Post by Narifia on Aug 28, 2010 21:27:04 GMT -5
I've never really mentioned it before, but to be perfectly honest a huge chunk of my plot ideas and character development comes from me listening to and drawing inspiration from music. A lot of my characters have what you could call "theme songs" that really seem to help define who they are at different points in the story. So, I decided to share!
Narifia:
Being a huge fan of Japanese music, especially lately, I've probably listened to this song a hundred or more times. In the YouTube link above, you can follow along with the English translation of the lyrics and you'll find that this song perfectly fits Narifia's character after the death of Morobi. With Morobi dead and the tension between the three prides escalating, Narifia falls into despair. There's a definite sadness in this song, but in spite of it there's an unmistakable determination and a will to carry on, and an underlying message of a hope for the future. If any song can really be considered Narifia's true theme song, it's definitely this one.
[/li][li] Wild Wind[/u] - Ogata Megumi and Nobuyuki Hiyama[/url] *
I hope this isn't too presumptuous of me, but from the moment I first heard it I always imagined this as being a joint Narifia and Decimus theme song. More precisely, it's a song that fits the clash that inevitably happens between Narifia and Decimus when it finally becomes apparent to Decimus that Narifia's ideals don't exactly match up with his own, and in his mind that's when he decides that she is not living up to the role of Zira's heir. Another Ogata Megumi favorite, this song represents both sides and how both Nari and Deci will defend their ideals to the death. Maybe it's just me, but as I listen to this song I can't help but feel a sort of mutual respect between both characters for their resolute dedication to their ideals. I never imagined Nari and Deci being enemies, or either of them being a "bad guy" or a "villain," but rather just two characters who just don't agree with one another's points of view.
[/li][li] Affections Touching Across Time II[/u] - Kaoru Wada[/url]
This is a very sentimental instrumental piece that I've recently fallen in love with. After Morobi's death, there is a scene where Narifia--feeling as if she is at the lowest possible point in her life--contemplates suicide at a nearby cliff. Morobi is dead, the three prides are at war with one another, and she is estranged from family and friends that she truly and deeply cares for. Feeling as if she has no purpose nor will to carry on, she wonders if life is really worth living anymore. As these thoughts cloud her mind, the ghost of Morobi appears to offer comfort and to tell her that yes, she is still needed--for the sake of their cubs, for the sake of the pride, and for the sake of bringing everyone back together again. Morobi materializes long enough to offer a gentle farewell embrace before he finally departs, retreating to join the Great Kings of the Past in the stars above.
[/li][li] No Easy Way Out[/u] - Robert Tepper[/url]
Another recent favorite, this song basically sums up all of Narifia's feelings about the entire struggle between the three prides, and how basically she just doesn't understand why it's so hard for everyone to just let go of the past and get along with one another. This is, in essence, Narifia's wish and plea for everyone to let go of their hatred and prejudices against one another, but deep inside she realizes just how difficult that really is. There really is "no easy way out."
[/li][li] My Will[/u] - Dream[/url]
At first glance this might seem like another "Narifia missing Morobi after his death" song, but it actually goes beyond that. To me, this song reflects Narifia's feelings towards the fact that she is now estranged from her adoptive mother, Sarafina, and the rest of the Pridelanders that she loved and grew up with. Then when Decimus leaves, Morobi dies, and Kurunzi and Ardilana go into exile, Narifia sees more and more of the lions she cares about breaking further away from her. She wishes that she could still be close to everyone, but the rift and raw feelings between the prides pushes them farther and farther apart. However, she still believes that her feelings will reach everyone one day, and that someday everyone will be able to get along again. Sorry for the low quality video, but it was tough finding one that had the English translation of the lyrics. There is an English version of this song, however I will not include it because it just doesn't have the same feel as the original version.
[/li][/ul]
Morobi:[/u]
[/u] - The Police[/url]
Ahh, Morobi and his over-protective style of loving Narifia. I know that this is the song that is infamously known as the "stalker song," but work with me here. It fits; especially on that fateful night where Narifia left the Pridelands for the very first time to find her true heritage, and for years she remained missing and yet Morobi never stopped loving her or thinking about her. Sure, his cubhood crush may have bordered on the obsessive, but it became true love nonetheless. To this day, Morobi is still as over-protective of Narifia as he ever has been; even in death, where he continues to watch over her from the stars above.
[/li][li] Never Gonna Give You Up[/u] - Rick Astley[/url]
No, you have not just been Rick Roll'd! Actually, popular internet joke aside, I can't help but love this song, and I always picture it as--in a comical alternate universe--being the song that Morobi sings to confess his love to Narifia--and yes, I also imagine Morobi being as dork-tastically suave as Rick Astley is in the video. All in all, the song is fitting to Morobi's feelings for Narifia; especially the line "And if you ask me how I'm feeling / don't tell me you're too blind to see." Lyrics are in the description.
[/li][/ul]
Bakora:[/u]
[/u] - Bryan Adams[/url]
Picking up on the spunky and defiant side of Bakora, this song represents his feelings at being captured by the Hellcats when he was a cub. Update: Sorry for the lack of lyrics--the original video I had linked had the lyrics, but was deleted, so I had to find a replacement.
[/li][li] Watashi-tachi ni Naritakute[/u] - Miwako Fujitani[/url] (Wishing to be Together With You)
One of several little love-songs that I feel reflects the cubhood love that develops between little Bakora and Tari. This song has a charming innocence to it, which perfectly reflects the cubhood love that Bakora begins to feel towards Tari during his captivity in the Hellcat Pride. This song has a sad, longing feel to it, and as I listen to it I can just picture little Bakora--after having been returned to the Outlands--staring up at the night sky, thinking of Tari. Linked above is a short version of the song; chosen because it is the only one I could find on YouTube that has the translated lyrics on the video itself. For the long version, click here.
[/li][li]Kakeru no Yume Yasahiku[/u] - Takanori Arisawa[/url] (Flight of Sweet Dreams) *
An instrumental love theme between little Bakora and Tari. This is a very sweet melody; especially the little part at the end. Bakora and Tari spend time together during his captivity by the Hellcats, and they begin to become closer to one another as they spend more time together.
[/li][li] Tsurai Wakare[/u] - Takanori Arisawa[/url] (Heart-Breaking Separation) *
A variant on the theme above, I imagine this as being the little tune that plays as Bakora and Tari say their goodbyes when Bakora is finally returned to his mother in the Outlands. After Tari has left, Bakora wonders if he will ever see her again. Narifia gives him a reassuring answer that maybe one day, he just might be able to see her again.
[/li][/ul]
Laron:
[/u] - Mandy Moore[/url] *
An old favorite, this song always reminded me of the love that had grown out of an innocent cubhood crush on Koagi--a love that could not fade away even after the horrible tragedy that left Koagi with a severely scarred and ruined half of a face. The feel of this song is perfect for Laron at this point in time--she is just now coming into maturity, and has discovered that her cubhood crush has really become something more. This is the song to which I pictured Laron finally confessing her love to Koagi; and being the shy, under-confident creature that Koagi is, it takes a bit of convincing on Laron's part to prove to him that, regardless of his mangled appearance, he is still a wonderful lion who is just as deserving of love as any other. My apologies for the lack of lyrics on this one; I couldn't find a video that had them. Still, it's in English, so it shouldn't be too hard to follow.
[/li][/ul]
Tabiri:[/b]
[/u] - Olivia Newton John[/url]
Had the plot advanced far enough, Tabiri would have ended up being a very prophetic and spiritual individual who would have eventually taken over Rafiki's role as shaman. I don't mind sharing that spoiler, since it was pretty obvious anyway. Now, this song is basically about a muse who falls in love with the human man she is supposed to be inspiring, which is a big taboo for muses as they are only to act as a guide to humans, not to fall in love with them. I imagined a relationship between Tabiri and Mufasa II building in rather the same way: Tabiri is a shaman, a healer meant only to aid those in need and act as a spiritual guide, but she breaks the rules and falls in love with Mufasa II, causing much drama between the Outlands and the Pridelands. This song is Tabiri's reassurance to Mufasa II that if he only believes in her, all will turn out right in the end.
[/li][li] Listen to Your Heart[/u] - Roxette[/url]
This song is for one of the more prophetic scenes we never got to--one in which Tabiri, who was born long after Morobi's death and thus only knew a little about the history of her grandfather, somehow finds herself answering a strange calling. She gets visions of her grandfather's death at the paws of Sarai, and for some reason feels compelled to help bring light to the darkened soul of Sarai. Calling upon the spirits of the Great Kings, she uses her shaman-like powers to lure Sarai out of the Hellcat's Lair--and face to face with the ghost of Morobi himself. Morobi charges at Sarai--for an instant appearing to be a striking bolt of lightning--and in doing so he pulls out the dark spirit Makai, who has been darkening Sarai's soul since she was a very young cub. Morobi kills the evil spirit, setting Sarai free for once and for all. It is, in a roundabout way, an exorcism of sorts. The song and lyrics themselves are Tabiri's inner monologue--she doesn't know who Sarai is personally, but she feels compelled to reach out to her and help her out of the dark place she's been in for so long. This is the dramatic moment where Sarai, for once in her life, feels remorse and true anguish over what she's done not only to Morobi, but to Narifia, Leah, and everyone else in her life. This is a powerful song and scene, rightly matching the somber mood and the feelings of the characters involved.
[/li][/ul]
Mahiri:
[/u] - Nightwish[/url]
Mahiri may be a newer character, but she's nowhere near an underdeveloped one. Sleeping Sun is a reflection of Mahiri's feelings towards her mother Jua, whom Mahiri never got a chance to meet because Jua was killed before she was born. Mahiri and her siblings Nyota and Hamali were rescued from her womb before it was too late for them. Their whole lives, they have been taught the story of how their hellish, supernatural father had murdered their mother. This song reflects the deep connection Mahiri has towards her mother, along with the emptiness and sadness she feels over never having had a chance to even meet her. It is this deep sadness that fuels her absolute hatred for her father, whom she has been trained to kill her whole life.
[/li][li] The Last Element[/u] - Mizayaki Ayumi[/url] *
This is actually more of a theme song for Mahiri, Hamali, and Nyota together. All I can say is that if you follow the translated lyrics in the video, you'll get an absolutely crystal-clear representation of what the three young assassins are all about. Their resolve to avenge their mother, their dedication to their training, and their destined duty to destroy their father--it's all reflected in this song.
[/li][/ul]
Ardilana:[/b]
[/u] - Do As Infinity[/url] (Deep Forest)
I never thought I'd find a theme song for Ardilana before I found one for Kurunzi, but as I listened to Fukai Mori and got the urge to look up the translated lyrics, suddenly the image of Ardilana clicked with this song. Let's face it, Ardilana's existence in the Outlands under Narifia's rule has never been happiness and sunshine. In Ardilana's heart, ever since the death of Zira, her life there has always been a lie. As time goes on, Ardilana loses more and more pieces of her past as her only remaining close friends disappear one by one causing her to withdraw further into herself, frozen in time. When Kurunzi--her only remaining true friend--is exiled for the murder of King Morobi, Ardilana chooses to follow him rather than staying frozen to the Outlands to which her heart has no strings tied anymore. By leaving into exile with Kurunzi, it is Ardilana's only fleeting chance of holding onto the life she'd once held dear--the past that is now too far gone to salvage.
[/li][/ul]
Zira:
[/u] - Dan Hill[/url]
Zira is possibly the most misunderstood and discriminated against character in the Lion King realm. She's not evil nor a villain, just a vengeful widow whose only vendetta is against Simba, who caused the death of her husband Scar. She has a right to hate Simba, who exiled her and her cubs to the Outlands just because she loved Scar, not caring that the Outlands is a wasteland barely able to sustain life other than termites. She doesn't want power for herself, just the life promised to her and her son Kovu by Scar that Simba took away. And when Simba takes not only Nuka from her, but Kovu and the rest of her pride, she's got nothing left to lose but try to avenge her lover, but Kiara prevents her from even doing that. Zira's tragic story ends on a tragic note; she resigns herself to death rather than join forces with Simba, and instead joins Scar in eternal slumber. This song, from beginning to end, symbolizes Zira's long and terrible struggle, from the day Simba drew first blood and killed Scar to Zira's final moments at the river.
[/li][/ul]
For the moment, that's it xD I'll definitely be posting more in the future, so stay tuned!
* - Indicates Broken Links: To be Fixed/Updated Later
Narifia:
- What A Feeling - Irene Cara
While this song doesn't 100% represent Narifia and can't really be considered a "theme song" anymore, I'm including it here because of one simple fact: it is the song that inspired Narifia's creation in the first place. When I first heard this song on the radio years ago, I was a kid in middle school who was a Lion King fanatic at the time. As I listened to this song, I imagined the scene of Narifia and the ghost of Zira leaving on a journey to discover Narifia's true heritage right after she had found out that she was adopted. Now that I look back and reflect on the song and its actual lyrics, I realize that it really doesn't completely fit the scene at all. But, it's still the song that inspired the creation of Narifia in the first place, and without it this forum probably wouldn't even exist. - Koori no Naifu wo Daite
Being a huge fan of Japanese music, especially lately, I've probably listened to this song a hundred or more times. In the YouTube link above, you can follow along with the English translation of the lyrics and you'll find that this song perfectly fits Narifia's character after the death of Morobi. With Morobi dead and the tension between the three prides escalating, Narifia falls into despair. There's a definite sadness in this song, but in spite of it there's an unmistakable determination and a will to carry on, and an underlying message of a hope for the future. If any song can really be considered Narifia's true theme song, it's definitely this one.
[/li][li] Wild Wind[/u] - Ogata Megumi and Nobuyuki Hiyama[/url] *
I hope this isn't too presumptuous of me, but from the moment I first heard it I always imagined this as being a joint Narifia and Decimus theme song. More precisely, it's a song that fits the clash that inevitably happens between Narifia and Decimus when it finally becomes apparent to Decimus that Narifia's ideals don't exactly match up with his own, and in his mind that's when he decides that she is not living up to the role of Zira's heir. Another Ogata Megumi favorite, this song represents both sides and how both Nari and Deci will defend their ideals to the death. Maybe it's just me, but as I listen to this song I can't help but feel a sort of mutual respect between both characters for their resolute dedication to their ideals. I never imagined Nari and Deci being enemies, or either of them being a "bad guy" or a "villain," but rather just two characters who just don't agree with one another's points of view.
[/li][li] Affections Touching Across Time II[/u] - Kaoru Wada[/url]
This is a very sentimental instrumental piece that I've recently fallen in love with. After Morobi's death, there is a scene where Narifia--feeling as if she is at the lowest possible point in her life--contemplates suicide at a nearby cliff. Morobi is dead, the three prides are at war with one another, and she is estranged from family and friends that she truly and deeply cares for. Feeling as if she has no purpose nor will to carry on, she wonders if life is really worth living anymore. As these thoughts cloud her mind, the ghost of Morobi appears to offer comfort and to tell her that yes, she is still needed--for the sake of their cubs, for the sake of the pride, and for the sake of bringing everyone back together again. Morobi materializes long enough to offer a gentle farewell embrace before he finally departs, retreating to join the Great Kings of the Past in the stars above.
[/li][li] No Easy Way Out[/u] - Robert Tepper[/url]
Another recent favorite, this song basically sums up all of Narifia's feelings about the entire struggle between the three prides, and how basically she just doesn't understand why it's so hard for everyone to just let go of the past and get along with one another. This is, in essence, Narifia's wish and plea for everyone to let go of their hatred and prejudices against one another, but deep inside she realizes just how difficult that really is. There really is "no easy way out."
[/li][li] My Will[/u] - Dream[/url]
At first glance this might seem like another "Narifia missing Morobi after his death" song, but it actually goes beyond that. To me, this song reflects Narifia's feelings towards the fact that she is now estranged from her adoptive mother, Sarafina, and the rest of the Pridelanders that she loved and grew up with. Then when Decimus leaves, Morobi dies, and Kurunzi and Ardilana go into exile, Narifia sees more and more of the lions she cares about breaking further away from her. She wishes that she could still be close to everyone, but the rift and raw feelings between the prides pushes them farther and farther apart. However, she still believes that her feelings will reach everyone one day, and that someday everyone will be able to get along again. Sorry for the low quality video, but it was tough finding one that had the English translation of the lyrics. There is an English version of this song, however I will not include it because it just doesn't have the same feel as the original version.
[/li][/ul]
Morobi:[/u]
[/u] - The Police[/url]
Ahh, Morobi and his over-protective style of loving Narifia. I know that this is the song that is infamously known as the "stalker song," but work with me here. It fits; especially on that fateful night where Narifia left the Pridelands for the very first time to find her true heritage, and for years she remained missing and yet Morobi never stopped loving her or thinking about her. Sure, his cubhood crush may have bordered on the obsessive, but it became true love nonetheless. To this day, Morobi is still as over-protective of Narifia as he ever has been; even in death, where he continues to watch over her from the stars above.
[/li][li] Never Gonna Give You Up[/u] - Rick Astley[/url]
No, you have not just been Rick Roll'd! Actually, popular internet joke aside, I can't help but love this song, and I always picture it as--in a comical alternate universe--being the song that Morobi sings to confess his love to Narifia--and yes, I also imagine Morobi being as dork-tastically suave as Rick Astley is in the video. All in all, the song is fitting to Morobi's feelings for Narifia; especially the line "And if you ask me how I'm feeling / don't tell me you're too blind to see." Lyrics are in the description.
[/li][/ul]
Bakora:[/u]
[/u] - Bryan Adams[/url]
Picking up on the spunky and defiant side of Bakora, this song represents his feelings at being captured by the Hellcats when he was a cub. Update: Sorry for the lack of lyrics--the original video I had linked had the lyrics, but was deleted, so I had to find a replacement.
[/li][li] Watashi-tachi ni Naritakute[/u] - Miwako Fujitani[/url] (Wishing to be Together With You)
One of several little love-songs that I feel reflects the cubhood love that develops between little Bakora and Tari. This song has a charming innocence to it, which perfectly reflects the cubhood love that Bakora begins to feel towards Tari during his captivity in the Hellcat Pride. This song has a sad, longing feel to it, and as I listen to it I can just picture little Bakora--after having been returned to the Outlands--staring up at the night sky, thinking of Tari. Linked above is a short version of the song; chosen because it is the only one I could find on YouTube that has the translated lyrics on the video itself. For the long version, click here.
[/li][li]Kakeru no Yume Yasahiku[/u] - Takanori Arisawa[/url] (Flight of Sweet Dreams) *
An instrumental love theme between little Bakora and Tari. This is a very sweet melody; especially the little part at the end. Bakora and Tari spend time together during his captivity by the Hellcats, and they begin to become closer to one another as they spend more time together.
[/li][li] Tsurai Wakare[/u] - Takanori Arisawa[/url] (Heart-Breaking Separation) *
A variant on the theme above, I imagine this as being the little tune that plays as Bakora and Tari say their goodbyes when Bakora is finally returned to his mother in the Outlands. After Tari has left, Bakora wonders if he will ever see her again. Narifia gives him a reassuring answer that maybe one day, he just might be able to see her again.
[/li][/ul]
Laron:
[/u] - Mandy Moore[/url] *
An old favorite, this song always reminded me of the love that had grown out of an innocent cubhood crush on Koagi--a love that could not fade away even after the horrible tragedy that left Koagi with a severely scarred and ruined half of a face. The feel of this song is perfect for Laron at this point in time--she is just now coming into maturity, and has discovered that her cubhood crush has really become something more. This is the song to which I pictured Laron finally confessing her love to Koagi; and being the shy, under-confident creature that Koagi is, it takes a bit of convincing on Laron's part to prove to him that, regardless of his mangled appearance, he is still a wonderful lion who is just as deserving of love as any other. My apologies for the lack of lyrics on this one; I couldn't find a video that had them. Still, it's in English, so it shouldn't be too hard to follow.
[/li][/ul]
Tabiri:[/b]
[/u] - Olivia Newton John[/url]
Had the plot advanced far enough, Tabiri would have ended up being a very prophetic and spiritual individual who would have eventually taken over Rafiki's role as shaman. I don't mind sharing that spoiler, since it was pretty obvious anyway. Now, this song is basically about a muse who falls in love with the human man she is supposed to be inspiring, which is a big taboo for muses as they are only to act as a guide to humans, not to fall in love with them. I imagined a relationship between Tabiri and Mufasa II building in rather the same way: Tabiri is a shaman, a healer meant only to aid those in need and act as a spiritual guide, but she breaks the rules and falls in love with Mufasa II, causing much drama between the Outlands and the Pridelands. This song is Tabiri's reassurance to Mufasa II that if he only believes in her, all will turn out right in the end.
[/li][li] Listen to Your Heart[/u] - Roxette[/url]
This song is for one of the more prophetic scenes we never got to--one in which Tabiri, who was born long after Morobi's death and thus only knew a little about the history of her grandfather, somehow finds herself answering a strange calling. She gets visions of her grandfather's death at the paws of Sarai, and for some reason feels compelled to help bring light to the darkened soul of Sarai. Calling upon the spirits of the Great Kings, she uses her shaman-like powers to lure Sarai out of the Hellcat's Lair--and face to face with the ghost of Morobi himself. Morobi charges at Sarai--for an instant appearing to be a striking bolt of lightning--and in doing so he pulls out the dark spirit Makai, who has been darkening Sarai's soul since she was a very young cub. Morobi kills the evil spirit, setting Sarai free for once and for all. It is, in a roundabout way, an exorcism of sorts. The song and lyrics themselves are Tabiri's inner monologue--she doesn't know who Sarai is personally, but she feels compelled to reach out to her and help her out of the dark place she's been in for so long. This is the dramatic moment where Sarai, for once in her life, feels remorse and true anguish over what she's done not only to Morobi, but to Narifia, Leah, and everyone else in her life. This is a powerful song and scene, rightly matching the somber mood and the feelings of the characters involved.
[/li][/ul]
Mahiri:
[/u] - Nightwish[/url]
Mahiri may be a newer character, but she's nowhere near an underdeveloped one. Sleeping Sun is a reflection of Mahiri's feelings towards her mother Jua, whom Mahiri never got a chance to meet because Jua was killed before she was born. Mahiri and her siblings Nyota and Hamali were rescued from her womb before it was too late for them. Their whole lives, they have been taught the story of how their hellish, supernatural father had murdered their mother. This song reflects the deep connection Mahiri has towards her mother, along with the emptiness and sadness she feels over never having had a chance to even meet her. It is this deep sadness that fuels her absolute hatred for her father, whom she has been trained to kill her whole life.
[/li][li] The Last Element[/u] - Mizayaki Ayumi[/url] *
This is actually more of a theme song for Mahiri, Hamali, and Nyota together. All I can say is that if you follow the translated lyrics in the video, you'll get an absolutely crystal-clear representation of what the three young assassins are all about. Their resolve to avenge their mother, their dedication to their training, and their destined duty to destroy their father--it's all reflected in this song.
[/li][/ul]
Ardilana:[/b]
[/u] - Do As Infinity[/url] (Deep Forest)
I never thought I'd find a theme song for Ardilana before I found one for Kurunzi, but as I listened to Fukai Mori and got the urge to look up the translated lyrics, suddenly the image of Ardilana clicked with this song. Let's face it, Ardilana's existence in the Outlands under Narifia's rule has never been happiness and sunshine. In Ardilana's heart, ever since the death of Zira, her life there has always been a lie. As time goes on, Ardilana loses more and more pieces of her past as her only remaining close friends disappear one by one causing her to withdraw further into herself, frozen in time. When Kurunzi--her only remaining true friend--is exiled for the murder of King Morobi, Ardilana chooses to follow him rather than staying frozen to the Outlands to which her heart has no strings tied anymore. By leaving into exile with Kurunzi, it is Ardilana's only fleeting chance of holding onto the life she'd once held dear--the past that is now too far gone to salvage.
[/li][/ul]
Zira:
[/u] - Dan Hill[/url]
Zira is possibly the most misunderstood and discriminated against character in the Lion King realm. She's not evil nor a villain, just a vengeful widow whose only vendetta is against Simba, who caused the death of her husband Scar. She has a right to hate Simba, who exiled her and her cubs to the Outlands just because she loved Scar, not caring that the Outlands is a wasteland barely able to sustain life other than termites. She doesn't want power for herself, just the life promised to her and her son Kovu by Scar that Simba took away. And when Simba takes not only Nuka from her, but Kovu and the rest of her pride, she's got nothing left to lose but try to avenge her lover, but Kiara prevents her from even doing that. Zira's tragic story ends on a tragic note; she resigns herself to death rather than join forces with Simba, and instead joins Scar in eternal slumber. This song, from beginning to end, symbolizes Zira's long and terrible struggle, from the day Simba drew first blood and killed Scar to Zira's final moments at the river.
[/li][/ul]
For the moment, that's it xD I'll definitely be posting more in the future, so stay tuned!