Breakfast Topic: Soundtrack to my e-life
by Brent Jackson 
Aug 6th 2010 at 8:00AM
A few days ago, I noticed a comment on this very site that moved me. The commenter was responding to one of the dozens of voice clips that have been leaking from Cataclysm. The commenter was asking for a simple transcript of the clip, because he or she is deaf. I was instantly felt I had to write it out for them. It wasn't until later that I realized exactly why I was moved so much for this person: I love the game's soundtrack. The music of World of Warcraft is a huge part of the experience for me, and I can't imagine playing without it.
The soundtrack provides atmosphere for everything from a jaunty tavern to haunted forests and much more. Alliance players, do you remember the first time you journeyed through the Dark Portal? More specifically, Honor Hold? The trumpets, the last-stand vibe ... It was amazing. I still get nostalgic any time I happen to be flying through Dun Morogh at night. It should be a law that every Alliance player must have the game music on the first time they storm into Orgrimmar, and the same goes for Horde players raiding Stormwind. Every expansion, it seems I find one or two pieces that stick with me for years. In vanilla, it was the Song of Elune (played sporadically in Ashenvale). In The Burning Crusade, it was the theme to Honor Hold and Silvermoon City. Wrath, however, gave me my favorite: Wintergrasp.
Do you have a favorite WoW song? Is there one tune that plucks your heartstrings and makes you remember days long past? Or do you mute the game and play to your own music?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 6)
Kunikenwad! Aug 6th 2010 8:06AM
As a Horde player, I always get chills when I listen to the music in Ashenvale ... it's as if the soundtrack itself knows that I'm not supposed to be there and that I am an intruder. Very moving.
Brimoonfang Aug 6th 2010 9:32AM
The first thing I do in every single computer game I have ever installed is
turn off the music. WoW is no exception.
Kunikenwad! Aug 6th 2010 9:58AM
So much story can be conveyed through music in gaming. You're really cheating yourself.
JustPlainJim Aug 6th 2010 11:39AM
I admit that a long while back (pre-Wrath) I turned off the music. It was hard to hear people in vent with it on, and I was slightly tired of certain parts of the soundtrack (I think. I honestly don't remember if I had a real reason).
And then I just forgot about it until a friend of mine commented on how awesome the music was in the Forge of Souls. I'd completely forgotten I'd turned it off... The next day I turned it back on and... Dear Light, what have I been missing all this time?
I can't believe I've the entire soundtrack for WotLK. I'm finding myself going through dungeons with the music cranked up over all other sounds just to enjoy it. And pausing the party so I can take a minute to drink it up.
BigBadGooz Aug 6th 2010 12:52PM
my soundtrack to life
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6D-bShCjGOk
Sondre Aug 6th 2010 8:11AM
Howling Fjord. That is all.
Gimmlette Aug 6th 2010 9:32AM
^This.
I generally mute the game sounds after listening to them the first time I go some place. But, when I have to herb goldclover in the Fjord, the music is up and loud.
I also always turn on the sound when we run into Ragnaros' Lair. To me, that's the perfect melding of music and the portent of a fight.
Thon Aug 6th 2010 9:49AM
Oh god yes, Howling Fjord is beautiful.
Other favorites of mine include Ulduar, Storm Peaks in general, Dalaran for the first time, or even Sindragosa's platform in ICC. It's an awesome piece, turns the sound of us geeks on vent discussing tactics sound like hardened officers in the heat of some war. ;)
Just listen to the start of this, see what you think. It's an amazing piece from Ulduar.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmI3MR9gqWE&feature=related
Mairead Aug 6th 2010 10:51AM
Very much this. Howling Fjord's music gives me goosebumps every time.
Gamer am I Aug 6th 2010 8:10AM
The music from the original menu screen gives me shivers when I listen to it. So many memories. Give it a listen if you haven't and you'll see what I mean.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqsazZUbt9s
Duulket Aug 6th 2010 8:36AM
That music reminds me of Lord of the Rings when they enter the Mines of Moria and are being chased by the orcs and Balrog and just after they exit the mines.
Asaoirc Aug 6th 2010 9:03AM
Much better than the current
/dragon wing swish
/Rooaarrr
IMO.
Josin Aug 6th 2010 8:11AM
There's one particular portion of the Grizzly Hills theme that just feels really epic and awesome.
Josin Aug 6th 2010 8:13AM
Also, the new Gnomeregan music is amazing, with the kazoos.
Sidone Aug 6th 2010 10:13AM
yeah totally, but maybe its because it remind me much of elves theme in heroes 3?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFs5nYHejDU&feature=related
dunno, maybe its just me.,.
Josin Aug 6th 2010 10:16AM
Definitely a similar sound, though for some reason the Grizzly Hills one made me think of Rohan in LOTR.
blizzardsprules Aug 6th 2010 10:47AM
^This, Totems of Grizzlemaw is pure awesome
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAFUBpuaL20
Chan Aug 6th 2010 11:24AM
This. I looove the Grizzly Hills theme. It was always a bonus when I was grinding rep through the Argent Tournament when I got sent to Grizzly Hills to kiss frogs just because I got to hear that song again.
SaintStryfe Aug 6th 2010 3:16PM
Yeah, it's one of my favorites too. Honestly, the whole grizzly hills zone is probably my favorite in the game, even unseating Nagrand.
I grew up in the Catskill Mountains and my first time playing in Wrath Beta, I said outloud to my roomate (Who is from Taiwan) that he can come look at this zone... it was like where I grew up.
Minus the Iron Dwarves and Orcs and Worgen.
But hey, it's close.
Oskjable Aug 6th 2010 8:13AM
I love WoWs soundtrack, it's just there in the background, providing...beautifulness.
Argent tournament at night, grizzly hills, Temple of the moon, wintergrasp and storm peaks are my favorite, also really like the honor hold one.