Final Fantasy VIII: Original Soundtrack

Final Fantasy VIII: Original Soundtrack is the complete soundtrack for Final Fantasy VIII written by Nobuo Uematsu.

Development
Uematsu did not use multiple sources to find MIDI instrument, instead using a Roland SC88 synthesizer for the entire score. Uematsu wrote notes based on character designs and screenplays, creating a general picture of the songs' moods. He could not express a character's emotions solely with plot, instead using images of appearance and attire.

Uematsu wrote no character theme for Final Fantasy VIII because he found them largely ineffective. The only times he decided to include a personal theme was whenever a character was highlighted. The significant romance between Squall and Rinoa resulted in the creation of the "Eyes on Me" theme.

Final Fantasy VIII 's soundtrack was the first to include all of its tracks bearing English language titles. It was received to mixed reviews, being called "one of the most memorable scores you will ever hear" by some sources and yet being pointed as "dull" by others.

The Black Mages have covered more themes from Final Fantasy VIII's soundtrack than from any other soundtrack in the series.

Disc 1 (62:07)
1. Liberi Fatali - 3:07
 * The opening theme of Final Fantasy VIII. Also included on FITHOS LUSEC WECOS VINOSEC: Final Fantasy VIII in the same format.

2. Balamb GARDEN - 3:29
 * Eponymous theme of the location. It was orchestrated for FITHOS LUSEC WECOS VINOSEC.

3. Blue Fields - 2:54
 * The game's World Map theme, and main theme of sorts. It received an orchestration as included in FITHOS LUSEC WECOS VINOSEC, as well as being included in the Piano Collections: Final Fantasy VIII album.

4. Don't be Afraid - 2:52
 * The game's battle theme. It is included as an orchestrated arrangement in the album FITHOS LUSEC WECOS VINOSEC. It is also played live during the Distant Worlds: music from Final Fantasy concert tours.

5. The Winner - 1:07
 * The victory theme played after successful battles and Triple Triad games. Also heard when the party finishes rehearsal for the Garden Festival.

6. Find Your Way - 3:47
 * One of the dungeon themes played in the Fire Cavern, Tomb of the Unknown King, Trabia Canyon, at the entrance to head at the Shumi Village and Centra Ruins. Also included in the Piano Collections: Final Fantasy VIII album.

7. SeeD - 4:16
 * The theme for SeeD, played during mission briefings and related scenes.

8. The Landing - 4:36
 * Played at the beginning of the Siege of Dollet, while the SeeD forces reach the shores.

9. Starting Up - 1:19
 * Played when the Communications Tower in Dollet begins its transmission.

10. Force Your Way - 3:53
 * The game's boss battle theme. It is included as a heavy metal arrangement in the Black Mages' first eponymous album.

11. The Loser - 1:26
 * The game over track. Incorporates the song Final Fantasy at a slower tempo, followed by the Prelude in similar fashion.

12. Never Look Back - 3:23
 * Played during suspenseful moments, first when being chased by the X-ATM092, second when Zell, Quistis and Selphie went to find Squall in the prison.

13. Dead End - 1:11
 * Heard when Squall, Zell, and Selphie run to the beach of Dollet.

14. Breezy - 2:43
 * The town theme of Balamb, also heard in the Shumi Hotel.

15. Shuffle or Boogie - 2:04
 * The theme for Triple Triad that is played during card battles. It is included in the Piano Collections album.

16. Waltz for the Moon - 3:00
 * Played during the Graduation Ball, when Squall first meets Rinoa.

17. Tell Me - 3:24
 * Heard when Quistis speaks with Squall in the secret area of the Training Center.

18. Fear - 2:24
 * The theme played in the Training Center of Balamb Garden.

19. The Man with the Machine Gun - 2:49
 * The alternate battle theme, played whenever Laguna, Kiros, and Ward engage in a fight. It is included as a heavy metal arrangement in the Black Mages' second studio album The Black Mages II: The Skies Above and as an orchestrated arrangement in FITHOS LUSEC WECOS VINOSEC.

20. Julia - 1:23
 * Julia Heartilly plays this song on piano at the Galbadia Hotel. This song follows the main melody of Eyes On Me.

21. Roses and Wine - 2:18
 * First played when Laguna and Julia converse at the Galbadia Hotel. Also played when Squall attempts catching Rinoa in space.

22. Junction - 1:37
 * An ambient track played during mysterious moments, and most memorably at the Deep Sea Research Center.

23. Timber Owls - 2:51
 * Played during scenes with the Forest Owls.

Disc Two (62:31)
01. My Mind - 3:12
 * Eventually comes to be a love theme for Squall and Rinoa, which follows the melody of Eyes On Me.

02. The Mission - 3:36
 * First heard during the Forest Owls' train mission, and it also can be heard during the chaos in Balamb Garden.

03. Martial Law - 3:48
 * Played whenever the party visits Timber.

04. Cactus Jack(Galbadian Anthem) - 1:30
 * Heard during Vinzer Deling's speech on live television.

05. Only a Plank Between One and Perdition - 2:24
 * A suspenseful song played in several scenes, including when escaping prison and fighting Bahamut and the Ultima Weapon.

06. Succession of Witches - 3:18
 * The first sorceress theme, first played when the party initially encounters Ultimecia (possessing Edea) in Timber.

07. Galbadia GARDEN - 3:37
 * Eponymous theme of the location.

08. Unrest - 2:36
 * Heard when the party is waiting at Galbadia Garden.

09. Under Her Control - 3:30
 * Played when the party is in Deling City.

10. The Stage is Set - 3:39
 * Played during the preparation to assassinate the Sorceress, as well as when the party enters the MD level of Balamb Garden.

11. A Sacrifice - 3:26
 * Heard when Ultimecia gives her speech to Deling City.

12. Fithos Lusec Wecos Vinosec - 4:33
 * This song is played during Ultimecia's parade in Deling City, and is included in FITHOS LUSEC WECOS VINOSEC. A rearrangement is included in the Piano Collections album under the title "SUCCESSION OF WITCHES".

13. Intruders - 2:31
 * Heard when the party traverses the sewer system of Deling City, and during Galbadia's invasion in Balamb.

14. Premonition - 4:36
 * Played when the party fights a sorceress, namely Ultimecia, and also played during the battle against eleven Sorceresses and during the first phase of final battle against Ultimecia. The theme is included in the Black Mages' third studio album The Black Mages III: Darkness and Starlight.

15. Wounded - 0:53
 * The song that plays when Squall is injured by Ultimecia at the end of Disc 1 with Edea's Ice Strike Limit Break.

16. Fragments of Memories - 3:13
 * This song is played in Winhill during Laguna's stay, and during some flashback scenes. The theme is included in FITHOS LUSEC WECOS VINOSEC as the last track.

17. Jailed - 3:50
 * The theme played in the D-District Prison.

18. Rivals - 3:30
 * A theme of sorts for Seifer, specifically his rivalry with Squall. The song is also played at Tears' Point.

19. Ami - 4:37
 * A friendship theme for Squall and the party. The song is first played after the escape from prison. Present on both FITHOS LUSEC WECOS VINOSEC (as a medley with "Balamb GARDEN") and Piano Collections.

Disc Three (63:38)
01. The Spy - 3:46
 * Plays in the Missile Base, and while in the elevator when first arriving to Esthar.

02. Retaliation - 0:45
 * Played during a cut-scene showing the missiles approaching Balamb garden.

03. Movin' - 5:18
 * Plays when Balamb Garden first flies and escapes from the missiles, and also played when Ultimecia (possessing Rinoa) was in space to release Adel.

04. Blue Sky - 0:44
 * Played on the balcony of Balamb Garden after it takes flight if Rinoa is in your party.

05. Drifting - 2:56
 * The theme of Ellone in certain respects, as played during scenes with her. Also played when Rinoa is floating in space after the release of Adel.

06. Heresy - 4:10
 * Played when the group meets with NORG.

07. Fisherman's Horizon - 3:35
 * Played in the song's namesake, and when Squall and friends visit Winhill. Included in both FITHOS LUSEC WECOS VINOSEC and Piano Collections.

08. ODEKA ke Chocobo - 1:16
 * The theme of Chocobo World, also heard on a road in Winhill with Squall's party. The title is a pun on the traditional "de" used in Chocobo theme titles, and "odekake" which means "going out" in Japanese.

09. Where I Belong - 3:40
 * Heard in Trabia Garden, and somewhat represents Selphie.

10. The Oath - 3:25
 * Played during scenes when Squall's leadership and heroism is highlighted. The theme is included in FITHOS LUSEC WECOS VINOSEC and Piano Collections.

11. Slide Show Part1 - 1:23
 * Heard when Laguna is acting for a movie in Trabia Canyon.

12. Slide Show Part2 - 1:47
 * Played when Laguna faces the Ruby Dragon during the "movie". This song is included as the last track in Piano Collections.

13. Love Grows - 4:28
 * This song is played during scenes between Squall and Rinoa. The theme is included in FITHOS LUSEC WECOS VINOSEC. It shares the central melody of "Eyes On Me", and has been played during Distant Worlds concerts.

14. The Salt Flats - 3:36
 * Heard in the Great Salt Lake.

15. Trust Me - 3:13
 * Played during several scenes between the friends, and also when Laguna is working with the Moomba in the Lunatic Pandora.

16. Silence and Motion - 5:47
 * The theme of the city of Esthar, included on Piano Collections.

17. Dance with the Balamb-fish - 3:39
 * Played during the Graduation Ball, in Dollet, and at the Lunar Base, the theme was included in FITHOS LUSEC WECOS VINOSEC.

18. Tears of the moon - 1:12
 * As the name implies, played during the Lunar Cry.

19. Residents - 3:06
 * Played on the Ragnarok during the extermination of the Propagators.

20. Eyes On Me - 5:38
 * Final Fantasy VIII's theme song. Played when Squall and Rinoa head home on the Ragnarok. In the game's world, the song is sung by Julia about Laguna, and how she feels for him. Sung by Faye Wong in actuality, the song is present on FITHOS LUSEC WECOS VINOSEC as well and was arranged for Piano Collections. The single peaked at number 9 on the Oricon charts in Japan.

Disc Four (61:14)
01. Mods de Chocobo(featuring N's Telecaster) - 2:24
 * Heard when Squall enters a Chocobo Forest and also when riding a chocobo.

02. Ride On - 3:03
 * The theme that is played when the party flies in the Ragnarok.

03. Truth - 3:40
 * Played at Edea's Orphanage and therefore seems to represent her.

04. Lunatic Pandora - 3:28
 * Eponymous theme of the location.

05. Compression of Time - 4:34
 * Heard during the brief state of Time Compression.

06. The Castle - 5:19
 * Played during the party's travails through Ultimecia Castle. Included in Piano Collections.

07. The Legendary Beast - 5:50
 * Played during the fight against Griever, the second tier of the final boss.

08. Maybe I'm a Lion - 5:35
 * Played against the third tier of the final boss, and was rearranged by The Black Mages for their second album.

09. The Extreme - 6:44
 * Played during the final battle with Ultimecia's final form and was rearranged by The Black Mages for their third album.

10. The Successor - 3:37
 * Played during the final scene, when Ultimecia gives her powers to Edea. This song is present on Piano Collections.

11. Ending Theme - 13:20
 * The game's ending theme begins with a mysterious opening that leads into a different arrangement of "Eyes On Me". Then plays the Main Theme of the series, the central melody of "Liberi Fatali", and finally the Prelude, played in a minor key, as opposed to its characteristic major key. This song is included (unchanged) on FITHOS LUSEC WECOS VINOSEC, and as a different arrangement for Piano Collections.

12. Overture - 3:36
 * The title song from the game, played along with the opening credits. Placed as the final track in similar fashion to "The Prelude" on the soundtracks of Final Fantasy V and VI.

Limited Edition
A limited edition first print version of the soundtrack was also produced. The cover shows the Final Fantasy VIII logo on a beige background instead of FMV montage. The liner notes with the package were scaled to 10 inches by 5.75 inches and were sewn into the inside cover.

FF VIII: Music Collection
Final Fantasy VIII Music Collection: Music From The Final Fantasy VIII Video Game is the North American release of the Final Fantasy VIII: Original Soundtrack album. While the packaging differs, the tracks and names are the same.

Links

 * VGMdb - Final Fantasy VIII Original Soundtrack
 * VGMdb - Final Fantasy VIII Original Soundtrack (Limited Edition)
 * VGMdb - Final Fantasy VIII Original Soundtrack (reprint)
 * VGMdb - Final Fantasy VIII Music Collection