings to commit unspeakable atrocities in order to use them. The series music covers a wide range of genres including heavy metal, classical, and even EDM at one point. However, by far the most stand out music is the vocal songs by the band Mili that play during certain key boss fights in Library of Ruina and Limbus Company. They're vastly different from any other boss themes I've heard but they fit incredibly well with the setting with lyrics that heavily tie in to the story. Some particularly noteworthy songs are From a Place of Love, Gone Angels, Between Two Worlds, and Compass. The openings for Library of Ruina and Limbus company are also by Mili and are excellent as well. Especially when listened to along with the opening video. Another personal favorite series of mine is the Xenoblade series. Each of the Xenoblade games have different settings with certain shared elements and recurring themes so it's hard to give an overview of it like with Project Moon but they're all science fantasy JRPGs with a heavy focus on exploring vast beautiful worlds. In terms of music Xenoblade tends to be either classical or rock. Some particularly famous songs are You Will Know Our Names, Gaur Plain, Tragic Decision, Battle!!, Drifting Soul, Incoming! There's countless other series I want to recommend like Ace Attorney, Trails, Kirby, Persona, The Legend of Zelda, Touhou, and many more but I've already rambled on long enough.

[@ThatVexxx7]

If you want to see a short(ish) video showing how the gameplay and previous themes are represented in Dancing Mad, I feel like this is the way to go: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJPIiXuKebuLbsU (plus I just love the whole channel in general)

[@lancerhades971]

the "level" this plays on, is the Final Boss, whose a jester clown, That is also GOD. ALSO has DESTORYED THE WORLD. This fight is not to save the day, but for revenge. the movements are different stages of the boss fight, all representing something. i believe the order is, Anger, Madness, Making fun of The god he killed, The full blown Final Fight

[@Velphus]

Amazing song and a masterful reaction, i love how you breakdown the parts and play along!Well, one of my favorites that i would love to see you reviewing is "Ludwig the accursed/holy blade" from the game called Bloodborne, such an amazing piece and the actual lyrics from the song tells you the tale of Ludwig in a song about melancholy, sadness and somewhat redemption for this great character!

[@bradobannon3289]

So this is indeed the final boss music, but for a little more background, the main villain is an insane jester-like character with a painted face. A murderous mad clown capable of absolutely heinous atrocities, with a laugh that chilled to the bone even in 16-bit. Also, the fight with him has multiple stages, as he becomes an almost god-like being with multiple forms by the end of the game. The extreme shifts capture his ever-turbulent madness perfectly. Absolute chef's kiss to this!

[@Aurainmaker]

You can't beat the original version of this track for me. It's incredible and written with technological limitations that are nigh impossible to parse in 2024.The soundfont is gorgeous too.

[@DaisyAzuras]

I can’t believe I still have this music memorized from way back then.

[@vdinh143]

That finish is so grandiose. I just LOVE the sound of the electric guitar

[@tofystedeth]

So for references and callbacks in the song: That opening part that gets repeated throughout is also present in the title screen music (though I can't say whether it was there first, or put in as a forward reference) at around 1:20' in this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/oIvZnoKNnM57e5Ysi=0z807Vl4NZ00DI1i The other main one that pops up several times is Kefka's theme. He's basically a weird jester before he goes full apotheosis so it's kind of a creepy bouncy clownish tune kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z16oaWeVfrCGZ6Msi=hEkK4XE-Q75UWIaZ There might be more but those are the ones I can always remember.

[@Anonymous-ld7fb]

Final Fantasy VI also has a full-fledged opera, "Maria and Draco" that appears early in the game. In the original Super Nintendo release the sound chip was used to simulate voices but full operatic versions have since been done for later releases of the game. The opera has four movements, the second of which is the Aria di Mezzo Carattere, a particularly lovely piece which was mind-blowing to encounter in a video game back in 1996. If you want to give it a listen, I highly recommend the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra's version which can be found on KZbin.

[@strahinjagov]

YEEEEEEES, I've been hoping you'd do this one!

[@weedlesheens769]

When he said that was fun. I wish this was what my family thinks when they hear my line up of video game and classical mussic. From the mellow areas to the exciting movements but they cant imagine how good a non monotonous music feels like.

[@Winijaw82]

Really fantastic. I never heard that version of the song before. It really makes me wish for a modern remake of the game. The imagery of the final battle is also reminiscent of The Divine Comedy. I recommend looking up a full picture of it. The pixel art alone is beautiful.

[@therealblackl1ster110]

Though I never played FFVI (I need to fix that 😅), this song has become one of my absolute favorites. GaMetal’s Dancing Mad 2019 Remix was my introduction to this song and is just as beautiful as this.

[@jecht35]

I really hope to see you do more and more Final Fantasy Music. No matter where you go in the series it's incredible. The soft tones of 'To Zanarkand' from Final Fantasy 10, all of the different versions of 'Battle at the Big Bridge' that originated from Final Fantasy 5, the surreal music like "The Extreme" or 'Liberi Fatali' and even the powerful 'Maybe I'm A Lion' from Final Fantasy 8. You couldn't lose seeing all the amazing directions this series' music goes.