Aria of The Soul and Classical Music!? || Persona Series ||

a beautiful piece of music from the Persona series that really tuned me into my musical background. It was really interesting to dissect the technical aspects of the vocalism here!
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Credits:
Composer: Shoji Meguro
Developer: Atlus

[@kyoken8691]

Aria of the soul/Hymn of the soul/Poem of Everyone's Soul, is the main leitmotif of the persona series as a whole because of its connection to the Velvet Room and for the same reason butterflies are a main visual motif. Both represent Philemon who in Jungian psychology teaches "psychological objectivity and the actuality of the soul", and in the persona games this is translated to as "humanity's capacity for enlightenment". He is also in a constant battle with Nyarlathotep who is "humanity's capacity for self-destruction". He was originally the one who gave players the ability to use Personae in 1 and 2, and he created the Velvet Room to help these Persona users become stronger. Aria of the soul represents the Velvet Room which exists in the in-between of the conscious and unconscious. It is a place for self-reflection and meditation and preparation for the toils in one's life.

[@Mikeke352]

My sister went to music school to be an opera singer. This is my ringtone for when she calls.

[@MarcoMeatball]

Aw Thats Awesome!

[@minhhiendo3297]

And you named your sister "Igor" in your phone right? :awesome:

[@MatheusSantosmgas]

​@@minhhiendo3297probably named "belladonna" since that's the game name of the one who vocals this song

[@slicknickkcin]

@@minhhiendo3297 more like belladonna

[@silentfox9359]

Would have been interesting to listen to Battle for Everyones Soul in the same video. Now I am not sure if it deserves its own.

[@MarcoMeatball]

I have no idea what that is. This was a patreon suggestion. I do as told.

[@silentfox9359]

Battle for Everyone's Soul is pretty much a remix of Aria with different instrumentation but also quite a different feel and compared to Aria unique to Persona 3

[@christopherrobbins2600]

@@MarcoMeatball Its the final boss theme for Persona 3 and as the op said, a remix of Aria of the Soul

[@Azure9577]

@@MarcoMeatball its a battle remix of aria of the soul, and one the best songs in the series that you have to listen to

[@haruyukiarita3568]

​@@silentfox9359interesting fact Persona 4 Arena have one more version of Battle for everyone's soul and its also different, it's Margaret theme

[@HenSt-gz7qj]

out of all persona series, persona 3 is still my most favorite due to its mystic, dark, depressing, yet hopeful theme. "Memento Mori" , Persona 3 truly reflects that throughout the story.

[@dreamordont]

It still stands out its Dark themes and story and yet even in the face of hopelessness itself the characters still do everything they can to persist till the end no matter the outcome.

[@Guillz02]

Thoughts on the remake?

[@theadmiral4157]

​@@dreamordontthat's actually what the characters' purpose is. They teaches us to be hopeful despite all the misery we all were going through

[@kingjamos2422]

A little fun fact again Aria of the Soul is that the melody for it and the opera singing has been around since the first Persona in 1996. Back then the Velvet Room was more like a little night club with a pianist, an opera singer, and Igor. The first two are no longer around, but they sort of exist now in solely the music. It was pretty cool hearing your opinions on in and your expertise. I should really give that song more respect. Unrelated, but a while back you said something about my suggestion would be in a week (now last week) and I was wondering if you meant that the recording would be then. No big deal or anything, I'm just curious. You had me excited for it.

[@MarcoMeatball]

Sent you a message. (Waiting on a thumbnail!!!!)

[@MetatronsRevenge613]

Nameless and Belladonna

[@navetal]

I love it so much when you go on those "blah blah singer talk" tangents, please don't apologize for being passionate about music that you love, it's what brought most of us here in the first place!

[@pyopyonyo3222]

I find it very interesting to hear you so often saying that notes are difficult for opera singers. Was always under impression that you're so well trained nothing comes hard, especially hearing what some singers can do. Also it's great Aria was recommended over any pop song from Persona, it shows priorities of this channel listeners. Somehow, it warms my heart.

[@MarcoMeatball]

I have some p5 jams coming / but ya no opera singing is VERY hard. And notes are not always easy!

[@importcurses]

@@MarcoMeatball Were the P5 jams released on patreon? Or were they never released to begin with?

[@OnionFox725]

A little fun fact for those who didn't know or haven't played the game. The velvet room in P3 is modeled after an elevator that keeps ascending to represent the MC's and SEES seemingly endless ascension to Tartarus. As for the residents there... Well, Igor was his usual self. Elizabeth and Theodore, on the other hand, are modeled after a flight attendant and a bellboy but I like to think that they were inspired by elevator operators as they have almost similar uniforms. Perhaps the reason why it sounds a bit jazzy is because elevator music tend to be a bit jazzy as well?

[@Flweem]

You spend a lot of time listening to this in any Persona game. It's really cool to see it in a new light. An opera singer's take on this song is something I never knew I needed

[@MarcoMeatball]

❤️❤️❤️

[@parkermaisterra8532]

I’m honestly shocked you haven’t done Aria of the Soul before Love to see this

[@snickersnoo]

my girlfriend and i played through persona 5 at relatively the same pace, so whenever we were in a party on playstation and one of us went into the velvet room the other would immediately know cause whoever was in it would start singing the theme lol. so catchy, sometimes we just start singing it out of nowhere when we hang out. super interesting to hear a professional’s perspective on probably one of my favorite video game songs!

[@IvoryMadness.]

Def suggest the music "Battle for Everyones Soul". I think you'll like, considering what you've heard in this video :)

[@Tolly7249]

This is a beautiful piece from the very beginning of the Persona series. It's had so many versions for the main series, and variations for spin-offs, and even a couple of straight up remixes for events like the Persona Sound Bomb! in 2017. It started out as being actually sung in the Velvet Room, by a singer called Belladonna, to represent the support of Philemon, and over time has come to mean the ability of humans to change, grow, accept and surpass themselves. It's one of those tracks that sticks with me, I only need to hear a few notes to know exactly what it is and where it's from.

[@Vithedel]

An interesting function of this theme is that the player spends lots of time by ourself with this music piece without interaction with other characters, building our personal army and team choices so to speak, a safe and personal space. And these choices are represented by Tarot Arcana so they are both life choices of us player and also an exploration of the character's psychology and his/her personal relationships with other characters afterward.

[@cheesecheese6459]

I do reccomend battle for everyone's souls, rivers in the desert (with voices) and jadldabaoth all are awesome tracks

[@robinhoodproductions5102]

When I first played Persona 3 (my first persona game) I’d go to the velvet room and just listen to this song for like half an hour it just touched my teenage heart somehow

[@gamerkingdom1442]

OHH! Interesting take! The Music of Persona have always been phenomenal! Good pick.

[@陳威麟-q7o]

The arrangement and performance is just so epic. This connected series, it was re-tuned to serve as a epiloge theme, also the backbone theme of the series since then. It whispered gentle and distant, and then lead us to an ascended place through exotic dream, where we witnessed the unspoke stories. The first high note comes alone, where we are waiting and supprised even the path it goes by, like an unexplored sight revealed to us. And the storytelling started while the impact lingering. So much emotion. (Even a little lunatic or cultic IMO). A must go for anyone enjoy game music. Also, there are a second song in one of last hidden fight BGM.

[@ghostshrimp5006]

So here’s how it works. The velvet room is a deep blue space that’s appearance changes drastically depending on the person (P3 was an elevator P4 was a limousine P5 was a prison) that reflex said person‘s heart. The host of the velvet room is named Igor, a tall lanky bolding old man with a long nose and bulging eyes, but is actually a pretty chill dude and very accommodating. He explains that the velvet room is a place between dreams and reality mind a matter, he assist the MC (main character) He’s always has an assistant (Who have traditionally been women with one exception) on hand, they wear a uniform that matches the rooms current form. His purpose is to assist the MC by gaining and strengthening his personas(manifestations of the soul and mind that materialize as figures from fiction myth legend and history) and giving you general advice on what to do next in the story. His origins are as mysterious as the velvet room itself, he’ll mostly appear in dreams but will manifest the door to the room in the commonly visited areas of the MC. he teaches how to fuse, buff or turn into valuable items for your personas. the assistant tends to take more active role and will occasionally appear to encourage and motivate you on your journey (and is also a secret boss if you beat the game) TLDR: The creepy wacky old guy and his hot assistant (with the exception of P5 who is a child) Send you one fetch quests to do hero things until you become so hero that you save the the world and kill God (as is tradition in JRPGs)

[@MaverickRiou]

In the beginning, HE was the assistant, though. He did serve Philemon in the first 2 Persona games, then Philemon just vanished from P3 afterwards.

[@scene_noire7024]

I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS! man, this is my favourite song of all time ❤️❤️ tysm

[@MarcoMeatball]

Of course!

[@vivien24]

takes me back, i've not listened too this song in years

[@Starchaser38]

This is so good! Explaining the "anatomy" of singing is fascinating! Your reactions are what this genre of videos should've been from the very beginning :3

[@MarcoMeatball]

❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@SoulHeartEsquivel]

I love the lore reason for why this song even exsists in the first place. It is made by two people one name Belladona and the other a pianoist called Nameless each having a reason to play it. Belladonna is here to soothe the hearts of all who enter, even those of the Personas that are used by the protagonist. Nameless helps open the doors to the hearts of people who listen to his music, esentially allowing you to reach into your inner self and change things within yourself. Its how persona fusion can occur without any spirital/emotional change to the protagonist of the game or those who have entered it.

[@Laerei]

People have already mentioned the metal version of this song "The Battle for Everyone's Souls" but there's even a rock choir version of this song from Persona 4 The Animation called "The Bonds of Everyone's Souls". Which is my favorite version actually.

[@jet4u321]

This piece is iconic beyond belief. Thanks for finally reviewing it.

[@PhyrexianPraetor]

While I love the vids where you're enjoying the music alongside us and getting into the vibes of it/the intent of the sound (obviously or I wouldn't this many vids deep in the playlist) but it was very cool to have a song where you got so heavily into the technical stuff, loved getting into the guts of the song like that

[@MarcoMeatball]

🥰

[@zangy3748]

Thank you for explaining alot of stuff I didn't know until now! I was amazed about the power of the singer in this piece of music. No lyrics but the instrumentalisation of the voice reflects that emotions often are hard to describe since we as humans are prone to feel different kinds of emotions even though we think about the same thing as an Individuum. Our emotions are what is represented by that voice that doesn't speak words but speaks directly to the core of our very soul. As you said it yourself you could hear different emotions out of this song and it may be literally one soul telling us its story.

[@MarcoMeatball]

Yup! 🙏

[@Ignost]

when I first heard this song it gave me a sorrowful existential crisis.

[@EatNadesSon]

Lost Odyssey: Parting Forever is another hauntingly beautiful example of a soprano acting as musical accompaniment.

[@vaantsy]

Battle for Everyone Soul (Nyx last boss theme) is my most liked one. its starts upbeat getting rowdy and then.. the vocals starts. its beautiful. The arcana is the means by which all is revealed ps. Iwatodai Dorm also a certified BOP. a;most all of P3 music are BOP or my ptsd exploring tartarus

[@v.emiltheii-nd.8094]

Ive been waiting for this reaction. So thank you!

[@zeromailss]

Persona 3 will forever have a special place in my heart and so does this music I think P4 and P5 are amazing but P3 just hit different, most likely because of when I played it and how. I was in middle school and I just got a PSP as a birthday gift and P3 was one of the first few games I got on it and I fucking love it. I dunno I feel like Persona and Hand-held console are a match made in heaven.

[@unfairdani]

YESSS! I didn't expect you to react to persona music, let alone this piece, but I'm glad you did. Excelent video as always! I would LOVE if you reacted to _The Days When My Mother Was There_ from the fifth game. It's not the most complicated composition, but I love the way It tugs at my heartstrings.

[@Fergaruz28]

Hi Marco! I would love to recommend you a song called "Ricordando il Passato", it is from a game called Umineko When They Cry, the soundtrack of this game is incredibly good and I would be very happy if you would at least react to this song, excuse my bad English, I am using the google translate, I love all your reactions and analysis and I also hope to see more of the Persona saga, which is incredible!

[@araragisenpai4088]

Yessss

[@eternal_magician4810]

It doesn't have the same punch unless if you have listened to the song (I've more and more come to the belief that the OST in Umineko is good to great on its own but is only elevated to legendary in combination with how it is used in the VN) but I would still love to hear a reaction to it. It is such an amazing song and would be interesting to hear what someone who hasn't read through the story would get out of it.

[@XLiIAznX]

Yay! PERSONA! Every songs from this series are bangers! I hope you listen to the soundtrack from the other games

[@J-Unit90]

As a pianist, the block chords in this piece make it one of my faves to play. I really want to learn Rachmaninov’s prelude in g minor op. 23 no. 5, but that’s going to take me A LONG TIME. 😅 Great video as always 💚

[@MarcoMeatball]

🥰 rach is so damn hard 😂

[@dffagundo]

There's no going wrong with Persona music 😄 If you got the chance Marco, try watching the Persona Live 2017 concert!! A warning, though: once you take notice, you're already dancing and singing along, even if you've never listened to that song 😜

[@gplog7197]

I loved to hear you sing even a bit, you have a wonderful voice

[@MarcoMeatball]

:))))

[@0cardim]

Hey Marco! I would love to see you react to some pokemon mystery dungeon music! The one I'd love to hear your insights most is "Don't ever forget..." but "Time Gear" and "Memories Returned" are also some I'd love to see you react to! (They are all from Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky) Great video as always, you have turned into one of my favourite youtubers recently and I just cant stop listening to all your music knowledge, keep it up!

[@jamief5061]

This. That game is my favorite game that I've ever played, and I'm still listening to its tracks well into my early adult years! Memories Returned I feel is particularly powerful from an emotional standpoint.

[@horuho245]

im surprised youve made a video about it just now, its so good!

[@noxalbus]

nice vid as always marco, really looking forward to Combat Beneath the Waves (Enkanomiya)! btw when you're singing maybe cut out the bgm a bit? sometimes it could sound a bit weird with the bgm on

[@MarcoMeatball]

I thought that too. My bad. And ya it’s coming!

[@joseph0098]

Great video!!! I didn't realized that the song had a jazzy feel until you mentioned it but now I really do.

[@baumaus9014]

My favorite Persona song! Belladonna and Nameless! ToT I love this piece and all its versions with all my soul.

[@cheesecheese6459]

persona series is jammed packed with amazing music

[@erikoyoshieeirilyn4319]

We're getting Persona series now? Nice! I love your analysis. Looking forward to see what next 🥰

[@xSoulEater23]

Persona 3 OST analysis?? Heck yeah!

[@PlazDreamweaver]

Omg this is amazing. Wow. Thank you for introducing us to this and sharing your thoughts and expertise.

[@parasitone0814]

I really and i mean really recommend you hearing/reacting to persona 4's nevermore (specially if its the reincarnation version) it is honestly one of the most emotional pieces of "pop" music i could've ever heard.

[@gatex33d74]

I know for a fact i have spent countless hours listening to this song voluntarily and involuntarily, such a piece

[@quemar5833]

Bruh, take me back to the days when PSP was the dream of every child. No worries, naivete and a lot of games in English, which no one seriously teaches anywhere. If only I knew whats going on for real Talk about Persona, I also never complet these games. But this music is consistently beautiful in every velvet room I've been.

[@Crystalhair2024]

Time for marco to fall into the persona music hole just like genshin . Would love to see your reaction to 'mass destruction' as i have never heard you react to a rap battle theme.

[@MaverickRiou]

Lotus Juice is amazing.

[@CheesyLizzy]

I think it'd be really cool if you listened to Battle Hymn of the Soul next, it's one of my favorite songs and uses the theme of this song ^^

[@andrebastos3785]

Great song, I always sing along when it comes on in the car in my spotify

[@christopherrobbins2600]

This is one of my all time favorite pieces of gaming music

[@Pekash]

the persona 2 innocent sin velvet room is a master piece

[@keiichiiozawanikoot6435]

Omg, I wanted you review this theme, did you know no one in existence can recreate the high note, it was done so well this theme vocals was never redone or replaced.

[@spookyboi7660]

For p5 I've spent about 10 hours in the velvet room alone, I can recognize this song by the first three notes and I dont know if I should be proud or ashamed

[@tricboy4791]

brooo, I would love to hear your take on some of the music from The Last of Us. (personally I think the sequel has a more emotional soundtrack, I would recommend Longing (Redemptions) and Allowed to be Happy if you do decide to check it out) Have loved your content so far, interesting to hear your perspective, keep it up!

[@VeitaShioyamaCh]

My man gotta try Battle for everyone's soul and the Bond of everyone's soul after this

[@RUGrimm-fv5if]

As a pianist, he mentioned playing Rachmaninoff, and I had the equivalent of a pianist's 'Nam flashback... *shudders* Octopus hands fail to truly capture the pain that is playing a Rachmaninoff piece (especially as a woman with really tiny hands...)-

[@Gogettor]

You called it a piece. And that earnt you a sub. Now, if you’d ever react to Yakuza (haven’t seen it here), you’d be S tier

[@Aigispersona-w3i]

the arcana is the means which all is revealed

[@maochi3257]

I has discovered this chanel for few days ago and really enjoy with your takes on a video games ost. I would reccomended you an "Under Tides boss theme" from Arknights.(sorry for my English >

[@sp0nge1337]

10:50 There is a Tenor cover of Aria of the Soul available on YT.

[@62eru]

I'd love to see you do a reaction video to one of P4G's (Persona 4 Golden) battle theme "The Almighty" PS I love these analysis type videos, keep it up!

[@oro1212]

Oh, I love this soundtrack! I always wanted to sing along but I don't want to torment my family=D

[@thingmate7361]

I don't know if anyone else has recommended it to you, but have you considered reacting to some songs from Guilty Gear Strive? The style of music may be a little different compared to your other reactions (being metal first and foremost) but they have so much life and story to tell that I think you would have an absolute blast listening to the tracks. Personal favourites include Roar of the Spark (Ky theme), Iron-Clad Faith (Potemkin theme) and the most recent The Town Inside me (Bridget theme). Love the amazing work and insight you're giving to music, breaking everything down and explaining it so clearly. Keep up the amazing work!

[@MarcoMeatball]

Glad you like it! I’ll check these out!

[@thingmate7361]

@@MarcoMeatball if you like these recommendations I may share others, but I'll refrain from oversharing rn 😅

[@wheresatari668]

Play any of the games, Brother. Worth it.

[@constanzacku575]

Hi Mark! Another great video as always. I wanted to ask you if you will also react to anime osts in the future. Personally, I'd really like that you reacted to Shingeki no Kyojin/Attack on Titan's OST. Sawano Hiroyuki is probably my favorite composer and he has great masterpieces like "You See Big Girl" where the singing is just heartbreaking and wonderful. Obviously, if it's not in your plans, I understand, since I will see any content you upload anyway haha. (Sorry if something I say is not understood, I do not have good English)

[@sunjian5458]

Long shot, but I would like to ask that you listen to Adagio for Strings from the Homeward OST. It is...well its only done with vocals and pulls such emotion from you when you listen, that it was the song that made me realize that Video Game Music could be REAL music.

[@ezrach8269]

You should react to Trails of Cold Steel's Aria-Holy Saint Holy Spirit theme. It's up your alley

[@preay8111]

Hii! You definitely have to listen to Port of Osmos Day and Night Version from Sumeru!! Genshin

[@pistonfry]

I really like the other version of this song, which is Battle for everyone's soul. U might wanna check it out

[@1012jalvarez]

Not gonna lie . I saw p3 and I instantly liked .

[@IvoryMadness.]

lol, me too!

[@yarion4774]

But... but there is only mention of persona 3 by proxy of "persona series"... ARE YOU A SHAM?!

[@M0narch1024]

whoops I missed out two full days, but imma just continue day by day Persona music do be hitting different sometimes also Day sixty-six of recommending Stay Gold from the Arknights OST

[@mr.e3123]

when i think of Aria of the Soul i envision The Earth's Rotation

[@antonimo_anonimo4499]

Hopefully more persona songs in the future

[@МадараУчиха-щ4я]

"Elfen lied" from anime with the same name

[@Fergaruz28]

Lillium

[@povilzem]

Seconded. Lilium is an awesome piece of music, probably the best thing in that show. But this is a video game music channel ;D

[@efad3215]

You've only heard half of the song, tho that might be versioning issues bc this song has been in the series since it span off of the main Shin Megami Tensei, and I swear there's a second verse in the Persona 5 version

[@Aerynlia]

So many people have asked me to sing this.

[@adhimasdutapekerti2752]

Amazing song

[@yoimati]

If I translate it into English from Japanese literally, it would be that; The poem of soul for everyone. 全ての人の魂の詩 is the original title of this song in Japanese. The direct translation might sound bit strange for native English speaking people.

[@ma.2089]

Which version of this song is this? Because I know Persona 1-2 had more emphasis on the operatic aspect/singer, whereas persona 3-5’s version was more instrumental. My ears r terrible so can anyone tell me which one this is?

[@ma.2089]

This is the persona 3-5 version it seems. I highly recommend checking out 1-2’s as well

[@bonelessler]

have you reacted to tiny masterpiece of evil yet? its one of the best opera themed league of legends soundtracks i highly suggest u to check it out cause it sounds very unique in comparison to what u might expect from an opera

[@MarcoMeatball]

Cool!

[@moonpixelle]

love persona music :)

[@rodgercampo5332]

Awesome video

[@theastroguy7417]

my guy, you have listened to doom and vergil, please try out ANY mgr theme because all of them are bangers. short but sweet

[@MarcoMeatball]

Yes and more to coming too

[@mabilleaudrey2154]

Will you make a react to Genesis, Gyakkou and Tot music from the One Piece movie RED ?

[@SilverOrSmthng]

👍👍

[@NymphieJP]

ngl, you should finish persona 5 lol, it has great music.

[@gelbana]

Is that a buff pikachu in the background? Lmao

[@MarcoMeatball]

No

[@cybersnake88]

Finally!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@hundvd_7]

You got the developer Credits wrong: Atlus :P

[@dan74695]

Here's a baritone version kzbin.info/www/bejne/qHOomo1qbpiDjZI