OCR01404 - Secret of Mana "Dragon Song"

[ForumChibi]

At first I got myself psyched up - a friend referred me to this song, I saw the reviews, I read DJPretzel's comments, then I listened to the song.

The first time through I was unimpressed. I was expecting something else by that time. So I played it again, listening to the parts people were pointing out, still not really that impressed. So I walked away... but for some reason, I really wanted to hear it again.

I probably played it twenty times in a row before my housemate went insane, not knowing what exactly it was I was listening to. The song really does speak for itself in the end. It's mysterious, unexplainably alluring, deep, and to sum it all up in one word, beautiful.

The vocals are calming, yet intense, and overall SO well done - looking back on it, a female vocalist would've ruined the song entirely. Even as a long-ago huge SoM fan, I can't quite recall which song this is remixed from, but I don't even care, because it's just that amazing. Some parts I can pick out, especially the piano, which is just incredible.

There's a reason why people rave about this song, I'm glad I was also able not just to find, but to feel what that reason was.

And for the record, I also pronounce it, Flam-E.

[Sage_of_World]

This is by far my favourite song I've gotten off OC.

I got it before I went to school, and was late cause i listened to it so much

Seriously though, I love how relaxing this song is, it really gives you a feeling of peace.

Flam-E is the way to say it, just try to pronounce in it romaji, its the only way that makes sense.

BTW: Its from the final flight theme and kakara desert.

[tistou]

"take me to meet my mother" is cheesy? Damn, who makes up these "cheesy lyrics" rules anyways? Guess they all need to be about armpit hair and hot-rods...

and "my baby"

I agree that the vocals make the song. The lyrics aren't important, it's the way they sound that matters.

i finished listening the 1386 remixes available here (at least once ) and i also agree that the vocals make that song n°1.

when i listen to it (for the 50th time) , I dream that I am who I want to be , That I’m successful and I’m free , Life's no longer a mystery , I’m a hero on the big screen ... sorry , dont remember the lyrics of the curent song ; just the sexy voice that make cry every girls and could turn you gay ^^

[MisterBiggler]

All the ReMixes I've been grabbing lately have been jackpots, and this one continues the streak. I'm glad to see a ReMix of these tunes from SofM, along with "Negai" it's one of my favorite themes from the game. The vocals do it for me here; this song would not be as good without them IMHO (including the great oh's, ooh's & ah's). Fantastic joint; it's in the favorites pile for sure.

[crimsonfate]

wow... what an overwhelmingly positive group of posts. Sexy voice my man. not ashamed to say it. Great stuff.

[watkinzez]

So is Harmony the angel that came from the sky, gave us three kickass mixes and left almost as quickly? So his forum profile would say..

[DJ Skratch 'n' Sniff]

So, as everyone else says, this song is beautiful and, as much as Bladiator will hate me for saying this, I do think the lyrics are the only thing holding it back. They're just too blatantly about the game; there's no subtlety in them at all: "fly me, my Flammie"?

I know this is a little absurd of an example but, can you imagine if the lyrics were more like, "I fell down a waterfall, I found the mana sword, I fought a killer mantis, the elder kicked my out of town... etc. etc." You can at least see where I'm coming from on this, right?

Anywho, that minor (incredibly minor) issue aside, the song truly is one of the most beautiful vocal tunes on this site and, by far, my favorite Harmony mix.

[nikstar]

Beautiful song, I don't think the lyrics matter in the sense that just like any other musical piece of a song the purpose of the singing is to add to the song. Deep lyrical meaning isn't particularly necessary.

[DJ Skratch 'n' Sniff]

Beautiful song, I don't think the lyrics matter in the sense that just like any other musical piece of a song the purpose of the singing is to add to the song. Deep lyrical meaning isn't particularly necessary.

I totally agree. I mean, I listen to Papa Roach as a guilty pleasure sometimes, for god's sake.

[Hale-Bopp]

Man, I really gotta start paying more attention to all the amazing remixes that get posted on OCR...

Beautiful voice. Great song. Excellent production. Tight performance all around. I have a hard time critiquing anything this exceptional, so I'll just leave it at that.

[crimsonfate]

i like de song. jes i do. it is so good to me. i love to sing de song. de song make me very happy. i love to listen to de song. sing and sing and sing dis song. so good jes indeed iss so good.

[-MZ-]

Great mix. I'm not really used to lyric vocals (I'm more of an instrumental person), but they actually added to the song greatly. Good work!

[crimsonfate]

ohhhhhhhhhhhhh once again i sing dis song i sing it loud i sing it proud iss so much fun to sing de great song that is dis song oh i love everybody and also i lovv dis song which iss so good to me jes it is i like it oh i do

[Broken]

Been a big fan of this mix since I first heard it maybe a year ago, but for some reason I never thought to post my thoughts on it here.

I always go crazy over the little acoustic guitar licks at the beginning and throughout the piece. The sitar-ish strings at the intro along with the drums (bongos?) give the entire song an almost south-east asian feel, but the guitar reminds me of some Spanish ballad. Then throughout the whole darned thing is this powerful piano that pushes to the forefront in some instances then becomes an underlying element.

Then perhaps the most decisive part of this song (you love it or hate it) are the lyrics. Now right off the bat, I think the vocals are well done. They were mastered well and Harmony's voice is, to say the least, not taxing on the ears. Now the lyrics are decidedly very game related (referring to the tree of mana and flammie). Now I personally think more universal lyrics would have given this song greater appeal. By singing less about dragons and talking about "flying" like a metapohrical escape for example. But if Harmony did that the song wouldn't be as much of an homage to Secret of Mana, would it?

Who knows, who cares?

Basically, this song has like TEH BEST OPENING EVAR!

And then it proceeds to the song kicks all sorts booty.

[Mordicantflame]

I'm going to be very sorry if this makes me sound obsessive but I have to say that this is my favorite song ever. Honestly, to me, it doesn't compare to any other song I've heard in my lifetime because it moved me. Everytime I listen to this song the dueling between the beautiful Spanish-like guitar and piano melody just make me feel so relaxed. The percussion is very well balanced and not overbearing, which is great and amazing to me because I've always had problems making percussion match the music mood. The singing in this is fantastic and very convincing because I sense emotion behind it, the same yearning that matches the lyrics very very well. Very rarely do I hear an amateur song with convincing vocals. I think the composer should be VERY proud of this piece because they've touched at least one person in this world.

[DukeNukem007]

Prophecy was one of the best songs in a VERY up-and-down SOM soundtrack (there were some *really* bad songs that overused that annoying percussion or just had worthless melody.)

Piano is excellent and other instruments are not bad.

I'm not a big fan of lyrics in OCR songs unless they are flawless; they can be severely out-of-place, badly chosen, and some people just can't sing, but these are above-average.

You mostly did it justice, B+/A-

Flammie rules (brought back sooooo many memories of Falkor from "Neverending Story.")

[playingtokrush]

This song from 2:30 onward, especially the "Secret of the Arid Sands" part, kicks my testicles into my esophagus.

[ShrikeArghast]

This is one of the best vocal remixes out there today. Flawless is a word that comes to mind.

[Raid]

I have to say I just registered just to say this song is one of the best songs I've ever heard on this site. GOOD JOB!!!

[aria]

Did the same as the last poster.

Sexy man voice, INDEED.

Hope to hear some more remixes from you, especially w/vox

[Alimah Kali]

I caught this song while listening to OCRemix Radio. The first thing that immediately grabbed my attention was that voice. A smooth and sweet voice that gave me chills and swept my imagination away to fly the skies. Then when I realized what songs were remixed, I was floored and floored HARD. Gorgeous music and an equally gorgeous voice. Simply EXQUISITE remix.

[big giant circles]

One of the best mixes on OCR. Without a doubt. Both excellent and inspiring.

On a seperate note, the lyrics really make me want to play this game, because they seem to have so much in common with one of MY favorites, which is of course Final Fantasy Adventure.

Brandon, if you still stop by, I hope you are proud of this piece. You certainly have earned your props.

[Arwen]

I don't know what more I can add that hasn't been said before but I'll try anyway: to say this is gorgeous, moving, well-done, and a genius of a song, not just a remix, is a total understatement. The vocals are just perfect, the guitar work is amazing, the lyrics are soothing, the timing is awesome. This is going to go on my short list of remixes to listen to over and over.

[Monobrow]

Just want to say that I still think this is an excellent song. Haven't listened to it in a while until today... When it gets to that acoustic breakdown-thing with the guitar, just perfect... Where did ya go, Harmony? :J

Anyway, I have a new appreciation of this song after coming back to it, and it's still great.

[Harmony]

Where did ya go, Harmony? :J

Gone but not forgotten I see A sincere thanks to Monobrow and everyone else who tosses this remix into the playlist every once in a while.

Oh, and as soon as I work up enough cash to bribe Dave and Larry, I'll see if I can get something on the front page again