Soundtrack of Avatar: The Last Airbender

:This article is about the soundtrack of Avatar: The Last Airbender. For other similar uses, see Soundtrack (disambiguation).
Avatar: The Last Airbender has an expansive soundtrack produced by the Track Team, consisting of Jeremy Zuckerman and Benjamin Wynn. The soundtrack has many Eastern influences, reflecting that the show contains many connections to Eastern culture, with Zuckerman spending time learning from musicians that were experienced with Chinese instruments, making the score authentic, original, and emotional, as the creators wanted musicians that had not been already established as animation composers in order to make the soundtrack unique to the show.DiMartino, Michael Dante; Konietzko, Bryan; Zuckerman, Jeremy & Wynn, Benjamin (January 22, 2008). "The Day of Black Sun, Part 1: The Invasion" commentary. Book 3: Fire, Volume 2 DVD.DiMartino, Michael Dante; Konietzko, Bryan; Dos Santos, Joaquim & Zuckerman, Jeremy (July 1, 2014). "Light in the Dark" commentary. Book Two: Spirits Blu-ray. Zuckerman and Wynn created most of the series' music with MIDI tracks, but compositions for the final episodes in "Sozin's Comet" were performed by a live ensemble.DiMartino, Michael Dante & Konietzko, Bryan (July 29, 2008). "Sozin's Comet, Part 1: The Phoenix King" commentary. Book 3: Fire, Volume 4 DVD.
== List of tracks ==
The following details many of the songs from Avatar: The Last Airbender that have been made available, not only from the show but also created by the Track Team for the series' video games as well. The official soundtrack for Book One: Water was released on both vinyl and digital on November 17, 2023, coming after the release of a single Aang Becomes Ocean earlier in the year on July 28.
Video	Name	Description
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=== The Avatar's Love ===	Sometimes referred to as the "Kataang" theme, the full song is played in the final scene of the show. However, small parts of it are played during romantic moments between Aang and Katara in various episodes, such as during their time in the Cave of Two Lovers, as well as many happy endings with the team riding on Appa.
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=== The Blue Spirit ===	Originally created for episode thirteen, "The Blue Spirit", this song is meant to emphasize the stealthiness of Zuko's alternate identity. It uses the duduk, which is the instrument that provides the sound for the tsungi horn. Iroh talks about playing the tsungi horn in "The Blue Spirit" when this music is first heard.
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=== Avatar Theme Remake ===	A remake of the Avatar Theme.
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=== Reconciliation ===	This song is played during "Sozin's Comet, Part 2: The Old Masters" when Zuko enters Iroh's tent in the White Lotus camp. Zuko begins to apologize for his choices in Ba Sing Se at the beginning of the song, telling his uncle how sorry and ashamed he is of his actions. Iroh unexpectedly grabs Zuko and embraces him tightly, saying he was never angry with him, only sad. The sudden crescendo at 0:20 represents this abrupt "reconciliation".
The beginning of the song also plays occasionally throughout the series when Zuko or other characters are experiencing emotional turmoil and inner conflict.
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=== Dai Li ===	This theme is usually played when the Dai Li are present in a scene.
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=== Agni Kai ===	This is the song played during the conflict between Zuko and Admiral Zhao. It is also played during the fight scene between Zuko and Aang in the second episode, "The Avatar Returns".
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=== The End of Avatar ===	This is only found in the end credits of the last episode "Sozin's Comet, Part 4: Avatar Aang" the last episode in place of the usual end credits.
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=== The Avatar State ===	Representing the Avatar State, this song is usually played when any Avatar goes into this state, though only when it is triggered by anger. It was first played in "The Southern Air Temple", when Aang was enraged by Monk Gyatso's death, for a second time when he thought General Fong had killed Katara, and later when he found the sandbenders who stole Appa in "The Desert".
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=== Avatar Theme Song ===	This song is played at the opening sequence of each episode and lengthened in "The Boy in the Iceberg" because of the longer opening sequence. During this sequence, Katara's voice introduces the situation of the series.
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=== Princess Yue ===	Despite its name, this is not a character theme. It is played when the citizens of the Northern Water Tribe notice the soot falling from the sky along with the snow. As they rush toward the chief's temple, Yue tells Sokka that they cannot be together. Sokka is upset, but the Tribal Princess runs off toward the temple ahead of him.
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=== Safe Return ===	This theme is usually heard when Team Avatar has resolved a problem and the episode is ending. The most well-known use of this song takes place as Appa is flying toward the full moon. It is followed by the end credits.
This particular song is played when Aang returns Tom-Tom to Mai's parents, hence the name "Safe Return".
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=== Peace Excerpt ===	This is played before and during Zuko's speech as the new Fire Lord. He says he intends to start an era of peace between the four nations. The unexpected minor chord at the end is the segue between this scene and the next, which is when Zuko asks his father where Ursa is. The full composition, which also includes "The Avatar's Love", can be heard on Jeremy Zuckerman's personal website.
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=== Ba Sing Se ===	This theme is played when Team Avatar rides on a monorail through the Inner Wall, revealing the stunning view of the Earth Kingdom capital.
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=== Azula's Theme ===	This is the theme played when Azula is present. The only time the entire theme is played is during "The Avatar State" when Azula makes her first appearance (other than the small scene at the end of "The Siege of the North, Part 2" and the flashback in "The Storm"). There was only one occasion in which the theme was played when Azula was not there, and that was when Zuko was imitating her in "The Western Air Temple".
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=== Zuko on the Mount ===	This song is played while Zuko is standing atop a mountain, trying to get lightning to strike him, so he could redirect it. He had recently learned how to do so from Iroh in the episode "Bitter Work". After screaming at the sky, Zuko begins to howl in frustration.
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=== Yuyan capture Aang ===	This particular variant of the song is played during the scene in "The Blue Spirit" as the Yuyan Archers ambush Aang. They swing from trees using ropes tied to their arrows and shoot large nets to trap the Avatar. Eventually, they succeed in their mission and take Aang to the Pohuai Stronghold.
The song is largely used for Prince Zuko at any time he fights using his dual broadswords. Later in the episode, when Zuko, as the Blue Spirit, and Aang attempt their escape from Pohuai Stronghold, a much longer variant of this song is played. The song is played again when Zuko runs across the breaking ice in "The Siege of the North, Part 2", when he fights the thug soldiers at the end of "Zuko Alone", and during his duel with Jet in "City of Walls and Secrets".
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=== Roku ===	This theme is played during Escape from the Spirit World during the scene where Aang speaks to Avatar Roku. He talks to Aang about how he got stuck in the Avatar state while trying to master it and ended up partially destroying the Crescent Island Fire Temple in the process.Escape from the Spirit World: Avatar Roku Online Comic Book
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=== Kyoshi ===	This theme is played during Escape from the Spirit World during the scene where Aang speaks to Avatar Kyoshi. She reveals that she trained the Dai Li in order to stop the peasant uprising.Escape from the Spirit World: Avatar Kyoshi Online Comic Book
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=== Ocean Spirit ===	This song is played when Aang and La join together to become "Koizilla". It is similar to "The Avatar State" theme, probably because the Avatar State was used to combine Aang and La.
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=== Last Agni Kai ===	The song played during the final conflict between Zuko and Azula, concluding with Zuko protecting Katara from Azula's lightning.
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=== Panda Lily ===	This song is played only once, in "The Fortuneteller", when Aang is climbing Mount Makapu to pick a panda lily for Katara. As he reaches the top and discovers the volcano will soon erupt, the music takes on an apprehensive tone.
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=== Leaves From The Vine ===	This sad song is sung by Iroh twice during "Tales of Ba Sing Se". The first time, he sings it while playing the pipa in order to calm a crying child. The second time, he sings it to honor his son, Lu Ten, during a private memorial atop a hill.
This song is in honor of Mako, the actor who voiced Iroh. "Tales of Ba Sing Se" aired shortly after he passed away. The lyrics were written by Michael Dante DiMartino.
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=== Heart Chakra ===	This song is played as Pathik helps Aang unlock the heart chakra, also known as the air chakra, during "The Guru". Aang has a deeply emotional experience as he confronts the impact that the loss of his people has had on him. The song plays again in "The Crossroads of Destiny" when Katara offers to heal Zuko's scar.
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=== Invading the Palace ===	This song is played as Team Avatar fights through the Royal Guards to the palace. It is rather long because of the length of the scene.
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=== The Final Blow ===	This piece is played as Aang slices a boulder and uses it to destroy the drill, all while avoiding Azula. The theme is reused when Aang removes Ozai's bending abilities.
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=== Swamp Fight ===	This song is played during the fight between Team Avatar and Huu in the Foggy Swamp.
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=== Tsungi horn ===	This recurring tune is played on the tsungi horn, usually by Iroh. The instrument and this theme are noticeable in both the "Blue Spirit Theme" and the song "Whose Destiny".
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=== Whose Destiny ===	This song was played in the episode "Lake Laogai" when Iroh is talking to Zuko about what he wants for his life.
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=== End Credits ===	The track played during the end credits of most Avatar episodes. It was featured in "The Firebending Masters" when Aang and Zuko go to Ran and Shaw, the last dragons. Jeremy Zuckerman and Benjamin Wynn performed the Balinese monkey chant heard throughout most of the theme.Wynn, Benjamin & Baker, Dee Bradley (September 19, 2006). "The Northern Air Temple" commentary. Book 1: Water, Volume 5 DVD.
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=== Yangchen ===	This song is played in Escape from the Spirit World when Aang meets Avatar Yangchen.Escape from the Spirit World: Avatar Yangchen Online Comic Book
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=== Into a Nighttime Sky ===	This track is played when the gang leaves the Southern Air Temple at the end of "The Southern Air Temple".
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=== Cave Jivin' ===	This song was used in "The Headband", in which Aang throws a secret dance party for Fire Nation kids. It is also played during "Sozin's Comet, Part 2: The Old Masters", in the seedy Earth Kingdom tavern where Zuko and the rest of Team Avatar find the bounty hunter June and her shirshu, Nyla, after Aang's disappearance.
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=== Scarf Dance ===	This was a deleted song for "The Headband", in which Sokka is dancing by himself.
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=== Season 3 Trailer ===	This song is played during the two Book Three trailers, and a fraction of it is played in the Legend of Korra Comic-Con teaser trailer. It is the first of many songs on Avatar's soundtrack to be used by the Brazilian Synchronized Swimming Team in preparation for the 2012 London Olympics. The video that showcased the performance was featured on Bryan Konietzko's Tumblr.
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=== Sokka's Theme ===	This is played throughout the entire series whenever Sokka comes up with a clever idea or plan.
 	
=== The Northern Water Tribe ===	The theme music that is played for the Northern Water Tribe. It is featured when Team Avatar enters the Northern Water Tribe for the first time in "The Waterbending Master" and is repeated through the Book One finale.
 	
=== Fire Nation ===	The theme music for the Fire Nation.
 	
=== Aang's Nightmare ===	This song is featured in the episode "Nightmares and Daydreams". The song plays during Aang's nightmares regarding the Fire Lord and the upcoming invasion.
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=== Aang Faces Ozai ===	This song is featured in the episode "Sozin's Comet, Part 3: Into the Inferno". It plays while Sokka, Suki, and Toph fight the Fire Nation airship fleet and during Aang's battle with Ozai at Wulong Forest.
 	
=== Iroh's Speech ===	This song is featured in the episode "Sozin's Comet, Part 2: The Old Masters." It plays while Iroh shares the realization that his destiny is to take back Ba Sing Se for the Earth Kingdom and Team Avatar departs the White Lotus camp.
== Trivia ==
* Jeremy Zuckerman has mentioned that, besides ancient Eastern music, his work on the soundtrack of Avatar: The Last Airbender was also influenced by 20th century composers such as Krzysztof Penderecki, Iannis Xenakis, and Tōru Takemitsu.
== References ==
== See also ==
* Music in the World of Avatar
* Songs in the World of Avatar
* Avatar: The Last Airbender – Book 1: Water
* Avatar In Concert
* 
* The Legend of Korra: Original Music From Book One
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