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Square Enix Destroyed A Final Fantasy Tradition When They Chose FFXIII's Theme Song

November 14, 2009 in Blog comments 24

Today it was announced that singer Leona Lewis' new single "My Hands" would be the theme song for Final Fantasy XIII and already there is massive fan backlash over the inclusion of the song.
While previous FF theme songs were written specifically for their respective games, My Hands wasn't, and many fans believe that it simply doesn't fit with the theme or style of the game, thus it doesn't have the 'uniqueness' that previous themes had.

Go to the source for the full article.

Leona Lewis' inclusion has blatantly been done to try and promote the game in the West, but if she was performing the vocals for a Nobuo Uematsu track, for example, as many have done in the past including Faye Wong and Jade Villalon, then there wouldn't really be much of a problem. The problem is that Leona Lewis is singing her own song which wasn't even written for the game. It's associated with other brands, such as the movie Precious, so there is no connection with Final Fantasy XIII at all, it's not unique.
Miss Razz via finalfantasyunion.com »
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Most recently commented on by on Nov 17, 2009

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  • 1
    Smoke Nov 14, 09
    And Bon Jovi was?

    needs moar characters (post length)
  • 6
    Cruxis Mana Nov 14, 09
    How do they know the song doesn't fit with the game?

    I'm sure Square Enix employee's didn't just sit down during a board meeting and exclaim "WE NEED US SOME LEONA LEWIS UP IN THIS BITCH".

    The developer in the video even says that the song was specifically chosen to compliment a specific scene within the game.

    .. And I bet that if this song were sang by Utada the people bitching now would be all over it.


    And whilst I'm ranting, I'm sick of statements of opinion being presented as fact in Gamegrep article titles.
    • 3
      Tiger of Wu Nov 14, 09
      To be fair, I don't think anyone in the history of the world has or ever will utter the words "WE NEED US SOME LEONA LEWIS UP IN THIS BITCH"
  • 5
    ruledbysecrecy Nov 14, 09
    Man, gotta make a big deal out of everything. When has Square shown us that we can't trust them with making a Final Fantasy game? Sure, you can sit here and argue that some games may be better than others in the series and that's all fine and dandy. But I can't possibly see anyone trying to argue that every single Final Fantasy has had anything other than incredible production values with an insane level of detail and cohesion.

    Now maybe it's just me, but I trust Square to take their most prized possession very seriously, and that means every single aspect of it. I'm sure they have a very good reason they picked this song, besides, it's not a bad song. I gave it a listen. Sounds very nice, and I'm sure within the context of the game was probably and excellent choice.
  • 3
    Goldva_X Nov 14, 09
    I BLAME THE 360 !!!11!!!111
  • 2
    Aussie Legend Nov 15, 09
    I completely agree with this article 1000%.
  • 1
    Darknet Nov 15, 09
    You know what? The more I listen to it, the more I'm okay with the decision.
  • 0
    TheFogIsRising Nov 15, 09
    While I agree that Squenix employees just didn't get high and pick out a song, I must stress that some of the earlier posters have a good point. All of the soundtracks have been really great and honestly, Uematsu-san does phenomenal work and for him not to be part of all the tracks is lame. However, I really think the decision needs to be done when the track is heard next to the scene (read: when Squenix's leaks the vid). Otherwise, its just pointless speculation. Now, who wants to take bets on if they can get it out by March? lol
    • 3
      Shuyu Nov 15, 09
      quote TheFogIsRising
      Uematsu-san does phenomenal work and for him not to be part of all the tracks is lame
      You're underestimating Masashi Hamauzu. And it hurts me. But I don't blame you. Being afraid of change seems to be a Final Fantasy fan thing - this whole... debacle is an example of that.
  • 0
    omuyasha Nov 15, 09
    What..... The..... F*ck..... Noooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!! Please Square Enix for the love of all your hardcore fans, keep the music unique and original, I will not buy FFXIII if this women is singing the main theme song!!! Keep the Japanese theme "Kimi Ga Iru Kara" !!! I was already furious about how they got rid of the "Leveling System" but this takes the whole cake. Luckily Final Fantasy Versus XIII will kick ass.
    • 5
      Shuyu Nov 15, 09
      quote omuyasha
      Luckily Final Fantasy Versus XIII will kick ass.
      How is Versus, by the way, I haven't had a chance to play it.
    • 1
      Miss Razz Nov 15, 09
      Wait, you're refusing to buy the game because you dislike the theme song?
    • 2
      Slumpy monkey Nov 15, 09
      Lol as if anyone actually gives a shit if you buy the game or not.

      Their not going to change the song now.
    • 1
      FinalFantasyFanaticc Nov 15, 09
      Wow, you take this to a whole new level, i mean i don't like the song myself and i prefer the old music they chose for most games, but i'll be damned if this stops me getting the game.

      Plus, like Shuyu says, i find it funny you mention Versus XIII even though we've seen no gameplay and no ones played it yet =|
      • 1
        Miss Razz Nov 15, 09
        I'll laugh it Versus XIII has an equally bad -or worse- theme song.
  • 2
    Principality Nov 15, 09
    I really like this song, actually. ;D

    Good on Leona Lewis. She has an amazing voice!
  • 1
    DragoniteBallZ Nov 15, 09
    Square Enix has been a totally different animal since they merged Square and Enix. Money pretty much has been all it's about before quality and tradition now ever since. And this is proof of that.
    • 2
      Shuyu Nov 15, 09
      Given the Japanese songs, money and quality are pretty much on par in this case.
    • 1
      Slumpy monkey Nov 15, 09
      Its been about money from the start.
      • 0
        Koloth Nov 16, 09
        Technically no. The first Final Fantasy was supposed to be Squaresoft's last hurrah. They were having problems about to go bancrupt and close their doors forever. So they created one "last" game. Their final fantasy as it were, thus the name. Surprise surprise it was so successful that it brought them back from the brink of failure. But yea while the capital made from the game saved them they didn't make that game for the money. They made it with the plan at the time to close the doors not long after.
  • 0
    Zero and X Nov 15, 09
    Don't you think this is over-reacting a little? Its just a song, and this is coming from a fan of Final Fantasy of 12 years.
  • 1
    Zerpent Nov 15, 09
    Um... Doesn't the theme songs usually only appear during the end credits? If so, then what the effin hell are you complaining about? It's not like it will ruin the atmosphere of the game or anything.
    • 1
      Principality Nov 16, 09
      Not always.

      Final Fantasy VIII had Eyes on Me play during a very touching scene. It's been said that My Hands will likewise be played during a certain scene, according to developers.

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