Riley's Departure (Aired Show Version) - Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 5 Soundtrack (Unofficial)

[@xSnappa]

Amazing upload, I definitely prefer this version to the harmonized version on the official 4 disc release.

[@nostalgicsheep47]

Same ❤

[@princesszelda125]

Didn't hate Riley, but he wasn't at all my favorite among Buffy's partners. But really what made this scene memorable and in a way sad to me was this score. After watching the whole series for the first time this was one of the tracks that stuck with me and I'm so glad I found this one, with no additional audio in the background!

[@DanY-gx2dv]

THANK YOU. This was one of the only tracks I bought that 4CD set for last year just to find they'd put the vocals from when Buffy and Spike have sex in Smashed over it?! I'm still mad. This is wonderful.

[@DylanSkie]

Dan Y I’m still a little bit mad about that too, but at least we have this!! :)

[@DylanSkie]

Emissary35 the suite tracks were all from previously released albums, if I recall correctly. Maybe they just thought it would be less work to rerelease those same suite tracks exactly as they were before. And it’s also a big shame that the movie’s soundtrack was released, too. I’d never seen the movie and never considered it part of the show, so why was it bundled with something that was clearly different?

[@DylanSkie]

Emissary35 Thank you for clearing that up. I had thought that some of the season three suites were suites on Beck’s score album released in 2008, but I was mistaken. I truly don’t know why LLLR decided to combine so many tracks into suites. I attempted to separate them into individual tracks a while ago, but I got too frustrated. I might give it another try, though! I also don’t know why they labeled this the “Original Soundtrack Recordings,” especially when you take into account what happened to Riley’s Departure. I think I mentioned this in the description, so you’ve probably already seen it, but Wander released a promo CD a long time ago, and it had the same version of Riley’s Departure that was released with the 4-CD set. It’s possible that Wander highly prefers Riley’s Departure with the vocals in it-I just don’t know who exactly chose which tracks to release for this set. Do you know who chose them?

[@DylanSkie]

Emissary35 Yeah, I know the vocals don’t belong in this track. There are so many different scenarios that could be the reason, but I don’t think we’ll ever know the real reason. I’m glad you’ve enjoyed my uploads! With this one I obviously tried my best to restore what we heard on the show. If you have any requests, please feel free to leave them here. Have you tried editing the suite tracks, or do you usually listen to the CDs and not use iTunes or a similar program, so it wouldn’t matter if it’s not on the CDs?

[@ismayb754]

@@DylanSkie The reason is that the ORIGINAL score that was composed for this scene, had the whispy vocals on it. At some point before going to air, the composer (or maybe someone else at executive level) decided they didn't like it, and the score was re-done to the version we know and love. The composer did however keep the vocal track and decided to re-use it later on, in the scene where Buffy and Spike bring the house down. Annoyingly, when the score was (finally) released, they obviously didn't pay much attention to detail and just released the original composition rather than the one that was actually used in the episode.

[@diajna4057]

Ooh Riley!!! 😭😭

[@NicoAngelus]

Thank you!! I don't think there are any copyrights issues, because Wander did it more than once, the Briley theme is also used in episode 5x04 for example, and he brings back the Bangel theme in ep 5x17 Forever. So I'm assuming Beck gave his permission. And I really appreciate it, I think those themes are important for emotional continuity. I'm actually a little sad that he didn't do the same and reused Beck's Willow/Tara theme, it really would've added something more in seasons 5 & 6. As for requests, I think some of Wander's best work is in the final 3 eps of season 6. The one that comes to mind is the entire opening scene for "Vilains", the paramedics arriving and Willow crying. But also: The desert bits in "Intervention". The goodbye scene to Riley at the end of "As you Were". Saying goodbye to Giles in "Bargaining". The swing scene in ep 5x15.

[@DylanSkie]

NicoAngelus I didn’t know he used the Briley theme in other scenes. I haven’t rewatched Buffy so I haven’t gotten a chance to listen for the good music to get, so I appreciate your list. I’ll definitely look into those. Yeah, Willow and Tara could’ve used a theme by Wander. That would’ve made their relationship even stronger. So Wander released a CD with the goodbye to Giles music and a small piece from “Intervention” (I believe), but I don’t want to get in trouble for posting them-I can upload them somewhere though and send them to you

[@NicoAngelus]

@@DylanSkie My message was deleted. I was saying I didn't know about the Wander CD, so I would love to be able to download all the ones that you have! :)

[@DylanSkie]

@@NicoAngelus Yes! Do you have Instagram/Twitter that I could message you a link on?

[@NicoAngelus]

@@DylanSkie Yes: twitter.com/Rem_Nico :)

[@DylanSkie]

NicoAngelus I’m sorry, I didn’t see your reply until now. I’ll send you a link!

[@phoenix907]

Thank you for this, finally a version without the door screeching sound ;) I agree with you that Wander did some great scores, but a lot of his themes were repeated over and over again. Especially the fighting music in season five was the same score everytime. I‘m glad Christophe Beck Tool over for The Gift.

[@DylanSkie]

phoenix907 yes 😂 I took out the door screeching sound and then realized I was listening for it, and I kind of missed it haha. And you’re right, the fighting music was mostly just versions of “Knights and Horses” and the (actually really good) stuff in “Fool for Love,” even though it got old once it was reused so much. I agree, I’m glad Beck took over for The Gift, just for the Sacrifice theme alone-and I was happy to hear “The Construction”!

[@phoenix907]

@@DylanSkie For requests I would love to hear some more music from Season 7. Especially from Selfless (Buffy & Anya Fight/Xander & Anya talk at the end) or Conversations with dead people (Willow speaks to Tara trough Cassie) :)

[@DylanSkie]

@@phoenix907 Ooh yes, I'll have to look at those! I think CWDP has a lot of good score moments actually

[@retinalblur]

Wow, this is really incredible and I can't thank you enough. Your description hit it right on the head. This has been a huge mystery for a good while, and for a time, I made one on my channel (under Popular Uploads) that had some traction as the best version out there, but this is really wonderful. I am obsessed with Wander's score and was thrilled to see a lot of on the CD set. However, there are a few track names on the internet that did not make the set. I don't have the eps, but do have the track names: Cobra's Hunt, Sickness and Loneliness, The Truth From Dawn's Mouth, and What's Up Doc. These tracks were taken from an Italian site and I took a screenshot in 2011, so I could remember the titles! I'm subbing to your channel. Keep up the great work and look forward to more score content!

[@DylanSkie]

Michael Norris you’re very welcome! I’m glad that you found this version-I’m going to look for yours, too. And I really appreciate the track names you gave me-I’ve never heard of them, and I’d searched pretty hard for unreleased tracks! Did you get a chance to rip them? I’m going to look for those as well. Yes, Wander’s work on the show is so underrated, and thank you for your thoughtful comment!

[@DylanSkie]

Have you seen this website? It lists the tracks you mentioned! I’m not sure if it’s all fanmade rips or not… but I don’t think it is! offline.buffy.de/outlink_en.php?module=/webserver/offline/www.buffy.in/article.php3@id_article=80

[@retinalblur]

Dylan Skie Wow, I have not seen this site, but that’s amazing. So they all came from S5x08. They’re not fan rips, but tracks from the show that were never released. That site is a great resource. Awesome find my man!

[@DylanSkie]

Michael Norris yeah! The good news is that they exist SOMEWHERE, but the bad news is that they exist SOMEWHERE…

[@retinalblur]

@@DylanSkie but now we know they're from 5x08, if you wanted to try your magic on them :)

[@beckymurphy4714]

I've been working on an "Instrumental Buffy" playlist...for the longest time. This is a much better (and longer) track than what was released on the 4-disc set. It sure would be nice if they'd release more CDs, especially covering Season One, and more from Six and Seven. (My current playlist is around 6.5 hours, with tracks that were sent to me by Douglas Romayne, including "Mrs" from "Selfless," and tracks he wrote for Angel.)

[@DylanSkie]

Becky Murphy Oh wow, that’s a very long playlist! What other BTVS tracks from Douglas Romayne do you have that he sent to you? Have you heard Broken Yellow Crayon?

[@beckymurphy4714]

@@DylanSkie I have that one - he said that was his "sample" piece that got him the job, even though it wasn't used on the show. I have all the tracks he did for both shows, like "On the Mend," "Magic Carpet Stains," and my favorite "In Westbury Field."

[@DylanSkie]

Becky Murphy Becky, would you mind messaging me on on Twitter? I have a few rare tracks that I’d love to share! I’ve actually never heard the full version of Broken Yellow Crayon-only two snippets-and probably haven’t heard some other tracks you have :) and I was wondering if you’d like to trade. Thanks!

[@DylanSkie]

Becky Murphy or you can send me an email at [e-mail]. Whatever’s easier for you!

[@DylanSkie]

Strangely enough, this contains Christophe Beck's theme for Buffy and Riley, even though Wander is credited for the episode. I'm not sure if Wander used Beck's theme--would he even be allowed to do that?--or maybe if Wander just tracked that music in from sometime in season 4. If anyone knows, please comment because this song has been a big mystery for a while, especially when you throw in the demo version on the 4-CD set. I thought maybe they could only release that version because it didn't have Beck's theme in it, but 1. it still does, though not as prominently, and 2. that demo version was on Wander's promo CD back in the day. So... I have reached no conclusions. Also, I'm interested in uploading more of Thomas Wander's work for the show, so if you have any requests, please comment! He had to reuse so much of his music in seasons 5 and 6, and some people have speculated that there were budget cuts/time cuts. That being said, he made some really memorable moments in the score, so if you know of any more, just let me know. Thanks!

[@SummerBayJournal]

So regarding one composer using another composer's melodies. I believe that since Beck composed the music for the show, he got paid and the music then becomes the property of the show. Therefore any future composer who is employed by the show is free to use any of those melodies because they belong to the show not the previous composer. This is good for the audience as it means we have a sense of continuity. In this instance Riley's theme being used throughout his tenure despite the composers changing. I don't know why an exact version Riley's Departure theme (as heard in the episode) has never been released. An official version WAS released and while it was almost identical to what was used in the episode, the instrument for the main melody was not what is heard here, and instead is a haunting female vocal singing the melody. This was the original composition of this piece but at some point before the episode going to air, it was decided to drop the female vocal and replace it with some kind of horn instrument (which is what is heard here in your video). The female vocal recording was held on to, however, and eventually used to overlay the scene where Spike and Buffy are getting it on in the collapsing house. I believe the full piece is known as Spike's Elope.

[@aurelienelizabeth4709]

I don't understand, do Buffy and Riley have a love theme like "Close your eyes" (Buffy and Angel theme) ?

[@ayanp353]

@@aurelienelizabeth4709 Yes, they do. Watch Hush.

[@buffyfan84]

Is there anyway I can DM you? (twitter?). We seem to be equally obsessed about Buffy score and would love to see if we could trade unreleased stuff (I have some pretty rare ones!). I have also ripped the entire show!! Over 50 hours! lol!

[@DanY-gx2dv]

Are you only interested in trading or would you be open to sharing anything with a fellow fan who has nothing to offer in return except gratitude? 😪

[@SunnydaleArchives]

Awesome job! Now I'd like to ask you, I'm planning to create a medley of all the love themes in Buffy, would you give me permission to use a couple of your unofficial tracks? I would of course include a link to your videos and to your channel.

[@DylanSkie]

Yes you can, and thank you for asking. And I would be really grateful if you'd include a link! (And comment a link to your video once it's up because I'd love to hear all the themes :))

[@SunnydaleArchives]

@@DylanSkie Great, thanks. Will do ;)

[@SunnydaleArchives]

@@DylanSkie The only theme I'm missing is the first Bangel one from early season 2, but I've already asked you about it with my other account :D

[@DylanSkie]

SunnydaleArchives ohhhh, so you’re also NicoAngelus? 😂

[@SunnydaleArchives]

@@DylanSkie Yep :D I just post a different kind of content on this channel.

[@mush5956]

Hi, if I may ask, do you happen to know which track plays at around 0:44 of this clip kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKq8Ypx5fbiBlaM from "crush" 5x14? I'm becoming obsessed. A friend tells me it's probably a theme that appears in a previous season and was then reused in this episode. I've skimmed/listened to your whole buffy soundtrack playlist without finding it, but I also might have missed it. Any help appreciated!

[@xSnappa]

Are you a fan of the Buffy Xbox game OST? Love the eerie tracks from that game…

[@DylanSkie]

Sorry, I’m not and I didn’t even know it existed. Has any music from it been released?

[@xSnappa]

@@DylanSkie kzbin.info/aero/PL8yoBIWZ_fd9MyIRohwboHV6hsoAaLebN few action tracks when fighting etc, but a lot of slow mysterious music which sound great. Let me know what you think.

[@zahrans]

I always get mad at Xander for interupting the later part of this track! 😆

[@MultiTheslayer1]

I hope you will upload when buffy fight dark willow season 6

[@DylanSkie]

From which episode, and which scene?