MUSIC DIRECTOR REACTS | Hopes and Dreams - Undertale

[@NotUndertaleAaron]

also I HIGHLY recommend listening to the entire ost and if you’d want an actual live experience i also recommended watching undertale’s 5th anniversary concert. thanks again if you ever see this, you’re my favorite to watch on anything music theory related.

[@NotUndertaleAaron]

holy jesus 189 likes

[@Abranson12345]

@@NotUndertaleAaron300* 🎉

[@NotUndertaleAaron]

@@Abranson12345 330 WHAT!?!??

[@FluffySylveonBoi]

This comment needs more likes!

[@luamluag4100]

@@NotUndertaleAaron502*

[@danielmajor3777]

"Hopes and Dreams" is often paired with "Save the World" as the end of the 1rst one leads to the start of the second one

[@aymuhspunj]

Oh. Because Hopes And Dreams Save The World. I get it now.

[@WhoStoleKirya73]

Funnily enough, they never actually play back to back in the game nor the OST

[@Smitology]

@@WhoStoleKirya73 The orchestral performance did play them back to back though

[@somerandommusicianSRM]

​@@WhoStoleKirya73Yeah, Burn In Despair is technically the next Asriel song

[@OblivionSeeker]

@@somerandommusicianSRM Burn in Despair is underrated imo even if it is really short

[@phictionofgrandeur2387]

This song isn't about fighting the final boss, it's about saving the final boss from himself. Save the World is more of the same.

[@YourPalKindred]

I never thought of it this way

[@chimeradev]

Wonderful! Sadly this song without context misses a lot of the leitmotif buildup trough the whole game, which is a big part of the OST for Undertale, It tries to give you certain feeling which characters having certain melodies assigned to them etc. I'm pretty sure if you do a mega-video with all the OST people would watch that religiously from start to end! (At least I can tell you I would!) Especially with a bit of context, since game music can be good, sometimes its just part of the bigger picture, just a piece! Love your content!

[@feelthelove3725]

seconded

[@rbxq]

thirded

[@nolanholmberg311]

Sounds like a banger livestream idea. Probably will double the runtime with his commentary so im thinking it'd be a 4-41/2 hour stream

[@francesco_____]

i would love to watch it

[@YamiYaiba]

Sixth'd. One of the coolest parts about Undertale's OST is how it uses that leitmotif over and over again, both overtly and subtly.

[@Stratelier]

Yes, this song reprises several leitmotifs previously established throughout the game. - The opening strings (and following guitar) are in fact playing the game's Main Theme. - The second theme which you pointed out (before the keychange) is "Your Best Friend" or "Flowey's Theme", heard literally within the game's first 5 minutes for the first character you meet (who is also a central villain that tries to kill you) - The third theme, at the end, is used when interacting with friendly NPCs (shopkeepers, etc). If you're inclined to play Undertale directly, one tip: *Play the game offline if you can.* (It's about a 5-hour game, but also replayable.) If you record* then that's cool but try to _play first upload later,_ don't stream. Undertale fans have a reputation for dropping hints and clues and tips and spoilers and even some "backseat gaming" here and there. It certainly won't "ruin" the playthrough, but certain events happen by surprise and surprises only work once. * - (if you record on PC, try to record the _screen_ and not the application _window._ Undertale pulls a joke or two in windowed mode which might not record properly if your record settings are off)

[@kavinaderrow3269]

The motif you pointed out is Flowey's theme, AKA "Your Best Friend". It's also heard in "Your Best Nightmare" and "Finale".

[@METALDEVILLL]

Been waiting sooo long for you to do Hopes and Dreams ever since you started doing Undertale OSTs, I'm so glad you did it!! The motif you were talking about plays specifically in finale (and i think one other you listened to) because finale and this song is associated with a specific character in the game, it's so cool how toby fox can add and/or remix motifs into each of his songs while still making it completely different

[@Legend_Evo1]

undertale ost genre: Motifs

[@YamiYaiba]

​@@Legend_Evo1it really is. The same motif even pops up in the Deltarune soundtrack as well.

[@supersonic4863]

yes, it was also in your best nightmare, although that kinda morphs into finale. your best nightmare is also basically just a handful of leitmotifs mashed together tho.

[@sqoiche]

There is a pretty famous flowchart in the Undertale community of the motifs connecting the songs together. Toby Fox really did an immaculate job of relating not only the songs to the characters and moments of the game but relating these musical statements to each other and forming musical "sentences" by combining elements of the leitmotifs together. This piece is the culmination of a lot of different emotions within the game and as a result is chunked off into lots of different leitmotifs showing themselves throughout the song. On a little tangent the way the story of the game is told and given the impact of the music on the game some people think parts of the Undertale soundtrack are diagetic (as in the characters in the game can hear some of the music playing themselves). It is a game all about breaking barriers whether literal, metaphorical, or musical and Undertales soundtrack is great at conveying that! Appreciate the reactions!

[@coraliet4495]

5:18 it’s the same melody as flowey, the ost "final" you reacted to, if I say why it's a spoil so I keep that for me

[@Jamieson508]

Finale*

[@evilbob05]

The music of Undertale is so in sync with the soundscape of the game. Everything works together so perfectly and it's indicative of what is possible when a single person has the determination to tell an incredible story

[@Civol]

This comment fills you with determination ❤️

[@Mario-ts4pi]

"Listening to this video filled your viewers with DETERMINATION". YEAS!!! You know your stuff, and we have been waiting for your expertise to disect this piece. Thanks for explaining and listening to your audience my dude. I listen to your channel while working, I'ts like a playlist of hype music with pauses to explain what you just heard. Keep it going!

[@stygian-hollow1573]

every single melody featured in the entire song is a leitmotif!

[@atoafriend]

Toby Fox has such an incredible instinct for composing music. I truly believe he's one of the greatest composers of our time.

[@HProtagVtuber]

Hard agree

[@ck11032]

yeah that 5:18 melody is the central motif in your best nightmare and finale. if you listen to other popular songs you might hear it sneak in

[@ellisg5623]

The motif you mentioned was the one with all the fun variants in “your best nightmare”

[@Ketsui.]

Yup! As well as Finale

[@Tepotita]

Your best friend, the fist one

[@worldwideweeb3974]

Don't forget the literal intro of undertale. "Once upon a Time" also shares this motif

[@Ketsui.]

@@worldwideweeb3974 Pretty sure this was just about the songs he's listened to previously. As well as the part in specific he was talking about had the Your Best Friend motif (a song he hasn't listened to, but Your Best Nightmare and Finale have that same motif)

[@Ketsui.]

Man, I suck at keeping comments short if I have more than one thing to say lol

[@elektro860]

5:56 this is a motif from the song "My best friend" and it's one of the first songs you hear in the game it's a theme of this character that also has this song but it's for the end of the game it's also reocuring in "your worst nighmare" song that you heard since it's still the same character it's really cool looking back at this

[@Hinoteya]

I'd actually love to watch you play this entire game. Not only for the amazing soundtrack, but because it's an incredible game over all, and seeing people's reactions to it for the first time is a joy :)

[@alonelypotato9863]

Yeah man this OST will always have a special place in my heart, years ago now I downloaded the whole Japanese orchestral cover (live in Japan btw) and watched it like every year, just brings such a happy feeling and goosebumps to my sad little mind 😭 HOPE YOURE DOING WELL THOUGH MAN, Been busy so got a lot of your uploads to watch but anyway take care man congrats on 200k 😤

[@DrumRollTonyReacts]

That'd awesome

[@dra6o0n]

The leitmotif that reoccurs in Toby Fox's songs has connections to Characters and Lore, when you hear a familiar one, you think back to that character, or persona, or lore. So when you hear the same one but in different styles, you understand what it is trying to describe as part of the song. The BGM is also a final battle, so it makes sense that it'll contain all the combinations of past motif in it, because of the 'hopes and dreams' of the game characters is all in on it. Toby Fox tells a story and it's aspiring in a sense, to encourage the player to stay determined in life and to never give up.

[@LegaultTV]

I really appreciate these videos, I just started piano lessons focusing on improv and music theory after being self taught for a couple years and all I focus on is Toby Fox's music really. When I show others and talk to others they just don't understand or see the same things that you or I hear, so it makes me happy that I'm not the only one who sees songs this way.

[@redstrap2169]

When a soundtrack makes you stop and feel. You know it’s more than just a soundtrack

[@jupiter1289]

An experience

[@peachykeen53]

@@jupiter1289 💯

[@masoneccleton1366]

undertale is one of the best examples of leitmotif usage in videogame soundtracks, hell probably one of the best in soundtracks as a whole. theres like 5 motifs in this song alone

[@daft9904]

This is the prettiest song i know, brings tears up every single time. ♥

[@jolteonthecat]

Ever heard Prismcube

[@MrInuhanyou123]

I love the motif for flowey always being present, especially considering the plot and character. Really great stuff toby

[@zovisapphire]

It always fascinates me just how much you musically inclined people can get out of just the soundtrack without EVER playing the game! I've seen people analyze like 80%+ of the storyline or situation just from the music alone :) Think this is the first time I see such a detailed analysis of all the different things inside the music instead. Thank you.

[@godschi]

he really goes ham blending the synthy retro feel with almost orchestra kind of sounds in some of the later tracks like this one never noticed that glockenspiel

[@gabrieltolman4674]

Your question about the reoccurring theme is, YES. It is. The theme is attached to Flowey specifically.

[@barbooloona3102]

Absolutely LOVE your reactions and analysis', as someone who has studied music in the past, your opinions and breakdowns make the videos 1000x better, KEEP PAUSING!!!

[@DagvadorjBayasgalan-du8ox]

thank you man been waiting for this, Btw I don't know if you like rpg games, but if u played the game and listen to the music (since it changes enough that you can have intervals between playing and listening) might be cool content. Keep up the work love listening and realizing a different layer in music.

[@Bopidiboop]

i feel like the only real way to experience undertale with the hardest heart pulling way is to play it

[@twilightsparkle4521]

The beginning of this track is very special because it is a very special moment in the game. P.S. SAVE THE WORLD is a second part of this track.

[@paland1513]

Fun fact, the whole game, OST and basically everything was made by one person 👍

[@Sean_Diddy_Combs]

2*

[@1terrabox]

Oh man, you gotta see Undertale (that's the name of the song). The feelings...

[@CareyBoeckx]

Your videos always make me feel better about myself.

[@ellochickennugget1015]

Can't believe you found it but yes. It is a reaccuring melody from the soundtrack Your Best Friend. The intro is actually also the melody of Once Upon a Time but sped up.

[@whogavethedogalaptop]

This is one of my favorite tracks in the game, and I like how there's three (sort of?) different versions.

[@ShallowMindes]

Yea, the motif you heard there was first “your best friend” but you should have heard it in “your best nightmare” and maybe “finale” seeing as all those are connected to a single character in the undertale story.

[@questionable_live]

Its actually wild he has never reacted to Megalovania I know its pretty over played but even those songs should get attention

[@moondrop_luna]

"Now, ENOUGH messing around. It's time to purge this timeline once and for all!"

[@lionlance146]

Yes, though im sure plenty of people have already said it, that motif WAS recurring, especially in Your Best Nightmare/Finale. I was honestly impressed you caught it, I was gonna comment about it expecting you not to realize, lol

[@greenhydra10]

If it wasn't obvious, this is the music for (phase 1) of one of the final bosses, with the others being Your Best Nightmare/Finale, and Megalovania.

[@elcoolhaag7737]

toby fox constaaaaantly resuses melodies for undertales ost so you probably heard it in one of your other undertale videos, and even if you didnt, if undertale has 150 songs over 75 are based around another melody in the game.

[@ThomasTanner-p9b]

FINALE!!!

[@Yrrow]

I would definitely watch if you try your hand on making a longer video where you explore the whole ost, even after you are done with your videos on seperate pieces. This is an ost that deserves a detailed look and am I hoping for a complete analysis!

[@KNightshade6]

I still hope that you end up covering the ost Undertale from the game, it shares the name of the game and rightfully so. Its in my opinion the most beautiful song in the game, partially because it features live guitar.

[@Jamieson508]

The KZbinr noticing the Your Best Friend motif... It fills you with DETERMINATION ❤Save Return

[@PhoenicisEstuans]

People have transitioned from track to track in the undertale ost by just slowly ramping up or slowing down the tempo and choosing the point in the track they drop in carefully, so you can pretty safely assume the entire ost is related

[@Ant_bugg]

You are totally on the point with the thing about the games motifs and storytelling. The music of the game adds such a big piece to the feeling of the game, to the point that in the “bad route” the music is slowed down and that even by itself, makes the player feel incredibly unsettled. Undertale at its core; is a story game, and the characterization and feel of the world is all super impressive to me. The actual visual art of the game itself is also quite minimal, if you know earthbound, the game is very inspired by that. Because of this, it relies on its music to add more detail to the experience of the environments, and characters too.

[@AniGaAG]

The thing you feel like you remember from elsewhere, if I remember correctly, is from the in-between sections of Your Best Nightmare.

[@yeetyoot4433]

Just watched through all these Undertale reactions, it's so interesting to see your thoughts. If you ever go back to this series, I think Heartache would be a great choice. (Or Bergentrückung and ASGORE, as other people have suggested - the former is only 20ish seconds and leads into the latter.)

[@Tofczyk]

Pls react to Bergentrückung + ASGORE - these two are one song but in the OST they are separated. This is dope believe me!

[@jademementomori4227]

Fk me.. I haven't heard it in a while since I havent played the game in forever, but man, the first few notes brought me to tears like always

[@Ponyman-1997]

Emotional final boss music intensifies

[@Pirouyy]

Great review as always ! Hopes and dream is such a simple song and yet it hits so hard, I love the message it leaves ! I hope you will check some of the latest Mili songs, especially the one that is going to come out, compass. This song is really complex in it's layers and layers of music entertwined, and I woul really love to see your review on it to undestand it better !

[@ModernRascal]

This dude looks like the type of band teacher/director you'd invite to your wedding as a homie. That seems kinda mean but the emotion is a positive one. You're good music inside

[@igro-zona22244]

You need to react SAVE THE WORLD and Last Goodbye too, because they are a continuation of Hopes and Dreams theme

[@Berlin_XD]

To sum up this track imo, it's like you're up against an undefeatable foe but you can't lose at the same time

[@Karma-wb7et]

I'd HIGHLY recommend reacting to the song called UNDERTALE it's in the OST, you'll know that it's a unique song from the moment you hear it. Simple yet beautiful and emotional. There's an air of both sadness and hope to the song.

[@BATONCHIK14]

Toby Fox has created some very, very touching music. 🥺

[@ballerdonk]

Pretty fun mix of sound types!

[@cocoxcocoa]

I love the undertale soundtrack, but I feel like half of the reason its so good is lost when listening to individual tracks here and there. 90% of the main tracks are basically meant to tie into each other in some way or another, and as you play through the game you start to associate a lot of the motifs with certain characters, situations, and emotions that were developed during the game. It really is just one of those OSTs where if you want to get its full experience and understand why both the game and OST are so beloved, then you just have to play the game.

[@Smitology]

5:18 you've heard this melody in Your Best Nightmare and Finale

[@xfanat_2009]

5:55 pretty sure its the "Your Best Friend" Leitmotif

[@Taiwa1010]

5:23 yes in Finale and Your Worst Nightmare

[@elijahlew]

The "No Vocaloid" cup noooooooooo ;-;

[@DrumRollTonyReacts]

That cup can be yours 🌟😅

[@blupengu]

ah, so many songs from undertale make me tear up purely from the parts of the game associated with them lmao

[@asylumental]

This song totally had some polyphia vibes haha, actually I heard a song the other day that reminded me a lot of Polyphia, you should check it out. Reincarnation - Jordan Maxwell & Charlie Robbins

[@draggonhedd]

That 3 note melody sounds like a song i CANNOT remember right now and its killing me. Was it a polyphia song?

[@kelvao.mp4]

Toninho mandou mais uma da braba, like pro toninho

[@coraliet4495]

I'm only 20 but this music makes me feel nostalgic, I love this game

[@vitorgabriel6606]

Olá, ainda tem mais uma trilha sonora do jogo que vale muito a pena escutar chamada "Megalovania" que é da luta final contra o Sans na rota genocida, um abraço aqui do Brasil!!!

[@gareththompson7084]

Recently found this channel and thank god I did this is good stuff. I highly suggest COLORS by Flow. It is the code geoss 1st opening. I would also suggest the full song as the best parts aren't in the shows OP.

[@monstar3626]

I would love to watch a megalovania break down, also Asgore.

[@PubstarHero]

Actually, Toby Fox drew heavy inspiration from another group - Anamanaguchi. You should check them out. Probably should skip out on Miku though, I saw the No Vocaloids mug.

[@Toto-yj8hc]

Still here askin, next made in abyss needs to be “underground river” or “belafs lullaby” (both are pretty short), I can never thank you enough drumrolltony for the time you've given us Kevin Penkin fans

[@xupapilha]

You should do a video with "Undertale" the 071 track

[@Zosal12345]

You have to listen to spear of justice

[@Dryerrmusic]

You should listen to "Rude Buster" from deltarune its related to undertale and it has a nice rhythm

[@x_MoonlitShade]

Coming back to this after 5 months to say that you're overdue for another Undertale song reaction! Now that you've done the titular "Undertale" any chance you could do Megalovania, even if it won't be a blind react? You'll probably get a lot of views. If not, then my favorite song in Undertale is Spider Dance and I would kill for you to do a react video for that one! Dogsong is also really good and a fun listen. I could go on, but I'm sure you already have your next few Undertale songs planned, just hoping you get back to this wonderful OST!

[@xupapilha]

Do a video with "Tragic Prince" from Castlevania Symphony of the Night

[@Striker52C]

Would LOVE to see you react to more Undertale songs, this was great! Recommend Bergentrückung+Asgore, great boss theme. (Bergentrückung is a 20 second intro into Asgore)

[@urielmarles7036]

guys i don't understand why we didn't ask for MEGALOVANIA. we have to ask for MEGALOVANIAAAA

[@Beam-1300]

If you really like the undertale songs i think you should try listening to the Deltarune Ost. And one i recommend is "the world revolving". (Deltarune is a game created by toby fox with almost the same lore as undertale if you didn't know) also fun fact if you switch some letters in undertale you actually get deltarune

[@clacktloc5816]

Well the protagonist with this song is felated to flowey the protagonist of finales So there is some similar lines

[@estebantorres2743]

y ese juego y eesa banda sonora, man, en poco menos de 160 mb

[@YouMayKnowMeAsNate]

SAVE The World is like a part two to this song!

[@viniciusnakashima860]

yessssss

[@Neptunes_Bounty]

You are the firat person to recognise the your best friend part.

[@WKCLBCF]

Megalovania is also from Undertale and its an amazing song (a suggestion)

[@devintheundertalefan5611]

You should do the OST track known as Undertale (yes its actual name is undertale)

[@YellowLAVA]

You have to do the Undertale Theme song (071)

[@JeanneFeisont]

Have you ever listened to the songs Toby Fox has done for the recent Pokemon games? They’re hype stuff as well.

[@Sekainoowaride]

Yes~

[@eggrolltheillegal6201]

so cool so cool so cool so cool

[@Sireristof1332]

I love all the songs, after seeing your nightmare reaction I'm still hoping you check out RichaadEB's metal version of Nightmare, or spear of justice. absolutely insane songs

[@yanmarcus6128]

I just think, that at this point, you just gotta play it dude

[@DrumRollTonyReacts]

All that free time. Lol

[@phictionofgrandeur2387]

The game's only like 20 hours long, and that's with all 3 major endings.​@@DrumRollTonyReacts

[@wakamolemole8477]

You have to react to undertale`s main theme: Undertale, it`s such a beautiful song

[@kontrassenso]

cool reaction bro

[@NotIncogneko]

When do we get ASGORE? Definitely one of my favorites.

[@colemclain3579]

If you see this, Do Green Sans (A totally serious battle(there’s 3 phases))