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Nobuo Uematsu (植松伸夫 Uematsu Nobuo) (born March 21, 1959) is a Japanese composer of video game music. He is best known for his work with game developer Squaresoft (now Square Enix), having provided scores for a majority of installments of Square's Final Fantasy series of role-playing games. Uematsu's body of work - composed, in its entirety, on keyboards - is known for its distinct eclecticism, and has secured his status as one of the most popular and beloved composers of video game music in the world.
Nobuo Uematsu was born in Kōchi, Kōchi Prefecture, Japan. A self-taught musician, he began to play the piano when he was eleven or twelve years old, and he did not take any formal piano lessons. After graduating from Kanagawa University, Uematsu played the keyboard in several amateur bands and composed music for television commercials.
When Uematsu was working at a music rental shop in Tokyo, a Square employee asked if he would be interested in creating music for some of the titles they were working on. Although he agreed, Uematsu considered it a side job, and he did not think it would become a full-time career. He said it was a way to make some money on the side, while also keeping his part-time job at the music rental shop. His first score for Square was Cruise Chaser Blassty, released in 1986.
Uematsu enjoyed massive commercial success with the song "Eyes on Me" performed by 王菲 and featured in Final Fantasy VIII. The single sold 400,000 copies, a record for a video game song, and won the "Song of the Year" award at the 1999 Japan Gold Disc Awards. Uematsu was subsequently named in Time Magazine's list of the Top 100 Innovators - Music, and has toured Japan playing classical concerts on several occasions.
His music itself is notoriously eclectic, tracks featured skip between pop-style balladry, to fusion styles incorporating African traditions, to, in recent years, a number of Celtic-influenced recordings and releases. Many of his works also contain elements of progressive rock and hard rock. His formation of The Black Mages, a rock band, in 2003, allowed him to experiment with his own compositions, releasing band renditions of a significant number of tracks from his soundtracks. The Black Mages disbanded in 2010, but Uematsu formed a new band featuring other ex-Black Mages members and some new faces, Earthbound Papas, in its wake.
In 2004, Uematsu formed his own production company, Smile Please, to which Uematsu's compositions for CG-animated film Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children is credited. Uematsu continues to compose for Square Enix and other video game developers, such as Mistwalker. Notably, he worked on the soundtrack for the Nintendo crossover fighting game, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, having composed its main theme.
Ride On / from FINAL FANTASY VIII
植松伸夫 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fithos Lusec Wecos Vinosec
Fithos Lusec Wecos Vinosec
Excitate vos e somno, liberi mei
Cunae non sunt
Excitate vos e somno, liberi fatali
Somnus non eat
Surgite
Veni hortum veritatis
Horti verna veritatis
Ardente veritate
Urite mala mundi
Ardente veritate
Incedite tenebras mundi
Velete, liberi
Diebus fatalibus
Fithos Lusec Wecos Vinosec
Fithos Lusec Wecos Vinosec
Fithos Lusec Wecos Vinosec
Fithos Lusec Wecos Vinosec
The lyrics of "Premonition -original-" by 植松伸夫 from FINAL FANTASY VIII are deeply mysterious and esoteric, reflecting the complex themes and narrative of the game itself. The repeated phrases of "Fithos Lusec Wecos Vinosec" seem to evoke a sense of incantation or summoning, perhaps calling upon powerful forces or entities within the game's world. This repetition creates a hypnotic and ritualistic atmosphere, drawing the listener into a realm of magic and intrigue.
The following lines, "Excitate vos e somno, liberi mei, Cunae non sunt, Excitate vos e somno, liberi fatali, Somnus non eat, Surgite, Invenite," suggest a stirring from sleep or a state of dormancy. The singer is urging the listener to awaken, implying a transition from passivity to action, from ignorance to enlightenment. This awakening is not just a physical one but a spiritual and existential journey, challenging the listener to confront their own fate and destiny.
The lyrics then delve into imagery of truth and darkness, with phrases like "Veni hortum veritatis, Horti verna veritatis, Ardente veritate, Urite mala mundi, Incedite tenebras mundi." The garden of truth is depicted as a place of burning passion and purification, where the evils of the world are consumed by the flames of truth. This garden serves as a metaphor for inner transformation and the struggle against the darkness that lurks both within oneself and in the world at large.
The final lines of the song, "Velete, liberi, Diebus fatalibus, Fithos Lusec Wecos Vinosec" bring together the themes of liberation, fate, and mysticism. The listener is called to embrace their freedom and face their destiny, navigating the treacherous days that lie ahead. The repetition of "Fithos Lusec Wecos Vinosec" serves as a haunting refrain, echoing throughout the song and leaving a lingering sense of foreboding and enigma. Overall, these lyrics invite the listener to ponder on the nature of truth, destiny, and the eternal struggle between light and darkness.
Line by Line Meaning
Fithos Lusec Wecos Vinosec
Repeated chant-like phrase without clear meaning, possibly invoking a mysterious or powerful force
Excitate vos e somno, liberi mei
Awaken from your slumber, my children
Cunae non sunt
There are no cradles
Excitate vos e somno, liberi fatali
Awaken from your slumber, fated ones
Somnus non eat
This is not a dream
Surgite
Rise
Invenite
Discover
Veni hortum veritatis
Come to the garden of truth
Horti verna veritatis
The spring garden of truth
Ardente veritate
With burning truth
Urite mala mundi
Burn away the evils of the world
Incedite tenebras mundi
Walk through the darkness of the world
Velete, liberi
Fly, my children
Diebus fatalibus
On fateful days
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KAZUSHIGE NOJIMA, NOBUO UEMATSU, NOJIMA KAZUSHIGE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Elban19
Probably one of the more aesthetically pleasing airships and music to go with it.
@jvstice56
"Let's go, Sephie!" We've reached the final points of any Final Fantasy; unlimited access to the world with the airship. This time brought to us through by the Ragnarok.
VIII proves it's technical prowess with the Ragnarok with her landing and take off. Her theme is one of the cheeriest in the entire series. Ironic given how dour VIII's story became by the point you obtain her.
@DragonQuarter
Flying around the world map in the Ragnarok, seeing trains run across the map, all while this incredibly upbeat, joyous song played was a top moment of Final Fantasy VIII.
@vilegurad
0:00～0:20が好きだな～色んな人の想いを乗せて最終決戦に向けて一気に飛び出す雰囲気が出てるのが最高！！
@SkyrushFanboy
On the plane ride to Orlando this morning, I was listening to my video game OST playlist on shuffle on Spotify, and right as the plane lifted off the ground, this song came on in perfect sync. Needless to say, it was incredible.
@dominickbaumann5317
It was my favourite game for a long long time
@Pliskkenn
The worlds gone to hell, but you don't care, because you have a sick space ship and it's theme is awesome
@user-gn5hm8vt5c
一気に雰囲気明るくなるからすごく好き。
歴代の飛行船って移動範囲が広がってどこまでも行ける感じの曲が多いけど、これはちょっと違う感じするね。
@channelsoji86
この曲は昔すっと聞いていました。懐かしい。
@taniameenowa9160
Yay the Ragnorok! I've always liked this airship 😊