Every Dark Souls Song Ranked!

[@BillySYT]

Feel free to share your Tier Lists down below! Music is about as subjective as you can get, so I KNOW we'll all have very different opinions, and I'd love to see them!

[@filmkid8221]

This is a great list, but due to the iron golem placement, we will throw you off Sen’s Fortress, thank you for understanding 😊

[@BillySYT]

I fully understand, throw me head first 🙏

[@nerdymidwesterner3662]

I think that Dark Souls still has the best Soulsborne soundtrack to this day. I think the subtlety and focus on detail of the trilogy by far trumps the bombastic and grand approach in Elden Ring, although I enjoy that as well.

[@nerdymidwesterner3662]

I think my favorite OST song is the one for Knight Artorias, because the instrumental really encapsulates the feeling of battling against a withered legend well beyond saving, just for the sake of walking the same path that left this legend corrupted. It feels like the music is warning me of my doom once I overcome the fight.

[@TheRustyLemon1]

Agreed

[@BillySYT]

I think Shadow of the Erdtree's musical additions really helped to propel Elden Ring forwards. Messmer's theme sounds like it could fit right into Dark Souls and I wouldn't bat an eye.

[@ThroughfulGamer95]

Elden Ring's soundtrack doubtlessly has more variety, nuance, and attention to detail, and while maybe not as sonically dense, the DS1 boss tracks are by and large also very loud and dramatic.

[@apodani1576]

Yeah superb soundtrack but I think Bloodborne comes first mostly down to preference.

[@themightythor1160]

Sorry but running into Gwenyvere and getting the lords soul first go around is maybe my favorite moment in the whole franchise.

[@Funt_Bunkledorf]

"I am not crazy! I know he swapped those songs. I knew it was Shadow of the Colossus OST. Gaping Dragon OST after 'In Awe of Power'. As if I could ever make such a mistake. Never. Never! I just - I just couldn’t prove it. Motoi Sakuraba covered his tracks, he got that idiot at the Fromsoft headquarters to lie for him. You think this is something? You think this is bad? This? This chicanery? He’s done worse. That Vordt of the Boreal Valley theme! Are you telling me that a man just happens to play a masterpiece like that? No! He orchestrated it! Motoi Sakuraba! He threw fetid pots through a sunroof! And I saved him! And I shouldn’t have. I took him into my own game! What was I thinking? He’ll never change. He’ll never change! Ever since he was 39, always the same! Couldn’t keep his hands out of the Shadow of the Colossus OST! But not our Motoi! Couldn’t be precious Motoi! Stealing them blind! And HE gets to be a composer? What a sick joke! I should’ve stopped him when I had the chance! …And you, you have to stop him! You" - Chuck McGill

[@Harley-or-Nugget_B0]

I love tierlists so much!!!!!! SS - Daughters of Chaos (possibly my favorite track in soulsborne), Iron Golem S - Artorias, Nameless Song, Black Dragon Kalameet, Bell Gargoyles, Sanctuary Guardian A - Gwyn Lord of Cinder, Ornstein and Smough, Gaping Dragon, Pinwheel, The Ancient Dragon, Gravelord Nito B - Chaos Witch Quelaag, Asylum Demon, Dark Sun Gwydolin, Battle of Stoicism, Great Grey Wolf Sif C - Firelink Shrine, Four Kings, Gwynevere Princess of Sunlight, Manus Father of the Abyss, Crossbreed Priscilla D - Bed of Chaos, Centipede Demon F - Seath the Scaleless

[@BillySYT]

Totally understand the Daughters of Chaos love. It doesn't always stick in my mind, but when I'm sitting there in game by Queelag's sister, it hits really well

[@Hopeful_Husker]

Gwyn is the Welsh word for “white”, which is a great parallel with only white keys be playing in his theme. Also, “A Moment’s Peace” has a great lofi version by tills chills. Well worth a listen!

[@BillySYT]

Gwyn secretly Gandalf the White confirmed

[@Hopeful_Husker]

@@BillySYT if Gandalf turned to the dark side, yeah 😅

[@d3viLang3LFall3n]

How fitting, the best song for you was the closing act, the reflection of the journey, the melancholy behind it and the little glimmer of hope still left.

[@cnr3916]

I personally find sanctuary guardian to be one of the best themes in the game, its so exciting and aggressive which is rare in the first dark souls, it resembles many themes found in dark souls 3

[@BillySYT]

Ironically the reason you love it is the reason I dislike it - Dark Souls 1 has such a unique style in comparison to the games that came after it, which is more of a selling point for me.

[@sludgepls]

appreciate your ranking and how you talk about and experience the songs

[@namirakira7138]

Artorias’s theme sounds like a funeral, and I think that’s what makes it my favorite DS1 track. Taurus Demon comes really close because I really like that one trumpet section. It embraces the comedy and silliness of these games that is often overlooked by the fans. I see people see the goriest and creepiest thing an artist made, and reply with ‘Wow this could be a dark souls enemy!’ while I am just thinking about the toilet demons or the baby mushrooms. It encompasses the occasional fun of the world that made me love Dark Souls when I tried it after Bloodborne.

[@BillySYT]

While I found Sif's theme more "funeral-esque", I can see that for Arty too. Fitting given they're so intertwined lore-wise. And agreed on Taurus - As I said in the video, Motoi Sakuraba put his Sakurabussy into that track, and I stand by that statement, as cursed as it is.

[@carlosperen4238]

Despite all the other videos that you've made that i have adored, i am SO excited by this one, and i think it might easily come out as my favourite of your series. Music is so emotional, and it hits everyone so hard in different ways. I learned some years back that more than content, dialogue, or anything else in a piece of art, its music that gets under my skin most. I learned this when the theme that plays in batman begins when Bruce sits in the police station after his parents have been slaughtered infront of him plays. The film doesn't do a huge amount to play up the emotion of the moment, its understated, but now whenever i hear that track, in movie or out, i bawl. It captures the helpless loneliness, the emptiness of a child so well. And dark souls music is so good at this too. As a teacher, i mark a LOT in my day, and the way i get through it is by listening to game music - often soulsbourne, as it tends to gear me up for action! What i love so much about this video is your honest, raw and transparent feelings about the music. Its relatable and so good to hear. Not like some music expert who throws jargon at the audience and makes them sound smart and me feel dumb. I love hearing your feelings. Its why i love your videos, and why this topic is such a winner. I cannot WAIT for you to tackle the other games. Thank you for everything you do Billy S, genuinely, and im sorry for the essay. ❤️

[@Lord-of-Gaming-007]

Im REALLY looking forward to this series

[@JunkYardCardGuy]

YES! I've been BEGGING for someone to do this topic....thank you Billy!!

[@BillySYT]

No problem - I've wanted to talk about music for a while, but it just never felt like the right time.

[@ThePontiff113]

Jeez, the Elden Ring ranking is probably gonna be controversial as hell (Oh and you better do Demon's Souls remake as well)

[@BillySYT]

I'll do the Demon's Souls & Remake videos separate because their OSTs are so insanely different. We'll see

[@PristianoPenaldoSUIIII]

OG Demon's Souls is definitely its own thing. Way less orchestral, more brass and medieval

[@enzo-ib2gy]

17:58 actually stray demon have the iron golem ost.

[@THENERONERD]

came to comment the same thing! awesome vid though Billy, agreed with a lot of choices

[@BillySYT]

I'll take that L, I was a tad sleep deprived scripting this lmao

[@hamhamburguer219]

Really good video! I only disagree about the placement of Gwynevere ost. It would place it much higher. You should give this music another shot. I wish success on your channel man. Keep going with the rankings!

[@carlos-jm1sk]

i’ve been waiting for someone to make a video like this! keep up the great work 👏

[@justins4814]

Of the hub themes, I love majula the most I think, but nothing instills a somber dread like the firelink theme in ds1. I remember first hearing it and realizing I was playing something special

[@BillySYT]

Majula's my personal favourite, but Firelink DS1 & Hunter's Dream BB come very close.

[@jajasking9652]

For me is second best/best one, but, if It counts, then i think secret betrayal is the best OST in the hub, but is only trigered if i give a pair of eyes to fire keeper

[@justins4814]

@ love that one!

[@jonathanfarrimond3619]

I swear all these themes are so similar yet i recognise them all separately

[@BillySYT]

I think it's the mark of a well composed game imo

[@DrRAZI99]

Ash Lake theme is EASY S tier !!

[@sethcarter9833]

Love it! Already waiting for DS2 Soundtrack Tier List - so many S tier tracks. Majula, obviously. That's probably one of the best ever created/implemented by fromsoftware. Also, Ruin Sentinels, Scorpioness Najka, Duke's Dear Freja, Looking Glass Knight, Darklurker (omg the darklurker theme), Nashandra, Sinh, Sir Alonne (!), and the Burnt Ivory King had soooooo fantastic and memorable soundtracks. Especially Darklurker and Sir Alonne always stood out to me. Chills!

[@BillySYT]

DS2 is going to be fun since it has a really good soundtrack (although I find it hard to remember the music by memory)

[@sludgepls]

no way the darklurker? in dark souls 2 the video game the franchise??

[@Luke-yd7zi]

I'm so excited for this series!!!!!!!

[@yuvalmenahem800]

Yes, finally!!! after one year of waiting it is finally here thank you 🎉

[@nuclearquailord5311]

26:54 "There's Something About Pinwheel" would make an amazing sitcom

[@landladyification]

You know the soundtrack is good when after years you still hear the impact of an gargoyles axe on the churches roof or can feel the gaping dragon chasing you in your neck.

[@demiloavila4330]

Nameless song is one of the most beautiful pieces of music I ever heard. Whenever I feel down, I come back to nameless song and it reminds me of the beauty in the struggle

[@VermilionRen]

I love video game OSTs! Thank you for the awesome videos Billy

[@BillySYT]

No problem, love a good OST as well ^^

[@LordBackuro]

I love Smough and Ornsteins theme as well as the Ash Lake ambient ost Firelink theme is also very comforting.

[@maksziarnek3707]

I'd love to see this becoming a full series. When you get to the Demon Souls soundtrack could you rank both the original ost and the remake? Both have amazing music, and in some cases are drastically diffrent. For example the flamelurker in the remake has this grand orchiestra that makes the fight feel very epic, but in the OG his ost makes me feel like im about to die irl and this is my death march

[@glxyhrt]

Thank you Mother Bilby for the food. Music Tier Lists are easily at the top of my "Genres of Tier List" Tier List

[@confusedsausagetm871]

As a French horn and trumpet player, Ornstein and Smough will always be S tier in my heart for the part at 1:29

[@GRN01]

Hey! Just wanted to say that i really like your videos and i hope you get even more success with subscribers and views because you really deserve it. Thank you for the content and keep going!

[@BillySYT]

Much appreciated, thanks for tuning in ^^

[@WarrenValion]

Huh, I just started playing Dark Souls 1 for the first time yesterday. Neat.

[@BillySYT]

Make sure not to go Hollow and hopefully your trek through Lordran is filled with joy!

[@WarrenValion]

@@BillySYT Checking back in to let you know I have now completed Dark Souls 1.

[@yeet6998]

After you’ve done all the souls games, can you also do lies of p?Since that game has such an amazing soundtrack

[@BillySYT]

I'd love to. We'll actually be doing a Boss Tier List for Lies of P at some point before the year ends since my partner's playing through it ^^

[@TheFHPodcast]

Yes I am here for this series!! I love these OSTs, they elevate the games so much! Tbh my favorite from DS1 is probably Gwenevere's music! It emulates the joy I feel after beating O&S and it syncs up nicely with her dialogue

[@BillySYT]

OUFF - Well, at least we get to see subjectivity in action. Hopefully some of your other favourites fared better in my list 😬

[@TheFHPodcast]

@BillySYT Just be sure to put muh Twin Princes OST in the S tier and you'll get no hate comments from me!!! 😬

[@Gebrilas]

A moment’s peace for me is just perfect, despite the fact that it really looks like a lot like save them from RE1 remake. The tierlist is really nice tho, “the ancient dragon” deserved at least an A imo

[@finchy_1172]

Similarly to nitos theme, artorias's theme is really brought together with the wolf howl at the start and artorias's scream after death at the end

[@finchy_1172]

Also while its not a song, I absolutely LOVE the "Bonfire lit" sound

[@Malisteen]

good series concept

[@BillySYT]

Let's goooo

[@polararias9936]

Ohhh I remember when I play DS1 for the first time....Gwyn's OST almost makes me cry, because it makes me remember all the journey that I went through, just for this moment....is amazing....even tho I despise O&S, specially Ornstein which is my nemesis, their OST hit hard, it gives me PSTD xD ....Sif and Artorias are my fav, and the Firelink Shrine also I love it, it gives me peace :3

[@kayla_eevee]

Love that you're doing this series. Soulsborne music is incredible and probably 2nd only to Undertale as my all-time favorite video game music. If I had to pick a favorite, I'd be hard-pressed to choose between Priscilla, Gwyndolin/the Moonlight Butterfly, and Gwyn. The first 2 are the only bosses I've deliberately never fought before and almost certainly never will. Especially not Gwyndolin. They're the one character in all the Soulsborne games I relate to the most. So much of their story really resonates with me as a trans person and that theme is simply gorgeous.

[@NicolasLima-xg5ce]

33:31 WOOOOOOW That riposte went so well with the song

[@BillySYT]

That was completely unplanned, but Gwyn always delivers xD

[@thanomusic4697]

For me, DS3 has the most top tier music overall. Almost every boss theme is memorable. Second comes Elden Ring (incliding DLC wich gives a boost), then bloodborne, ds1, ds2, sekiro and demons. As for just the og dark souls themes. My top 5 would be: -Sif's theme -plin plin plon -credits song -Pikachu & Snorlax (not space jam, the other) -firelink shrine

[@HermesGonder]

My favorite subjcet when it comes to Dark Souls. I havent played the first Dark souls but i still think that it has one of the best ost in the whole series. Sorry for spelling errors.

[@tylerlordeon3023]

Hey Billy i just wanted to recommend my personal favorite OSTs composed by Motoi Sakuraba, from the forgotten, and sorely underrated Baten Kaitos duology. The true mirror along with chaotic dance are great tracks should you decide to give them a listen. Sakuraba knock the entire OST of both games outta the park like alwayt

[@averagesoul8256]

gwyn this gwyn that but just hearing the first note of nameless song and my soul was sent to heaven

[@BillySYT]

Exactly why Nameless Song triumphed over Gwyn today. It's just a perfect credit theme.

[@beanman2206]

The best soundtrack in all of gaming for me!!

[@adekaiwamisou]

Before watching: PINWHEEL THEME FOR WITHIN TOP 3, LET'S GO!

[@magganboi1350]

Plin Plin Plon

[@BillySYT]

Plin Plin Plon

[@wolfox7776]

Firelink Shrine is music I could fall asleep to.

[@Jseerockhead40]

I'm Asperger's I pick up on everything, cool video

[@Imamblind]

I cannot even have enough of the *pilng pilng pilogs*

[@BlackandBlack018]

Great video! Can you make a similar video for Nioh 2?

[@mobilemetal4554]

Soul of cinder twin prince and abyss watchers are my fav.

[@BillySYT]

Dark Souls 1, my dude

[@mobilemetal4554]

@ haha. I got a bit ahead of myself. Love your vids!!

[@garrett9233]

I have never disagreed with any of your placements more than I do with you putting Ancient Dragon in B tier, that is easily my favorite in the game and one of my favs in the whole series. I respect it tho

[@blooper2195]

The only thing i would change is Iron golems theme in S i love this violin in this theme but otherwise its a good list

[@АнанасикХитрожопый-и7в]

Seath the Scaleless theme being not F-tier is a fucking disgrace

[@Lord-of-Gaming-007]

Im not sure if there will even be a D tier or C tier in Dark Souls 3 or Bloodborne music tier list😅

[@BillySYT]

I can think of a handful of tracks I dislike from both games myself, but that's subjectivity for you ^^

[@Lord-of-Gaming-007]

@BillySYT we're just gonna have to wait and see your opinion I love your videos, man, keep up the great work👍

[@adekaiwamisou]

4:39 DID BILLY JUST GET ABDUCTED BY ALIENS MID TAKE AND REPLACED?!

[@BillySYT]

I get surprisingly gassy while recording because I swallow so much air between takes. This one felt funny enough to keep in lmfao

[@adekaiwamisou]

@@BillySYT Nice.

[@jookyoop3647]

1:35 What is thisssss weopon I don’t think I’ve ever seen it, its very cool looking

[@itachileesan]

oh billy.. gweneviere and iron giant being so low..... but you are brave to do this list so I forgive you...

[@TarnishedZorro]

Gwynevere in D tier is a crime

[@mindseyemusicreview]

Pretty sure O+S is my favorite

[@iamMildlyUpsetWithMostOfYouTub]

Man the soundtrack pales so so much in comparison to later games but Artorious stands the test of time.

[@BillySYT]

It's subjective, but I honestly think the fact it's not as orchestral as future games is a pro, not a con. Helps it stay fresh in my mind.

[@metabones95]

Can’t believe artorias theme isn’t S tier 😭

[@Bayle-the-Dread-Dragon]

Iron Golem should be higher Centipede demon should be WAY higher Manus should be S All dlc tracks should be S Four kings should be A AT THE VERY LEAST

[@Funt_Bunkledorf]

"Ah, I knew you'd come'

[@joelpettersson4055]

Best game of all time

[@iamMildlyUpsetWithMostOfYouTub]

Until you beat ornstein and smough.

[@BillySYT]

Truly the goat

[@joelpettersson4055]

​@@iamMildlyUpsetWithMostOfYouTubI never understood this. Out of the 3 areas that makes up the last third of the game only 1 feels rushed or unfinished. That being lost izolith. The Tomb of the giants is awesome with an amazing main boss, a red phantom and a character quest. Dukes archives is one of the best areas in the game and Seth has allot of interesting lore.

[@kevinberg4623]

Plin plin plon

[@etinarcadiaego7424]

Bloodborne

[@vereornox701]

Hot take: I don’t like the theme of Ash Lake. It’s the only theme where I turn off the music because I get annoyed with it very quickly, and I don’t dislike Ash Lake as an area

[@upsideproductions2]

Why don’t you like ash lake? I’m not judging I’m just asking.

[@vereornox701]

@ I think part of the reason is that I associate choirs more with cathedrals, so it’s rather jarring. I also get vibes that I’m approaching a beautiful yet terrible (per Galadriel) god who’s about to cast judgment upon me. It just feels very “mankind” in a place where it doesn’t belong as it predates them and the gods

[@luiChe]

​​@vereornox701 Respectable. I imagine the choirs are the remnants from the magic that brought the world into creation, like in lord of the rings.

[@vereornox701]

@@luiChe Ah, so the creation as depicted in the Silmarillion. Also respectable

[@BillySYT]

I can see that, subjectivity and all that ^^