Final Fantasy VI - Dancing Mad 

Support my collaborators! Here's everyone who helped and links to hear more of them! Stefano Vittori ru-vid.com David “Cookie” Koch ru-vid.com Jordan Moore ru-vid.com Austin Colden twitch.tv/backlogboys dabr.bandcamp.com Alejandro Espinosa ru-vid.com Daniel Ponce ru-vid.com Psamanthes ru-vid.com Bonnie Bogovich blackcatbonifide.com/ Marina Garanin ru-vid.com May Claire La Plante www.mayclaire.com/ Irene Regini ru-vid.com Liz Rishel lizrishel.com Amanda Wyand www.amandawyand.com/ Patrick Philip Becker www.hautchanteur.com/ Alejandro Espinosa ru-vid.com Ben Filippone www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-filippone-49a02299 Matheus Manente matheusmanente.com/ Tim Rosko www.timrosko.com/ St. Vincent de Paul www.svdprogers.com/ Mathew Valente, who digitally recreated Kefka's laugh! ru-vid.com

Explain me this, Kefka. If nothing makes sense and everything is futile, why is your theme song so full of MEANING, huh???

The lyricist deserves an award. That was a masterclass in matching words to both the story and the song.

Something's gone horribly wrong with the matrix if this has only 18k views after 4 months. It should be top Dancing Mad arrangement of all time by now.

And Kefka's laugh at 9:41 is the cherry on top Phenomenal work ! An ambitious project that absolutely delivered

I hate having to say "You've outdone yourself" so frequently, but this is an insane production. The logistics must have been so difficult. On top of that, there's some complicated moments in this, so getting the parts down must have been hard. Big ups to everyone involved!

Pulchre!! Honori mihi fuit inter cantores numerari!

Aw yes. This was a long time coming. Amazing! That gag at 8:08.

Just like in the game, a whole team was assembled to take on a monumental task… absolutely incredible work.

I cannot BELIEVE you managed to pull this off, I figured we were still a couple of years away before seeing Dancing Mad done! And the choir blew the official orchestration out of the water 🙌🙌🙌 I hope you'll release a version without vocals though so we can also fully appreciate the instruments! Also I swear to god this had better be the breakout hit that gets you the tens of thousands of subscribers you deserve!!

I always return to this track. To me this is THE definitive version of Dancing Mad.

Chapters: 0:00 1st Tier 2:42 2nd Tier 4:42 3rd Tier 6:32 Transition 7:05 4th Tier

*sees thumbnail* Oh, shit... oh, shit! OH, SHIT! *CLIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIICK* ok that sip of tea/coffee at 8:06 was perfection

Hey, that's almost the same rock organ that Nobuo Uematsu uses! I once organized a concert that he performed at, and he requested a Nord Lead 2X and Nord Electro 3. It had to be those exact models (I had a sheet full of specific settings they had to be configured with), and my AV supplier had a heck of a hard time finding them. They had to rent it in another city a six hour drive away and have it shipped in. Luckily the AV supplier had an office in the other city and was already sending some stuff over, so it wasn't like we had to have somebody do the drive *just* for the keyboards... and if I'm being honest, even that was less trouble than arranging for the full-sized concert grand that another performer required. Worth it, though.

I hit the like button before even watching it. Adding original Latin lyrics (these aren’t the Distant Worlds ones) cemented my like button in stone. Take a bow, for this was awesome.

The only villain in the FF universe that is insanely mad at everything that pushed him to destroy the world and is still mad after his deed has been done. 💖

9:41 Nice that we hear Kefka's laugh

OMG THIS IS STUNNING it came out so well, I'm really grateful to have been a part of the project! 🙏

You all are doing Gods work.

Kefka: "Life...dreams...hope... Where do they come from? And where do they go? Such meaningless things... I'll destroy them a-" After Kefka listens to this: "Okay well maybe not EVERYTHING has to go..." Nice work guys. This is an excellent version of this theme, and props to y'all for preforming it in it's entirety! xD

Newcomers should be informed that there are many more covers of this caliber on the channel. The FFVI ending medley is a great example: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-pcuBk202yyc.html

Me thinking "If it doesn't have the Kefka laugh than it can't be perfect" 9:42 Alright, 10/10. I adore it.

The madman has done it. What an incredible collaboration. The last bit slaps as it should, and the _laugh!!!_ The laugh should always be there!! Wonderful. I'd have it on loop in the background, but I can only assume I wouldn't be able to focus if I did lmao. Amazing, amazing work to all the participants.

No... you.... didn't.... Y'all absolutely murdered this! Your work continues to be the best. Every superlative... Another DEFINITIVE VERSION

My. God. Andrew, just, thank you - and all the other musicians and singers who have joined you - for giving this to us. It's an honor to witness how far you've come and how hard you've worked, all for the love of this wonderful music.

I always thought this was was his magnum opus I had no idea what those lyrics were - holy fucking shit!!! BEST FF PERIOD NO OTHER TITLE COMES EVEN CLOSE

FYI, the game was suppose to end on the floating island, you were going to fight Kefka there. But the team was so ahead of schedule they decided to change it. Which in turn created one of the first major twists in the final fantasy story telling.

It has finally arrived! Orchestral Fantasy's rendition of Dancing Mad! Huge!🤟

I hope you all feel an incredible sense of accomplishment. This was just phenomenal

The rock section of this song always sounded to me like it could have come straight off a Boston album. Love it.

This made me cry. I was looking forward to the Pixel Remaster's rendition in february, but I don't think it's possible to make Dancing Mad better than what you guys just did. I have no words, still have tears in my eyes.

この年末に、感動の大作

What an accomplishment! You took probably the most complex piece Nobuo Uematsu ever composed... and you absolutely knocked it out of the park. Chapeau bas! Fantastic job!! Also, I really can't wait to hear "Dancing Mad" in the Pixel Remaster.

My favorite version of this song by far. Thank you to all who put their valuable time into this!

When the guitarist relaxes for a coffee break at 8:06 for a 2 second pause...I can't even. ded. 🤣

言葉なくなる！Perfect!

Never clicked on one of these faster.

You sons of submariners, this is brilliant!

The quality of this work exceeds any expectation (and mind you, these are quite high considering the usual standard you are known for). Dancing Mad has never been my favourite track, but man. This is glorious, glorious work. The choir is great, the church organ sounds perfect, your bass work is brilliant. Just wow. Take a breather, it is well deserved!

The best cover of this I've ever heard and it's not even close.

I am beside myself with how well done this is. I've seen so many people try to nail this but this is a whole new bar right here.

Love the Classical Latin pronunciation!

I cannot express how emotional I got hearing these lyrics for the first time. Especially at 8:28

I saw this was uploaded 2 years ago. It’s as if I missed 2 years of my life!!!

In. Friggin. Credible. I just don't have the words, beyond bravo.

This is so fucking GOOOOOD WHAAAAAAAT???? I need this on repeat. How is it not on 50 news articles.

It took me nearly two weeks to finally put together the words to comment on this video. I have been following this channel almost since its first video some six odd years ago. It was around that time where I had started to stop searching for many new game music arrangements. I felt like they had pretty much reached their zenith. Then I heard you playing Mega Man songs with real instruments. Then Gau's theme. That's when I knew I had found something special. I'm keenly aware that your arrangements weren't live per se - they are recorded and edited, and for good reason. After all, this is how gaming music during the 16-bit era was made - via sampling and recording the individual instruments, then arranging them at the proper volumes, with the proper dynamics and tempos, until it was perfect. That's part what made that era's music so breathtaking. When I heard you doing this, and watched it, I couldn't help but be reminded of Smooth McGroove, who had also been heavily active around that time. You were doing with instruments what he was doing with his voice, and I fell in love with it instantly. As time went on, and you made more tracks, I found myself literally bawling while I listened. The first one that brought me to tears was Link to the Past's end credits theme. I don't think I had ever heard a rendition that felt like someone had taken the original and perfected it until I heard your version. Your attention to detail was astonishing. You seemed to gravitate toward all of my personal favorite games, chief amongst them the Mega Man series and Final Fantasy VI. You've covered most of VI's soundtrack at this point, and have done a spectacular job for the most part. There's a few that I wish you had chosen different instruments or instrument combinations for (i.e. a soprano sax for Kids Run Through the City), but with the amount of effort and just sheer talent necessary to accomplish what you were doing, I knew I was being a spoiled perfectionist for even thinking that. As time went on, and you produced more and more tracks, I was able to tell things were getting better, thanks to both the advancements you had made with your studio and things you were learning along the way. I figured eventually you'd get to the end of the FF6 soundtrack, as you had covered most of it and it obviously was as high on your list as it was mine. That said, I didn't think you'd ever touch Dancing Mad, for its sheer complexity alone, but also because it seemed like it had been done to death. Between Distant Worlds, the OC Remix "Cantata" and Prancing Dad, Black Mages, Square-Enix themselves in Final Fantasy XIV and so many countless other arrangements, I honestly didn't think there was any room for anyone to bring this song back to its full power and perfection, as it struck me when I heard it coming out of the SNES and years later through the magic of SNES9X's sound enhancements. Don't get me wrong - I adored the DW version. Prancing Dad was incredible. Every version I mentioned is on my favorites list in addition to my custom "FF6 Music" Playlist that I've had for nearly two decades now. I underestimated you. Again. Never, and I mean never have I heard a version that captured the near-complete essence of the original in the way this one does. While it's not perfect (I'd prefer stronger timpani and chimes, and perhaps a bit more overlay of the original choral melody to go along with what otherwise is the BEST Dancing Mad chorus I've ever heard), it's as close to perfect as I'd dare to dream would exist. I am absolutely blown away. What you've accomplished is nothing short of making sweet love to the original and siring its beautiful child. The breath noises in the first movement- my God, they're they are. The lead up to the final movement (shared by the FF6 title screen) is the only time I've ever felt that the power of that particular melody has been matched. I burst into tears when I heard it, right infront of my wife, saying, "Perfect. It's perfect. Someone has finally done it. He has finally done it." You are an absolute treasure. Your love of Final Fantasy VI and grasp of the true magnitude of its soundtrack is unparalleled. When I look at you, playing these tracks, and then see the picture of Uematsu you added to the video, I can't help but notice an uncanny resemblance between you two. Even in appearance. You are, without question, Uematsu's true successor, in the same way that Marc Martel is Freddie Mercury's and John Kiszka is Robert Plant's. You own part of the same soul. I plan to buy your album this weekend, and start doing more to support you financially after this. I can't imagine someone who deserves it more. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for what you've done here.

That opening organ though. 🥰

Since I've started watching you guys I always wondered if you could pull off dancing mad. Disappointed I even doubted for a second. The amount of work is insane. Hope you guys are sincerely proud of yourselves

square need to contract this chanel to the remake

Every Dancing Mad rendition deserves all the love and appraise! Amazing job everyone!

My favorite final boss theme to my favorite final boss from my favorite video game of all-time. Bravo!

Jesus that soprano is awesome, I'm in tears

jesus christ this channel needs more subs... this was a masterpiece!

This is probably the best version of this song I have heard. The lyricised choir instead of a monotonous one really makes the earlier tiers pop out

I have listened to a lot of versions of Dancing Mad on RU-vid and this is by far the best. It's ridiculous how good this is.

Makes me want to dual-wield some atma weapons.

Listening to this while a train rolls by.

I hope this is the video that really cracks the YT algorithm and gets you the attention you've long deserved.

Wow, i'm blown away! Commenting to help the algorithm.

Thanks again for having me on! -Austin

Extraordinary work, so beautifully arranged and put together playing all the instruments ... happy to have been able to sing in the choir! Stephani mei verba valde admiror!

I... I literally cried. This performance got the best out of me. It was just too perfect

Spoken as the son of a submariner; exquisite, simply amazing!!! We need to add a few zeros to that view count!

Wow. I never expected you to actually tackle this! What's there left to say at this point...

Oh lord, this is exceptional! I never expected Dancing Mad to just pop up in my sub feed one day. This is going in practically every playlist I have.

Honestly, I expected something closer to the original piece, just like your previous productions. But Dancing Mad is such a monster of a piece, so a lot of creativity is needed to come up with something different but faithful to the original at the same time. You did it, and did it great. I really liked it!

The best late Christmas gift

Love the guitarist taking a coffee break lol. That was Fripp style riffing, great stuff.

Probably the best arrangment, arranged well, and everything has the right sound level and they can actually keep pace somewhat well.

A stunning amount of talent here. Everyone involved should be proud.

Hey! There's almost 20k views, that should be nearly 20k likes. These pieces are done amazingly well, since they're no voice going throughout the video that says 'Like and Subscribe' I'm going to, like and subscribe people.

This channel is severely underrated.

The fallen king that is actually an emperor is geshtahl.

This is my absolute favourite song in the game. I get chills when I listen to it.

I am astounded by how talented you and the others in this video are. Absolutely incredible.

Magnificent! Dancing Mad might be my favorite video game track ever and this performance just blew me away ♥️

The end draws near...

One of the VERY BEST incarnations of dancing mad online. GOOD JOB!

Editing aside, How many dozens or hundreds of hours does it take to record something this epic? I love all of your faithful arrangements and performances! Buying the album :)

Sheldon is hammering that keyboard!

Expertly arranged and played! Of course the choir is great, but I LOVED the use of the horns. Did not see that coming there! Brilliant.

Thank you very much for the English subtitles for the lyrics:-)

Who's going to be the first to bring this to the attention of the Master himself?

You actually went and did it. A strong defense of your title as the most underrated youtube channel

Man. They killed it! Every single one of them. Its wonderful!

You maniacs! You did it! You actually did it! This is absolute perfection and I love it.

Good God. This sends shivers down my spine! What a brilliant performance, and so incredibly faithful to the original compositions. Bravissimo to everyone involved, it's fantastic.

うわすごいｗ さすがですｗ

The amount of work and love that went into this is staggering. I hope you all are rightly proud of this.

Speechless. Really.

God. Damn. There's nothing more I could say that hasn't been said better already. Thank y'all for all your hard work!

I am floored by how amazing everyone was in this. Fantastic work!

Finally, it has been done. Great rendition of the track. Really, really good

Masterpiece!!

Bach’s Toccata and Fugue at 5:41

absolutely amazing. this is tip top quality

That was MAJOR BOSSNESS!!!

This theme is Pure Final Fantasy

What a really ominous new year’s gift! 😂 …goodness gracious… that must have taken some doing to arrange both the music and the schedules. Thank you for another incredible arrangement!