Final Fantasy XII: Kiss Me Good-Bye – Angela Aki

	Album Title: Final Fantasy XII: Kiss Me Good-Bye – Angela Aki
	Record Label: Epic Record Japan
	Catalog No.: ESCL-2810
	Release Date: March 15, 2006
	Purchase: Buy at CDJapan

Overview

This is Angela Aki’s 3rd single and it was released on March 15, 2006. This single reached #6 on the Oricon Weekly Charts and sold 68,968 copies. If you have been living under a rock for this past year, “Kiss Me Good-Bye” is the Final Fantasy XII theme song and it was composed by the great Nobuo Uematsu himself. Here are my thoughts about the release.

Body

Note that this is the Japanese version of the song and it is NOT used in the game (it has a PV though). The 4th track is the English version and it is used in all versions of the game during the ending. Well, the Japanese version is very dramatic because it begins with a sweeping piano and string intro. Since this song was composed Nobuo Uematsu, it features a lot of strings and percussion during the chorus. The bridge is the best part of this song because it sounds so epic.

The first B-side, “Santa Fé”, just shines because it’s the only original song on the single. It’s completely in English and it contains the most mysterious and cryptic lyrics I have ever seen. The piano and percussion is very jazzy. Here is a lyric from the song: “I call him Santa Fé, someone to bleed with on this lovely day. He will bring me all the empty reasons to be sure of what I’m only not so sure about. Will he take this grand illusion; add his love to make his own conclusion?”

The third track is a Japanese cover of the song “A Whiter Shade of Pale” originally performed Procol Harum. Aki renamed the song “Aoi Kage”. I love Aki’s vocals in this song and piano is very nice. Aki’s voice is powerful when she sings the original English lyrics at the end.

The final track, “Kiss Me Good-Bye -featured in Final Fantasy XII-“, is the English version and it is actually used in the game. This version features a calmer music arrangement and vocals. I can’t say which version I like better because I think they’re both amazing (I heard the English version first though).

Summary

Overall, an excellent single. The A-side is enjoyable in both its variations and works excellently as Final Fantasy XII‘s theme song. The original and cover are also highly enjoyable and reflect the depth of Angela Aki’s sound further.

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