i love music and i love laguna from ff8. i listen to tons of songs and think of moments from the game they could possibly fit. this 'soundtrack' is not feasible, exhaustive, has no overarching theme (aside from me listening to each song) and very much not realistic! i just love talking about music and ff8 so why not have both?
i digress though....
specific songs i'd pick from ff8 itself-
the man with the machine gun -> ofc!!! would be the recurring motif throughout the game, would probably play in the opening scene. can see it being played as soon as he pushes adel into the sorceress chamber.
any location themes -> laguna essentially embarks on a massive world tour to find ellone. there's no point in me trying to find specific songs for each location when we already have the amazing tracks composed by nobuo uematsu.
fragments of memories -> how can i not include this beautiful but haunting song from the third dream sequence. obviously there would be greater elaboration on his time in winhill, and what better song to represent that than the literal song that plays. personally, i wouldn't play it for long, maybe just when ellone is introduced. then, on his mission to find her he pulls out a photo with him, elle and raine and this song plays. idk.
and last but not fucking least we got eyes on me -> ofc!!!!! this song is canonically about my man right here, there is no way this would not be in any sort of material regarding laguna. i can definitely see different arrangements for the two different relationships he has, just to separate them.
songs i would personally include (in chronological order)
tubthumping - chumbawamba -> WEIRD START BUT YOU HAVE TO BEAR WITH ME. i can not not include this absolute piss up anthem. would probably play at the start with him, kiros and ward getting absolutely wasted in dollet or deling city. (also typing out that name and making it look cute gave me whiplash lmfao)
we've only just begun either the carpenters or the grant lee buffalo version (both are great!) -> laguna and raine's wedding! (after eyes on me plays of course!) i imagine it a small affair: ellone, kiros, ward and some winhill villagers who don't completely detest laguna. can see it playing in the background of their reception maybe?
a kiss for luck and we're on our way
the ballad of el goodo - big star -> plays when laguna embarks on his journey to find ellone. i don't have a big analysis on this one, just listen to the song. your life will be better for it.
and there ain't no one going to turn me around.
wide open road - the triffids -> a bit out of left field but as an aussie i gotta include this song. winhill is isolated, this song so beautifully encapsulates this. raine is alone and pregnant, her daughter and husband are gone. it just encapsulates the harrowing yet haunting isolation, and the emotions that run with it. idk i just take any opportunity to talk about this song lmao.
how do you think it feels? / sleeping by yourself?
once in a lifetime - talking heads -> montage time! i have sorely neglected esthar so far and laguna's reign as president of the nation. i chose this song because of its meaning. laguna has had an absolutely insane life, like dude was the main character in multiple different stories. this song is upbeat, quirky and most of all deals with life itself and how we're essentially on autopilot all the time (david byrne's words not mine!) very much a laguna song.
letting the days go by/water flowing underground
father and son - cat (yusuf) stevens -> tbh i'm not that into this song, but it seems like a no brainer for his relationship with squall. reconnecting with his son would be difficult, heart wrenching and emotionally taxing for both parties.
there's so much you have to know
sennen- ride -> laguna visiting raine's grave as an adult. sennen is about a small town in england which, knowing what we know about the winhill (a small town with a very english design) fits super well! i do love ride dearly and their sound, which in this song specifically sounds both hopeful, dreamy yet tinged with melancholy.
and all they see's a strange shaped stone / they'll never invade her now.
sunsets - powderfinger -> stop trying to make ff8 aussie okay okay, hear me out on this. sunsets = end of day, right? sunsets is a laid back sounding ballad, about regret, loss and ultimately moving on from it. it would be a very fitting credits song in my opinion.
slow burn watching the world turn/in my arms
anyway i'm finished now. my fingers are very sore from speed typing this shit all out lmfao. hope you all liked it :)
The Epic Final Fantasy VIII Medley【PART 1】
Original Music composed by Nobuo Uematsu 植松伸夫
Arranged, Mixed & Produced by Marc Papeghin
Performed by Papeghin and many others
My reactions:
0:00 The Landing (the piano is a little stiff, nice guitar solo at 1:40)
2:00 Liberi Fatali (FITHOS LUSEC WECOS VINOSEC)
4:40 Fisherman's Horizon (an overexposed track to me, thanks to Distant Worlds and other orchestral arrangements, but pleasantly surprised by the vocals at 5:50)
9:19 The Mission (traaaaaain muuusic one of my favorite underrated pieces)
10:55 The Spy (another favorite I don't enough hear enough. Fun to see Papeghin get into the groove :D 11:35 Holy shit trumpet solo - really elevates it above the original)
11:58 The Man with the Machine Gun (another overexposed track, but interesting rearrangement)
13:04 Under Her Control (another underrated favorite. funky!)
13:55 Shuffle or Boogie (Triple Triad! <3 SongeLeReveur's guitarwork there)
14:50 Martial Law
17:52 Eyes on Me guitar solo
