Koji Kondo (近藤 浩治 Kondō Kōji, born August 13, 1960) is a Japanese composer … Read Full Bio ↴Koji Kondo (近藤 浩治 Kondō Kōji, born August 13, 1960) is a Japanese composer and musician best known for his scores for various video games produced by Nintendo.
Kondo was born in Nagoya, Japan. He took to music at an early age, writing simple tunes for fun even as a small child. At seventeen, he decided to pursue music professionally. He undertook classical training, and he learned to play several instruments.
In the 1980s, Kondo learned that a company called Nintendo was seeking musicians to compose music for its new video game system, the Famicom (Nintendo Entertainment System outside Japan). Kondo had never considered writing video game music before, but he decided to give the company a chance. He was hired in 1983.
Kondo found himself in a totally different environment at Nintendo. Suddenly, he was limited to only four "instruments" (two monophonic pulse channels, a monophonic triangle wave channel which could be used as a bass, and a noise channel used for percussion) due to limitations of the system's sound chip. Though he and Nintendo's technicians eventually discovered a way to add a fifth channel (normally reserved for SFX), his music was still severely limited on the system.
Kondo has stayed with Nintendo through various consoles, including the Super Famicom (Super Nintendo outside Japan), the Nintendo 64, the Nintendo GameCube and most recently the Nintendo Wii. These latter systems have vastly improved Nintendo's audio capabilities, and Kondo today composes music with CD quality sound.
Koji Kondo attended the world-premiere of PLAY! A Video Game Symphony at the Rosemont Theater in Rosemont, IL in May of 2006. His music from the Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda series was performed by a full symphony orchestra. This event drew nearly 4000 attendees.
Considered by many to be the "John Williams" of the digital entertainment world, Koji Kondo is acclaimed the world over thanks to his unique partnership crafting the most recognizable themes and soundtracks with industry giant Nintendo (and to his credit, a creatively fluent partnership with Shigeru Miyamoto). Fans and critics alike cite as his greatest talent being his ability to craft melodies that while catchy and pleasant upon first listen, remain enjoyable even when looped over long periods of time and played through inferior sound equipment. His songs are certainly memorable; the title theme song to Super Mario Brothers retains its iconic status 20 years after its initial release. Not unknown in the musical community, Mr. Kondo can count talent such as Paul McCartney among his fans. Kondo's music has been cited as being as integral to the Nintendo style as the game design of Shigeru Miyamoto.
Conversely, this familiarity is also the cause of most criticism of Kondo's work. Over nearly 20 years in video game music, his style has changed very little. The themes of Super Mario Bros. in 1985 are little different from those of Super Mario Sunshine in 2002, although the earlier game sounds more primitive due to technology constraints. This need for sameness over the years is something of a two-edged sword for Kondo; when he has tried something different, as in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, some criticized him for abandoning the themes and styles they had grown to enjoy (although others found this to be some of his best work).
"Super Mario Bros. Theme" has been on Billboard Magazine's Hot Ringtones chart for over 90 weeks, where it also hit #1.
Koji Kondo's work shows at least three major influences: Latin music, jazz music, and classical music (mainly ragtime and march music), often with a strong cinematic flair. Latin is particularly evident in his bouncy themes throughout the Mario series, such as the soundtrack to Super Mario Bros. 3. The happy main theme has a slow, samba-like rhythm. The second theme offers a more upbeat, ragtime-like style. Bowser's theme would not sound out of place being played by a Mexican mariachi band. This influence also shows up in his more recent works, such as the Gerudo Valley theme from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, a song with a certain stereotypical Andalusian flair.
Kondo's more jazz-influenced pieces also come from a wide variety of projects. One of the earliest examples of this is his minimalist underground theme from Super Mario Bros., and Saria's theme from Ocarina of Time sounds almost Dixieland in places. All of this is hardly surprising; Kondo lists Henry Mancini as one of his most admired influences.
Kondo was trained as a classical musician, and this shows in his more ambitious projects, such as the soundtracks to the Zelda series. These pieces are distinctively cinematic, reminiscent of John Williams' work on Star Wars or Close Encounters of the Third Kind. The title theme to The Legend of Zelda is grandiose for all its low fidelity. Several of Mr. Kondo's themes have been famously recorded with full orchestral backing, with several tours of his work featured highly in concerts presented around the world.
Kondo's work is also highly influenced by Eastern Asian music, which might not be surprising given his country of birth. His songs are predominantly melody-based with little supporting harmony, which is in keeping with the Asian tradition. This makes him somewhat unique among the most popular video game composers, as his counterparts such as Nobuo Uematsu and Koichi Sugiyama produce more Western-sounding compositions for their games.
Kondo was born in Nagoya, Japan. He took to music at an early age, writing simple tunes for fun even as a small child. At seventeen, he decided to pursue music professionally. He undertook classical training, and he learned to play several instruments.
In the 1980s, Kondo learned that a company called Nintendo was seeking musicians to compose music for its new video game system, the Famicom (Nintendo Entertainment System outside Japan). Kondo had never considered writing video game music before, but he decided to give the company a chance. He was hired in 1983.
Kondo found himself in a totally different environment at Nintendo. Suddenly, he was limited to only four "instruments" (two monophonic pulse channels, a monophonic triangle wave channel which could be used as a bass, and a noise channel used for percussion) due to limitations of the system's sound chip. Though he and Nintendo's technicians eventually discovered a way to add a fifth channel (normally reserved for SFX), his music was still severely limited on the system.
Kondo has stayed with Nintendo through various consoles, including the Super Famicom (Super Nintendo outside Japan), the Nintendo 64, the Nintendo GameCube and most recently the Nintendo Wii. These latter systems have vastly improved Nintendo's audio capabilities, and Kondo today composes music with CD quality sound.
Koji Kondo attended the world-premiere of PLAY! A Video Game Symphony at the Rosemont Theater in Rosemont, IL in May of 2006. His music from the Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda series was performed by a full symphony orchestra. This event drew nearly 4000 attendees.
Considered by many to be the "John Williams" of the digital entertainment world, Koji Kondo is acclaimed the world over thanks to his unique partnership crafting the most recognizable themes and soundtracks with industry giant Nintendo (and to his credit, a creatively fluent partnership with Shigeru Miyamoto). Fans and critics alike cite as his greatest talent being his ability to craft melodies that while catchy and pleasant upon first listen, remain enjoyable even when looped over long periods of time and played through inferior sound equipment. His songs are certainly memorable; the title theme song to Super Mario Brothers retains its iconic status 20 years after its initial release. Not unknown in the musical community, Mr. Kondo can count talent such as Paul McCartney among his fans. Kondo's music has been cited as being as integral to the Nintendo style as the game design of Shigeru Miyamoto.
Conversely, this familiarity is also the cause of most criticism of Kondo's work. Over nearly 20 years in video game music, his style has changed very little. The themes of Super Mario Bros. in 1985 are little different from those of Super Mario Sunshine in 2002, although the earlier game sounds more primitive due to technology constraints. This need for sameness over the years is something of a two-edged sword for Kondo; when he has tried something different, as in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, some criticized him for abandoning the themes and styles they had grown to enjoy (although others found this to be some of his best work).
"Super Mario Bros. Theme" has been on Billboard Magazine's Hot Ringtones chart for over 90 weeks, where it also hit #1.
Koji Kondo's work shows at least three major influences: Latin music, jazz music, and classical music (mainly ragtime and march music), often with a strong cinematic flair. Latin is particularly evident in his bouncy themes throughout the Mario series, such as the soundtrack to Super Mario Bros. 3. The happy main theme has a slow, samba-like rhythm. The second theme offers a more upbeat, ragtime-like style. Bowser's theme would not sound out of place being played by a Mexican mariachi band. This influence also shows up in his more recent works, such as the Gerudo Valley theme from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, a song with a certain stereotypical Andalusian flair.
Kondo's more jazz-influenced pieces also come from a wide variety of projects. One of the earliest examples of this is his minimalist underground theme from Super Mario Bros., and Saria's theme from Ocarina of Time sounds almost Dixieland in places. All of this is hardly surprising; Kondo lists Henry Mancini as one of his most admired influences.
Kondo was trained as a classical musician, and this shows in his more ambitious projects, such as the soundtracks to the Zelda series. These pieces are distinctively cinematic, reminiscent of John Williams' work on Star Wars or Close Encounters of the Third Kind. The title theme to The Legend of Zelda is grandiose for all its low fidelity. Several of Mr. Kondo's themes have been famously recorded with full orchestral backing, with several tours of his work featured highly in concerts presented around the world.
Kondo's work is also highly influenced by Eastern Asian music, which might not be surprising given his country of birth. His songs are predominantly melody-based with little supporting harmony, which is in keeping with the Asian tradition. This makes him somewhat unique among the most popular video game composers, as his counterparts such as Nobuo Uematsu and Koichi Sugiyama produce more Western-sounding compositions for their games.
To the Moon
近藤浩治 Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'To the Moon' by these artists:
a.v.i 하염없었던 비 그친 여름밤 바람을 타고 소리 없이 다가온 잊을 수 없는 흔적,…
A.V.I. Babe imma star meet me halfway come to the moon Don't…
Alan C. Duncan Screams break the silence Waking from the dead of night Veng…
An Explorer Dear Listeners, They comin' tonight. So, hide, in the dark T…
Ashley Clark I can't explain it I can't retain it I got a million…
Atlas Pain Here comes the dark On your energies When the forces leave y…
AXMO Found you dancing in the moonlight You had glitter and stars…
Bara Jonson and Free I'm in a high explosive rocket I'm ready for take off I'm…
Bensley 20 seconds and counting T-minus 15 seconds, guidance is inte…
BRENNAN SAVAGE Yo, Ned captain Crunch presents In love with the moon in…
Brit The day I was born with both eyes wide open Running…
Capercaillie Thaghainn thu air bhoichead Thaghainn thu air bhoichead …
Cardi B (Y'all are now tuning into my nigga Artist Fuck nigga, Artis…
Chaleeda Forget what you said I′m broke in pieces Just wanna be…
Chime All aboard the spaceship, we are going to the moon Fasten…
Chrisette Michele I'm happy to, I'm shaking Whatever you want boy, I'm on…
Coi Leray Baby I love you to the moon Baby I love you…
Crayon I stand beneath the sky And look up to your light Heavy…
Czar Moon river Wider than a mile I'm crossing you In style some …
D-Noise 小さな頃 とても 不思議だった 月がいつも追いかけてくるから Mystical of love 貴方の 味方になりたい …
Damien Night transforms the block below To incandescent dream A gla…
Dandelion Head I'd go halfway to the moon To find me something that…
Dustin Husain And we are all connected like tides around the world Being…
Early Hrs Late nights got me staring into the Moon, to the…
Electro-tek LIVING ON THE MOON (German) Yeah, habt ihr mich vermisst, l…
Emilie Nicolas I feel so naked around you My soul is see-trough around…
Eskobar I'm going on to the moon Leaving here pretty soon To be…
Fetty Wap & Monty I look at you and suddenly Something in your eyes I…
Full Half moon, night time sky, Seven stars, Heaven's eyes. Sev…
Grovr ਨੀਂ ਇਸ਼ਕੇ ਨੇ ਕੱਲੇ ਕਰ ਛੱਡਦੇ ਸੋਨੀਆ ਅਸੀਂ ਵੀ ਤਾਂ ਹੱਸਦੇ…
Hit The Noise It’s time to go across the sky I’m moving on My time…
Hohyun I can never find the words to say And I wonder…
Hollyn Hmm-hmm-hmm Alright, okay I met you on a Monday, time froze…
hooligan. Wise man call me the crazy Loving foolishly Dream about you …
I Am Empire Hope isn't found in smoke Its always left you broken in…
I.V Babe imma star meet me halfway come to the moon Don't…
I.V. 하염없었던 비 그친 여름밤 바람을 타고 소리 없이 다가온 잊을 수 없는 흔적,…
Isaac Waddington The laws and rules that are put in place Mean nobody…
J Church I've got customs, nothing functions, Tongues and different …
Jack Keyes You told me to pick a hand I chose the left…
Jake Mann I'm always late, late to the crowd But I walk in,…
Jerome & AXMO Found you dancing in the moonlight You had glitter and stars…
Jesse T. Reid Weightlessness fading The gravity is finally setting back in…
Jnr Choi Sit by myself, talking to the moon Teh, ha, pull up…
Joe Lean Ooo, getting high to the sky, to the moon Take a…
Joshua When the stars fall Into your eyes Oooooo My heart is steel …
Junodream Head in the clouds Baby shake when it′s down, Don't you? Wo…
Kan R. Gao 看今晚星星在闪烁 像恋人嬉戏的泡沫 那一个将会永远属于我 感情曾经失落过 谁愿意再去犯错 和月亮睡一个被窝 想聊的秘密有…
Kan. R. Gao Laura Shigihara 言えないことば Baby on the moon 右脳で溶けて Baby on the moon 唐突なキスして Laz…
Kayden She's taking her time making up the reasons To justify all…
Kelly T.Nguyen Feel the seasons changing (Feel the seasons) Spring brings f…
Kev Sound I'll be back soon baby I'll be back soon I'm just with…
Kid Cansado I can't say for sure if I know what I…
Kiddo Butterflies on my eyes when you see me high I’m just…
KYLE Checkered shoes, blues News that I would learn through a twe…
Lag I Run To the Moon To the big star light To the moon To the…
Lam Lam Moon River Performer：Evelyn Lam Composer ：Mancini Henry Ni…
Late Night Radio Last night was sleeping in my bed The devil was running…
Laura In a dream, I I watched the moon rise She filled the…
Lazy J & The Dirty Shuffle Fill in the stripes Girl its clear - black and white You…
Lena Ay, the first collaboration of JYP And brave sound, yes sir …
Leslie West De barrio bajo son estos mariguanotes Pelones locotes vivimo…
LiL CaKe Si me ven por el club, baby, I'm going to…
Lil Duke I'm 'bout to go to the moon (baby, out of…
M.O.O.N. Pro (She said she ain't never been to outer space I got…
Miguel I got a rocket in my pocket And I'm ready to…
Miguel | www.Marvin-Vibez.in Screams break the silence Waking from the dead of night Veng…
Nasta We can be wherever You know it's now or never, never We…
Neve 그대가 늘 궁금해하던 뒷모습 나는 우주인을 숨기지 않았네 머나먼 옛날 얘기 뻔한…
Nimo Wir machen Liebe, wenn wir aufstehen Und ab und zu, bevor…
NO1-NOAH I turned my sun into a moon Only dark shine in…
NoMBe Verse 1 3035 somewhere in the milky way just stopped to ch…
Olli It's not easy right now, baby But someday I swear it'll…
Paul I/C/Z 朽ちた花びらに 黄昏の翅が 冷んやりと 流れてゆく Viridian 風 mysterious もう触れられない あの日…
Paul Zimmermann Before you sleep tonight Come take my hand once more Step ou…
Phora Take me to the moon I wanna be with the stars Send…
PINKRAY I used to be so cocky but she fell in…
Pinwheel Past the teeth and tongue Without form or taste You left the…
Playboi Carti & Kanye West (See yuh) Different day I just be stylin', it's hard to sle…
Praiz Will you go ou ou oh I know Time never moves when…
Prettyxix Verse 1: I’m up 4 days, no way I’m sober She got…
Quinton Brock You called me a dog And I was astounded Until a night…
Rakiyah Came to mars Made a movie Now he bang my set He like…
Richie Cunning Now you know I seen many moons (many moons) Say me…
Rioo Cheeny Can′t wash out my cup it's so filthy the shit…
Rob Curly You are on this path to becoming a legend yourself…
Ronnie Get the move on, I'll pack a lunch. Tell my mom…
Rozotadi Oh baby I can sing my lullaby Oh baby We never…
RuPaul To, to, to, to the moon To, to, to, to the…
Sam Tompkins & Jnr Choi Sit by myself, talking to the moon Teh, ha, pull up…
Sara Groves It was there in the bulletin We're leaving soon After the ba…
Savage Garden She's takin' her time makin' up the reasons To justify all…
Secret Discovery the night is smooth, the shades are grey the city lights…
smokepurpp Every night I'm on them drugs I think I can't get…
Spectrum Blue moon you saw me standing alone Without a dream in…
Sweet Trip System of regret Merely dearly departed juveniles Get a clue…
t0ny You a fuckin goon We gon send you to the moon I…
The Lullabys Listen for the groove in the cyclic nature of life…
Thinking With Sand Every time I wake up next to you It feels…
Thom LaFond I watch the dove sail into the glass Find the way…
Thulani Who's there? Knocking on my door Who's there? Walk…
Tirful I love you to the moon I don't know what to…
To The Moon 소리 들려? 쿵쿵 심장 박동 둥둥 올라 working on the top 수학 공식의…
Various Artists O'connor Sinead Am I Not Your Girl? Fly Me To The Moon Fly…
Voxis vs. Dj Andi You′re the one I need You're the one I want You′re the…
We Are Defiance Come back, come back to see you should have listened…
Willie and the Giant Blue moon, you saw me standin' alone Without a dream in…
Wiretree You break, you fall You're coming down You don't know what y…
X-Ray Dog La la la la la la la la la La la…
YENVI Seit Tagen wieder wach ich komm nicht weiter Er sagt…
Yogee New Waves To the moon, to the moon, to the moon, to…
YumDDa Too the moon, baby, okay UNEDUCATED KID 빠끄 ya (let's go) 그…
彩音 無機質なクローニング （Please tell me Zero or One. And I continue a…
木秦 《To the moon》 作词：木秦/蜡笔小心/戴欣梦露 作曲：Jackson Wang/木秦/蜡笔小心/戴欣梦露@T…
염따 Too the moon, baby, okay UNEDUCATED KID 빠끄 ya (let's go) 그…
Sara Groves It was there in the bulletin We're leaving soon After the ba…
We have lyrics for these tracks by 近藤浩治:
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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Ed4uuuG!
This is great! because of the fast and loud music on the original, I couldnt hear the back beat, but now I can! Thank you, even though im late
Pep pi
oh at first I thought about the awsome music of the game "to the moon".. anyways, this was nice too - brings back memories
Yeh Piano Covers
great job! so many covers!
Yeh Piano Covers
yea its awesome! i want to be able to learn pieces, arrange and post as much as u do
daigoro789
haha yeah - i've been uploading quite regularly lately! :)