Yoko Shimomura Interview - Street Fighter II Soundtrack OST

[@EmceeLorder]

This woman is an absolute legend.

[@genoory5090]

No words can explain. She constructed my childhood memory for the love of these tracks and sounds that I still play today

[@SchizmKing]

I came here to say exactly this. Word for word 😆

[@karloaquinde3476]

Indeed, she created one of the most memorable and best soundtracks in all of gaming and some of my favorites that I can't get out of my head for the rest of my life. She's up there with Yuzo Koshiro and some others for best game composers. Ryu's theme is epic but the entire soundtrack is dope as a whole as well. Peace, fellow gamers.

[@Tko_Seven]

yes. I used to listen to this OST with cassette tape with imagination. and these melodies still lingers in my head after decades!

[@EMdemo]

100%

[@goncalomaia6987]

This woman singlehandedly changed the life of millions. SF2 has easily one of the best soundtracks in history. Instantly recognizable and an influence to sound designers everywhere.

[@finnmarr-heenan2397]

She wrote my childhood Sf2 had AMAZING sound design

[@JosephStash]

Most badass woman ever, composing one of the greatest video game soundtracks ever. Great vid - love the Diggin in the Carts documentary.

[@telemaster]

Yes, it is a great doco. Odd that they took episode 3 down.

[@bokocop5725]

*one*?

[@jiraiya0698]

Several of the greatest soundtracks in gammiing. easy.

[@kaos01]

Every song in this game is homerun. How can you be this good?

[@ENFDO]

Not the best, the best if VF1 (Sega Saturn edition), VF2 (arcade, not remix) and Vf3. Anyway SF2 got excellent music and inspired the whole videogame industry.

[@nebularain3338]

She is my biggest influence as a musician, composer, and professional recording engineer. I'm deadly serious!

[@wildrose8053]

🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@kqno55]

Nebula, love is the KEY! Never forget that my friend! ♥

[@FinalManaTrigger]

I don't blame you, she's fantastic. I first discovered her in the early 2000's from her amazing work on Legend of Mana, and I didn't even know just how much stuff she had done before that, but when I find out I'm always saying "that makes sense!" Just as in the case of SFII here. I always loved this soundrtrack as a kid. Blanka's and Sagat's theme gives me chills to this day.

[@sdlock83]

What a shame that Capcom didn't appreciate any of her talents, prompting her to go to Square.

[@alexgeorge3068]

Don't complain too much. We have hours of glorious KH/FFXV music because of it!

[@nighthoodlupin3500]

Shame we got the Parasite Eve soundtrack out of it? No way... too bad for Capcom, yes.

[@jtehmain8261]

And boy did she get rewarded for said talents

[@eneadosti6366]

Roger bussiness ! Its all about bussiness.

[@ProyectXylem]

She always said that she wanted to work on RPG sountracks. That wasn't really Capcom's strongest genre, and it was for the best since Breath of Fire died at its 4th entry. Besides, she's a Freelancer since 2003, she didn't stay in Square that long.

[@basonjourne6971]

Actually cried when I saw this... I knew Capcom and SFII as my childhood but never recognized this brilliant artistic woman to be the mastermind behind this incredible creation of music. Thank you Yoko, I have never appreciated and realized how lucky we all are to be a part of this history as kids.

[@telemaster]

Well said 👍🏼

[@MohamedAkhbar]

True. We are to be a part of this, man she is so awesome.

[@ToonyBe]

Same here. Phenomenal artist!

[@rafaellechugo]

same here ✋

[@awh4272]

I agree but what's with every person waking around today ready to burst into tears!? Something is awry!

[@willyung5819]

Even now i dont think she quite comprehends just how much of an impact her music has made. Her themes are so synonymous, that they are more recognisable than the actual national anthems. Legend

[@TheTrooperMB]

I completely agree!

[@zacek19]

I cannot say it better.

[@messey12]

I entirely agree that "The Star Spangled Banner" needs replaced with Guile's Theme.

[@MrSnippety]

Wow. She is an amazing talent! The whole sound design of SFII. She basically changed video game history.

[@jasong9502]

Yoko is the John Williams of video games

[@JohnnyOTGS]

You mean Alan Silvestri.

[@GokkunGuru]

She’s so humble. SF2 gave her confidence. SF2 gave many guys on this planet what is known as life.

[@dxcSOUL]

What is known as life? What?

[@UrbanOutlawsSk8Co]

What she really made was the soundtracks to many kid's lives

[@degbry]

Literally millions. An entire generation

[@pacus123]

This lady! WOW! Thank you so much! For me it's Chun Li and E-Honda's themes. To this day I still trawl KZbin to find a new cover I can enjoy. I can't say I'm impressed with the themes in SF6 though.

[@鈴木ハスラー-g7e]

素晴らしい音楽を沢山ありがとうございます!　 何十年経っても、心に響いていつまでも残ってます。

[@naveenDEAS]

Just like the legends like Bruce Lee,Michael Jackson who comes once in million years, this great woman is a legend too which a unique identity. She is all over my childhood and still going on. Thanks a bunch!!!!

[@karllogan8809]

I spent hundreds of hours playing SF2 with friends! Thank you so much Yoko Shimomura!

[@ToonyBe]

I'm sure it's been thousands of hours!

[@consumeproduce]

when you listen back to the blanka theme now it totally makes sense that it came into existence on a train. the 5 note melody has the rhythm of the clack of train wheels on tracks.

[@alexisjordan3303]

Mrs Shimomura, you have no idea how many children, now grown adults like me, have been mesmerized by the beauty of your music, in the entire world. Your music partly shaped my young musical brain. Then, as a young amateur musician, I studied in depth several SF2 themes, most notably Blanka's and Ryu's, my favourites. Your pieces are candy to the ears as much as to the thinking musician's brain. Thank you for the music, your are love all over the world. ARIGATOU from France

[@Solambulist]

Thank you, GODDESS of Yoko! You have impacted the lives if so many kids back and in the 90’s more than you will ever know in an amazing way.

[@alfonsos.7425]

This woman is a genius. She wrote simple but perfect themes that sticks into your mind for YEARS!

[@Vice81]

This woman is responsible for my all time favorite video game soundtrack. All the best to you Yoko.

[@caseyizawa9305]

Behold the queen

[@manchesterisblue1023]

100% the best videogame soundtrack of all time

[@SapphireCutTV]

Dunno mate. Streets of Rage 1+2 give it a run for it's money.

[@SapphireCutTV]

BTW Manchester might be blue but Europe is RED!

[@georgemichael3078]

Yeah, no other bit of music gives me as much youthful exuberance as the starting theme to Street Fighter 2. But if SF2 was the sun, Streets of Rage was the moon. That intro by Yuzo Koshiro is so moody and crisp. Both very awesome works. Honorable mentions: Sonic, Contra, Blaster Master, Castlevania, SMB.

[@k-baye6292]

She also did kingdom hearts soundtrack which Imo is better.

[@Drizzt_Do_Entreri]

Uematsu, Kondo, Mitsuda

[@davidfortuin4146]

Thank you Yoko Shimamura.

[@joser9252]

Leyenda viviente. Gracias por componer muchas obras de arte y ser parte de uno de los juegos mas importantes de la historia

[@jurandirpinheiro854]

Algo que já percebi em algumas entrevistas da Yoko Shimomura é que ,pra ela, ter feito a trilha sonora de SF2 foi apenas um trabalho como qualquer outro, não teve nada de especial: A empresa, no caso a CAPCOM, solicitou o serviço, ela cumpriu o acordado, foi paga por isso, e pronto, assunto encerrado. Já pra nós, fãs, essas músicas tem um significado muito mais especial: São épicas, marcantes, recordações de uma época mágica, de momentos felizes, de disputas, amizades, brincadeiras. Algo que nos remete ao frescor de nossa infância e adolescência.

[@luf4rall]

The Japanese video game industry owes her so much.

[@michaelngfinance]

Yoko Shimomura is a musical genius!

[@demonflanger]

Because of her and the sf2 stage/char themes she created, i can proudly say that have very fond and proud memories of my childhood that i shall cherish for the rest of my life:)

[@messey12]

The sound test for SFII was a blessing cause the music and sounds were THAT good that I could just play the music by itself and would be happy doing stuff around my room with said music as background.

[@alteisen8587]

Street Fighter II, Live-A-Live, Legend of Mana, Super Mario RPG, Front Mission. This woman created some of the most beautiful music for some of my favourite games ever made. Her melodies creep into my head more often than any other composer's probably.

[@tangchiprathomo819]

She’s extremely modest for her caliber. No, it was not only you who thanked SFII, SFII also needed to thank you.

[@jonpeley]

She really nailed it, all the tracks are great, but how she could capture that flamenco upbeat vibe for the Vega song being japanese amazes me. True legend.

[@sarryuken8786]

Press like if you had goosebumps internally and externally throughout your whole body during this video.

[@gi_nattak]

From Street Fighter II, to Legend of Mana, amazing all around.

[@KalvinEllis]

Thank you ma'am.

[@afropovic]

This woman is part of historical culture and defined music and sounds for generations.

[@zacek19]

I agree.

[@gabrielsyme4550]

What an amazing interview! Blanka's theme is goated

[@hikarunkun]

4:31 "I'm happy that so many kids overseas learnt that Japanese from the game" Me saying "Tatsumaki Senpuu Kyaku" back then: Ateck-teck-tuguem!

[@SmokingSpoon]

Street Fighter, Parasite Eve, Super Mario RPG, Legend of Mana.. She's an underappreciated genius.

[@nebularain3338]

Kingdom Hearts too.

[@evaunit2005]

Her music in Mario RPG is the reason why I'm the musician I am today. Mushroom Kingdom and Monstro Town were the first songs I learned without sheet music, just by listening. She truly is a masterful composer and just inches over Koji Kondo & Nobuo Uematsu. Whether it's Kingdom Hearts, FG XV, Mario RPG, Shiva's Theme from Streets of Rage 4, select songs from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (Kass' Theme), or even Street Fighter 2, her melodies have always stuck out to me more as unique and special. Thank you Shimomura-San for your inspiration

[@SarimFaruque]

She and C418 are some of my favorite video game composers Guile's theme is great

[@rubaiattalukdar7837]

Gratitude to the legend. My first Adrenalin rush in life was created by herself when i heard distinctly this sounds walking around game shops. And i literally heard this musics in dreams on that times. Hats off.

[@tae-yunlee7658]

Glad she gets even a bit of recognition here. Incredible iconic tracks. Ken's, blankas, Guiles, and Bisons are my favs

[@meanwhileinjapan2265]

A music legend ありがとうございますYoko!

[@phil4863]

In order for her to produce this soundtrack she would have to listen and study other genres of music around the world and execute it through her own compositions! Shes a genius

[@jaredbond7908]

Not only this game.... she wrote the music for Super Mario RPG. Check out Valentina's Castle cover by Patti Rudasill for a full baroque style song. (Notes lifted exactly from her composition.)

[@jaredbond7908]

And this: (wish it repeated tho!) kzbin.info/www/bejne/rmXLdmanpZmoY68

[@mactroz]

I already worshiped Yoko for her work with the Kingdom Hearts series, then I found that she made the SF2 soundtrack, I was shocked! Also the soundtrack of FFXV was amazing!

[@GattoriSancho]

To this day I listen to SF2 music in the Gym. Nice to see the face that made those songs.

[@andydufresne299]

I've got to give a "Thank you" to Yoko Shimomura for making one of the most iconic video game soundtracks of all time. Thank you! Peace.

[@lordiblees]

This made me tear up. SFII too was my whole childhood and the music was a huge part of what made the game so iconic. Thank you, Yoko! You've given so many kids (adults now) some of our fondest childhood memories.

[@clikerzbot]

Aside from good design ang programming the sound of SF2 made it iconic..and i now knew this lady did it...amazing

[@Oxazepam65]

Such a simple humble woman and yet she composed classic video games songs that could still be around 500 years from now.

[@erdebi]

Being a fighting videogame mostly targeted for men, the OST is so magnificient that still susprises me how Yoko (as a woman) perfectly understood the feeling that the music should express for SF2. Thanks for building the best memories of our childhoods ❤️🎮

[@FreeFlow__]

Her and Nobuo Uematsu are my Idols

[@kqno55]

Yoko is LOVE!!! ♥♥♥

[@VideoGameMusicForAll]

There's not enough thanks in the world for her amazing compositions! 🙏

[@AndersonTenecela]

Everyone is wanting Street Fighter 6 to return to the jazz/rap style soundtrack of SF3 but for me I want Yoko Shimomura back. Her remix of Guile and Vega’s theme in Super Smash Bros Ultimate in a way felt like a tease as what a newer Street Fighter soundtrack would sound like if she were to come back and the fact the music in the Street Fighter 2 games are the most recognizable songs in the fighting game genre shows what a legend she is. What the story that is being tease for SF6 I could only imagine how godlike her orchestra style soundtrack would sound for Street Fighter 6 😍

[@ImWatchingYou69]

Disgustingly based take. Pretty sure she's a freelancer too so who knows...

[@rfmerrill]

Which remix do you mean? There are three versions of Guile's theme in Ultimate that I can find, with the main one being by Yuzo Koshiro

[@teavirus]

You are my hero. Thank you for making my childhood legendary…

[@AlexRN]

This woman deserves so much more success and fame. I cannot praise her work enough. Coming from the Super Mario RPG remake, which she remixed and remastered all of her original soundtrack for the remake, left me absolutely floored. I also didnt expect that my favorite remade song would be "Slope" that plays when running up Booster Hill. In the OG it was a good song but this woman turned it from "good" to ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE! Whatever she's been paid for her work cannot possibly be enough. She's a modern day Mozart and should be in the same conversations as John Williams is but because she mostly composes for Japanese videogames it'll never happen.

[@chuquiii]

Thank you for everything Yoko! (eyes in tears)

[@IvoMaropo]

Words can't express how grateful I am for Street Fighter 2. This woman is a genius. SF II is a work of genius.

[@Itsgeestatus]

🕺🏾Yoko Is A Muscial Goddess🎎 Who Came In Our Existence Of This Earth🌍Since Capcom Gave Birth 4 Standard Fighting Games 2 Create Their Own Lane (She's DEFINITELY A Livin Legend🏆 In My Eyes🙏🏾)

[@karmad.twelve6613]

She is not only a legend herself, but she is so humble and chill! Wow, great video!

[@cetocoquinto4704]

That blanka theme was pure genius really. Imagine putting the riffs on that short span of time the emotions of that music.

[@k.c.r.5974]

So special 💜 I will cry 😭

[@rjtkoh]

All her tracks are so memorable. Something that's really lacking from today's games is such memorable melodies. What a brilliant talent

[@DrGreenThumbNZL]

SF2 ost is flawless , its just perfect, What a legendary game

[@VictorArtis]

Modern SF games need you to write them some catchy melodies

[@repeekyraidcero]

Yup. Inspiration. Strikes whenever it wants.

[@teukurajahitam8225]

My love and my salute to you Yoko san, from ex 90's child 🙏

[@RealtusMaximus]

I've been following her masterpiece since SNES/SFC days. She's genuinely gifted, and talented.

[@TrashBandicoot12]

Salute to Yoko, she was a huge part of our childhood as gamers! One of the GOATs 🫡🫡🫡

[@aztecwhistle9122]

The character select music was one of my favorites, she's very talented

[@SG-bz8kb]

Thank you so very much! Street fighter 2 music can’t be beaten

[@Not3xactly]

I wish this was an hour long

[@ramondantasoliveira7712]

🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤Happy birthday, Shimomura-san from Brazil!!!

[@jamess.9743]

legend! i feel that she really don’t see how many lives she touched with her music.

[@anthonygumbo2977]

You are a living god !! Ty sooo much for the fond memories , awesome music , may you live to be 💯

[@Eyeyamgod]

Her music is forever engraved into my brain until the day I'm old.

[@LokoJoe6]

2:18 Taka tan tan and then the magic guys 3:58 Wait... The subtitle is accurate? She actually did all the voices from the game? 🤯 Yoko Shinomura, an absolute legend from videogames music ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@jsbmx2039]

So many bangers came out of this woman. Such a great musician

[@たぬ-h6m]

当時二十歳そこそこで作ったってのが本当にすごいし素晴らしい！

[@awh4272]

The amount of dedication that went into the music of a computer game was incredible.

[@quakecon2009]

Amazing video and woman, street fighter 2 games were like a religion for me growing up, and still kinda are. Her music was a big part of that.

[@cross25011990]

the spain theme is an absolutly beethoven level composition.

[@LegionIvory]

This woman was destined for greatness.

[@Hazukisin]

下村さんが世界的にこれほど有名な方だったとは☺️

[@Bakayaroz]

I love the feeling of thinking about a problem on the train and rushing to my desk to write it down

[@crazydog6093]

España agradece tu talento, Yoko. ¡Te queremos! Spain thanks your talent, Yoko. We love you!

[@alexandrealvesporfirioviei4722]

Essa mulher me fez muito feliz, não apenas eu como todos os fãs de SFII... Uma verdadeira artista, criadora de obras primas!

[@BiwiiFGC]

I remember when i found out Yoko Shimomura was not only responsible for one of the greatest soundtracks to ever grace fighting games but also the entirety of the Kingdom Hearts soundtrack, i was absolutely blown away. As a fighting game player and a Kingdom Hearts nerd, this woman has pretty much molded my soul.

[@Itiswhatitispartna]

This lady is a legend!!

[@explorewithahsann]

The woman behind the iconic music and sound effects of Street Fighter 2. Absolute Legend! 🤩

[@ricardomarte1902]

thank you for giving us memorable times

[@sendaljepitseribu108]

She became part of my childhood memories, my respect for you, and thank you for your great work

[@FourthDerivative]

Shimomura-san is one of the all-time great video game composers. She deserves way more recognition

[@johnjordan6032]

I started playing SF in an actual arcade in the 90's and never knew a woman composed this EPIC music! She's my hero!

[@libfit9068]

I LOVE her Final Fantasy XV work such as "OMNIS LACRIMA" and "SOMNUS"

[@DavidMzengi]

Kingdom Hearts is also part of her, too.

[@Walid.Hammas]

Thank you Madam