Overview
Key: B minor, with key changes involving D major and B major
Time: 6/8, 156 bpm
Length: 46 measures (1 minute 46 seconds)
[Transcription] - Basic version with harmony and lead
General Description:
An enchanting through-composed piece by Noriyuki Iwadare-sensei (featuring vocals from Ms. Jennifer Stigile), Wings is showcased as part of the opening cutscene in Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete.
Sung over a modern rhythm section and string accompaniment, the music explores a range of feelings: from gentle innocence, to brave optimism. The lyrics are straightforward, but heartfelt, touching on themes of the fantastical and the romantic. In other words, the piece embraced all the elements that made Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete such a charming title.
Analysis:
Wings starts off with a sparkling synth figure jumping between the root and fifth to quickly lock in the key of D major. Following a brief overture to spotlight pieces’ key instrumentation (ocarina, synth keys, strings, acoustic/electric guitar, electric bass, drum kit), the piece reduces to an intimate rhythm section (a.gtr, e.bass, drums) with Ms. Stigile’s vocals leading the melody (m.11) in a new key (B minor).
Progressing into Section C, the arrangement brings in the harp, sweeping 16th note arpeggios to highlight the harmony. This is accompanied by 8th note pizzicato stabs from the string section, and an ocarina weaving subdued contrapuntal lines. Rim shots on punctuate beat 4, isolating beats 5 and 6 for the vocals and building anticipation for the next measure. The gentle timbre and steady, waltz-like gait brings an overwhelming sense of romance to this segment. The anticipation pays off in the form of a rhythm change at m.23. The new figure emphasizes beats 1/2, 4/5 as if adapting to a half-time feel. This is accomplished by setting the harp to play on the aforementioned beats in 16th notes, while the piz. strings play on beats 2/5. In contrast to the previous four measures, the new rhythm sounds impatient, with a lot of forward momentum. As the piece peaks, Iwadare-sensei writes in three shots at the tail end of measure 26, suddenly leaves the music in a tense silence.
Paralleling Alex’s transformation into a Dragonmaster, the piece returns in measure 29, bringing an electric guitar, a new key (B major) and a distinct sense of optimism. Iwadare-sensei satisfyingly warps up the song in a brilliant move, by bringing the overture back (now transposed to B major) and ending on the I chord.
Highlights:
- General harmonic changes as follows:
o Section A: I – V – vim – iiim – IV – V7
transition with a IV (VI of B minor) to pivot into new key
o Section B: im – vm – VI – VII
o Section C: VIma7 – vmi7 – ivmi7 – III | ivmi – vmi – bII – imi – ivmi – V
the last chord is used to pivot into the parallel major
o Section D: I – viidim – vimi – V – IV – (TT V/IV) | IVadd9 – IV – IVadd9 – IV – V7
o Section E: I – V – vi – V – IV – V – IV - I
- The harmony heavily leverages the tonic characteristics of the VI and III chords. Refrains open with the I chord and uses the VI to stabilize the piece. The III chord shows up at the tail end of the four measure refrains to provide a smooth transition back to one.
- Instrumentation density is used to build energy and optimism
- Features the instrument equivalent of the main characters (Luna on vocals, Alex on ocarina)
- Section A: Guitar plays 12345, leaving 6 to create a desire for more, bass plays on 1 & 4 to emphasize compound meter, joined by drums kick/snare, respectively. Block on beat 3, except measure 4 (similar ideas as guitar); the existence of it on measure 8 as if to indicate the idea will be continued (as opposed to repeated)
Thank you for checking out my analysis on Wings (Opening Song) from Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete. I hope it was informative and enjoyable!
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