What makes music memorable?

[omnibreak]

While looking through a thread on another forum about how FFXII's music was the worst in the series(which I don't necessarily agree with), it got me thinking. What makes the music memorable? On its own the music has to stand out but does music playing during the more memorable parts in the game stick in your mind more?

Regarding FFXII, the songs that play during the areas were memorable to me because I remember the enviroments but most of the music from the movie scenes is a blur to me. I barely remember it at all. Is this because there weren't too many memorable scenes for me or was it the music?
So what's your opinion on this? Are some songs just so grand, majestic, or catchy on their own that you can't but help take notice? Or did playing the game and seeing where the song is applied greatly enhance them for you?

[Crazy IX]

There are times where the music can be so epically awsome, that it easily stands on its own. For me however, it always manages to become memorable, because of how it works with the situation in the game. In Chrono Cross, I distinctly remember the theme of the first village you start out in because of how well it blended in with what was going on. I remember talking to an NPC and they said something like: "It is so peaceful here, you could just waste away..." If I had been there and that music was actually playing in the background, then I would have totally agreed with them. The music in that game suited the environments so well.

I think that FFXII's problem wasn't the music, it was that you spent so much time in the field wandering around, with little scene interaction, that gamers didn't have much to connect it to. The music was good, but there wasn't enough story to enhance it. I remember being about 70 hours in, and if you had asked me what had happened up to that point, I wouldn't have been able to tell you. If there was more story development, I believe the experience would have been more memorable. I mean, I remember the music that played when you fought the bosses, I even asked Edgar to put it in the music section for a while. It worked because it added on to the feeling that you were fighting in an epic battle against a larger than life opponent. I could never really connect the other music in the game to anything really important.

-Crazy

[The Grim Reaper]

I agree with Crazy IX. The music in FFXII was great, but there was no story for the music to give a backround. That was the main issue with FFXII. As for some of the tracks...they could have used a little more "umpf." But that may have been because there was barely a captivating story.

As for music in general (mainstream music), I am not sure what makes a track great. I would like to say depth....but depth is in the eye of the beholder...and unfortunately, some beholders are very stupid (in my lovely opinion). And then there are some songs that I love that have no depth to them. Its just a matter of finding a catching rythm, a melody, and good lyrics.

[Squallmuzza]

Yeah I totally agree with the pair of you. 12 was a bit wishy-washy as far as big dun-dun duuuuuun scenes went. I really wasn't too overawed by it all. Whereas the others, especially with the theme songs, you were (or I was) a bit misty eyed when the tracks played.

Or like in X, when Yuna and Tidus talk outside the Al Bhed shop 3/4 of the way down Mi'hen Highroad, it was such fitting music. Sort of wistful and touching. Just lilting enough to fit the scene, where they talk about their feelings.

I had no problem at all with the music on XII, but as Grim said, it lacked a certain oomph. There were no dramatic sounding blasts in the action scenes, little things like that.

[Guts]

Dumb question but this this thread only to talk about the FFXII sound track? I havent played the game so I dont really know the music (I have heard few tracks here and their) but I have my opinion on music but Im I aloud to post that? I ask cuz if this is just about FF I dont want to bore you with my views on music haha.

[Squallmuzza]

Well I'd imagine it's more about music IN things. Most likely games/anime because of the section. FFXII was just a starting point.

[Guts]

Yea I kinda figured that but I thought I would ask just to make sure.If only I have heard more so I could get into this talk........I like the topic of it "What makes music memorable?"!

[DBZGT]

For me the music to be memorable would be has good lyrics and a nice tune that you can repeat in your head, which is good for whistling. More so if it was used in an ad or game.