Al Fine

Thoughts

A similar song to Beautiful World is Chess Galea's production of Al Fine, used as the main theme in the risqué video game Bayonetta 3.

By pairing accordion within the main melody with sultry vocals (an unusual combo), I find this song insanely impressive. Al Fine is similar to Beautiful World in that it expresses intense emotions of belonging and adoration towards another person. But it isn't an echo chamber of the singer's own thoughts bearing down on themselves - it's a confrontation of reality that takes into account the perfect imperfectness of the bond the lovers share. How her world is ending, but the mere essence of her partner makes her final departure fulfilling.

These lyrics in particular:

• I know you'll miss me when I'm gone
  • Save your tears, this is where we belong

• And when this ends, hold on tight to our memories

These clearly are coming from the perspective of defeat. Unlike Utada's songs, which often idealise a bright future, Chess ensures that it is known that regardless of any hardship, even one that destroys her, the bond is inseparable. It opens the possibility of turbulence and defeat, and accepts it rather than dwell upon it. It's a perspective to vulnerability that is rare to find in relationships, and represents one of the purest bonds and trust that is easy to forget that people are capable of.

How ironic coming from a game that people accuse as objectifying. To be completely honest, this is one of the closest songs I've come across that I've been able to classify as "nearly perfect"; I'm not sure if there's anything it can really improve upon. Lyrics, interpretation, execution, and instrumentals are all there. The narrative context of being the theme song of a game series I enjoy is just the icing on the cake. There's so many layers of hidden details, lyrics, instrumentation, and melodies within this song...

...the initial intensity of accordion merely seconds into the songs...

...the simultaneous layering of background, foreground, and harmonic vocals...

...the desperation in of the vocals themselves...

...the ultimate resolve, climax, and wind-down...

...it's really hard for me to get tired of it.

• Awoken by whispers of destiny

• I reach for you as you're calling out my name

• Longing for your touch to bring me back to life, only you can save me

• Rekindle this flame

• A hundred miles away, I hear your heart

• It beats for me, we can never be apart

• This is the time I knew (We are one)

• I knew you could be the only one to (Fate has come now)

• Come and take away darkness (In this great moment)

• I know you'll miss me when I'm gone (Magic surrounds you)

• Save your tears, this is where we belong (Ah, our love is true)

• My desire, my Achilles' heel

• You've tamed this cursed beast

• My sorrow released

• I spread my wings

• We will fly into faraway galaxies, just you and I

• And when this ends, hold on tight

• To our memories

• Don't let them end

• I fall weak (Like stars)

• I tremble to speak (We glow)

• As I take my last breaths, I'm the happiest I've ever been (Shine on, shine on)

• Ocean blue

• I look into your eyes

• I know that you will be here (There's no one else)

• By my side (But you)

• My Cheshire