What Makes a Video Game Love Tune?
It’s almost Valentine’s Day, and you know what that means! We’re all gonna spend the day listening to some sappy, romantical music! As someone who feels feelings sometimes, I find myself indulging in the Final Fantasy series a lot when I’m in the mood for love. However, it would be silly of me to ignore how diverse VGM love songs can be.
When I was first thinking about the topic, I wanted to make a rubric of the data I gathered listening to a handful of romantic tunes. I was gonna compare tempos, key signatures, etc. and get real analytical about it, but the more that I listened, the more I realized that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all formula. At first, this was frustrating, but now it makes a lot of sense!
Love is expressed and received differently by different people. While you may feel loved when you get a hug, someone else may feel love when their S.O. takes out the gottdang trash. Music works much the same way. What groove, style, and/or lyrics get to you may not get to me. So, I want to list off a couple of different game tunes that you should serenade somebody cute with, and I wanna talk nerdy to ya about why they work so well.
In order to not be completely overwhelmed with the possibilities, let’s focus on two broad categories: orchestral and pop.
Orchestra
The orchestra has lots of different colors and textures to work with, but there is a trend that happens more often than not, and that’s the use of the string section. I blame Tchaikovsky and his Overture to “Romeo and Juliet”. You know it. You love it. And it’s influence is undeniable.
The Final Fantasy series uses the string section musical trope all of the time. The “Aria di Mezzo” from Final Fantasy VI uses (computer) strings to double the melody (a 16-bit) Celes sings. “Theme of Love” from Final Fantasy IV Remastered uses a solo string as part of the melody. Harp accompaniment is in both of these tracks as well (another trope discussion for another time). These slow and luscious songs are sure to melt even the coldest of hearts.
“Romance is in the Air” from The Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword pairs woodwinds and strings in its melody. The composer also chose to use the strings to create this jig-like feeling, which I love. Not only are you in love, you are super happy to see them!
Piano is another common instrument used in orchestral love tunes. “Id (Serenity)” from Fire Emblem Awakening is a great example of this. As is “For River (Johnny’s Version)” from To the Moon. My hypothesis on this is that piano is a very intimate instrument being used as a solo instrument a lot. In fact, my piano and I just celebrated our 24th anniversary. It’s those hours you put in that makes the relationship work!
Pop
Pop music’s only requirement for making a good love song is speaking to the listener. Everything else is fair game. All of my listening has made me realize that there is a song for every type of love and every type of feeling.
The king of every genre of music ever, K.K. Slider, wrote one of the simplest, most amazing love songs ever. “I Love You” from Animal Crossing is just a singer-songwriter on his guitar. As someone who is very basic, I love that junk. It’s like he’s singing just for me! Serenade me, K.K. I’m yours.
“I Want Love” from Silent Hill 3 is that edgy, dark love tune we played on repeat as teenagers. No piano or acoustic guitar here. Just a gritty, sexy voice and some raw emotion.
Want a more RnB feel? Look no further than “Funny Love” from Parappa the Rappa. Not only does this song tell you how special love is, it does so in that calm and cool sort of way that gets you comfortable.
And even more different than that is “Manny & Meche” from Grim Fandango. Tango is a type of pop, or at least it could’ve been considered as such back in the day. Also, I don’t think there’s anything sexier than tango. The combination of strings, bandoneóns and the beat create this manifestation of desire and desperation.
Pop is fun because it can have a toe in the orchestral world as well. Final Fantasy does that very well. Love songs like “Eyes on Me” from Final Fantasy VIII, “Melodies of Life” from Final Fantasy IX, and “Suteki da Ne” from Final Fantasy X follow the typical structure of a pop tune while an orchestra accompanies the singer.
“Time Travel” from Professor Layton and the Unwound Future does this too. Plus, here’s another good example of a piano in a love tune! Keep your eyes open for those. Piano’s gonna show up more often than you may have realized.
FIN
This is by no means an exhaustive list, so do your own exploring and analyzing. Figure out what songs you like and figure out why you like them. Is it the instrumentation? Is it the genre? Use that to make a list for yourself or your significant other! And, if you’re a musician, try to make a love song in a genre you wouldn’t think of. Try a tango! Or maybe that rock feel you’ve been thinking about experimenting with!
Just remember that VGM is love!
SYDNEY KJERSTAD
Sydney Kjerstad is a video game composer in many different styles, but some of her favorites are pop and orchestral. She’s a strong believer in collaboration and enjoys working with artists/developers of all kinds.