You know that music that, when you hear it, you can feel it in your soul? Well, I've decided to compile a non-exhaustive list of music that has touched my life over the years. I have played many videogames, so many are from games. However, I have been touched by non-gaming music, too, and I wanted to put that in as well.

In ordering my countdown, as always, I started with my top 10 and said to myself "If I wanted to make a top 10, which of these could never be out of the top 10?" and kept going down by 10s until the list was completed. This list ended up taking the most time out of all my other lists, since those were regulated to just game music while this one pulled from over 18,000 mp3s I have. Yes, I did listen to them (except for game sound effects, etc).

One thing of note when compiling this list was that there were a lot of fantastic, wonderful songs that I listen to over and over and really enjoy, but because of the qualifier of "touching my soul", there are many songs that I love that were cut. For instance, Metal Man's Stage is something that's amazing and wonderful, but it doesn't touch my soul. You get me now?

This list is only a compilation of the music I have heard until now. I'm sure the future will have this list change many times. However, for now, it is what it is.

I hope you enjoy this peek into what kind of music has become soul-touching experience for me.

That said, in the next post, I will start the countdown of 100 pieces of music.

#100
Round Table featuring Nino - Let Me Be With You (Chobits Theme) ->

To start this list off, we have Chii! I guess one way you could look at it is that this one BARELY made the list. Again, this is not to say "oh, this song isn't good", because that isn't the case. It's a nice, gentle song about the prospect of being in love. It feels very pure.

#99
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night - Lost Painting (rey187 @ youtube) ->

The original Lost Painting is a great thing, to be sure. That's where I fell in love with the song. However, Rey187's piano version is where it touched my soul. It takes out the hard beats and leaves the composition as a velvety aural seduction.

#98
PSB Digital Studios/melodysheep/Mr. Rogers - Garden of Your Mind ->

When I was younger, I was not that huge a fan of Mr. Rogers. I liked the show enough, but all I remember was that when Mr. Rogers came on, it meant Sesame Street was over and I was pissed. Now that I'm older and found out more about him, I've found that I respect him immensely. I hadn't thought about him in a while, but then this came out. The garden of your mind is a wonderful thing. This touched me so much that I donated money to PBS for the first time in my life. I wish I could be more like Mr. Rogers.

#97
The Young and the Restless - Lost (Theme) ->

My grandmother used to watch all the soaps. General Hospital, All My Children, you name it. I never really cared about it as a kid. But every time The Young and the Restless came on, I would STOP and listen to its theme. It really is something to make a kid stop what they're doing and pay attention to music. I don't care about all the stupid drama of the show but this theme is just perfect.

#96
Nujabes featuring Cise Starr & Akin from CYNE - Feather ->

The first time you will see Nujabes on the list is definitely not the last. Spoiler alert! Haha. Nujabes is simply one of the best musicians that has ever lived on Earth. To be clear, Nujabes is the man who created the music. He would invite hip-hop guys to lay down lyrics on some of his tracks if he thought it would make it better. And by God, it does. Don't expect the generic "drugs, sex and parties" lyrics, here. All the lyrics are A++. As someone who's written a hip-hop album myself, I can say I feel the same spirit as the chorus.

#95
Final Fantasy VII - On That Day Five Years Ago ->

Sometimes in a game, a piece of music will force me to actually put the controller down, close my eyes, and simply let it seep into me. This is one of those pieces.

#94
Megaman X4 - Opening Stage X (Sky Lagoon) ->

This is one of the first songs on the list where I'm expecting a "huh?" reaction. It doesn't sound very "emotional" or whathaveyou. However, this list is about touching my soul. And to do that, it doesn't have to be a bunch of love songs. This opening is especially prominent to me because of how heroic it sounds. Deep in my soul, I want to be a hero, perhaps.

#93
KISS - God Gave Rock And Roll II You ->

I liked this song before I allowed myself to like "white" music. But since then, I've found that music is music. And music transcends language barriers and racial barriers. Music truly is a gift from God.

#92
Tsutchie featuring Kazami - You ->

To me, this feels like beauty in aural form. I don't think I could explain it any other way. And it makes me feel wonderful.

#91
Nujabes - Letter From Yokosuka ->

I bet you didn't expect another Nujabes track so soon, huh? This man had the magic touch. A beeline straight into my soul. You can feel it if you close your eyes. It just makes me tear sometimes that God needed his DJ back.

#90
Lupe Fiasco - Daydreamin' ->

Lupe Fiasco's first showing on the list is one of the greatest rap songs of all time. In two verse, Lupe managed to tap into my feeling about the current gangsta rap crap and convey a message while talking about a giant walking project building.

#89
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - Coming Out of Their Shells Tour - Count On Us ->

Really Ix? Yes, really. When I was a kid, this was my jam. The verses are a little throwaway, but the main part of the song, the chorus, hits me right in the soul-ar plexus. Get it? I'm sorry. But I knew I could count on my heroes and that's why this is here.

#88
Nujabes - World's End Rhapsody ->

Might as well call this the Nujabes list, amirite? Well, listen, I'm gonna make it clear why you should listen. I mean listen right now. I mean, the playful, endearing melody and vocals are just unearthly. Nujabes is an experience.

#87
Lynyrd Skynyrd - Simple Man ->

This song sounds like every good mother in the entire world. It feels like something my mother would tell me if it wasn't already implied by her actions.

#86
Hikari Reika (M4F @ Youtube) - With Or Without You ( U2 cover) ->

U2's version of this song sucks. I listened to it after I found her cover version and it makes them look like amateurs. Reika's voice and piano make this really speak to me. It's almost like a lullaby.

#85
Nujabes featuring Uyama Hiroto & Hakuka Nakamura - Island ->

The final track of his posthumous album, Spiritual State, says "Good bye" for 4:43. And my soul weeps.

#84
Sonic the Hedgehog - Green Hill Zone ->

Absolute joy courses through me when I hear this theme. There's not a lot more I can say about this classic song except the build up to the climax and the triumphant exclamation is amazing.

#83
Xzibit - Paparazzi ->

One of the most underrated rap songs ever made. With the violins and a chorus in the background and XZ spitting some hardcore truth, this is part of what I aspire to be.

#82
Queen - Too Much Love Will Kill You ->

The honest truth. Freddie Mercury had one of the greatest voices in history. The lyrics are some of the most touching I've ever heard. I've been where he's sung before (in parts).

#81
Danny Kaye - The Ugly Duckling (from the movie Hans Christian Anderson) ->

Hasn't everyone felt like the ugly duckling at one point in their lives? I'm sure this talks to you as much as it has spoken to me. Danny Kaye's version of this song is the best. Feels good, man.

#80
Lupe Fiasco - Letting Go ->

Lupe Fiasco's back on the list. It shouldn't be a surprise. The dude is that talented. This song is an introspective trek through Lupe's mind following the successes of Food and Liquor and The Cool and how it's been weighing on him. I am a deeply introspective person and the tug-of-war between the person you were and the person you are now is something that resonates with me. Note, the lyrics in the video (if you look at them) are not quite correct, but generally are).

#79
Super Mario 64 - Water ->

Magic. This is why videogame music is better than almost all other forms of music. It's stuff like this. I really do believe it transcends. It can put me into a state of mind that few songs can. This song feels more like the element it's named for than an actual song.

#78
Aladdin - One Jump Ahead (Reprise) ->

Another one of those songs that many people overlook. Very short, but it's summed up how I've felt a lot in the past. I think most of the songs on this list that have touched me are the ones that I can say "that's me" or something I can really relate to.

#77
Disney's Hercules - Go the Distance ->

This is another one that resonates with me because it's still my life. I still don't feel like where I belong quite yet. And I have a dream and it speaks to my natural optimism about most things in life.

#76
Donkey Kong Country - Aquatic Ambiance ->

David Wise is a pure musical genius. It's easy to go into a full-on trance and find yourself teleported to another world in your mind when listening and relaxing. The theme of the water levels (two water themes in the same section? Yeah!) hits that sweet spot.

#75
The Greatest American Hero - Believe It or Not ->

Yes, really. I never watched the show, but no one has. You can just listen to the song. The chorus especially makes feel optimistic. I guess it's appealing to that "be a hero" part of me.

#74
Billy Crockett - Love Carrier ->

Some of you may know this, but I am a Christian. The reason you may not know is not because I am ashamed of my religion. It's just that I don't take every opportunity to cram it down the throats of others. That said, if you need a carrier, Jesus can be your carrier. My mom introduced me to Billy Crockett and this song has been in my mind and heart ever since. A great one.

#73
Tsutchie - Deeper Than Words ->

It's a shame that more people don't know about tsutchie's work. The guy is almost on the level of Nujabes when it comes to this soul stuff. This is the kick-back soul groove, y'all. I wish I could say more, but if you listen, you may find the reasoning deeper than any words I could say (hur hur ).

#72
Lupe Fiasco - Intruder Alert ->

Lupe's hitting it twice in the same 10? Oh yeah, it's like that, y'all. Lupe again is talking about the stuff that you never hear in the mainstream garbage. The verse that gets to me the most is the first one, about a rape victim's path to recovery. But the next one about a drug addict who feels alone and the last about a refugee hoping to get his daughter to the land of the free also get to me.

#71
Les Miserables - Do You Hear the People Sing? (10th Anniversary Concert) ->

Freedom means a lot to me. When one day, a great majority people of America can see through the lies and the television and hear and understand this song the way I do, perhaps we really will be free. And in this case, we don't have to have a gun war. It's a war of ideas.

#70
LaShun Pace - There's A Leak in This Old Building ->

I have been to more than a handful of funerals in my life. I have a rather large family and unfortunately, some bad things have happened to some of them or they have died of old age. I have heard this song many times. When I was younger, I did not truly understand what this song meant, but as I look back upon it, I've realized how important it is. The belief and hope that we're all headed home one day is something deep within me. I hope to see you all there.

#69
Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame - God Help the Outcasts (Bette Midler version) ->

This is probably the only time you would see me list Bette Midler in my favorite anything. God Help the Outcasts reaches out to me because it touches on a part of me called empathy. One particular instance that this song reminds me of is Brian Peppers, who was a big target of humor sites back a few years ago. I believe he came to attention for being a child molester, which is a terrible, horrible crime and he was rightfully imprisoned. However, when I hear people making fun of him, I can not join in. When I looked at his visage, I saw not a monster, but a human being who had been sh*t on all his life from childhood for looking the way he did. And that hurt my heart and I did feel sorry for him. Certainly, he would be one of the biggest outcasts of them all. I really hope God would help him turn his life around.

#68
Mariah Carey - Hero ->

I hate Mariah Carey. I really, really do. But to deny that she can't write and sing her ass off would make me look like a jackass. I consider Hero her magnus opus. It's inspirational, sensational and relatable. Heroism starts from within.

#67
Lemon Demon - Geeks in Love->

What's surprising is how long this song has stayed with me. I think it's about accepting myself as a nerd after the stereotype that being a nerd is "uncool", even though, as Lupe has said, you can overdose on "The Cool". This song is pretty humorous, but the core message of it is great. I once fell in love with a geeky chick, and if that would have worked, I would have been glad to be a geek in love and geek out forever. But there's always a chance that'll happen one day again.

#66
Stevie Wonder - Isn't She Lovely ->

Stevie Wonder's ode that celebrated the sheer joy that the birth of his first daughter, whom he couldn't even see, really conveyed how he was feeling deep inside to me. Such a positive exclamation of new life into the world.

#65
Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody ->

I wonder if I'm gonna get chewed out again for placing such a legendary song so low? But really, I love this song. Who doesn't? The sheer melancholy of the the song, which crescendos at "I don't want to die, I sometimes wish I'd never been born at all" is amazingly impactful. It sums up the aggravating contradictions within perfectly.

#64
Pokemon The First Movie - Theme ->

I predict I'm going to get a lot of sh*t for having the Pokemon theme higher than Bohemian Rhapsody. But I don't care. It's not like I'm saying that the guy singing the song is better than Freddie Mercury because he's not. It's just that the Pokemon show was a much bigger part of my life than Queen. And the lyrics of this mean more to me. Lines like "I want to be the very best, like no one ever was", "every challenge along the way, with courage I will face", and "our courage will pull us through" have all been things I've aspired to do.

#63
Nujabes - Reflection Eternal ->

It's another soul jam by the heavenly beatmaker, Nujabes. Every time you listen to a Nujabes track, I suggest taking a deep breath and letting the beat get into you. And let the beat lead your imagination. You might be surprised by what you paint in your mind. But it should be beautiful.

#62
Little By Little - Kanashimi wo Yasashisa Ni (Naruto 3rd Opening) ->

Another song that has gotten me through some dark times. The song's title means "turning sadness into kindness". This is also something I have tried to constantly do in my life, even when I'm being repeatedly pelted with unkindness. If I don't, it just feels like those people win. As the song says, it's okay to get lost (turning sadness into kindness), but begin walking.

#61
Michael W. Smith - My Place in This World ->

The sense of belonging is an important one. I have long felt that I need to find my own place in this world. MWS does a fantastic job getting across the voice of one person trying to identify themselves among the many, as I have tried to do in the past many times and will continue to do for a while yet. A really great song, even if you aren't a religious person.

#60
Disney's The Little Mermaid - Part of Your World ->

This song almost reflects my life now. Even down to the naive optimism that I have if I moved out of the waters I know to explore the world to pursue my dreams. I'm almost ready to start and meet some real people out there. Putting myself aside, the way it heart-achingly paints Ariel's yearnings for that place she's never been, along with her unreasonable ideas about what that world would offer are very touching to me.

#59
Al Denson - The Door ->

There's a bit of talking about the actual video before the music starts. You can go to mark 1:23 (start of the video) or 2:35 (start of the music). The door is always open for all who will come in. But as the song says, you can only lead people TO the door. It's up to them to walk through it.

#58
Super Mario Galaxy - Wind Garden ->

I've complained more than once about videogame music not being up to the same caliber of the 8/16/32-bit generations and it's true. Videogame music, on the whole, it just not the same as it once was. But then Super Mario Galaxy comes out and I'm treating to this modern piece of videogame music that embodied everything that's been missing. There's a sense of adventure, exploration, excitement and wonderment taking place in this song and I can feel myself soaring as the height of the song cruises along. This is truly videogame music as I see it.

#57
Disney's Mulan - Reflection ->

Another short one, but it's a good one. As I've been writing these write-ups for the songs, I've noticed that many of them are here because they can convey outwardly what's within me. I have looked at a mirror more than once in my life and asked "who is the person I'm looking at?" I'm sure you have, too.

#56
Jem - Dear Diary ->

This is one of those things that I never understood when I was a boy. My sister had a diary. And since I was a young asshole, of course I had to break it open and read it. It was the usual innocuous writings of a middle schooler, but when I look back, I can see just how much of an asshole thing that was to do. And it actually has a lot to do with Jem and this song. This really got to me because it shows the mindset of someone who holds a diary and how much it means to them. And I've sworn to never read anyone's private journals, etc because of that. Pretty powerful stuff.

#55
Sister Act - I Will Follow Him ->

One problem I have with church music is that a majority of it is boring as sin. It's not that I can't appreciate a message, but if it has some great boogie in it, it's even better. I love this movie and I love all of the music in it, as well. But this final song is just done so perfectly that it's more rejoicing than stuffy old people singing a song according to the paper. And it makes me feel good in hearing people energized about singing about God rather than just...mechanical.

#54
Brunch - Imagine ->

To be completely candid, this is here because of There She Is! Step 5. But I looked up the lyrics after that and I found them to be quite touching. It's the paradise of all our individual dreams. An impartial world free of prejudice and hatred. A dream paradise.

#53
Final Fantasy VI - Terra ->

Final Fantasy VI is one of those experiences that I thank God that I was born in the 80s so I could play these amazing games when they came out. But really, you shouldn't have to play them when they came out to really be able to appreciate them. Fantastic movies stand the test of time and so do great videogames. Terra, the overworld theme and theme of the character of the same name, is gorgeous. It's so peaceful and serene. In the first 5 seonds, I'm instantly transported back to 1994 and touching on a moment in my life when all I cared about was videogames. And I am happy.

#52
DuckTales -The Moon ->

I only played DuckTales marginally back in the day, so my love affair with this song began rather late, when I found remixes of it on OverClocked Remix. Once again, this takes me back to a simpler time. And with only 8 bits of power and a simple chiptune set, a musician is able to speak past my ears into a part of me that today's musicians with auto-tuners and million-dollar studios cannot. This feels SO GOOD.

#51
Dreams Come True - Sweet Sweet Sweet ->

How sweet sweet sweet it is! More commmonly known over here as "the ending credits to Sonic 2", this song is sung by the group that actually composed it in the first place. It's a spectacular event. It's kind of funny that it's actually a love song (as a kid, I would have hated it), but I love it anyway. The music and the duet really bring this one out for me.

#50
Queen - Don't Stop Me Now ->

We've now reached the midway point of the list and Queen manages to slip in! Don't Stop Me Now is that song I scream to the haters silently when I get flak for the way I live my life and the (unpopular) views that I hold. This song is drenched in the idea of being free, which I desire to be greatly. Freedom is a beautiful thing.

#49
Um Jammer Lammy - Got to Move (Final Stage) ->

One of the best psyche-yourself-up songs ever. Plus it's really motivational. The chorus especially knocks it out of the park. It sends amazing shivers down my spine. It makes me feel like putting my best foot forward. No cuttin' corners, y'all!

#48
Ludwig van Beethoven - Moonlight Sonata ->

This is the song that single-handedly fueled my passion for the piano and I didn't even know what it was at the time! The first time I heard this song, or perhaps the first time I paid attention to the song specifically, was when I was playing Earthworm Jim 2 and heard it on the level "The Villi People". For years after that, and before the internet, I would constantly play EWJ2 to get to the 3rd stage and simply listen in awe. And mind you, I was about 11 at the time I heard this. I don't know what I could say about this song that hasn't been said better by others, but f*ck those others. This song is the mood "mellow". It's haunting, calm and deceptively hard to play. And it's been with me forever.

#47
Super Metroid - Maridia 1 (Rocky Underwater Area) ->

Have I mentioned how much I love the music in Super Metroid? Maridia 1 is just one of the tracks I like. This game is known for its atmospheric music and this is just one of the highlights. If you close your eyes, you'll float away. Something about music like this just gets into your core.

#46
Sonic R - Can You Feel the Sunshine? ->

This song got me through a horrible span of time in my past that I will not go into detail here about. With my spirit at an all-time low, I felt like sh*t every day and every moment I was awake I was looking forward to when I could die. But this song kept hope alive for me in a way I needed the most. Again, a song was able to speak to my soul and tell me to hold on. That what was happening would pass. Specifically,

"Reach out for the sunshine
Forget about the rain
Just think about the good times
And they will come back again "

I owe a debt of gratitude to Sonic R('s singers. The game is ass.).

#45
Nakazato Mami - Ninja Counting Song (Yoma Kazoe Uta from the anime movie Blood Reign - Curse of the Yoma ->

I think it's sad that so many people haven't seen Blood Reign. It's a good anime movie AND features one of the most blood-chilling songs I have ever heard. The lyrics are gutwrenching and disturbing, but the vocals are ethereal. Please, listen for yourself.

#44
Utada Hikaru - Hikari ->

If this song songs familiar, it's because you may know it as "Simple and Clean" from the US version of Kingdom Hearts. However, Simple and Clean and Hikari have completely different lyrics. While Simple and Clean is kind of depressing while Hikari is more joyful and hopeful (if a little confusing if you do a literal translation of the lyrics). Utada is another artists that kept hope in my heart for years as I struggled to cope with the truth of where I live. And a musician whose words I could actually believe. By the way, haven't a clue why the whole video is her washing dished.

#43
Akeboshi - Wind (Naruto 1st Ending) ->

He's singing completely in English, fyi, before you start listening. Of course, since English is not his first language, it's a little rough but since it's on this list, the message got through to me, didn't it? Great music accompanied by a great singer. Great job.

#42
Utada Hikaru -Kremlin Dusk ->

Oh yeah, did I mention that Utada Hikaru is bi-lingual? She can speak and sing in both English and Japanese pretty much perfectly. Unfortunately, she wasn't able to hit it off big in America, but I know why: her lyrics are just too smart for American Pop. This song starts off with a quote from Edgar Allan Poe for goodness sake! This is one of her best. I love how the song starts off and slowly starts building to 3:09, where she starts laying down the fire. And she doesn't need autotune to sound good. This clip is actually from her 2006 Utada United tour. This song has felt like me so much.

#41
Final Fantasy VIII - Fisherman's Horizon ->

Nobuo Uematsu is a friggin' genius. I can see myself in the future in a small fishing village, feet hanging off the dock and enjoying a simple life. As I listen to this song, I feel at complete peace. Harmony and calmness are one.

#40
Nujabes featuring Cise Starr - Lady Brown ->

Nujabes is back! And so is Cise Starr. My God, this is one of my favorite raps of ALL TIME. Nujabes phenomenal track plus Cise Starr's amazing rhymes make one of the best rap songs that almost no one has listened to. This song lyrics has been a fantasy of mine every since I heard it the first time. Cise is not rapping about big booty b*tches or getting it on the dance floor. He's talking about the perfect woman. Sure, he talks about the physical some, but that's not the ONLY thing.

#39
Chrono Trigger - Manoria Cathedral ->

Is it odd that I "hear" crystals in this music? Yes, this one also appeared in another one of my lists, but rightfully so. This is an absolute gem of a track. This is another one of those songs that I had to just put the controller down and let it seep inside of me. I can almost feel the piano crying. It makes me FEELS.

#38
Christmas Songs - Carol of the Bells ->

I don't know what exactly it is about this song that makes me love it so. I really can't explain it. The first time I remember hearing it was from Home Alone, though. I guess it sounds really spiritual? It seems like a really weak reason, but it stays on the list in this position ANYWAY.

#37
Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals - The Prophet (Theme of Iris) ->

Lufia II has so many memories. The music is chief among them. But outside the excellent battle themes, this and To the Savior are the ones that I remember the most. And when it comes to touching the soul, I have to give props to The Prophet. It's foreboding with a bit of sadness that I find endearing.

#36
Lupe Fiasco - I'm Beamin ->

They said my future was dark, but see me now, just look around, I'm beamin'. That's how I'm living now. Once again, Lupe is putting my thoughts and voice out there. Especially here:

I get my energy, from my inner G
I be in outer space, but I got inner peace
So tell my enemies, that they can't injure me
I know that irritates, you have my sympathies

Love this kind of stuff. And there's very few rappers you'll hear such stuff from like Fiasco.

#35
Final Fantasy X - To Zanarkand ->

The opening to the last mainline Final Fantasy game I've been able to play through and enjoy, To Zanarkand, is a masterpiece. It's almost dreamlike in a sense. This is one of those songs that makes me feel good as a human being. We have the ability to produce such wonderful music.

#34
Kosaka Riyu - Danzai no Hana ~ Guilty Sky (Claymore Ending) ->

Yeah, I first heard this on Claymore. This is a rather sad song. Riyu basically takes the entirety of the Claymore story and puts it into a song that really speaks to me.

#33
Final Fantasy VI - Coin Song ->

I'll never forget Edgar flipping that coin into the air. I find it kinda funny that this song puts me into a nostalgic mood about something that happens in the past of the game. It's NostaligiCeption. Final Fantasy VI is one of those games with what I consider to be a perfect soundtrack. Coin Song is one of the reasons why. With that 5 note opening tugging on the heartstrings and the main part yanking them, it's not hard to see why this ended up here.

#32
Michael Jackson - Stranger in Moscow ->

This is such a lonely-sounding song. I've had my share of loneliness in my days here on this planet and MJ had his, too. As I'm sure everyone here knows, I first heard this as the ending to Sonic 3, where it's way more upbeat. That's an awesome version, but the original is just perfect.

#31
Daniel Baranowsky, Vigilante, zyko - Invertebrate Retreat (Earthworm Jim 2 OCRemix of Lorenzo's Soil) ->

I've listened to this one quite a fair bit. But then again, I've heard almost all of this songs on this list many times. But this is a song made by a group of amateurs. It's just an amazing remix and song in general. The lyrics are top-notch, especially the last verse, which has come to mind many, many times as I was mulling over certain topics. The beat is crazy, weird and works. The entire song can work from EWJ's view, but from my view, it feels quite familiar. Rap and singing come together in a very complementary manner.

#30
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney: Justice for All - The Fire Carves Scars ->

The Phoenix Wright series of games are fantastic as a whole. Honestly, though, the second game in the series, Justice for All, is probably the weakest of the three except for the fantastic Case 4. Not that it's a bad game. It's just weaker compared to the first game. That said, this song doesn't play in Case 4. I believe it's actually the first case. It's a very gloomy, heart-panging song. It's very tragic.

#29
Disney's Aladdin - A Whole New World ->

I don't really have to explain this one, do I? Well, in case I do, it's warm, happy, and extremely optimistic. It's fun to fantasize about things. Truly one of the greatest love songs of all-time. Plus the song came from Aladdin. Gotta love that my boy Aladdin was about to get it in with Jasmine, too.

#28
Utada Hikaru - This One (Crying Like a Child) ->

Hikaru comes through with another beauty. I think this is the best song is her best English-language song. She always manages to put references into her work that put US pop artists to shame. I wish she could have made it over here, but then again, I'm glad she wasn't able to be corrupted and used, either. This one is her singing about some regret and longing for a lost love. And even at the end of it all, she still wishing them happiness forever. Lovely.

#27
Nujabes featuring Minmi - Song of Four Seasons ->

Nujabes reworked his track "Beat Lament the World" with the talented Japanese hip-hop/soca/reggae mistress Minmi for a bittersweet ballad of hope and acceptance. This was the ending track for Samurai Champloo, so I can tell why this was made the way it was. Still beautiful, though.

#26
Final Fantasy IX - Rose of May ->

Rose of May is my ultimate medieval-era song. My heart feels like fluttering when I hear this.

#25
Laura Shigihara - Rewind ->

I have a huge crush on Laura Shigihara. I have seen many women gamers in my life, but (almost) none who aren't in it to be attention whores. I can tell she's a true gamer at heart and she has a gentleness about her that I find completely genuine. She's the songwriter for Plants vs. Zombies and did the "Zombies On Your Lawn" theme song. However, that's now what I want to highlight here. Rewind is an original song she wrote and it makes me tear up every time. As the lady says herself, Rewind is a song about how fleeing life is and how easy it is to feel regret over taking someone for granted after they're gone. Her beautiful voice just make this song that more soulful.

#24
Rich Mullins - Awesome God ->

One of my favorite Christian songs ever. The chorus explains everything I have to say about the song, really:

Our God is an awesome God,
He reigns from Heaven above
with wisdom, power and love,
our God is an awesome God.

Amen!

#23
Final Fantasy VI - Aria di Mezzo Carattere ->

The opera scene. The singing doesn't have an audible voice, but it conveys more emotion than most of the music put out today, to paraphrase a commenter on Youtube. But I relate to that sentiment 100%. The hope and despair that flow from the song into me is awe-inspiring.

#22
Nujabes - Aruarian Dance ->

Once again, Nujabes is on the list. Shocking, right? That said, I've imagined sitting on my back porch in the Japanese countryside, a clear, starry sky with the moon full and bright, as I sip my tea and drink the scenery in, with this playing in the background. I would love to experience that once in my life.

#21
Nujabes - Mystline ->

Nujabes back so soon?! Why not? I listen to a lot of Nujabes to clear my head and escape to another world deep within my soul. That place where everything is fine and I'm the master of my universe. Mystline is like an A-train to that paradise for me.

#20
Full Metal Alchemist - Brothers (English by Vic Mignogna) ->

This one really makes me feel for the Elric brothers. Accompanied by the rich sound of the instrumental, which sounds something like music you would hear in a shrine, the lyrics tell of how hurt they were, how desperate they were for their mother and speak of the relationship the brothers had. Ed taking responsibility for what happened to his brother and Al making sure Ed knows that he was a willing participant in the event that changed their lives forever. The pure emotion makes me cry internally.

#19
Super Metroid - Red Soil Swampy Area ->

How many people couldn't see this coming up on my list? It's no surprise that it is, though. Super Metroid's music is creepy and soul-touching. This one embodies the essence of actually being alone in a hostile place. It really feels like the planet is trying to get you. The breakdown at 1:21 that repeats later is just the absolute height of the song is goosebumps good.

#18
Ikue Asazaki - Obokuri Eeumi (from Samurai Champloo) ->

This song from Samurai Champloo has got to be one of the saddest songs I've ever heard that I can't understand. The singer's worn, world-weary voice conveys so much of the emotion of the piece itself. The accompanying piano and track lift this up into such a place where I have such a reverence for this song that I'm almost always mentally bowing my head in observance. It just sounds like she's talking about a long, hard, sad life.

#17
Demon's Crest - A Sunken Aqueduct ->

A game that sadly few people have ever played or heard. Demon's Crest's music is filled with gothic-sounding music, heavy on the organ, which is actually quite rare for a game soundtrack. There are many pieces in this game that deserve a mention, but none so touched me as this one, which played during the water level in the game. And you could almost feel it yourself. The song feels heavy and waterlogged. This song is so deep. The dread is palpable. The beauty is, as well.

#16
Aphex Twin - Avril 14th ->

I'd never even heard of Aphex Twin until I heard this. I never saw Marie Antoinette, the movie which featured this piece, either. I actually first heard this as the Lonely Island track "Iran (so far away)". But when I heard it, I was like "damn, that track is just phenomenal!" and I decided to look up the original. Major props to Lonely Island for the arrangement, but the original is in me and it won't get out. It sounds like something that might have been played in a ball back in the 1700s or something in high and proper manors. But that doesn't mean a lay person like you or me can't enjoy it, right? The piano is so light and airy. It feels like magic. PS, Aphex Twin's photo kinda freaks me out some.

#15
Tsuchie - Thank You ->

This song is making my eyes water and sting right now. How can something that sounds so lonely sound so beautiful at the same time? This is the work of a true music artist.

#14
Nujabes featuring Shing02 - Luv (Sic) Part 2 ->

Yep, Nujabes is back with Shing02's lyrics. His entire flow is just unreal. He was definitely inspired by Nujabes' track to spit some hot fire. I love this because it's so inspirational and me. As someone said in the comments, I can feel his spirit as he speaks about about meeting someone, humanity in general, and the lost. This is what hip-hop CAN be. It can be used to heal and be soulful. His vibe surely brings out the best in me. And all good souls, may they rest in peace.

#13
Elfen Lied - Lilium ->

Talking about weighty and heavy songs, this one feels like a ton of bricks in a gravity well. Truly, there is beauty in sadness. The melody is just full and gorgeous. The mood is quite somber and morose, pretty much like the entirety of this anime (and the more-complete manga that spawned from). Just very haunting.

#12
Mother/EB 0/Catherine Warwick - Pollyanna (I Believe in You) from Mother Vocal Album ->

Unwavering optimism in the face of adversity is something I try to live by because of Earthbound. I keep this in my heart almost 24/7. No matter how many times I've been sh*t on, no matter how many times I have been disappointed, or lied to, or hurt...I believe the morning sun will shine again. I believe there will come a day...maybe it will be tomorrow, that things are going to be different and I'll be all good. Otherwise, it feels like the world and its horrors have won against me.

#11
Utada Hikaru - Automatic ->

Back when I first heard this, I was still struggling with the lies I had been told about certain groups of people in America. I felt so bad that I didn't know what to do or who to trust. I didn't trust any American singer talking about relationship anything. No one felt like they were genuine as they were singing. It was more like they were hitting all the required notes for a singer. You have to have your club song, your love ballad, your inspirational piece, etc. It just felt like American singers just were going by the numbers. And I had a hard enough time believing ANYTHING that certain group of people said. And then I heard Utada sing Automatic. I could FEEL her speaking honestly with me. The lyrics were quite different from the usual tripe I heard over here. I felt like I could believe her and she's been my muse ever since. I love her.

#10
The Babystars - Hikari e (One Piece 3rd Opening) ->

We've finally made it to the Top 10! Starting us off is this gem by The Babystars called Hikari e! It's all about the lyrics reflecting how I've been feeling. This encompasses the desire I have to find what I've always dreamed about in this big world of ours. I do believe it's out there. No matter how bad things are here, it's certainly not the same all over. I just have to follow my passion and seek out my dream.

Here's a lyrics page:
http://www.animelyrics.com/anime/onepiece/hikarie.htm

#9
Laura Shigihara - Everything's Alright ->

Laura has such a pulse on me with this one. Her voice is so angelic and the lyrics are so good it just drills through all the rough stuff in my life. It feels like she's talking to me and me alone. Then later evoking my voice in the second verse. The piano work is just on another level, too. I consider this the best work she's ever done til now. I can't talk this one up enough. Beautiful voice, beautiful lyrics, beautiful song.

#8
Nujabes - Another Reflection ->

This is what heaven sounds like. Nujabes final entry in this list is as magnificent as all the rest of his works. But why would I put this one so high over all of the rest of his work? The answer is: I don't know. This is one time where my soul is telling me something and I can't explain with my brain. This makes me feel. As in, the essence of feeling when you heard such artistic music. You can't describe what's happening to you, but it's akin to magic. Everyone who listens to Nujabes will have one of these experiences. If not this song, then it'll be another of his. But the fact remains, one of his pieces will put you in the same bind I'm in now. And that's amazing.

#7
Michael W. Smith - Friends ->

The ultimate song about friendship, imo. It emcompasses all of the aspects of friendship in this world. The camaraderie, the love, and the eventual loss of the bonds that we create in this world. I know there are some atheists or agnostics on the forums and I am actually friends with some of you. Even though the song says that "friends are friends forever, if the Lord's the Lord of them", I want you to know that my love for you is forever, no matter the faith. I think God would understand that.

#6
The Wingless - All the World in One Girl (Super Metroid OCRemix of Brinstar Red Soil Swampy Area) ->

If I never told you that this was a remix of the dark, moody Brinstar track, you would have probably never guessed it. This track sounds like a celebration of life. It's so perky, upbeat and down-right feel-good that I can't help but adore it. I've fantasized about flying through rainbow-colored skies wrapped in a bubble of warmth and kindness. This song is perfect. I would not change a single note. And, by the way, his track has a companion piece that is equally fantastic called...One Girl in All the World! I'll have that in a special post part later.

#5
Final Fantasy X-2 - Eternity: Memory of Lightwaves ->

This would probably be the only reason that Final Fantasy X-2 would be on a favorite list of any kind of music, especially after that "What Can I Do For You?" song. That said, this is one of the best FF themes of all time. The piece is so peaceful and melodic. I'd heard this one once before years ago, but I had forgotten where I heard it until I started to play the game. Imagine my surprise and elation! I actually stayed on the title screen for a good long while. Hell, every time I picked up the game, I would just let the song play until the end and THEN press start. This has a little bit of everything and it just works.

#4
Helen Reddy - Candle on the Water (from Disney's Pete's Dragon) ->

This song gets me bad. This chick is really loyal. She sings with such a powerful, resolute voice devoid of autotune, encouraging her beau to hold on and telling him that she'll be waiting with her hand outstretched to welcome him home when he finds his way. They don't make songs like this anymore. I've never even seen this movie, but it feels like I know everything about it. Even though I don't know where a dragon would fit in, but dammit, I don't care. This song is full of meaning and substance and that's just fulfilling.

#3
Michael Jackson - You Are Not Alone ->

This song took on a whole new meaning after the King of Pop died. The beat is one-of-a-kind and the lyrics are relatable and applicable in almost as many ways as there are people to hear them. I have to admit, I couldn't stand to listen to any of his stuff for months after he died because it was just too painful. That dude was my childhood. The coolest musician on the entire planet. The superstar that makes OTHER superstars get star-struck. I refuse to believe that God would put the talent to create such beautiful music into someone who could do the things they accused him of doing. That said, I guess it's a good thing that he left this song to the world. It reminds me that the King of Pop will live on as long as I remember him. Rest in peace, MJ.

#2
My Little Pony - Friendship is Magic - Smile Song (aka Smile Smile Smile) ->

As a brony currently collecting disability due to being unable to work because of my complete obsession with watching My Little Pony - Friendship is Magic all day long, there should be no shock from any of you that something from the show would make the list. However, why the Smile Song? That's simple. This song single-handedly changed my entire outlook on life. For far too long, I put so much effort in trying to get people to like me (people who ended up hurting me constantly) that I was ignoring the people who actually already did! I realized when listening to this song that I should stop focusing on those people who would never care for me as much as my friends did and put that attention where it was actually appreciated instead.

At my core, I believe I am a good person. I like to do nice things for people. But so many times, I've had my kindness treated like a disease. I don't want to be around people like that. I want to smile forever. I want to make people smile. The love I have in my heart for the people I care about is nothing to be ashamed or bashful about. I have love in my heart and I'm going to let people know about it.

Pinkie's song runs the gamut of cheery romp to a little sad (admitting that sometimes it can get sad), but in the end, defiantly, declaring that you're gonna be happy eventually and sad times be damned! Come on everypony, smile!

#1
Earthbound - Smiles and Tears ->

Smiles and Tears is my #1 favorite soul-touching song of all time. I was trying to decide between having the 2010 vocal version and the original SNES version featured, but I decided to stick with the original sound.

What can I say about this track besides everything? I remember the summers I spent playing Earthbound and exploring the best game ever made. This song IS the journey you had, the differences you made, the sacrifices you paid, the emotions you felt, the people you met, and the evils you stood up to in your travels. This is one game I hope that future generations can experience and enjoy as much as I did when I was a child.

This is one of maybe 5 songs that has ever made me feel emotional enough to cry manly tears. Not just one lone tear. I'm talking about double-barrels here. It's intense feelings of nostalgia mixed in with the notes painted in my ears by the maestros over at APE and Nintendo. It's one of the songs that I'm thankful to God that they were made because it makes my existence a better one. And when it's time for me to go home, I would leave this song to all of my friends.

"I miss you."

Thank you, Itoi!

#Cheat
DJ Okawari - Luv Letter ->

Yeah, I'm cheating. The thing is, I found this song a few days after I had already completed my list and going back in would have completely screwed up the ordering and I didn't want to do that. That said, this SONG. This is heart-breakingly soulful. My first thought: it's almost like God in musical form. Had I found this before making the list, I would have certainly put it in the top 20 at least. Maybe even the top 10. I'm in love with this song.

Looking forward to seeing how this list fills! You cannot go wrong with Nujabes(Also, Mr. Rogers), ever. I loved the past VG lists. Good work.

Was surprised to see a song from KISS (my favorite band) on there. Can't wait to see more.

Thanks for responding to the thread, you two!

Yeah, man, KISS is pretty good. I haven't heard a lot of their stuff, but I like what I've heard.

Next 10 up.

Just finally caught up listening to everything thus far. You definitely have some... unique choices. But had I done a list like this, so would I. I look on in anticipation for the rest.

Haha, I know you're thinking to yourself "wtf, how could that be a song to touch someone?"

Really, these first ones are the ones that have touched me, but touched me less than the ones as we move higher up the list. So hold off on the dirty looks, aight?

By the way, next 10 up.

Aquatic Ambiance showed up way too soon. Absolutely love that song. And on the subject of Disney, I expect to see a certain song a good bit later. I like the ones you posted though.

LOL. How are you gonna tell me that a song popped up too early in MY soul-touching music list? It's not like this can be objectively compared like my previous "best boss music" list.

GUESS WHAT LANTIS. AQUATIC AMBIANCE DIDNT TOUCH MY LIFE AS MUCH AS THE SONGS THAT BEAT IT RIGHT NOW OKAY? IS YOUR BUTT HURT TOO MUCH? I GOT PREPARATION H IF YOU NEED IT.

But thanks for listening so far.

And the next 10 are up.

All caps rage achieved!

*fist pump*