#IwasTHERE: Final Fantasy VIII’s “Eyes on Me”

Written by migs

September 5, 2013

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Man, it’s that time of the week, our own version of Throwback Thursday: #IwasTHERE

This week, I will not hesitate to pierce the hearts of gamers.

I remember when I was a teen, I didn’t know much about love or of romance. Life was just a game, just like how video games are…games. Every weekend, I had WWE Attitude as my one, true, favorite video-game that I would religiously play. It’s sure as hell was fun, smashing wrestlers with a steel chair, but it didn’t really have that much of a story. The addiction waned, and so I started to look for alternatives: Something that was equally addictive, but with a yearning for plot.

And then Final Fantasy VIII just had to come along.

Truth be told: I started out the Final Fantasy series with FF VIII. With a step towards graphic realism, teenybopper-ish storyline and a superbly addictive gameplay (DRAW: Aura, Ultima, Quake, 99 or Going level 100 only to have a Death by multiples of 5 cast on you) the game had me hooked for hundreds of hours.

But this dagger, this heart-breaker, this song just had to pull all the feelings right where it hurts

 

 

FayeWong-EyesOnMeFor those who do not know, that soothing, romantic voice’s from Faye Wong singing FF VIII’s ballad “Eyes on Me.” The music was composed by Final Fantasy vet Nobou Uematsu, while the Lyrics were attributed to Kako Someya. The song reached number 9 in Japan’s Hot 100 chart.

The song was incorporated in the game. It was Julia Heartily’s song for her love interest, Laguna Loire. UNFORTUNATELY, they did not end up being together. (that had to be on all caps and in bold)

Final Fantasy VIII was the first time I found a romantic angle, let alone several romantic angles, in a video game and “Eyes on Me” was the grenade pin. FF VIII had the most realistic graphics at that time. Couple that with the song, puberty, and an ensuing addiction to Final Fantasy and jRPGs, and it just turns a hopeless romantic teen to an uncontrollable, emotional time bomb. 

If there was a song where artistic license and broken English would just perfectly mesh, this would be it. Just look at the lyrics and imagine the point of view of Julia:

My last night here for you
Same old songs, just once more
My last night here with you?
Maybe yes, maybe no
I kind of liked it your way
How you shyly placed your eyes on me

If my Sony Discman had a mind and mouth of its own, it would have rebuked me countless times for having this song on repeat. I must have played this on a minimum a hundred times during high school.

Being in love: Played

When you’re with her: Played

When you’re daydreaming about her: Played

When a girl you like is out of your league: Played

Busted: Played

“Well Played”

If there’s a perfect time to use this: #IwasTHERE. I was there when I just had to wait in line in comic alley to buy that four-disc (IIRC) Final Fantasy VIII soundtrack. (despite the fact that it was my sister who actually bought it. ha!) I was there when the disc had a small scratch and I tried countless procedures just to take it off. On the flip side, it was there as well when my I got busted by this girl back in high school. So, yeah, quid pro quo

I must admit: It was mushy, but who and what wasn’t?

Admit this one too: Who didn’t have a crush on either Quistis, Selphie, or Rinoa? Fine, Fujin, Ellone were also good choices, too, and if you’re into sorceresses, I’m not in a position to judge.

If there’s anything good that I got from this game other than the song: Delay a romance when you’re saving the world. For what it’s worth, you’d most likely end up with the girl. So, heroes of the world, one day at a time. #Patience pays off, unless you are Laguna Loire

In the meantime, let’s sing-along and wallow in Julia and Laguna’s tragic romance. Let out all the feelings, go all out and sing.

Lyrics please!

 

Whenever sang my songs
On the stage, on my own
Whenever said my words
Wishing they would be heard
I saw you smiling at me
Was it real or just my fantasy
You’d always be there in the corner
Of this tiny little bar
 
My last night here for you
Same old songs, just once more
My last night here with you?
Maybe yes, maybe no
I kind of liked it your way
How you shyly placed your eyes on me
 
Oh, did you ever know?
That I had mine on you
 
Darling, so there you are
With that look on your face
As if you’re never hurt
As if you’re never down
Shall I be the one for you
Who pinches you softly but sure
If frown is shown then
I will know that you are no dreamer
 
So let me come to you
Close as I wanted to be
Close enough for me
To feel your heart beating fast
And stay there as I whisper
 
How I loved your peaceful eyes on me
did you ever know
That I had mine on you
 
Darling, so share with me
Your love if you have enough
Your tears if your’re holding back
Or pain if that’s what it is
How can I let you know
I’m more than the dress and the voice
Just reach me out then
You will know that you’re not dreaming
 
Darling, so there you are
With that look on your face
As if you’re never hurt
As if you’re never down
Shall I be the one for you
Who pinches you softly but sure
If frown is shown then
I will know that you are no dreamer
 
faye-wong
 

#IwasTHERE and quite probably, I will still go back from time to time.

Man, right in the kokoro.

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