Best of 2012! Top Ten: Zelda Tunes

She may be one of my least favourite companions in the Zelda series, but there are few words that adequately describe the quiet majesty of Fi’s Theme from Skyward Sword. There are several variations of this which play throughout the game, but the one I’ve chosen above is by far the most poignant and the most heartfelt.

It plays just after Link’s placed the Master Sword in the Sealed Grounds pedestal, and for a moment it seems like Link must return to his own time without saying goodbye to his old friend. But just as he turns away, Fi reappears and delivers one last message before she enters her eternal slumber.

“I do not have the capability to fully understand the human spirit,” she says, “but now, at the end of my journey with you, as I prepare to sleep within the Master Sword forever, I experience a feeling I am unable to identify. I lack sufficient data to be sure of my conclusion, but I believe this feeling correlates closest to what your people call…happiness.”

“Before I enter the sleep that calls me to the sword, I wish to relay to you words that I have recorded many times over the course of our journey. Many have said them to you thus far, but now I wish to say them for myself… Thank you, Master Link. May we meet again in another life…”

And then, just like that, she’s gone, her theme slowly fading from existence along with the glow of the Master Sword. In many ways, it’s just as sad as the demise of the King of Red Lions, but what makes this particularly tragic is the fact that, after twenty five years of Zelda games, we know that Fi will never get her final wish. It’s an incredibly powerful and moving moment, but to borrow Fi’s turn of phrase, there’s a 99.9% probability that the origins of such spirited feelings can be scientifically traced back to this beautiful piece of music– and that’s why it’s at number one. Tunes like Dragon Roost Island and the Dark World Theme may get your blood going, but few melodies can claim to hold such a vice-like grip over your heartstrings, and if you didn’t have even the smallest lump in your throat while watching this scene, then you need a soul transplant stat.

So there you have it, folks– the top ten Zelda tunes as decreed by your friendly Co-EIC. I hope you enjoyed the list, and apologies if your favourite track didn’t make it, but if you think I missed one out then make sure you sound off in the comments below!

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