Book III is certainly one of the wildest rides in the history of TPBoD. It has some of the silliest situations, but also the darkest moods.
The challenge for this soundtrack was not so much to think of suitable songs, but rather to try and limit ourselves to a reasonable number of them.
In the end, these were the tracks we felt best represented the crazy journey of the runaway Renegades.
We hope you’ll like them, too.
Enjoy. ♥
Rangers - A Fine Frenzy (download)
Chi: We open with a track very suitable to the beginning of book three; we definitely don’t want to get caught, but have not yet lost all hope. Maybe there still is a chance for us.
Lyrics:
The paths have been crossed
The crumbs are gone and the way
and the way is lost
Melancholy phantoms eye our skins
Poisoned apples falling with the wind
Hear the sigh of the trees
Those who enter here never leave
And the rangers stream out of their cabins
They are the hunters, we are the rabbits
But maybe we don’t want to be found
Maybe we don’t want to be found
Further in and on we go
Sightless creatures tugging at our clothes
Cutting through the twilight, sword in hand
Strangers once, united against the land
At the sound of the bells
They’re pulling paper lanterns from their shelves
And the rangers stream out of their cabins
They are the hunters, we are the rabbits
And maybe we don’t want to be found
Maybe we don’t want you tracking us down
The rangers stream out of their cabins
Raising their muskets, flashing their badges
But maybe we don’t want to be found
Maybe we don’t want to be found
Let’s keep hiding, all quiet-like
They’ll keep seeking but they won’t find us
Let’s keep living our quiet lives
You and I
You and I
And the rangers stream out of their cabins
They are the hunters, we are the rabbits
And maybe we don’t want to be found
Maybe we don’t want you tracking us down
The rangers stream out of their cabins
Raising their muskets, flashing their badges
But maybe we don’t want to be found
Maybe we don’t want to be found
Silk Road - Yo-yo Ma (download)Silvy: For the Land of Dragons chapters, I listened a lot to the soundtracks of Mulan, Hero, House of Flying Daggers and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. This track captures very well the bittwersweetness of
Evelyn Vexen's and Larxene's stay in that world - knowing respite, a moment of peace and even happiness, whilst knowing only too well the dream must end and that they have to move on.
The End Has Only Begun – Lifehouse (download)Chi: It has a certain western feeling, doesn’t it? I imagine Axel leaning against the wall outside that saloon, staring at the stars, pondering the choices he’s made.
Silvy: I actually like this one mood-wise for Axel and Lexaeus in the Wild West, but lyrics-wise it could fit any number of characters, really.
Lyrics:We walk in your footsteps
Though I’ve had my ups and downs
And I'll stand in the silence
Until I figure it out
One might fall and the other will stand
And one might give where the other won't bend
The night is bright as the sun
I'm never gonna know
Never gonna look back
Never gonna know where we would have ended up at
The end has only begun
So stop counting the hours
Live out in the world
Cause I've been chasing the answers
And they don't want to be found
One might fall and the other will stand
And one might give where the other won't bend
The night is as bright as the sun
I'm never gonna know
Never gonna look back
Never gonna know where we would have ended up at
The end has only begun
Well the day
Tonight feels like a million miles away
And these times just won't change
Life just stays the same
I'd give anything to see the light of day
Cause I've been too far away
To hear you whispering
They say one might fall and the other will stand
And one might give where the other won't bend
The night is as bright as the sun
I'm never gonna know
Never gonna look back
Never gonna know where we would have ended up at
The end has only begun
Well the day
Tonight feels like a million miles away
And these times just won't change
Life just stays the same
I'd give anything to see the light of day
What you do
No one can decide it's up to you
And who you are is what you choose
These times when the world falls apart
Make us who we are
Lonely Shepherd – Zamfir (download)Chi: For me, this really is
the wild west theme, and so I listened to it over and over again when writing those chapters (OK, so really it was supposed to be the
Benny Hill theme, but that totally cramped this album’s style so it had to go. Listen to this and try and imagine it’s the Benny Hill song, please?)
Viva La Vida – Coldplay (download)Silvy: This track just conjures up mental images of Marluxia with his hair tied back, sardonically rocking it out with a mop in Tremaine Mansion. It makes me smile every time I hear it.
Yeah, yeah, oh how far we've fallen, we know, what else is new...Chi: Definitely Marluxia’s song! He gambled it all and the worst part is that not only did he fail, he got this slow and undignified downfall rather than a glorious and dramatic death.
Lyrics:I used to rule the world
Seas would rise when I gave the word
Now in the morning I sleep alone
Sweep the streets I used to own
I used to roll the dice
Feel the fear in my enemies' eyes
Listen as the crowd would sing:
"Now the old king is dead! Long live the king!"
One minute I held the key
Next the walls were closed on me
And I discovered that my castles stand
Upon pillars of sand pillars of sand
I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing
Roman cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
Once you know there was never,
never an honest word
That was when I ruled the world
It was the wicked and wild wind
Blew down the doors to let me in
Shattered windows and the sound of drums
People couldn't believe what I'd become
Revolutionaries wait
For my head on a silver plate
Just a puppet on a lonely string
Oh who would ever want to be king?
I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing
Roman cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
I know Saint Peter won't call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world
Hear Jerusalem bells are ringing
Roman cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
I know Saint Peter will call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world
It's My Life - Bon Jovi (download)Chi: Think of this as kind of the declaration as to why the Neophytes attempted their treason in the first place? Or maybe why they press on. I especially think it suit Larxene. More than anything, she wanted independence.
Lyrics:This ain't a song for the broken-hearted
No silent prayer for the faith-departed
I ain't gonna be just a face in the crowd
You're gonna hear my voice
When I shout it out loud
It's my life
It's now or never
I ain't gonna live forever
I just want to live while I'm alive
It's my life
My heart is like an open highway
Like Frankie said
I did it my way
I just wanna live while I'm alive
It's my life
This is for the ones who stood their ground
For Tommy and Gina who never backed down
Tomorrow's getting harder make no mistake
Luck ain't even lucky
Got to make your own breaks
It's my life
And it's now or never
I ain't gonna live forever
I just want to live while I'm alive
It's my life
My heart is like an open highway
Like Frankie said
I did it my way
I just want to live while I'm alive
'Cause it's my life
Better stand tall when they're calling you out
Don't bend, don't break, baby, don't back down
It's my life
And it's now or never
'Cause I ain't gonna live forever
I just want to live while I'm alive
It's my life
My heart is like an open highway
Like Frankie said
I did it my way
I just want to live while I'm alive
It's my life
And it's now or never
'Cause I ain't gonna live forever
I just want to live while I'm alive
It's my life
My heart is like an open highway
Like Frankie said
I did it my way
I just want to live while I'm alive
'Cause it's my life
Into The Night – Motorhomes (download)Silvy: An overall great song for weary Nobodies, but I really abused it hard for the chapter
Limit. It manages to be hopeless and determined at the same time, with a sort of not-really-believing-it-myself optimism.
Lyrics:Into the night, we're alright
Into the pale moonlight
Nothing could go wrong
When you're alone, carry on
Pull out the nails from your bones
Keep on keepin' on
You've got nothing to fear, promise you will be there
Nothing will go wrong
Don't chase the beat of your heart
Don't let yourself fall apart
Nothing could go wrong
You've got nothing to fear, promise you will be there
Nothing will go wrong
This pain
Put there by your loved ones
Goes deep into your bones
That carry your body
This pain
Put there by your loved ones
Goes deep into your bones
That carry your body
Into the night, it's alright
Into the pale morning light
Nothing has gone wrong
And nothing will go wrong
Le Lacrymal Circus - Renan Luce (download)Silvy: An inspiring melody for the circus, and while I won't pretend to remember any of the French I once took in school, what garbled nonsense the online translation-tools give us sounds decently fitting.
Lyrics:Une vieille deux-ch'vaux qui tousse
Déversait des prospectus
"Ce soir, vingt heures, venez tous,
Entrez au Lacrymal Circus."
J'étais seul et je cherchais
Un abri contre la bruine
J'ai pris ma place au guichet
D'une roulotte qui tombe en ruine
Au Lacrymal Circus
On y voit c'qu'on veut y voir
Ce soir des cumulus
Jettent sur ma vie une ombre ivoire
Et je vois
Dans les tentures rouge et or
Quelques vieilles connaissances
Des souv'nirs qui collent au corps
Comme une vapeur d'essence
Et j'ai froid
Un vieux lion à bout de forces
A cligné trois fois des yeux
Il me disait, je crois, en morse
"J'peux pas sauter, j'ai peur du feu!"
Puis un clown neurasthénique
A pleuré sur mon épaule
"J'ai beau faire mes gags scéniques
Quand je tombe je suis pas drôle !"
Au Lacrymal Circus
On y voit c'qu'on veut y voir
Ce soir des cumulus
Jettent sur ma vie une ombre ivoire
Et je vois
Dans les tentures rouge et or
Quelques vieilles connaissances
Des souv'nirs qui collent au corps
Comme une vapeur d'essence
Et j'ai froid
Au Lacrymal Circus
On y voit c'qu'on veut y voir
Ce soir des cumulus
Jettent sur ma vie une ombre ivoire
Et je vois
Dans les tentures rouge et or
Quelques vieilles connaissances
Des souv'nirs qui collent au corps
Comme une vapeur d'essence
Un étrange ballet équestre
Hennissements et ruades
Y a qu'un tambour à l'orchestre
Tous les cuivres sont malades
Ceux qui soufflent n'ont plus d'air
Il ne reste que ceux qui tapent
Il ne reste que ceux qui tapent
Il ne reste que ceux qui tapent
Au Lacrymal Circus...
Mercy Street - Richard Shindell (download)Abby: No, no mercy here. Kind of like this song. Richard Shindell is the best folk singer in the world in depressing you within the first three chords. This song just seems to embody the hopelessness found as the Nobodies trudge on, getting farther and farther from hope.
Chi: The refrain is so haunting. I love the idea that all the Renegades really would love to just be forgiven, but know it’s hopeless.
Silvy: Possibly I’m alone in interpreting this as a Larxene song. Between the lines you could read echoes of a ruthlessly squashed past as well as the things about the Organization she rejects - corridors or pale grey, a mock place of “Nowhere”.
Lyrics:Looking down on empty streets, all she can see
are the dreams all made solid
are the dreams all made real
All of the buildings, all of those cars
were once just a dream
in somebody's head
She pictures the broken glass, she pictures the steam
She pictures a soul
with no leak at the seam
Lets take the boat out
wait until darkness
Let's take the boat out
wait until darkness comes
Nowhere in the corridors of pale green and grey
Nowhere in the suburbs
in the cold light of day
There in the midst of it
so alive and alone
words support like bone
Dreaming of mercy st.
wear your inside out
Dreaming of mercy
in your daddy's arms again
Dreaming of mercy st.
'swear they moved that sign
Dreaming of mercy
in your daddy's arms
Pulling out the papers from the drawers that slide smooth
Tugging at the darkness, word upon word
Confessing all the secret things in the warm velvet box
to the priest - he's the doctor
he can handle the shocks
Dreaming of the tenderness
the tremble in the hips
of kissing Mary's lips
Dreaming of mercy st.
wear your insides out
Dreaming of mercy
in your daddy's arms again
Dreaming of mercy st.
'swear they moved that sign
Dreaming of mercy
in your daddy's arms
Mercy, mercy, looking for mercy
Mercy, mercy, looking for mercy
Anne, with her father is out in the boat
Riding the water
Riding the waves on the sea
Praying For Time - George Michael (download)Silvy: Whilst this is really a guilt-tripping holiday song about charity, there are so many lines here that my Renegades-fevered brain will re-interpret and put into new contexts. The one line
Hanging on to hope when there is no hope to speak of just sums up so very much about the faltering runaways.
Even things like
Xemnas God's children creeping out the back door when his back's turned, and their place being in the past, with ignorance and legitimate excuses, just work really well for the Nobodies.
Lyrics:Do you think we have time?
Do you think we have time?
These are the days of the open hand
They will not be the last
Look around you
These are the days of the beggars and the choosers
This is the year of the hungry man
Whose place is in the past
Hand in hand with ignorance
And legitimate excuses
The rich declare themselves poor
When most of us are not sure
If we have too much
But we'll take our chances
'cause God's stopped keeping score
I guess somewhere along the way
He must have let us all out to play
Turned his back and all God's children
Crept out the back door
And it's hard to love, there's so much to hate
Hanging on to hope
When there is no hope to speak of
And the wounded skies above say it's much too late
Well maybe we should all be praying for time
Do you think we have time?
Do you think we have time?
These are the days of the empty hand
Oh you hold on to what you can
And charity is a coat you wear twice a year
This is the year of the guilty man
Your television takes a stand
And you find that what was over there is over here
So you scream from behind your door
Say "what's mine is mine and not yours"
I may have too much but I'll take my chances
'cause God's stopped keeping score
And now you're lying on the things they sold you
Did you cover your eyes when they told you
That he can't come back
'Cause he has no children to come back for
It's hard to love, there's so much to hate
Hanging on to hope when there is no hope to speak of
And the wounded skies above say it's much too late
Maybe we should all be praying for time
Do you think we have time?
Do you think we have time?
Please, give us time
High Hopes - Pink Floyd (download)Abby: Just really sums the whole thing up nicely, doesn't it?
Looking beyond the embers of bridges glowing behind us... It's really finally sinking in that, no, you can't go home again. Ever.
Chi: To me, this is about the Apprentices and what drove them to commit their first treason – and what drives them on afterwards.
Silvy: This song seems to encompass every step of the Renegades’ long, long journey – all the way back, to an existence before the Darkness, a time when the grass was greener and the light was brighter… There were ambitions and desires that caused their downfall – and perhaps still do, even now, because some things won’t just ever change.
Lyrics:Beyond the horizon of the place we lived when we were young
In a world of magnets and miracles
Our thoughts strayed constantly and without boundary
The ringing of the division bell had begun
Along the Long Road and on down the Causeway
Do they still meet there by the Cut
There was a ragged band that followed in our footsteps
Running before time took our dreams away
Leaving the myriad small creatures trying to tie us to the ground
To a life consumed by slow decay
The grass was greener
The light was brighter
With friends surrounded
The nights of wonder
Looking beyond the embers of bridges glowing behind us
To a glimpse of how green it was on the other side
Steps taken forwards but sleepwalking back again
Dragged by the force of some inner tide
At a higher altitude with flag unfurled
We reached the dizzy heights of that dreamed-of world
Encumbered forever by desire and ambition
There's a hunger still unsatisfied
Our weary eyes still stray to the horizon
Though down this road we've been so many times
The grass was greener
The light was brighter
The taste was sweeter
The nights of wonder
With friends surrounded
The dawn mist glowing
The water flowing
The endless river
Forever and ever
Legion - VNV Nation (download)Silvy: This one's been an inspiration for the final book of TPBoD's for a very, very long time. Especially the line
For a second, please hold me, I am too scared to close my eyes has really inspired and embodied all of the fear, hopelessness and weariness the Nobodies feel at the end. There is no more pretence - say nothing, you annoying bastard, just hold me, for I am too scared to close my eyes...
Lyrics:Enveloped in a sentiment,
a sound that rushes over me.
Engage an impulse to pretend
I have a faith as pure.
Not forgetting what it means to dream.
Indulging everything.
Entertaining thoughts that I've the strength
of those I yearn to be.
Cheers and tribute greet the saviours.
Reckless thoughts survive.
Anachronistic and impulsive.
And what will happen?
Will I dream?
I am too scared to close my eyes.
For a second please hold me.
None can change in me these things that I believe.
But I don't know what happens now.
I am too scared to close my eyes.
Run - Snow Patrol (download)Abby: I've always loved this song for Lexaeus/Zexion. It just seems to fit this situation quite well.
Chi: We might have lost all hope, but still we press on. What else is there to do but to carry your head high until the very end?
Lyrics:I'll sing it one last time for you
Then we really have to go
You've been the only thing that's right
In all I've done
And I can barely look at you
But every single time I do
I know we'll make it anywhere
Away from here
Light up, light up
As if you have a choice
Even if you cannot hear my voice
I'll be right beside you dear
Louder louder
And we'll run for our lives
I can hardly speak I understand
Why you can't raise your voice to say
To think I might not see those eyes
Makes it so hard not to cry
And as we say our long goodbye
I nearly do
Light up, light up
As if you have a choice
Even if you cannot hear my voice
I'll be right beside you dear
Louder louder
And we'll run for our lives
I can hardly speak I understand
Why you can't raise your voice to say
Slower slower
We don't have time for that
All I want is to find an easier way
To get out of our little heads
Have heart my dear
We're bound to be afraid
Even if it's just for a few days
Making up for all this mess
Light up, light up
As if you have a choice
Even if you cannot hear my voice
I'll be right beside you dear...
At Zanarkand - Elvira Madigan (download)Silvy: FF-verse soundtrack cannibalism. >.> This beautiful melody not only fits the tragic group for which it was composed, but also a certain tragic group of Nobodies - resting together under the stars, tired and resigned, among the broken statues of the Isle of Idra.
Hey Man, Nice Shot – Filter (download)Abby: This song reminds me of Axel. Ok, so it's sort of a song about a guy killing himself (Bud Dwyer, if you want to google it), but it really can stand for a lot of things! Axel only has one shot, and he's really not doing a good job with it. Poor Axel.
Lyrics:I wish I would've met you
Now it's a little late
What you could've taught me
I could've saved some face
They think that your early ending
Was all wrong
For the most part they're right
But look how they all got strong
That's why I say hey man, nice shot
What a good shot man
That's why I say hey man, nice shot
What a good shot man
A man
Has gun
Hey man
Have fun
Nice shot
Now that the smoke's gone
And the air is all clear
Those who were right there
Got a new kind of fear
You'd fight and you were right
But they were just too strong
They'd stick it in your face
And let you smell what they consider wrong
That's why I say hey man nice, nice shot
What a good shot man
That's why I say hey man nice, nice shot
What a good shot man
A man
Has gun
Hey man
Have fun
Nice shot
I wish I would've met you
I wish I would've met you
I'd say
Nice shot.
Requiem For A Tower - Clint Mansell (download)Chi: Now this is a tune that really sets the mood! And a bleak and desperate mood it is, too. It’s been done in countless variations and used for numerous movies, but we took a shine to this particular version.
Now Comes The Night - Rob Thomas (download)Silvy: Feel free to crank out the tissues right about now. Here, when all hope is gone, and only tired resignation remains. Yet, somehow, there is also tenderness.
You will not be alone, and you will not be afraid…Lyrics:When the hour is upon us
And our beauty surely gone
No you will not be forgotten
And you will not be alone
No you will not be alone
And when the day has all but ended
And our echo starts to fade
No you will not be alone then
And you will not be afraid
No you will not be afraid
When the fog has finally lifted
From my cold and tired brow
No I will not leave you crying
And i will not let you down
No I will not let you down
I will not let you down
Now comes the night
Feel it fading away
And the soul underneath
Is it all that remains
So just slide over here
Leave your fear in the fray
Let us hold to each other
Till the end of our days
When the hour is upon us
And our beauty surely gone
No you will not be forgotten
And you will not be alone
No you will not be alone
Dawn - Poets Of The Fall (download)Silvy: This one song, more than any other, has been my main inspiration throughout the endeavor that has been TPBoD – The Renegades. The haunting melody and bittersweet lyrics just tug at the heartstrings and paint the most beautiful visions to the inner eye.
There is disaster, and acceptance, new things learned when forced to walk new paths, and above all, the once-unthinkable loyalty and devotion expressed by the one simple line; "I will be standing by your side - together we'll face the turning tide".
Lyrics:When darkness is no less
than everything you've built become undone
There's no fight and no flight
Disaster leaves your passion overrun
It's time to let go
It's time to carry on with the show
Don't mourn what is gone
Greet the dawn
And I will be standing by your side
Together we'll face the turning tide
Remembrance can be a sentence
But it comes to you with a second chance in tow
Don't lose it, don't refuse it
Because you cannot learn a thing you think you know
A new light is warm
Shining down on you after the storm
Don't mourn what is gone
Greet the dawn
And I will be standing by your side
Together we'll face the turning tide
Remember, these tracks are only available for you to sample, if you download them you must delete them within 24 hours. Many smaller bands and artists are struggling – support them by buying the tracks you like so they can keep making us pretty music!
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