Blinded By Light

"Blinded By Light" is the main battle theme of Final Fantasy XIII and one of its most prominent tracks, its theme being a leitmotif for the main character Lightning. It was the first piece written for the game, created for the E3 debut trailer in 2006. It was composed by Masashi Hamauzu and arranged by Ryo Yamazaki.
Hamauzu wanted to create something with a catchy melody without being too straightforward. Unusual for a battle theme, it features violins as the main instrument accompanied by strong percussion.
== Development ==
== Game appearances ==
=== Final Fantasy XIII ===
"Blinded By Light" is the most prominent battle theme with numerous arrangements. It is the 1st track of the second disc on the Final Fantasy XIII: Original Soundtrack.
An extended version is used as the battle theme for the majority of the game. The original, shorter version is used for battles in the first three chapters, as well as battles in the Mah'habara Subterra. The extended version titled "M5_2 "Blinded By Light" Long Version" was included in the Final Fantasy XIII: Original Soundtrack PLUS as the 15th track.
Arrangements include the background theme of the introductory movie sequence "Defiers of Fate," which is later mixed into a battle theme for the Palamecia. "Defiers of Fate" is the 4th track of the soundtrack's first disc, while its mix is included in the Original Soundtrack PLUS album as the 5th track. The character theme of Lightning is a piano arrangement of "Blinded By Light", and is the 10th track of the second disc of the original soundtrack. "Yaschas Massif", the 5th track of the fourth disc of the soundtrack, is a bossa nova arrangement of "Blinded By Light" and serves as the background theme of the eponymous location.
The motif of "Blinded By Light" is included in "Forever Fugitives" and "To Hunt L'Cie", the 15th and 18th tracks of the second disc, which play during Snow Villiers's flashback of Serah Farron's capture by Anima and the ambush at Palumpolum respectively; "Dust to Dust", the background theme of Oerba; the character theme of Fang; and its climax is included in "Determination", the theme for the ending cinematic.
==== Final Fantasy XIII-2 ====
"Blinded By Light" plays as the background theme in the Vile Peaks 200 AF and in the Serendipity slot machines when the player is in Victory Mode, and also as the battle theme for New Bodhum 700 AF. It also plays during the Beginner's Primer summary for Chapter 1.
The Final Fantasy XIII-2: Original Soundtrack also contains a quantity of new tracks that pay homage to "Blinded By Light".
Arrangements of "Blinded By Light" include Lightning's new personal theme, "Lightning's Theme - Unprotected Future -", distinct from the original character theme due to its slower pace. It plays when she meets with Noel Kreiss and her sister, Serah Farron, at New Bodhum 700 AF, and later as the background theme. "Warrior Goddess", "Etro's Champion", and "Tears of the Goddess" use "Blinded By Light"'s structure, but the two latter tracks also use its pace and have distinct climaxes. "Warrior Goddess" plays during the first battle against Caius Ballad, while "Etro's Champion" plays during the first battle against Chaos Bahamut and as the battle theme for a Dying World 700 AF. "Tears of the Goddess" plays during the cutscene which shows Lightning's arrival in Valhalla and becoming Etro's protector.
"Divine Conflict", "An Arrow Through Time", "A World Without Cocoon", "A Fading Miracle", and "Etro's Gate" refer to or include parts "Blinded By Light"'s motif. "Divine Conflict" plays during the scene where Lightning saves Noel in Valhalla and during the aerial fight against Chaos Bahamut, and "An Arrow Through Time" plays when Lightning asks Noel to find Serah and he leaps into the Time Gate. "A World Without Cocoon" plays in New Bodhum 3 AF when Serah meets Mog and learns that Noel met Lightning in Valhalla. "A Fading Miracle" plays during the cutscene in New Bodhum 700 AF, where Lightning tells Serah and Noel about Caius Ballad's plan to make Cocoon fall and turn the world into another Valhalla. "Etro's Gate" plays during the cutscene that shows Lightning's fate after the events of Final Fantasy XIII. All of these tracks were composed by Masashi Hamauzu.
The Final Fantasy XIII-2: Original Soundtrack PLUS contains a rearrangement of "Blinded By Light" titled "yuza_050", which plays when Noel, Serah, and Mog arrive in Valhalla.
Hamauzu named "Etro's Champion" his favorite piece from the soundtrack, because he had put a lot of thought into it; Hamauzu composed the track right after the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami and in a meeting with the game's director, Motomu Toriyama, he had asked Hamauzu to write a battle song that would encourage the listener. Hamauzu had an idea flash in his head right then and there of a song in a major chord, with a chorus that involved a melody with half notes that sounded as if taking one step at a time to climb to the top.Meet Final Fantasy XIII's sound team
==== Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII ====
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"Crimson Blitz" , the song featured in various trailers, contains the vocal segment of "Blinded By Light" played during concerts of IMERUAT, with "Will to Fight" mixed into it. "Crimson Blitz" is composed by Masashi Hamauzu and arranged by Hamauzu and Ryo Yamazaki, and was released on iTunes in promotion of the game. "The Savior" is another song modeled after "Blinded By Light" composed by Naoshi Mizuta with classical and electronic elements. Like "Crimson Blitz", "The Savior" was released on iTunes to promote the game. "Crimson Blitz" is the main battle theme of Luxerion, while "The Savior", called "Savior of Souls" on the soundtrack, is the main battle theme for the Wildlands.
The original "Blinded By Light" plays in Luxerion Cathedral's Altar of Atonement, during battle within certain areas inside the Temple Ruins and when battling Snow Villiers at the Patron's Palace.
"Blinded By Light" is used as a leitmotif throughout the soundtrack, as the composers wished to reinforce the game's emphasis on Lightning as a character."Inside The Square": Director's Cut -- LIGHTNING RETURNS: FINAL FANTASY XIII An orchestral rendition of "Blinded By Light" appears during the credits, and samples of it are used in "Humanity's Tale", the theme for the ending cinematic. It makes a last appearance in "Credits - Light Eternal -", where "Blinded By Light" plays directly after "Caius's Theme", and is the longest segment of the track. A reprise of "Blinded By Light" is heard in the mid-section of "Lost Souls - Caius & Yeul -" and in "Noel and Yeul - The Promise -." "Blinded by Light" can also be heard within the track "Chaos" during the second portion that begins at 2:34, typically played in-game when staggering an opponent at low HP when the theme is already playing.
A 16-bit version of the theme appears the Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII Retro-spective trailer.
===== "Crimson Blitz" lyrics =====
The official lyrics were released on the Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII: Original Soundtrack.
:A flash breaks darkness
:Face a dying world
:All for a new world
:Souls are lead to their final salvation
=== Final Fantasy XIV ===
The original version of "Blinded By Light" is used as a battle theme for all FATEs of the collaboration event Lightning Strikes, except the final battle against the Aspect of Chaos.
===Final Fantasy XV===
"Blinded By Light" is the fourth track of the Memories of FFXIII, which is available by default in the music player.
=== Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy ===
An arrangement of "Blinded By Light" by Mitsuto Suzuki is included as "Blinded By Light -arrange- from FINAL FANTASY XIII". It is the 12th track of the game's original soundtrack second disc. It takes a lot of inspiration from "Defiers of Fate".
It is one of the default themes for battles against Lightning, or any battle with Orphan's Cradle as the arena. It is similar to "Defiers of Fate" from Final Fantasy XIII.
====Dissidia Final Fantasy NT====
The Dissidia 012 arrangement is a default battle music. The Dissidia NT arrangement, as well as the original PlayStation 3 version, can be bought from the shop for 3,600 gil. The NT arrangement was also arranged by Mitsuto Suzuki. The arrangement from Final Fantasy Record Keeper was available as a Dissidia Summer Festival Live bonus.
"Blinded By Light from FINAL FANTASY XIII (NT Arrangement)" is track 3 of disc 2 on the Dissidia Final Fantasy NT Original Soundtrack Vol. 3.
=== Theatrhythm Final Fantasy ===
"Blinded By Light" is available as a bonus Battle Music Sequence, available as an Encore track. A rearrangement of "Blinded By Light" by Tsutomu Narita plays as the background in the Challenge section. Both are included on Theatrhythm Final Fantasy Compilation Album.
"Defiers of Fate" was selected as the Event Music Sequence for the Final Fantasy XIII Series Mode, and is also playable as a Battle Music Sequence exclusively as a Dark Note. This Dark Note can only be played at the Chaos Shrine mode. This theme also appears on the Theatrhythm Final Fantasy Compilation Album.
"Etro's Champion" is a bonus Battle Music Sequence available as downloadable content.
==== Theatrhythm Final Fantasy Curtain Call ====
"Blinded By Light", "Defiers of Fate", and "Etro's Champion" is Battle Music Sequences, while "Crimson Blitz" is introduced as a BMS for Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII. All songs are available in the base game. "Crimson Blitz" also appears on the Best of Theatrhythm Final Fantasy Curtain Call album.
====Theatrhythm Final Fantasy All-Star Carnival====
"Blinded By Light" is a playable Battle Music Sequence. It is available to the player by default.
Difficulty	Difficulty	Difficulty	Difficulty	Difficulty
Beginner 	Basic 	Expert 	Ultimate 	Transcendent
N/A 	3 	4 	8 	11
The Final Fantasy Record Keeper arrangement of "Blinded By Light" is also playable as a Battle Music Sequence. It is available to the player by default.
Difficulty	Difficulty	Difficulty	Difficulty	Difficulty
Beginner 	Basic 	Expert 	Ultimate 	Transcendent
N/A 	3 	5 	9 	13
====Theatrhythm Final Bar Line====
===Final Fantasy Explorers===
"Blinded By Light" appears in the game. It is a bonus track on the Final Fantasy Explorers Original Soundtrack.
===World of Final Fantasy===
A new arrangement called "Prismelody: Blinded by Light" plays when using Lightning's Champion Medal. It takes some elements from "Crimson Blitz" and "The Savior". It was arranged by Masashi Hamauzu and Shingo Kataoka.
It is track 13 of disc 4 on the World of Final Fantasy Original Soundtrack.
===Final Fantasy Record Keeper===
"Blinded By Light" incorrectly plays in a select few Final Fantasy V and Final Fantasy VI Core Dungeons instead of the music associated with the aforementioned games.
"Blinded By Light (FFRK Ver. Arrange from FFXIII)" is an arrangement which appears in the game. It was arranged by Tadayoshi Makino and the violin was played by Tomoko Akaboshi. It is track 19 on the Final Fantasy Record Keeper Original Soundtrack.
"Blinded By Light" is included as part of the 6th anniversary special arrange medley, taken from the top 10 music from All Final Fantasy Big Vote.
===Mobius Final Fantasy===
The lead movement of "Blinded By Light" plays rapidly as the "Lightning: FFXIII" card is invoked. This card was offered as part of the Lightning Resurrection Challenge and carries the Thunderfall ability, which for 3-4 Wind orbs unleashes multiple concurrent hits against one target.
== Arrangement album appearances ==
=== Piano Collections: Final Fantasy XIII ===
A piano arrangement combining "Blinded By Light" with "Lightning's Theme" was included. It starts off with the silent and melodic "Lightning's Theme" before changing into the faster "Blinded By Light". It was arranged by Masashi Hamauzu and performed by Aki Kuroda. It is the 1st track of the album.
=== SQ Chips ===
The theme appears in the 8-bit arrangement album featuring tracks from several Square Enix games. It was arranged by Hidekazu Tanaka. It is the 3rd track in the album.
It is also included on the Last SQ album.
=== Final Fantasy Tribute ~Thanks~ ===
"Blinded By Light" is incorporated into the medley titled "Battle Medley 2 (Fight On! ~ Blinded By Light ~ Assault)" which was arranged by →Pia-no-jaC← and Nobuhiko Kashiwara.
=== Final Fantasy Orchestral Album ===
"Blinded By Light" is the 13th song of the final track of this album, "Battle Medley 2012 (Final Fantasy I – XIV)," orchestrated by Hiroyuki Nakayama.
=== Distant Worlds III: more music from Final Fantasy ===
A studio recording of "Blinded By Light" appears on this album. It was conducted by Arnie Roth and performed by the Distant Worlds Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus.
=== Square Enix Jazz -Final Fantasy- ===
A jazz arrangement of "Blinded By Light" appears on the album, arranged by Eijiro Nakagawa.
== Live performances ==
=== Distant Worlds: Music from Final Fantasy Returning Home ===
An orchestral arrangement of "Blinded By Light" by Masashi Hamauzu which was conducted by Arnie Roth and performed by the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra is present on the third Distant Worlds album. It was originally performed in Tokyo in November 2010. It was the 16th song of the concert's line-up and is the 5th track of the second disc of the concert's recording.
=== Distant Worlds: music from Final Fantasy The Celebration ===
An orchestral arrangement of "Blinded By Light" by Masashi Hamauzu was performed for the concerts commemorating 25th anniversary. The recording on the album was performed by the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra at the Tokyo International Forum.
=== A New World: intimate music from Final Fantasy ===
A live recording of "The Promise - Blinded By Light" from at the London premiere of the concert of the same name on February 15, 2014 is included on this album. It was performed by Benyamin Nuss on the piano and Arnie Roth on the solo violin.
===Pianoschlacht===
"Blinded By Light" was arranged by Masashi Hamauzu as a piano trio and was performed during the Pianoschlacht concerts.
The performance at Pianoschlacht II mit Kammermusik on December 23, 2014 at Ongaku no Tomo Hall in Tokyo was recorded live.http://www.monomusik.com/piasch2.htmlhttp://masashihamauzu.com/pslive/ It was performed by Benyamin Nuss (piano), Hijiri Kuwano (violin), and Takahiro Yuki (cello). The live recording was uploaded on Hamauzu's official YouTube channel and was released on the Pianoschlacht Live: Masashi Hamauzu Music Works album.https://x.com/MONOMUSIK/status/572348401402048512
The piano medley "Lightning's Theme - Blinded By Light" was performed by Benyamin Nuss at Pianoschlacht III on October 14, 2023 at Jiyu Gakuen Myonichikan Auditorium, Tokyo.https://x.com/MONOMUSIK/status/1741003186608156938 The performance was available to stream from January 6 to January 12, 2024.https://ib.eplus.jp/pianoschlacht3
"Blinded By Light" was performed as a piano trio again at Pianoschlacht IV mit Kammermusik in September 2024. It was performed by Benyamin Nuss (piano), Koichiro Muroya (violin), and Takahiro Yuki (cello).http://masashihamauzu.com/ps4
===Other===
IMERUAT, a music group founded by Masashi Hamauzu and Mina Sakai, performs a vocal arrangement of "Blinded By Light" during their concerts.
== Compilation album appearances ==
=== Final Fantasy XIII Original Sound Selection ===
"Blinded By Light" was included on the European Collectors Edition of Final Fantasy XIII.
=== W/F: Music from Final Fantasy XIII ===
"Blinded By Light" was also included in this "best of" type vinyl album. It is the third track of Side B.
=== W/F: Music from Final Fantasy XIII -Gentle Reveries- ===
"Yaschas Massif" was included in this "best of" type vinyl album. It is the third track of Side B.
==Behind the scenes==
A sidequest in Final Fantasy XV: Episode Prompto is called "Blinded by White".
==Citations==
Category:Battle themes from Final Fantasy XIII
Category:Field themes from Final Fantasy XIII-2
Category:Battle themes from Final Fantasy XIII-2
Category:Field themes from Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII
Category:Battle themes from Final Fantasy XIV
Category:Battle themes from Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy
Category:Battle themes from Theatrhythm Final Fantasy
Category:Battle themes from Theatrhythm Final Fantasy Curtain Call