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

[@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. ♡

[@ayushchavan2741]

Oh my god that performance was incredible. It feels still heartbreaking to hear this song a hundred times. All thanks to stings sombre voice

[@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!

[@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

[@josiahpeterson17]

"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.

[@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

[@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

[@Rosenbis]

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

[@OmenGoldhelm]

I literally can't stop listening to it.

[@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

[@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.

[@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*

[@Just_Kumoki]

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.

[@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 :)

[@EliottTordo_Erhu]

Legendary song, powerful in it's calmness

[@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!!!

[@TrialFireWork]

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

[@RedRosemary]

It's really fucking good.

[@dekukaze]

Yesss

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@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.

[@NateM-w1r]

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"

[@ShawnChair]

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

[@sgho0818]

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

[@ohhzymo5829]

The First Demo singing was CRAZYYYY Nice

[@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!

[@MargaSofrona]

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

[@cekobidonq]

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

[@End7essness]

That First Demo version shocked me how vulnerable it sounds. So broken. So quiet. I find it equally beautiful as the final version, but it's very interesting. The final version of this song is so beautifully heartbreaking on its own but after watching finale, it's heart wrenching. A masterpiece, both the song and the series.

[@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.

[@manchest100]

EVERYBODY CHOKED AT THIS SONG.

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@jasonpierce6011]

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

[@Technocrath]

I've heard tons of covers of this song since Arcane came out and I was always irritated that nobody could top Sting's voice or even match up to him. All these covers were essentially a downgrade from a masterpiece - one of the best Sting songs he didn't even write. HOWEVER. This demo, these emotions, this VOICE, OMFG... THANK YOU.

[@Ame865]

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

[@charliecheadle9154]

24:44 I usually don’t listen to classical music but that instrumental was surreal. The amount of beauty in the 20 seconds you played is insane 💗 props to everyone who worked on music in the show, it made watching an otherworldly experience.

[@danw6406]

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

[@codemanthe2nd343]

Finished another rewatch of Arcane and came back to rewatch this video. Probably rewatching it for the second time, lol. Can't remember

[@mdp]

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

[@kiryukaimemorial]

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

[@bravofoxtrot7103]

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

[@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.

[@zrATT_]

Big LOL hahahaahha... Ha

[@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!

[@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!

[@tomladds6991]

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

[@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.

[@hellfire5108]

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

[@CUTlEFRUITY]

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

[@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.

[@pixielilly5271]

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

[@sevanaolszewski]

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

[@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 ;__;

[@luckycharm6504]

That Instrumental score in between also was gives me goosebumps and I’ll just sit there in absolute awe as to how something so beautiful can even exist. Honestly, there’s few songs that touch as much as this one. Makes me emotional wherever I am. Such an amazing score… never gets old

[@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.

[@escarlet2456]

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

[@dantepagano5247]

You are sooo cool, you not only compose but also SING! Sting perform is awesome in his own way, yours goes in a different way, finished and polished i have no doubts that it can be equally awesome, you rock man!

[@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.

[@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!

[@Speedy2619]

I think an Emmy nomination should be given for this.

[@shaidyn8278]

When this song came on and Sting started singing I lost my breath. "Weight" is the right word. It brought so much legitimacy to what was a huge gamble on Riot's part.

[@arnc9191]

Watching/Listening through this felt like, "is it OK for me to listen/watch this?" There are so much details being shared. You did an AMAZING Job! Cheers!

[@junioryeahhh560]

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

[@RizeTB1]

I have heard Sting, liked him, knew of him from high school in late 90’s. But after this song I was listening to him waking up, going to sleep, while drawing, riding my bike. This song created such an emotional resonance that it helped me make space for forgiveness in my life.

[@WEAREFURYMUSIC]

Goat. Best song of the soundtrack ❤️

[@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.

[@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.😉

[@_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.

[@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!

[@arcsinjesse]

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

[@jwoellhof]

there's some irony that in depicting a scene where everything went wrong at exactly the moment when everything was going to be right, you nailed together so many musical pieces that fully realized what could have been.

[@whereaboutsunknown3822]

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

[@bruh1491]

You guys made an extraordinary work with the music. I can't help but be at the edge of tears everytime I listen to What Could Have Been. I'd wouldn't mind having videos like this for every song of the series, actually I'd really love to know how exactly every aspect of Arcane was made because they´re just too good to be true! I'm really looking for forward to listen to more great music in season 2.

[@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.

[@jasonziter]

I just heard this. Ive never seen the series. Long time STING fan. YOU absolutely DID NAIL it !!!!!!!!!! Thanks so much ! Genius !

[@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!

[@paullebleu7079]

The tracing launch of the rocket going with the intense bridge section is peak film making ! Congrats to the whole team at Fortiche !

[@PeterBarber]

One of the greatest shows ever made, and the music is nothing short of genius. Bravo to you and the whole team

[@DanielHernandez-hl8tn]

The making of a Masterpiece

[@sachito4466]

i got chills every time i hear this masterpiece

[@hothotheat3000]

I love the lyrics, especially “I want you to lose like I lose when I play, what could’ve been”. Just a devastating confession of regret and agony.

[@Camwin]

Yes, as a wannabe producer it's a goldmine hearing inspiration and processes about songs that have meant so much to me. We are so lucky to have creators as open and giving as you.

[@melolia8556]

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

[@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

[@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!

[@blackshard641]

This song makes me well up every time I hear it. Had no idea it was Sting who did the vocals, but he has the absolute perfect voice for the bittersweet, mournful acceptance. Jinx is so horribly tragic. A girl repeatedly punished for caring, repeatedly made to feel worthless and unworthy, who only ever felt empowered when she was violent and cruel. Accepting who she is feels like giving up.

[@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.

[@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

[@LydianMelody]

Thank you for this beautiful, sorrowful song. It’ll be with me as long as I live. It ruined me even before I realized what the lyrics were. Once I did, it so perfectly connected to my own feelings toward someone at the darkest point of my life, it took me right back to that time. I had to leave work for the day it hit me so hard. And my inconsiderate musician-brain likes to obsess over songs until I learn every little nuance, so it kept playing over and over in my head. After a few days I was able to get through it without crying. Now I’m almost through learning Ray Chen’s solos so I can perform it this weekend (in VR so that’ll be fun). It’s rare nowadays for me to love a song so intensely I obsess over it like that, and I have *never once* had a piece of music affect me so much emotionally. Just.. thank you. 💕

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@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?

[@whateverw7173]

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

[@paulmal535]

I listened to this song in the car earlier today. (Without the movie playing, which I hope is obvious) I watched arcane months ago, and was going through the songs on the soundtrack. I just thought to myself, Wow, this is a really really well crafted song! I’m not even a Sting fan. and, sorry, but couldn’t remember where in the series it was played. But Being the last song on the soundtrack, I kind of guessed the last episode. Glad I stumbled on your video, I would have never have thought you wrote it to scene. Of course, I went back and watched it in context, which totally takes it to another level. But anyway, great work, well done!

[@King_Juhrama]

How does this not have a million views?

[@a00578480]

This show gutted me. The story, the music, everything. I get emotional thinking about this story, and listening to the music. It's so beautiful.

[@ByChristineHansen]

I actually heard the song first and had no idea about the show and it isn’t a style I would normally watch but the song was so hauntingly beautiful I had to check out the whole story and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Glorious song

[@hablahabla6653]

Pls can we get the full track in your vocals omg 😭😭😭 that was so beautiful and sets such a delicate and emotional mood i love it!!