Radical Face - One Last Dream

So this one was has a bit of story behind it.
Last Friday I got contacted out of the blue by the creator of the show "The Blacklist." There was a very important final scene in the the season finale, and there was suddenly an issue with the music that was slated to go along with it. I was asked if I could come up with something for the scene over the weekend, as it was due to air on Wednesday. But it was a long cue -- about 5 minutes. We had never spoken before that moment, but they've featured me on the show multiple times and it's been a really big reason that people have heard of me at all. So of course I was happy to at least try.
I got a cut of the scene, some notes about the tone and the mood, and then the work started. Writing to cues is a bit different than writing songs, because the tempo and mood have to fit something that already exists. It's about amplifying a mood instead of generating it from scratch. So just sorting the structure can take a lot of time. I could also tell right from the start that I'd need strings on this, so I asked Josh, my partner, to help me come up with some cello parts. He's really great at playing emotively, so we got all that sorted in a couple hours. The rest was a blur. But it's fun to just move sometimes and go entirely with gut responses. There wasn't time to second guess anything. And luckily it was all moods and tones that are well within my wheelhouse.
To jump to the end, the piece worked out well and was accepted. And since it will have already aired before I put out my next newsletter, I am uploading it early.
Oh, and if you would like to hear more of Josh's string work, he records lots of classical music, and also has compositions of his own. Check out his new channel at: / joshlee415
For the art, I just grabbed one of the images from my "Rain" series I did earlier this year that felt like it paired pretty well. It's something I painted on Procreate, on my iPad.

[@StarWarsTherapy]

"I can't do it." "That's alright." "I don't want to." "I understand."

[@JG-jc6fx]

actually sobbing rn

[@vfcchurchmusician5896]

IT's two years later and those lines...that scene...this music...push my buttons STILL!

[@julia6274]

This on my mind, i can't forget this.

[@catedoge3206]

pain. just pain. :(

[@uwillcal5741]

Extremely moving,ty for putting a feel in my heart,looking beyond does happen the world needs more love,try to make room to be happy 😊

[@adeebf97]

R.I.P Elizabeth Keen.

[@morganbolderman3990]

ASTOUNDING! been a huge fan of you since I heard you on the blacklist years ago!!

[@chya1295]

Beautiful.

[@vante8544]

The beauty about your music is it never ever fails to disappoint

[@walid-esamaeegmail.comwali4932]

for those who ask who is Raymond riddington is Katharina Rostova Season 8 Episode 21 31:15 to 32 minute

[@vr-07]

Coisa linda de se ouvir

[@mysticalbeauty280]

Thank you for this.

[@jordan10173]

10 people disliking this are members of the Cabal who needs the Fulcrum

[@christopherdenniskoswara6852]

lol yeah fact hahaha

[@jamesmcneil7124]

Lol

[@ophiuchus992]

Get Clarice

[@tamochristian2397]

😂😂😂Lmao!!!

[@karenyoudenvengeruk2897]

You shouldn't care? As long as you like it, I will play this on piano after a bit of practice, I play by ear

[@apostoloschatzigeorgiou9487]

James Spader is easily one of the greatest actors out there.The role fits him so well!!

[@catedoge3206]

ye

[@dylangalloway4571]

It’s crazy how radical face captured the essence of your life flashing before your eyes

[@Vereshchak]

So beautiful... This song made the final scene so powerful!! Thanks❤

[@Durzo1259]

They couldn't have picked a more perfect song to align with the power of the ending. Just finished watching it and... WOW. I teared up a little.

[@Amber31287]

I know, right?!?! I absolutely loved it!!!! Even though it was the one, if not the most saddest part of the show!!😥💔

[@Amber31287]

@@Durzo1259 A little?!?! I was balling like a baby!!😂😂

[@abrahamseda310]

It was something else…not many shows can pull that off. What a song to go with the ending

[@RicoZuabe]

Ending for what show??? Im lost

[@agha0070]

1:14 perhaps the most powerful scene in tv history for me. I did not realise I was capable of crying for a tv show. This magical showmanship was beyond amazing. I love this music

[@FirdausiSuleiman-i3q]

Thank you

[@catedoge3206]

i have another one. watch the magicians. there's a point there where the scene and the song choice and all the context fit so perfectly. years later, i still cry if i watch /listen to that.

[@zed_1585]

“There is nothing that can take the pain away. But eventually, you will find a way to live with it.”

[@agustinalmaraz694]

Raymond Reddington The Blacklist 👍

[@alexislee262]

*Spoiler alert . . But after Liz's death, I don't think Red could find a way to live with it 💔 that is too much to carry. After all of this, it will never be a happy ending. He will never have a happy ending. It's so sad. After all of things they and we have been through 😭

[@zed_1585]

@@alexislee262 idk I think he could easily shift his focus to protecting Agnes. He has the task force he can trust who love Liz and would probably be willing to protect her blessed daughter. But hopefully he does better protecting Agnes than he did Liz, but I think the task force will keep him in check

[@Diamondsrfvr]

@@alexislee262....."After all of things they and we have been through.".......Yes!......

[@FradeCardeal]

it was predictable, she was saying goodbye to Everton e...even to her daughter. Sad and emotional ending...with a well chosen music.

[@stingray1666]

Cried when I heard it on the Blacklist. What a beautiful piece.

[@sajoomorad1367]

Me too ☹️💔

[@ammarahmed7516]

It was the first time I cried because of a series when I heard this piece 💔

[@jamesmcneil7124]

Just cried tonight watching it. Wow

[@StarWarsTherapy]

Same, my friend

[@catedoge3206]

real

[@hamidqazi7021]

Don’t know wether the Liz’s death scene made this background music so much heart-touching or this music made that scene just so much heart-shattering. But Blacklist brought me here to search for this masterpiece. One of the beautiful piece of music I listened ever. ❤️

[@mysticalbeauty280]

The most powerful yet heartbreaking scene in the blacklist.

[@asanagahisa3601]

what scene was it?

[@lechkarayoub]

@@asanagahisa3601 death of elizabeth

[@joepdewild589]

@@asanagahisa3601 the last scene

[@sparks1545]

@@asanagahisa3601 Series 8 Episode 22.

[@ricardosalinas4385]

That lump in the throat

[@محمدرضا-ي6ك5ح]

from the blacklist?

[@felipescassiotta7531]

Yes

[@stellamccurdy1514]

So incredibly magical. I admit, I've never heard of The Blacklist (I'll have to check it out!) but I've been a fan of Radical Face for almost a decade. Through the years his music has gotten me through so much. Thank you for this, Radical Face. Never stop creating. You are a musical genius.

[@benny8113]

did you check it out?

[@carlosdaniel7158]

I never thought I would suffer so much for a scene from some series. I connected so much with the blacklist that Liz's death was torture for me.

[@fanc.5711]

Still is for me 💔

[@ahrarkhan5809]

people who have seen lizz dying can relate to the pain associated with this song. This is exactly how end of an era sounds like!

[@dylangalloway4571]

It’s amazing how they did did that … I made a comment on here like a year ago that they really captured what your life flashing before your eyes before death sounds like it’s crazy

[@Traytell15]

The most heartbreaking scene in The Blacklist 😢😢

[@supernova652]

The song at 3:28 with Liz finally closing her eyes , is the saddest. I was bawling , have watched the montage several times. This whole music is so good.

[@julia6274]

Me too.

[@sajoomorad1367]

I am coming from the blacklist 💔💔🤦🏻‍♀️ liz death

[@bonniestewart1870]

Your presence in this existence is a gift. Thank you for sharing your power with us.

[@kurdtcoben]

The most beautiful thing about your music is that, when I was watching that episode for the first time, it only took a few seconds before I knew you made the song. Even without lyrics there's just something so uniquely "you" about your music. Thank you for making tunes that make me feel and for writing lyrics that make me think and, most importantly, thank you for being you. It means a lot to me.

[@jessicatale9909]

I can't do it It's alright I don't want to I understand 1:13 F, I can't hold my tears.

[@memeowl7601]

Same 😢

[@zed_1585]

“As bad as you think I am, as far as you think I’m willing to go to protect that which I hold dear... you can’t possibly fathom how deep that well of mine truly goes.”

[@supernova652]

This was the saddest scene I ever watched. Cried for a whole month.

[@nee5hap]

this music made the scene!!! BEAUTIFUL. thank you blacklist, you brought me here.

[@SendiSiradj]

You're a genius man, you nailed it. The last scene of the episode is perfectly fit with this song. Everytime i hear this, i can't help to bring tear in my eyes. Good work

[@jeryozdimitar7310]

"When You Love Someone You Have No Control. That's What Love Is. Being Powerless."

[@projoeiii]

Coming back to this video and this song now to remind me of what should have been the end of The Blacklist. I felt so much more in this moment (with this song) than I did in all of the following episodes combined. Should’ve ended there.

[@lazygamingjd]

I finally found the source of the music! Thank you, man. It's beautiful. Touching and heartbreaking at the same time. It made a grown-ass man cry.

[@caperwillis]

I have to say this is my first ever comment on a You Tube Video in my life. I have not heard of you before the finale of The Blacklist. I was blown away by the scene, by the moment and now think it's one of the most touching final scenes I've ever seen, and it's due to this music. It could only have been done with your song and to that I say- great work, fantastic job and now I am also a fan.

[@bellabell5826]

Where can I find the piano sheets? 😭

[@war9254]

Thanks Megan bone,you were so Amazing on show that we enjoyed with it so much and we still,all thanks to radical face too ❤️❤️

[@fitz3691]

How the heck does the blacklist always comes up with the most amazing song at the end of each episode. Fantastic scene with Megan Boone and James Spader….This show is really truly amazing….

[@jilboobseksi]

agree

[@juliachristinaheikamp246]

I think it was also the music that got me hooked. Not just the story and the amazing actors. Adding music to stories told on film is an art for itself, one I have been studying for ages on my own, Soundtracks are a big passion of mine) My guess would be, the people who make that choice at Blacklist are about my age or ten years older, and were brought up by parents who were open for ALL sorts of music.

[@jilboobseksi]

@@juliachristinaheikamp246 I'm 23 years old btw. too young?

[@AllOneVoice]

To be fair, Ben (Radical Face) came up with the music! We are lucky to have him. Also the show is wise to employ such gifted musicians.

[@BigSmoke20061989]

And season 9 is so awesome!

[@bigshrimp4846]

Welcome home brought me here, not blacklist

[@hughriviere6981]

The song my wife walked down the aisle to at our starlit, lakeside wedding. Beautiful song.

[@saidtazi56]

BLACKLIST ELIZABETH 💔💔

[@northstarry]

I cried more than i could ever imagine.

[@darktolight7684]

The most powerful Scene in the Blacklist amazing.

[@mikig139]

There are so many Radical Face songs featured on the Blacklist. The show introduced me to them and I’ve been a huge fan ever since. I remember hearing them for the first time on season 2 of the Blacklist where the blacklister was Tom Keen and the song that played at the end was ¨Always Gold¨. Anyone remember? Lol

[@riverbluesky]

Absolutely, it was that song that got me into Radical Face and I just listening to their songs

[@TheEnzopietro]

Always Gold, Welcome Home and Baptisms

[@seydy2428]

When Red goes to jail "Summer Skeleton"

[@tidianefall4008]

This song will always remind me that a part of my soul,heart went out and will never come back again. Blacklist is over but as it’s said: « don’t cry because it’s over; smile because it happened » Thank you radical face for all memories you made for blacklisters❤️

[@akashdatta2002]

this music is what makes the final scene of the blacklist so insanely good. The dream, the realization, the regret for going too far. Damn i feel so sad for red.

[@forrestdavis5882]

Bless you Ben Cooper. You're a wonderful human, and you gather with wonderful people.

[@Ghaltouni]

"I can't do this" "That's alright" "I don't want to" "I understand"

[@waldemarpegado4609]

this music made me cry😢

[@anhdinh754]

was I the only one who only noticed the music when Red came back to Liz and Liz started having flashbacks about him? so powerful!

[@MasonGoodwin-es4cp]

One of my favorite shows of all time. My dad and I have watched it for a very long time. I sobbed on the last two episodes of season 8😂. The soundtrack for the blacklist was awesome as well. This song is proof

[@nktr9631]

here from blacklist s8 ending ...

[@Tigermeowpants]

Such a stunning track. May have made me cry during The Blacklist scene.

[@siddhantswain1619]

True .. ❤️

[@asherthomas7753]

Same

[@tyrannejohns7445]

Same 😢

[@Sequinxx]

Same 💔 😥

[@aprilrains973]

I'm crying now just thinking about it.

[@Nathanznigri]

every once in a while after a rough day i hear this melody before i fall asleep...

[@sekpevirgilio1982]

Blacklist m'a fait découvrir ce fantastic son. Merci à l'artiste. J'ai adoré.

[@supernova652]

Such a beautiful piece of music. Everytime this music plays in the final scenes of Liz, I just cannot stop crying. #TheBlacklist

[@aprilfoley8849]

I absolutely SOBBED the first time I saw this scene. The music really touched me and easily elevated it tenfold. Your work helped create one of the saddest, yet most beautiful death scenes I've ever seen. Bravo!

[@analemper5324]

I will always cry listening to this song, I want this to play in my funeral

[@nidiaperezdelrey7741]

😂

[@eun-solkim7080]

You're so fucking talented man. The fact that you made not just the music but the painting too... And I absolutely love the cello in this too, it's exactly the reason I learned it in the first place. Beautiful sounds, all tones and moods.

[@RaulLexLuthor]

What I also loved about this song on that last scene is that another one by Radical Face also played on another episode finale of the show: Welcome home, son. Episode: General Ludd

[@barbaralais380]

When The Blacklist streamed this song on the Season Finale I knew instantly it was from Radical Face and to no avail cause I cried hard and still am until now. I will always remember the scene when I listen to this song. Radical Face is spectacular! ❤

[@mineduggery3309]

Then, when watching this scene, I shed a tear, because this music fits so beautifully! Now, listening to the song alone I the scene playing in my mind and another time it's really fascinating how well this piece works! Thank you for creating this! :D

[@aiueo551]

リズの行動にずっとイライラして好きになれなかったけど最期のシーンは涙が出た

[@user-wx9pi3yo6i]

أشعر برياح السكينة في أغانيك وكأنك كتبتها لتجلب السلام إلى العالم

[@rowclaw2734]

Am here before this blows up :)

[@wasifanwar716]

I cried my soul out… bruh wtf man I know she hadda leave the show but no cap that show was just full of everything . RIP FUCKING TOM KEEN I MISS HIM RIP ELIZABETH SHE WONT SEE AGNES NAHHHH :( AND ARAM POOR BABY

[@macbuff81]

I've been battling severe depression due to PTSD for over 15 years now ever since my mom died. I've pushed away more than one amazing woman who tried to build a life with me in part because of that rage inside me. This song is powerful. I just heard it on the show "The Blacklist" when one of the major character dies in the arms of her mother....it moved me to tears. I wish I could go back in time and help me listen to the voice in my head that told me to hold on to the woman who loved me. I would give my life for that

[@eun-solkim7080]

Anybody have the sheet music for this? I'd like nothing more than to play this on my piano and cello.

[@jasontrento7689]

Saw Blacklist last night on DVR at around 11pm, after it finished I then came to find this song. It had 0 views and no comments . I’m glad it’s being viewed and loved like I found it to be .

[@zubairuali5306]

blacklist brought me here😭

[@missygrossman225]

Haunting scene at the end of Konets (Blacklist). This song was perfect.

[@hfkssadfrew]

Play this song on my funeral

[@wendygarcia5374]

And that's exactly what Liz had in the end, one last dream. 💔

[@MultiSilko]

There was so much Pain behind that scene .. the music only made it harder ... i loved it and the scene .. thank you for pulling this one for us !

[@haithamq]

This music gives me goosebumps. I miss Lizzie and Raymond

[@Blacklist2013]

This was excellent! This music made the final scene so emotional and heart-breaking at the same time Fantastic work in such a short time, Brilliant!

[@ameemjaffri2115]

I miss Liz Keen no matter how annoying she became in the season 8. Invested 8 years of my life in the show and now, when Liz is dead, I feel like a piece of my life is missing. I feel broken.

[@e.1304]

This song and the end scene of Blacklist hit me right in the feels

[@flowerchops5772]

I have just caught up with the blacklist and watched the final scene. It was so moving. Your music was so powerful, I can’t believe the story behind how this music was composed and at such short notice. Absolutely amazing. Will you produce a piano music score for this? If so, I would love to purchase this!

[@helderrodrigues8269]

That was tremendous final scene! The music fited like a glove on it and vice-versa! Cheers for all and hope that its not really over!

[@garyirb3848]

The music at @2:33 with the scene transitioning to liz and red is just phenomenal and sad at the same time

[@mariannelam5314]

Your song hit me right in the gut… it truly made the scene, but even without the scene, this song so purely portrays a yearning sadness with the softest hint of hope… I love it

[@alb8199]

Liz:I can't Red:I understand The blacklist😭😭

[@TheBlacklistExposedPodcast]

We do the the podcast for the show and I can say this was an amazing piece of music! You nailed it, and such a great story since the the very first episode the pilot featured "Welcome Home". To have this conclude the journey was just beautiful. The pacing with the visuals, we were blubbering messes the night of the finale. Congrats on being part of this history with the show. Keep up the great work. Be Well.

[@supernova652]

Welcome Home is one of my favourite songs ever. Buy i think it was not in the pilot episode but in the episode where Sam died and the song plays during his funeral scene.

[@CescoCDN]

What’s the podcast called? Hopefully can play it my HomePod mini.

[@TroyHeinritz]

@@CescoCDN the Blacklist exposed. Available on all podcast services including apple podcasts

[@CescoCDN]

@@TroyHeinritz Thanks! Will have to hold off as I'm just starting S9.

[@atyrbest7152]

Rare, deep and amazing music is itself has became rare this days. I love the music created by you guys. It's simply awesome💜

[@Giwrgos16]

Goodbye Liz 😢

[@RuvaidBashir]

Samar navabi🤔

[@mohamedalhashmi1115]

The blacklist S8 E22 💔

[@HristiyanKirilov]

I think maybe agnes will revenge for his mother and father

[@poemlentswe660]

Nah she's raised by Harold. I don't think so. Plus the people that killed her parents died too

[@spiritfiyuh11]

You are amazing! ✨ I love your music, it always touches this pure innocent core within me.. That we are all sometimes afraid to lose when we get older... You keep it alive man! ❤️ And you remind me of it, every single time I listen to your music. When I hear your songs I feel so deeply understood in the depths of my very being.. and i couldnt be any more grateful for that. Thank you for keeping your inner child alive 🥰.. and for always reminding me to do the same. I feel blessed and lucky that your sound has crossed my way 10 years ago! ✨ 🙏🍀❤️ ... and my favourite song of yours.. and probably forever will be is "doorways" ✨☺️🤗🥰 maaaaaaan.. 😇💕

[@jordan10173]

Onions everywhere Cried like a hungry baby watching it on blacklist

[@gmkim1965]

Really emotional music 🎶 I love it!. Can't stop my tear whole night. ❤

[@l-RoKu2K]

I come from blacklist 😓

[@waldemarpegado4609]

this music made me cry😢

[@glenmorgan1088]

Wow, asked to write the piece that will go along with the departure montage for Megan Boone’s character. No pressure, eh? It’s a beautiful composition.

[@juliacondolora5460]

love loves you back ben

[@lizad8627]

All their music makes my soul completely ache

[@steffensuix9580]

J'ai eu des larmes à ce moment voir Liz mourir devant son père celui qui a toujours été là pour elle et l'a toujours protégé, cette scène m'a engloutis après cette épisode cette série ne ressemble plus à rien . Mais je sais une chose red a toujours aimé Liz et même de l'autre côté il aimera toujours.

[@FirdausiSuleiman-i3q]

Ivn today I cried during watching the death of Elizabeth. The death of Elizabeth toched my heart especially seeing her memory with Remon Red and her family with her colleagues aram and res may God make our end in Good Ameen I'm Muhammad Bello From Nigeria