Why Midna's Lament is the Most Emotional Piece of Zelda Music

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[Nebyulosity]

I never noticed just how deliberately Link's leitmotif was used in this song. The more I think about it, the more I realize how well this piece captures the essence of that moment in the game.

For example, It even has a "Call and Response" structure with Midna's theme, where Link's theme is the call and Minda's is the response. Link's theme is still played in it's usual pitch range, despite being striped of it's typical bombast; In contrast, Midna's theme is shifted up by an octave (in addition to having it's rhythm quickened). This makes Midna's theme sound smaller and more fragile, reflecting Midna's dire state at this point in the game. Additionally, you'll notice that there's a suspenseful pause in the melody between the call of Link's motif and the response of Midna's motif (I noticed that pause sometimes makes me feel like Midna's motif response might not play after Link's, like an anxiety that he'll call out and get no response).

These factors combine to create a musical scene in my head of Link periodically calling out to Midna, perhaps to reassure her or check on her, but Midna is only able to respond by gasping out fragile sounds of exhaustion and there's an anxiety that perhaps she may not respond at all soon. I don't know about anyone else, but I even distinctly remember periodically pressing the "Call Midna" button only for her to be respond with the same fragile gasps.

Meanwhile, this interplay of their leitmotifs sits atop those upwardly moving arpeggios of somber chords (that bring to my mind both wolf Link's frantic galloping paws hitting the ground, and the sound of the rain).

[skateboardmd]

Still can't believe we NEVER ONCE got Midna's Lament played in a live orchestra during the Symphony of the Goddess Concerts in the 7 years they toured and the 3 sets of pieces they had.

[chronoxus]

In my opinion, its a really vulnerable song. Midna's theme is snuck into different themes and instruments, cause she's hiding her true identity with the mask. But after zant exposes who she really is, and shows how weak she is, it makes midna extremely vulnerable and all her secrets come loose and she can't do anything about it but depend on link to not discard her. The piano's unchanging tempo and repeating patterns really highlight how theres no more secrets between link and midna.

[wingcap]

It's also interesting to note that the three note motif in the beginning of Midna's theme is basically Zelda's lullaby played backwards (not quite exactly, but the relationship has to be intentional).

[RavenEbony]

Midna's Lament is definitely top tier and perfect for the series. It's even far superior to Midna's base theme.

[littlebigb]

I'm glad how long they let it play. It gave the impression that this was both a sprint and a marathon. Midna dying gave this sense of urgency, but the path to get there was long, winding, and even seemingly impossible, almost like an impromptu dungeon in familiar territory. I also feel like its persistence was a reminder: no matter how far it was, saving Midna was Link's ONLY mission; no distractions from his surroundings would stop him.

[fauxfirefur]

This theme is so good, that even when I was a tasteless child plaything cluelessly through the game for the first time I recognized just how well made that theme was.
I still tear up when I hear the song or remember Midna's story to this day, which is something no other song or character can do. I 100%% believe Midna is the best character in the Zelda series.

[The_Saint]

I never ran so intently in a game before this moment. It was the saddest I ever felt in a game.

[jimbeaux]

I’ll never forget the first time I played this in 2007. I left for the Navy shortly after beating the game and everytime I hear this piece, it always brings me right back.

[NorthernFungus]

Midna’s Lament is an incredibly beautiful song. Really appreciate this in depth breakdown, and a look at other light motifs.

[masonschwalm]

Serenade of Water would be a close second for me. Especially the Twilight Princess version.

[LoScorpioneRosso]

Well, I didn't play the whole series but I think it's the first time Link has to save a princess by bringing her to a doctor/healer rather than punching the villain that cages her, it felt like driving someone you love to an emergency room before they bleed out.

[hollowedmajora]

I love this piece and I especially love it when it gets interrupted by the random monster 20 ft away

[robbybobbijoe]

I remember playing the game as a kid for the first time, and I remember when I got to this sequence it felt as if I was playing another game. It felt surreal, and I was so unsure of what to do. Emotions mixed of sadness, confusion and stress

[GoldenHonor_]

The fact that she's the canon love interest for Link in TP makes it even sadder... This song touches my soul and I love it deeply, Midna was a very good developped character, and Midna's Lament was one of the most powerful songs in the whole franchise!

[johnwebb]

I love when the strings come in.
My favorite part

[Josh_Beck]

My favorite part about this tragically beautiful piece is having it be interrupted by the battle theme every 10 seconds, it really adds to the atmosphere of the moment

[dgouin]

One of my top moments in all of gaming personally. Every time I hear this song I have to fight the tears building up, I've never felt a characters pain more. Another detail that really hammered it home for me, obvious as it may be, was how Midna's color scheme basically became the exact opposite; white where black was, the shallow blue tinge to her hair as opposed to her bright and bombastic orange, it was like she was in photo negative, suggesting to you even more that something is seriously wrong with her. Twilight Princess will always have a special place in my heart, along with Midna herself.

[envy]

Let’s be real. The theme of midna is also brilliant
As a character of the LOZ series she’s definitely became as relevant as Link

[RinRin-gebq]

The music of Zelda is probably 1/4 of why they are such good games! Thank you for this video :)