The Making of ‘What Could Have Been’ from Arcane | Sting ft. Ray Chen

Hope you enjoy! An inside look into the inspiration and process for writing the songs of Arcane. Through the final song in the series, “What Could Have Been”, we're hoping to bring people behind the curtain and talk about the entire experience of a single song from start to finish. From lyric inspirations, first demos, production hiccups, working with our artists Sting and Ray Chen, and developing the instrumental, this is the full story of What Could Have Been.
Listen to “What Could Have Been”: found.ee/whatcouldhavebeen
Spotify: found.ee/whatcouldhavebeen-sp...
Apple Music: found.ee/whatcouldhavebeen-ap...
Amazon Music: found.ee/whatcouldhavebeen-am...
KZbin Music: found.ee/whatcouldhavebeen-yo...
Deezer: found.ee/whatcouldhavebeen-de...
Follow me on social: @itsmako
00:00 Intro
2:02 Meaning/Inspiration of the song
5:47 First Steps
6:50 The First Demo
8:57 Songwriting to Picture
11:32 Figuring Out The Full Arrangement
12:35 Making Mistakes and Finding a Way Back On Track
17:44 Working with Sting
21:37 The Instrumental
#ARCANE #SOUNDTRACK #LEAGUEOFLEGENDS #RIOTGAMES

[@wearemako]

thanks so much for listening everybody ❤️ lmk if we should make more! im trying to convince sebastien to do one for the production on Dynasties and Dystopia and this will give me ammo 😈

[@No-Kung-Fu]

MAKE MORE X 1000

[@OMEGALULEatingAnEggplant]

Mooorreeee

[@gehriggosselin9468]

Yes please!! This was so fucking awesome!!

[@Ale-to8il]

yesssssssssssssssss!

[@armandsoulliard3296]

That would be amazing!

[@thegameawards]

We were so honored to have this performed at the show!

[@ultimAvalon]

Thank you for showing the world the true glory of gaming. Gaming is just gaming but its also so much more than just gaming. (wtf did I smoke...)

[@Bludreamgirl]

Thank you for featuring it. ♡

[@plainlake]

19:22 Completely agree. Because of Stings "fatherly" voice the song also felt like it could be a farewell song from the perspective of Silco. And he could have been singing to both Jinx or Vander. Gave it a whole new layer.

[@jacobharada503]

agreed!

[@josiahpeterson1694]

"What Could Have Been" is one of the best soundtrack songs I've ever heard. I was absolutely blown away by Arcane, and a huge part of that was due to the musical storytelling and remarkable soundtrack. As I continue to rewatch Arcane, "What Could Have Been" hits harder each time. Never been emotionally impacted by a song as much as I have been by this one. Fantastic job.

[@yukinara7624]

I still can't watch that end sequence with this song without crying. There's just so many emotions.

[@HeloisGevit]

@@yukinara7624 Yeah I always breakdown watching episode 3 and 9 especially.

[@daelaenor]

Yeah, I feel like we humans are suckers for the tragic unchangeable.

[@kalebanthony3972]

I agree completely, the song is a masterpiece and the show is amazing

[@JacobProRecords]

@@yukinara7624 same, same, i even cry when it starts playing on shuffle in my playlist.

[@samuelkimmusic]

Thank you so much for this Behind The Scenes video! This was so inspiring and I learnded so much! Can't wait to hear your new songs for Season 2!

[@ZeusKabooze]

Cant wait to see your work in a Netflix series!

[@alesksander]

@@neerajdonz7169 Yeah i guess he is a fanboi. Haha We love his music.

[@Newgear01]

OMG its THE Samuel Kim. LOVE your covers/compositions my man! Strange to see you here in the comment section instead of spotify, but keep doing what you're doing as well!

[@getrightw1tcha]

soo glad to see you here, just saw your playlist on arcane and already know that im going to love it

[@GerblerM]

14:03 as an artist, it takes some real guts to showcase a "failed" version. But it's amazingly elucidating to see how foreign the early drafts were from the end result. You and your team knocked it out of the park

[@JacobProRecords]

Creator being sentimental and emotional about his own creation is the most beautiful thing ever. Now we know exactly why the song is hitting so hard every time you hear it

[@Crunchy166]

When even the guy who sees behind the curtain is moved by the magic, you know the trick is something amazing

[@JNDoe]

As much as I love Sting version, I think your vocals give the track an entirely new wholesome mood

[@Wizardry04]

I'd like to hear a full version, I couldn't hold down my fanboyism towards mako when I heard it.

[@flyingcrisis7910]

same!

[@getrightw1tcha]

the pain in his voice - I'm crying

[@seankelly3540]

Same man, I know there are technically better singers out there, but Alex's voice is just my favorite. I'd pay huge money for a full version with Mako on it. (to clarify, I love Sting's version, just... something about Mako y'know)

[@MOOOMZERAH]

​@@Wizardry04 same bro

[@RachelHardy]

This is fantastic. It’s so great to see all the steps in the process; especially for composers who are starting out and feeling a little intimidated by the whole process. the song turned out flawlessly, congratulations 👏🏼

[@matthewvido3902]

Will you sing your own version?

[@e1123581321345589144]

I support @@matthewvido3902's proposal for a cover

[@Itchy__]

@@e1123581321345589144 *happy smile followed by a rocket exploding*

[@ashrose2947]

There's something very striking about the long held out "why" in the line "why don't you love who I am" paired with the image of the missile flying toward the city. The missile flying across the sky represents Jinx's emotional release visually, while the music echoes that emotional release sonically. This combo amplifies the emotional impact of this scene as a whole and helps us to deeply feel Jinx's desperation.

[@parkerking6410]

I would absolutely love to see a “Making of” for Dynasties and Dystopia. It is my favorite song from the show. The music is awesome and the scene it plays in is so fantastic. Please please please do it!

[@romycaverly4087]

yes!!

[@CherryLipstick6x3]

At least it has a few minutes about it in the latest Bringing the Rift episode (part 4) :D

[@Namidadee]

YESS!!!

[@smlgd]

Sting nailed it so much. It's amazing to see how even though he's 70 he can still give so much passion to the music

[@Thrusthamster]

Sting is 70?!

[@Marc310380]

@@Thrusthamster Yep turned 70 October 2nd 2021. Check out live videos from his current tour, they're all over KZbin. Makes it even harder to believe when he's not dressed up in a suit doing ballads but rocking his bass guitar :)

[@wattsonthetube]

I feel like that line, or moment in the song *"Why don't you love who I am,"* is the most poignant, encapsulating and emotive moments of the whole song. There's just something so raw and so perfect about the fact that the phrase is not repeated, yet captures the entire spirit of the song and the plot on screen. It's not only just Jinx crying out emotively in the song, but also physically setting things into motion that can't be undone. It's like that rocket is symbolic of her irreparably breaking apart, because not only is she forever changed but so is the world around her, from the devastation that she has unleashed on herself and those around her. She is so alone in that moment, and I think you all did a phenomenal job, this was one of the best and most memorable moments onscreen moments I have ever seen in creative media.

[@EliottTordo_Erhu]

Legendary song, powerful in it's calmness

[@fhmconsulting4982]

As a 60 yr old guy you certainly ripped my heart out with this song. Still brings a tear to my eye weeks & every cover version after. Thankyou.

[@TrialFireWork]

6:50 i wish there was this version available somewhere, its amazing!!

[@RedRosemary]

It's really fucking good.

[@dekukaze]

Yesss

[@No-Kung-Fu]

Couldn't get that final scene and song out of my head for weeks. (Still can't tbh). Thanks for the Incredible song and for this video! Really fascinating to see the process behind such genius work! Looking forward to more epic music moments in season 2. :) Cheers!

[@mattvarley3462]

I got to provide the atmospheric effects for Sting and Ray when they performed this song and the game awards a month ago and through the many rehearsals I continued to get choked up and drop a couple tears every single run through. Truly a brilliant and moving song. Bravo

[@Vizible21]

That's so cool. Congrats to your team.

[@ohhzymo5829]

The First Demo singing was CRAZYYYY Nice

[@shawnchair2156]

Can we have the demo version of this where you sing the whole song, I really like your vocals on it😩❤️

[@Netsuko]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with getting choked up by listening to your own music. That's just pure passion and emotion. It's one of the reasons this piece is so phenomenal as it is!

[@madhatter5361]

Absolutely beautiful, I was speechless when I first heard it in the show. I would love a behind the scenes for "Guns for hire" as well. These two songs, for me, elevated the episodes to a whole other level.

[@Rosenbis]

You can't imagine how many times I've listened this song. This is a masterpiece.

[@Mohammedtheprophet]

I literally can't stop listening to it.

[@MargaSofrona]

24:35 tears fell from my eyes the moment I heard the strings and the brass thank you for this masterpiece guys

[@Lamontagnedegauche]

The soundtrack of this show is breath taking. It's half the reason why Arcane is a complete piece of art. So emotionnal. I cannot wait for the next (s) seasons, but take all the time you need. Thank you for the a-ma-zing work!

[@VortexMagus]

Sting had a gorgeous voice but I really think Ray Chen playing opposite to him added an incredible amount of complexity and texture to the piece. Big fan of the mournful, almost grief-stricken counterpoint melody coming from Ray's violin. Whoever wrote those violin parts was top notch.

[@cekobidonq]

Even the early demo gives me chills. I think there were some nice lyrics there that were cut from the final version.

[@mdp]

Amazing song. Glad you took the time to share this process with us! ♥️

[@carlotzin56]

8:35 DAMN. Your voice made me break down, the raw emotion you put into it is so strong, no wonder you got emotional every time you shared the song with others.

[@TheVictor2]

Dude I already have like nostalgic feelings about when the Arcane hype was at its peak. I've played League for almost 9 years at this point and it was so nice to see everybody come together and mutually agree that yes, this show actually rules. Like it was bizarre to see people I follow on Twitter go "holy shit i've never played league but this arcane show goes crazy", even people who meme about League and make it the butt of the joke every chance they get could admit it's amazing. Thanks for making such a beautiful soundtrack.

[@kiryukaimemorial127]

This is what I've been waiting for: Making Of/Behind the Scenes content of Arcane. Love this song, great emotion in the composition! I understand now why the song is so impactful, you aimed for words when there was no dialogue. I love that the song doesn't muddle the message as the scene plays out. I look forward to seeing the Arcane composers at the Grammys/Emmys

[@absurdist5134]

Honestly, what could have been was just perfect. You walked away from the show with emotion that is impossible to describe, elation and sorrow intertwined that just leaves you... I don't even have the words to do it justice. And a lot of that is built by the song. Arcane is just one of those things where everything comes together in such a way which you can not forget. And hearing about the behind the scenes is so interesting to. I so hope for more content on the score for Arcane. Sting's voice was the icing on the cake. And I think what you said about wanting something special for the final scene, without doubt you nailed it.

[@bravofoxtrot7103]

This is a masterpiece. Arcane raised the bar of what sophisticated storytelling can be. Wow! ❤

[@jasonpierce6011]

Watching this now and the initial demo gave me chills. One of my favorite songs from the soundtrack.

[@Ame865]

They nailed it with this song. Can’t get this outa my head even now

[@user-dw7xz4st5n]

For Sting this is a Father/Son epic! He has done many songs on this area before. This song hits him very close to home. His relationship with his own father nearly broke him as a songwriter until he summoned the courage to write about his feelings towards his father after he died. His father tried to force him to give up music and follow in his footsteps as a shipyard worker. Something Sting desperately wanted to avoid at all costs. You can hear it in the power and emotion he brings to this performance. Just listen to Sting's Broadway musical "The Last Ship"

[@TheJayLenoFly]

I'm so impressed by every second of everything that is going on in this video. Thank you for sharing & Thank you for the song! Just a big WOW.

[@electrostaticdischarge5873]

Fancy seeing you here :o I love your videos, Craig is amazing! Also agreed, I love this making of and song.

[@trixATT]

Big LOL hahahaahha... Ha

[@EtharealBTB]

This was the best song in a series filled with excellent songs

[@lockekappa500]

Its mind blowing how you can not only make an incredible song, but one that befits the visuals and the audio happening on the screen, and make it all seem so seemless and perfectly placed. Absolutely talented beyond anything I could comprehend, hats off to you.

[@marleneschultz8428]

I have been obsessed with this song ever since watching the finale (I think I listened to it about 30 times on repeat in one day), and it still hasn't stopped haunting me. I ADORE Sting's singing of this song... but wow, your original demo is also just STUNNING. You bring a whole different vibe to the song than I've been listening to! I don't know if it's ever possible to release the full demo, but it's such a stunning version. Thank you for sharing this behinds-the-scene look at this song! Please share more!

[@sgho0818]

6:59 13:33 16:43 everytime I came here to hear your voice it's perfect!

[@whereaboutsunknown3822]

Arcane is the type of show I've been waiting for all my life.

[@hellfire5108]

Seeing the success Arcane has must be so satisfying for you. Congratulations, this will be remembered forever.

[@MG-jq6hp]

what I love the most is the heavily autotuned "back up " vocal in the chorus, it gives it such an otherwordly quality in a weird way, really goes with the aesthetic of the show. Amazing job!

[@CUTlEFRUITY]

This song still makes me cry, thank you for creating something so beautiful for us!

[@fsjukebox]

This video is like an early Christmas gift for me, thanks so much! I feel like there’s still a thousand questions I’d like to ask you about your work on Arcane - it’s just that good - but I’m so grateful for this insight on “What Could Have Been”. The OST and the original score (or let’s say the “orchestral” score) in Arcane are so beautifully interconnected, I still can’t stop listening to both. Will you consider making more videos about the other songs from the soundtrack? Edit: btw I totally screamed when I saw Ray in episode 5. I knew he’d be doing the song with Sting but I didn’t know he was doing a cameo - I think it’s hilarious the animators gave him a fretted violin/horn contraption!

[@ValeriaKovalchuk]

What Could Have Been leaves me sobbing every single time I listen to it I don't know what kind of magic this is but you did such an amazing job bringing this final scene to live and having everyone's jaw on the floor ;__;

[@tomladds6991]

Surely I'm not the only one who wants a full-length demo version of this?

[@escarlet2456]

I can't describe the chills this masterpiece gives me! preach to you man

[@yul639]

Alex, please. Give us a version with your voice. The sutilities that are more clear with your voice are beautiful ❤

[@yourthepower]

This is the kind of stuff people should win Grammys for !

[@wayouteast1957]

What an incredible job you did. This whole show moved me so much, but that final scene broke me. Such an amazing marriage of visuals, emotion, mood and music. Thank you so much.

[@danthiessen6018]

This was so interesting and inspiring! Could have listened to you explaining the details all day! Thank you for the insight! Is there any chance we will get a look into some of the other tracks aswell?

[@zhaoshenmusic]

What an incredible soundtrack + score. Arcane is a beautiful marriage of story, art, and music and you guys knocked it out of the park. Love how up front you are with the things you tried that didn't work out, it's so cool hearing about the process. So much respect for what you guys have done here - can't wait to see what you guys come up with next!

[@KaterynaM_UA]

I have cried in a subway on my way to work on a few occasions because of this song. Thank you so much! xD

[@WEAREFURYMUSIC]

Goat. Best song of the soundtrack ❤️

[@MichaelTurner-pq4re]

You are responsible for so many feels I wasn't wanting but needed. This arrangement is haunting painful and amazing. Thank you.

[@junioryeahhh560]

Thank you and everyone who worked on this masterpiece for existing in this Age...🙌🏼

[@WendyKay84]

Dude, this song brings me to tears just thinking about it. I bawled my eyes out first watching this scene in Arcane, but since then even though I've mostly forgotten the storyline, somehow this song still tears me to pieces. It's such an amazingly beautiful creation!

[@katevangeline6803]

Every time I hear the crescendo of it.. when Jinx fires the cannon.. I always get chills. From the base of my neck and down to my toes. chills.

[@arcsinjesse]

Thanks for posting this video, really interesting to see what goes on behind the scenes! Masterpiece!

[@ashe1317]

When he played the comparison of the synth strings and the Berlin orchestra’s stems at the end, I'm just like, "am I crying? Am i--? Wtf" 😂 such a hauntingly beautiful song

[@yanis905]

This song became my hangover cure for 2 weeks straight, including playing it on loop for 2 hours while working. It speaks volumes of the composition chops and interpretation that one does not grow tired of a musical piece after such intense listening sessions. You guys have dethroned Bear McCreary’s final montage of All along the watchtower in Battlestar Galactica, and coming from a fan of that series like myself, it’s no small compliment. At 47, I thank you for offering my ears the best scene score I have been blessed to enjoy to date. Keep it up for season 2. You’ve set the bar quite high on that one.😉

[@marinoconnor8592]

One of the most meaningful individual pieces of music from a series ever. Thank you, to you and all of your collaborators at Riot and beyond.

[@whateverw7173]

I think people tend to ignore the credit of song writers. Hats off!

[@sevanaolszewski]

I NEED your version of the song on spotify. I would listen forever

[@Harker75]

Alex, I just wanted to say thank you for your amazing work with this series. It was an incredible challenge and you rose to it, met it, and made it yours. The combination of art, animation, VO, and script was astounding and you and your team's work on the music tied everything together perfectly. It is truly one of the greatest pieces of narrative entertainment ever made. I can't effectively describe how it all affected me, but thank you so much. As a musician, you have inspired me more than anything has in many years. Thank you for this inside look at the process, it answered a lot of questions I had. I look forward to everything you and the team does with this project!

[@Speedy2619]

I think an Emmy nomination should be given for this.

[@astuffds]

And this one especially is so special for us fans, we just can tell how hard everyone involved in Arcane has worked so hard to make Arcane happen. Thank you so much and we are so excited for season 2! Good luck everyone!

[@arthurgoetz9543]

There's something really special about that demo, something that's missing from the final version. What an incredible series you all made!

[@Andlekin]

I've been listening to this song over and over, and all of the covers as well. It is a masterpiece, and you absolutely nailed it. It's the perfect song for the final scene.

[@vibrantachromatic7195]

So amazing having your songs as my favorite songs for such a long time, and now you're scoring one of the biggest shows right now. So proud and excited to see what you're going to do in the future

[@SuedTreeYT]

Sending it up an octave sounded incredible right here: 13:33! I understand that you couldn’t go through with it but damn! When that beam goes out the roof of the building 🤯

[@melolia8556]

This song took the animation to a higher lever,fits in the editing so well!!

[@pixielilly5271]

The making of PLAYGROUND PLEEEEASE that would make my life 20 times better

[@sachito4466]

i got chills every time i hear this masterpiece

[@GasPoweredProductions]

Thank you for posting this! Thank you for showing us the process on how things were made for the show! You are now part of history my good sir! Can't wait to hear whats in store for the future!

[@_grayvity]

I got into the album Fable after I watched Arcane. I had no idea you were this involved in the production and I'm so floored. I listen to What Could Have Been almost daily and now it's more rewarding to know that one of my favorite artists wrote it and is involved with one of my favorite series.

[@danw6406]

Not gonna lie here, but i like your "raw" version much more. Gets in the feels.

[@jesse113553]

You didn’t screw this up. Dw I cried watching the scene with this song too 🥲

[@CacklingAntagonist]

Heard the song for the first time at the game awards. Blew me away. Had no intention of watching but now I'm in

[@DanielHernandez-hl8tn]

The making of a Masterpiece

[@kendineressam2044]

I need a full mako version of what could have been on Spotify

[@Itchy__]

It's so amazing that he took the time to really go deep into the thought and working process him and the other people working on this song went through.

[@imanotapmc33]

Before I even knew what this show was about, I watched the very last scene. The song was what made me know that I needed to give the whole show a watch

[@jsviktor5]

dude im a big metal fan and not very used to listen to new music but damn, all arcane ost made me cry like a little lady sir,one of the best ost i've ever heard. congrats and ty for all the hard work. you guys are the best

[@i1s9m9r5]

this song is a masterpiece! I can't stop playing it!

[@kichi2529]

This song really deserves an Emmy, it touches my heart in a way I can't explain. Only hans zimmer had kinda that effect on me, but this, damn, I can't even explain it.

[@atauzan7030]

Can you upload this version of the song too ? Because I love this one so much. You say that "pieces" word so epic that I can't help but hear that in my head again and again. And I thank you for this beautiful piece of song. I absolutely will listen to this song forever.

[@porliltnktnk84]

relisten so many times....You killed it with the feeling and the soul of it. Im so happy you got sting for it and regardless, you did amazing

[@needamuffin]

Hearing how passionate you are really explains how Arcane ended up so amazing, it's clear everyone involved had the same level of passion that you did.

[@kadartcostumes9842]

How fascinating to see this come together from the demo-version (in itself already bonechilling!) to the final, dramaturgical masterpiece ! We shouldn't take for granted, that we get to see overruled concepts, that didn't make the cut - Thank you so much for sharing your progress !

[@King_Juhrama]

How does this not have a million views?

[@shomgerry]

Whenever that "I hope you knooowwwwww..." hits my ears I just well up for no reason. What the heck

[@TomsonPRD]

God do I love these Behind the Scenes... What a legendary soundtrack

[@allisonhammond1008]

This is so goddamn interesting. I loved this song/scene pairing the most in the whole series, it was just that moving and beautiful, now I love it even more seeing your creative process. The talent is unreal hats off.

[@shizueigaki702]

WHAT THE HELL MAN. THIS SONG BROKE ME. Kafka once wrote about books, extended here to the concept of art, being the axe that would break the frozen sea within us. AND THIS IS WHAT THIS SONG DOES. BREAK. Perhaps it is everything that happened leading up to it; perhaps it is also everything that happens during this song - as we watch with horror - but this song carries it on. And then at the crest of it all, it breaks our frozen seas.

[@Zohan369]

I had a hard time turning off the soundtrack for Attack on Titan for a long time but Guns for Hire and What Could Have Been have absolutly taken over as my 2 favourite songs I've heard that come from instrunmental/soundtracks. . Period. Thank you so much for writing these masterpieces!

[@ja6920]

I was asking myself how is it possible to perform this song without breaking down crying so i see exactly what you mean. You guys did nail it, we would all be so lucky to create something so powerful in our lifetimes.

[@Naglfarius]

The cry, when the rocket is fired is so amazing, thanks for this good work. :)