Composer reacts: Answers | Final Fantasy XIV

[@wherestoomy8880]

Heyya ! :D @AtlasBenighted Thank you so much for the request n reaction to “Answers”, this is for sure a music piece that really delivers to my soul a persona of what I REALLY love about legendary musical composers like Nobuo Uematsu. “Answers” is one of the tracks that played upon FFXIV’s ultimate end when the events of the Calamity was happening, IIRC this theme was always there somewhere or at least there at a point and didn’t have any use, until it came to the decision as to its usage in 1.0’s end. And as well as being a love letter in context with the story too to all that transpired, it’s wonderful and beautiful. I’m sure other people too can elaborate and contribute more to what FF has to offer as a masterful series. Thank you so much again and hope you and everyone take care of each other ! :D

[@AtlasBenighted]

Of course, thank you for sharing it with everybody!

[@scotty110]

this song is exactly a cutscene song, the first time it was heard was when they shut down the original FFXIV 1.0 servers, everyone playing at the time got kicked out and basically saw the end of the world playing out to this song. it would make a return for another cutscene in the Endwalker expansion with a completely different context but one might argue it was the true context for the song, as far as the in game story goes, so for many the song hit soo much harder.

[@Khelleyne]

My heart still ache today but god damn this game gave me chills. After over a decade, from 1.0 to the end of Endwalker, I just couldn't. It broke me. Too much emotions spurting out all at once. XIV is a masterpiece.

[@gamingbeanpole]

This song STILL makes me tear up every time I listen to it after playing endwalker

[@AtlasBenighted]

Poggies!

[@FabbrizioPlays]

It was also the final theme for Coils of Bahamut, the ARR raid series! The different "movements" of Answers would trigger when Bahamut Prime changed phases. At the part where everything crescendos (Dalamud starts cracking open, in the cinematic), Bahamut Prime sets the entire arena ablaze and starts charging a massive Teraflare that the tank has to LB for.

[@briffy385]

@@Khelleyne bold take here but my opinion only, but no other game can give that range of emotions, i laughed and cried along the years discovering its story. rdr2 didnt give me that, the last of us didnt give me that, even the witcher trillogy didnt give me that. im a mass effect lover and they dont even come close to ffxiv. i loved those 10 years so much, it helped me to school, covid and depression. my wife to be joined since stormblood and loves it too, even our future wedding rings will both have a xiv reference engraved

[@TheIndigoEclipse]

"in the same fleeting moment, thou must live, die, and know." Line hits so hard.

[@Spartan135]

especially after endwalker...

[@darkwulf2k]

oh great line, but the one that hits me hard is "given life, why must we die, helpless as our cries!"

[@chloekaftan]

hurts to listen to especially having lived a harsh and unforgiving life irl.

[@austinmartin612]

This song was written far before the final story for it's saga was finished. That being said they wrote the story so well to fit this song. You'll notice that when they start doing the spoken word bit with the singer, the first time she's echoing a response to them, as if they're asking the questions and she's trying to give an answer but nobody will listen, this is because she was but one person who's voice was being drowned out by an entire population during a calamity; the 2nd time you hear that similar sequence is after she has become the voice of the planet, the goddess Hydaelyn, now she speaks and everyone listens, hence the choir becoming the echoing voice. This song applies so well both to the time it was released and now at the end of the saga it originally started, it also fits the overall story perfectly. On another note, this song got me into FF14 in the first place and I'm so glad it did, it's been an amazing story, and the music is absolutely amazing.

[@Blackwing02]

"Tied to a specific cutscene or cinematic" yes to both and both pulled at my feels, especially the use in the cutscene.

[@VampireSultana]

“No more shall man have wings to bear him to paradise. Henceforth, he shall walk.”

[@KnivesOfTheRound]

FFXIV is full of absolute bangers. The Black Wolf Stalks Again, Flow, To the Edge, In the Balance...

[@MrValentineGhost]

this shit goes so fking hard when you fight bahamut, the big dramatic drop is when he does his big move and the whole screen just lights up. So perfect.

[@Lumeriadeborel]

I just did this last night for the first time and the damn shivers I got. What an amazing series of quests.

[@BlackGhostPanda]

One of my favorite fights

[@MilethCitizen]

Answers is my all-time favorite Final Fantasy track and your breakdown is amazing. The cinematic trailer it's tied to is a whole other experience when it comes to video games and I firmly believe that it stands as the all-time most epic and fantastic story telling. Not a single word is spoken; the visuals with the song write the tale and it's one heck of an experience.

[@AtlasBenighted]

Thank you! 😉

[@JohnnyBoygame]

I bawl my eyes put every single time I heard this song. I was there that day when the Calamity fell. I saw it destroy the world. I have never cried so hard in my life before then. I will always cry when I hear this song.

[@darkwulf2k]

This paired with the cinematic, and knowing the story, makes this song hit harder. Hearing the track while you fight Bahamut as the final raid of the tier, sends chills.

[@Setulge]

*takes out tissues because there's no fighting the tears* One day... maybe one day there will be no tears from "Answers" anymore. But to give slight context without spoilers: It's not the people calling out to divinity but one person who had reached divine status as a final call of hope that the ones that will walk after them will change the future which was taken from them in their time.

[@celadore]

Her seamless transition into rock vocals midsong is one of my favorite things ever

[@mookiestewart3776]

Not just her transition but the entire orchestras !! Everyone blended perfectly into the transition . This is what happened when you have a truly multinational collaboration of musicians performing at their peak. The seatbelts from cowboy bebop ost is another example . We are much stronger together than separate. Funny enough that’s one of the major themes of this song ;)

[@ZackofSpades]

Only halfway through the video, and I gotta say this is the best reaction to Answers I've heard from a composer. You go through the musical theories, historical connections, AND you have strong interpretations on the lyrics that I find is just as important to the composition as the music itself. That part is pretty rare, and you've def earned a sub from me with this one.

[@AtlasBenighted]

Thank you so much! 😁

[@GameslordXY]

Perhaps you would also like Marco Meatball a former Opera singer.

[@nottabott9651]

I think you picked up what I really like about this song, what keeps me coming back to it is is that the beginning vocalists are begging for answers, and SHE DOES.

[@AtlasBenighted]

Indeed!

[@TarossBlackburn]

"In the same fleeting moment, thou must live, die and know" Where's Yotsuyu peeling the onions in my room?

[@Juicifrost]

Your guess that this song had its own cinematic to go with it is spot on. You may have heard that Final Fantasy XIV was rebooted after a very rocky initial launch -- this song played during the final scene players of FFXIV 1.0 saw before the servers shut off.

[@AtlasBenighted]

Yes, I know all about Yoshi P coming to the rescue

[@lornetc]

It also plays during an Endwalker cutscene that explains how the sundering of the world happened.

[@proudlarry8225]

Lands that stretched on forever. Skies one could drown in. The heartbeat of nature, silent yet strong. And amidst it all a people. Beacons of light and life. Laughter that warmed my heart like naught else before. They are my meaning and my purpose. My love. So let there be no way back. From that temptation, I sunder us! No more shall man have wings to bear him to paradise. Henceforth, he shall walk.

[@dacomputernerd4096]

This, Dragonsong, and Close In The Distance never fail to make me cry. So much emotion in all three

[@GarylIl]

It is a cutscene song but it also has the phases of the song mapped to the phases of a climactic fight in one of the early raid tiers. Experiencing it both ways is pretty awe-inducing. It's such a powerful song. Also like your format of interjecting commentary through the reaction, keeps it fresh.

[@AtlasBenighted]

Thank you sir!

[@holyja_]

Hearing this live a few months ago during Distant Worlds brought me to tears

[@kevenmonge1390]

“Thy life is a riddle, to bear rapture and sorrow. To listen, to suffer, to entrust unto tomorrow” that line hits hard

[@misterturkturkle]

Final fantasy rarely holds back in any area. But when it comes to music they say "fuck you we're turning this shit to max"

[@BananaMellor]

I know your focus is on the music but they paired this with some incredible visuals. The End of an Era or the Flames of Truth for the original. But the game ties this theme deep into even the later parts of the story so there is a followup that might be worth checking out (if you don't mind spoilers), think it goes by the name Thou Must Live, Die and Know. And your commentary on the lyrics is definitely worth a consideration as this very much does tie into actual lore.

[@kelmirosue3251]

It's actually called "Your Answer"

[@BananaMellor]

@@kelmirosue3251 That's another theme that's definitely linked to this. It wasn't one that I was suggesting but it's relevant for sure.

[@AtlasBenighted]

Maybe I can react to it on stream

[@jacthing1]

@@AtlasBenighted that would be cool to see

[@stachehenry8901]

Answers and Dragonsong will forever be in my top 10 FF songs

[@SilverShinotora]

you should see the trailer with the visuals intended to be viewed along this song, it brings so much feeling to the composition.

[@IrishSoyBoy]

I feel like the soundtrack in The Binding of Isaac doesn't get talked about enough. Matricide is one of the most intense bits of OST ive ever heard

[@EriksBlue]

I recommend watching the cinematic that this song is paired with

[@KenanVonKaiser]

Can Feel The Power In This Song!

[@jdprettynails]

Happy 10 years, Final Fantasy XIV gamers!

[@Densoro]

The thing that's so _devastating_ about this song is that you don't even need context from the game. It could just as easily be about our world -- like many stories, in some way it already is. The sections at 5:12 and 8:03 are like a montage. Smash-cut to scenes of us as we, "Witness (Feel) Suffer (Think) Borrow (Teach) Reason (Hear) Follow (Feel) Stumble (Think) Wander (Teach) Listen" Because these are presented in the imperative -- as _commands_ -- the choir calls back, "Feel what? Learn what? See what? Hear what?" Like we're overwhelmed, and don't know _where_ to look, _what_ to pay attention to so that we can make it through this. And the way the song ends, "Thou must live, die, _and know."_ Life and death are such huge themes, but _knowing_ is placed on equal importance -- _what knowledge you gained from living and dying_ is as important as living and dying, itself. We must bear witness to these lives, our own and others, so that we who came before can lead those who will walk after. We have to value each other enough to bother looking.

[@marnilauchlan8228]

nailed the meaning and story of the song. thanks for the reaction :)

[@AtlasBenighted]

Thank you! 😄

[@katomamundara8106]

So halfright on Cinematic theme. It started as just that. Then its motif became the theme for a Raid Series. Then as I responded to you elsewhere: a sort of orchestral version exists as the penultimate bossfight, then finally THIS is the final boss of that raid's theme. It also has a variant which is, well... "Your Answer" (the title btw).

[@evelynfive5684]

This song, I don't know how to express, I got goosebumps every time.

[@Hato1992]

I love that song. But also great one is Oblivion, Shiva theme. That caught me off guard, I'm not gonna lie.

[@EmpyreanRagnarok]

IT's even more powerful when combined with the End of an Era trailer.

[@worldwidewimpy565]

They use Answers in the final battle of the ARR high end raids and it blew everyone's mind

[@JediMB]

"Tell us why, given life, we are meant to die, helpless in our cries" The song opens with Hydaelyn being beseeched to deliver existential answers to her suffering people, and ends with Hydaelyn telling them that the answers must be their own. They must answer, answer, answer together.

[@IvoryMadness.]

Answers..... A powerful song, indeed!

[@manafish8732]

the point about it sounding like a bards song in the beginning BLEW MY MIND since (spoilers) it's meant to be hydalyn aka venat singing this, who held the seat of azem, the adventurer. and we know how much adventurers love bards!

[@AtlasBenighted]

POG

[@trinitysays]

This song still gives me chills and I’ve heard many times. Recommend watching the video at the end.

[@thed4rknss673]

Man, this song hit's hard when you know all the lore ;-;

[@rhinosaurusrex341]

I know this is a music oriented channel, but I encourage you to explore the lore of this song and the main FFXIV story encompassing all 4 main expansions over 10+ years. This song released in 2011 and sets up more than a decade of storytelling. The finale of the last expansion puts the most beautiful bow on it. The foresight, the long-term story planning, and the ability to execute on it is IMO one of the most impressive stories of game development and project management.

[@LK.Cynric]

What a fantastic video! Love the way you interrupt to give your thoughts and then continue.

[@AtlasBenighted]

Thank you!

[@BroadBoulders]

I don't know if you've listened to The Black Mages but you should check them out. It's Nobuo Uematsu's Final Fantasy themed rock band :)

[@Hato1992]

Great band, they have may great arranges of FF musics.

[@AtlasBenighted]

I have

[@Harbinger421]

As soon as her vocals begin, tears. Full on tears.

[@bclap06able]

"Why do you cling to life when you know it all ends with death?".... cause everything in-between is worth living...

[@Catsamex]

You have to watch the cinematic with it... Edit: *should

[@oberoneledthar3782]

you should see the cutscene that it belongs to, still get goosebumps from it even after all this time (8 years now)

[@VampireNoblesse]

imo listen to it once, with the visual trailer too.. (the trailer is insane too..)

[@philippgobel2930]

“No more shall man have wings to bear him to paradise. Henceforth he shall walk.”

[@cryofwill1416]

Have you teared up? Im not judging at all cause i do tear up everytime i hear this song. ❤

[@AtlasBenighted]

Not with this, but in general, yes, of course 😆

[@deneios1905]

No more shall man have wings to bear him to paradise. Henceforth he shall walk.

[@Rairosu]

Wanna know whats funny? I listened to this song while doing a dungeon as a dps. While this was playing "Still deaf to our cries, lost in hope we lie defeated Our souls have been torn, and our bodies forsaken" and we all died XD

[@AtlasBenighted]

😆

[@LinkBadguyZero]

From Final Fantasy XIV you should really listen to "The Worm's tail" too 👌

[@DefenderX]

Awesome with more ffxiv songs 🤟 you should also watch the trailer for context ❤️

[@worldwidewimpy565]

Yoshi P the executive producer of FF14 is actually a NPC in the game named "The Wandering Minstrel" who gives players harder versions of boss fights

[@worldwidewimpy565]

as he tells you of the new fight he plays the fight's theme on a harp

[@AtlasBenighted]

That is so cool!

[@erickelley1680]

Also every anniversary of the game, players get a quest series that ends with a reward from the minstrel who then pulls your character to a new dimension. The npc is named yoshi p who is the game director. He thanks us for our continued support.

[@Wirstead]

Not me hearing and thinking my CWLS went off

[@StellaKagami]

Wait till you saw the cutscene in endwalker, all your questions will be answered.

[@hpalpha7323]

Ahh, this takes me back

[@lizardizzle]

You said you'd be going over the lyrics "later", while you were talking, but did you mean a full separate video disecting them? The parts where you talked about just the two lines at the start were interesting.

[@AtlasBenighted]

I ended up going over them in the mid section

[@Iowsbub]

This song gets me everytime 😭

[@tats_sacs]

The lyrics will hit hard if you know the story.

[@bwipmwqp]

I have been told this song is a conversation by the Mother Goddess Hydaelyn and the mortals of her world, though personally after completing Endwalker I interpret it differently.

[@katomamundara8106]

I will say some of your assumed context was ultimately off, but SO close. Also, your little synth+flute rendition of the song? There's something VERY similar ("From the Ashes") in the game.

[@AtlasBenighted]

I'll check it out

[@queenhecate8975]

How Mellifluous!! Is there a album for these FFXIV songs I could buy? Anywhere? ❤.

[@bazdonaxdumaul1493]

00:00 General Kenobi!

[@AtlasBenighted]

😉

[@BaithNa]

I love how you edited thia video but I'd suggest watching the cutscene version because it gives a lot of context to the lyrics

[@AtlasBenighted]

Thank you!

[@ronsenburg3498]

Sublime

[@DaniPooo]

I made a midi version of this song, I have a video of it on my channel, The outdo may not be completely correct but for the most part I think it's quite close to the original.

[@AtlasBenighted]

Awesome!

[@aeolussvichi7680]

This song without the cinematic might not hit as hard for those who don’t play the game, but it’s still a great ost 👍👍👍

[@thehatter9400]

It really needs the visuals to emphasize the song

[@pletter64]

This is not a story of light and dark. This is a story of purpose and defeat.

[@Dravianpn02]

Will you please please please review the silent hill 2 soundtrack and shadow of the colossus??

[@AtlasBenighted]

I've done songs for both: Composer REACTS to SILENT HILL 2 Theme of Laura👉 kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZqbTgZpjp9SSqK8

[@Dravianpn02]

@@AtlasBenighted you ABSOLUTELY need to play silent hill 2. The soundtrack is highly revered due to the games usage of the songs. It's truly one of a kind and one of the most influential games and soundtracks of all time. Please do it!

[@Dravianpn02]

@@AtlasBenighted also watched the video and left a like!

[@Dravianpn02]

@@AtlasBenighted also also have gou review the symphony of the night soundtrack???

[@lostnumberaptom3927]

I cant get out out the the imagery of the the singer in her true calling.

[@soulchain6017]

I was wondering if you can do BLEACH soundtrack. I recommend bleach ost nightmare

[@AtlasBenighted]

Unfortunately, bleach gets straight out blocked

[@trabaja1550]

bad cut ^^'

[@ohlaceyone]

Man answers definitely hits different after endwalker.