| 1 | ->''This is my cheesy song for an RPG\ |
| 2 | Artistically invalid, but it rhymes sufficiently\ |
| 3 | And now it modulates to D\ |
| 4 | because it is the saddest of keys\ |
| 5 | To denote the tragic romance\ |
| 6 | That ended so predictably'' |
| 7 | -->-- '''"Cheesy RPG Song"''', ending theme of ''VideoGame/TurnBasedBattle'' |
| 8 | |
| 9 | An emotional, solemn, usually slow-paced [[EndingTheme song played during the credits]]. Common especially in anime and video games. |
| 10 | |
| 11 | The most common type is a pensive, retrospective or sad AnimeThemeSong, but it can be an instrumental tune as well. Since except in [[SoundtrackDissonance some cases]] the soundtrack usually supports the temper of the ending, this is often a sign of a [[BittersweetEnding bittersweet]] or DownerEnding. May also appear for a show's GrandFinale (with or without special FinaleCredits). You may expect this to be accompanied by a CreditsMontage. |
| 12 | |
| 13 | In shows with a WrapUpSong, the final number may be a slower and sadder version of the main theme. In these cases, the "sorrow" of having to say goodbye to the viewers is mostly comic exaggeration (and they're careful to mention that they'll be back again tomorrow). |
| 14 | |
| 15 | This trope is used often differently in anime, where the opening theme is usually more exciting in order to build excitement for the coming show while the closing theme is more somber to provide a resting period or moment of reflection between shows. |
| 16 | |
| 17 | Tropes and styles commonly found in a Solemn Ending Theme: |
| 18 | * EtherealChoir |
| 19 | * JapanesePopMusic |
| 20 | * LonelyPianoPiece |
| 21 | * OneWomanWail |
| 22 | * PlayingTheHeartStrings |
| 23 | |
| 24 | Preferably provide links to the song (Youtube or otherwise) when adding examples. Take care, linked credits videos might obviously contain ending spoilers; to prevent this, it would be optimal to link the song without the credits video or mark credits videos as such. %% This has to be done yet for the already listed examples. |
| 25 | |
| 26 | Sister trope to AlbumClosure. |
| 27 | |
| 28 | ---- |
| 29 | !!Examples: |
| 30 | |
| 31 | [[foldercontrol]] |
| 32 | |
| 33 | [[folder:Anime and Manga]] |
| 34 | * ''Manga/TigerMask'' was the UrExample, which, according to ''The Tō-Ō Nippō Press'', "changed Japanese anime music". |
| 35 | * ''Anime/WolfsRain'', "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHOWudQNgAg Gravity]]". Sung in English by Creator/MaayaSakamoto. (non-spoileriffic credits video) |
| 36 | * ''Anime/CowboyBebop'' has [[http://youtu.be/nftxDrStny8 "The Real Folk Blues"]] as the answer to the intro theme [[http://youtu.be/T6zDfxZ4NcE "TANK!"]]. The series as a whole also has [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03qBqP2I4p8 "Blue"]]. |
| 37 | * ''Anime/OutlawStar'' [[http://youtu.be/d5yjcPHEhIk features this]] for the first 13 episodes, and [[http://youtu.be/EYh-dCFb4Sg a slightly less solemn one]] for the rest of the series. Yes, both far more somber than the [[http://youtu.be/xrjUj-FRorY opening theme]]. |
| 38 | * ''Literature/{{Baccano}}'', "Calling". Extremely noticeable in contrast to the jazzy upbeat opening, "Guns & Roses". |
| 39 | * The 3rd season of ''Anime/SailorMoon'' featured this in the original Japanese, it was changed to an instrumental version of the US opening credit song when it ran in syndication on Creator/CartoonNetwork. |
| 40 | * ''Anime/{{Gasaraki}}'' features one. |
| 41 | * ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion'' features Frank Sinatra's "Fly Me to the Moon" sang by several different female vocalists, each with her own unique voice style. |
| 42 | * ''Anime/ExcelSaga'' ends with a parody of this, where Menchi laments her role as the [[EmergencyFoodSupplyAnimal emergency food source]], while a woman translates her howls. The last episode parodies the parody with Menchi and the translator's roles reversed. |
| 43 | * ''Anime/TheBigO'''s ending theme ''And Forever...'' |
| 44 | * The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVS610rIqYY ending theme]] of ''Manga/QueenMillennia''. True, the title theme isn't exactly HardRock either, but the ending seems to be a bit more solemn. More pronounced in the film version where the ending theme (different from the TV series) is sung by Dara Sadaka. |
| 45 | * ''Anime/FutureWar198X'': "Pathetic Love is My Destiny" by Kazuko Kawashima. Only in the original Japanese version. The Macekered dubs replace it with a song by Asia. |
| 46 | * In comparison to the more HotBlooded opening theme and first and third endings, "Tsubasa Aru Mono," the second ending song from ''[[AudioPlay/SaintBeast Saint Beast: Kouin Jojishi Tenshi Tan]]'', is very subdued and gentle. |
| 47 | * ''Manga/{{Berserk}}'''s 1997 anime adaptation has "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MB_9-iFb9B0&list=FLqSkBarqx7oL3qVYMklBBQg&index=5&feature=plpp Waiting So Long]]", a song that manages to be both [[NarmCharm endearingly corny]] with its GratuitousEnglish, and genuinely haunting. |
| 48 | * ''Anime/Berserk2016'': ''Meimoku no Kanata'' (''Beyond Closed Eyes'') by Nagi Yanagi is the ending theme which is more slow and melancholy compared to the fiery opening ''Inferno'', and focuses on the solace that Guts seeks for the bad dreams and emotional wounds he carries with him. |
| 49 | * ''Manga/GunslingerGirl'' has another foreign-language ending theme, this time in Italian: the bleak, operatic "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMZ-yvRdAHI&feature=related Dopo il Sogno]]". |
| 50 | * ''VisualNovel/{{Higurashi|WhenTheyCry}}'''s first ending [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPTGDWY5LrU Why or Why Not]]. It even comes with a [[OnTheNextEpisodeOfCatchPhrase Next Episode]] [[OnTheNext preview]] that FITS with the end of the song! |
| 51 | * ''Manga/RainbowNishaRokubouNoShichinin'' has "A Far Off Distance" by Galneryus. |
| 52 | * ''Anime/ALittleSnowFairySugar'' has "Snow Flower". |
| 53 | * Most episodes of ''Manga/BlackLagoon'' end with the incredibly dark and somber [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY1qaWJDu0s "Don't Look Behind"]] by EDISON. |
| 54 | ** The Hansel & Gretel arc ends with the no-less solemn [[http://exhentai.org/g/595912/af30902919/ World of Midnight.]] |
| 55 | * ''Literature/GuinSaga'' has "This is my Road," sung by Music/KanonWakeshima and composed by Creator/NobuoUematsu. |
| 56 | * ''Manga/{{Mushishi}}'' has a different one for every episode. |
| 57 | * The EndingTheme for ''The Disappearance of Literature/HaruhiSuzumiya'', [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHg3yJXGkdg Yasashii Boukyaku]] (Which translates as "Tender Oblivion") doesn't even feature any instruments ([[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxmRiVdB-EI although there is a version with them]]) focusing entirely on the solitary loneliness portrayed by [[Creator/MinoriChihara Yuki Nagato]]. |
| 58 | * ''Anime/MekakucityActors'' has ''days'' as its ED, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUMnmBozJ7M accompanied by a long take of Hiyori sitting alone on the train, with the main cast slowly appearing around her]]. After Episode 4, the final shot - of Hiyori alone again - becomes quite the TearJerker, [[spoiler:as she's just died]]. |
| 59 | * The original release of the ''Anime/MobileSuitGundam'' compilation movies had the Enka style song "Cross of Sand" by Takajin Yashiki. The second movie had an unnamed EtherealChoir number amongst the stars. The third movie ended with Lala Sun's theme ("Beginning") by Daisuke Inoue. The GeorgeLucasAlteredVersion, however, replaces these second and third movie ending songs with the more fast paced Inoue song "Soldiers of Sorrow" (relocated from the final battle scene) and the more upbeat sounding "Encounters" also by Inoue. Fortunately, "Cross of Sand" was left alone in the first movie. |
| 60 | * ''Anime/RobotechLoveLiveAlive'' had the usual opening with the majestic Ulpio Minucci theme. The closing credits, surprisingly, were accompanied by the song "Only a Fool" by Gigi Agrama. This song was actually taken from the 1986 ''Robotech The Movie: The Untold Story'' which few have seen outside of bootleg. But they may recognize it from the 1995 ''Robotech'' 10th Anniversary soundtrack double CD collection. |
| 61 | * ''Manga/BlueDrop'' has ''reversed'' this for its anime; the show starts with the slow, contemplative [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-wm2CLY6tE "Blue"]], and ends with the upbeat [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXxBK9mxSos "Tsumoboshi"]], both performed by Suara. |
| 62 | * ''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagica'' somewhat did this with [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cH6NB2F-Jcw "And I'm Home"]] (Sayaka and Kyouko's character song) and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__q9fsZa5vk "Mata Ashita"]] ("See You Tomorrow"; Madoka's character song), added to the disk sets for the 9th and the first 2 episodes, respectively. Both are considerably more sappy and emotional than [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwquipMpsiQ the dark rock ending for most of the episodes.]] But the clearest example is [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAs-pbIS-KU "Hikari Furu,"]] the slow, dramatic, string-filled ending of the second CompilationMovie. |
| 63 | * ''Manga/NabariNoOu'' has the quite depressing "Aru ga Mama" as its second ending theme. |
| 64 | * While the regular ending theme of ''Anime/{{Gungrave}}'' is an upbeat [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1soyz7DeEDU Akaneiro ga Moeru Toki]], during the FinaleCredits, the slow, bittersweet tune [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSJyvn8B9a8 Happy Ending]] plays instead. |
| 65 | * ''Anime/LastExile'' has the catchy electronica "Cloud Age Symphony" to open the show with. For closing credit it uses a nostalgia reel along with shots of Alvis and the more reflective score "Over The Sky" (which has a OneWomanWail to its middle). |
| 66 | * The second ending theme for Season 2 of ''Manga/AssassinationClassroom'' has "Mata Kimi ni Aeru no Hi" (Until the Day I See You Again). |
| 67 | * ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamIronBloodedOrphans'' has "Freesia" by Uru. |
| 68 | * ''Anime/ZombielandSaga'' has "Hikari e" by [[DoItYourselfThemeTune Franchouchou]], a bittersweet song about the main characters saying goodbye to their former lives in order to start new ones. |
| 69 | * ''Literature/{{Another}}'' has "Anamnesis," a melancholy ending theme, in contrast to the dark and intense opening theme. |
| 70 | * ''Anime/AngelBeats'' has "Brave Song," a rather sad song about someone who leads a lonely existence, as its ending song. The last episode instead uses "Ichiban no Takaramono," a rather bittersweet song, for its ending. |
| 71 | * {{Zigzagged|trope}} for ''Manga/KotouraSan'''s ending theme ''Flower of Hope'', owing to the series using HealTheCutie as the theme. It starts off gloomy and solemn, fitting the series' DownerBeginning where the heroine is progressively broken, but it gets progressively brighter after the first stanza, corresponding to her recovery. |
| 72 | * ''Manga/ElfenLied'' inverts this, with the opening "Lilium" being one of the saddest opening theme ever composed to an anime, and the ending "Be Your Girl" being a very uplifting pop rock song. |
| 73 | [[/folder]] |
| 74 | |
| 75 | [[folder:Fan Works]] |
| 76 | * The epilogue of ''Fanfic/DanganronpaParadiseLost'' is set to [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTuDElqzfRw Hanatan's cover of HeavenzP's already rather bittersweet-sounding "Planetarium"]]. |
| 77 | [[/folder]] |
| 78 | |
| 79 | [[folder:Films -- Animation]] |
| 80 | * ''WesternAnimation/TheEmperorsNewGroove'' has its' credits play the very solemn, sentimental "My Funny Friend and Me" by Music/{{Sting}}. This is a [[TheArtifact leftover]] from when the film was originally going to be a more traditional, grand Disney animated musical, before it was eventually turned into the zany buddy comedy it's known as today. It's a bit [[MoodWhiplash jarring]] coming after the bombastic, energetic final note of Kuzco's theme that plays over the "The End" card. |
| 81 | * ''WesternAnimation/{{Hercules}}'' transitions to the powerful, but emotional cover of "Go the Distance" by Michael Bolton to emphasize the scope of Hercules' journey to becoming a true hero. |
| 82 | * ''WesternAnimation/PoohsGrandAdventure'' has a rock ballad cover of the film's song "Wherever You Are" play. It fits considering the film is a DarkerAndEdgier story for the ''Pooh'' franchise and has a BittersweetEnding perfect for a cover that adds onto the song's already tearjerking qualities with some uplifting power ballad material. |
| 83 | [[/folder]] |
| 84 | |
| 85 | [[folder:Films -- Live Action]] |
| 86 | * ''Film/TheLordOfTheRings'' films have different but equally solemn songs that play over the end credits. |
| 87 | ** ''[[Film/TheLordOfTheRingsTheFellowshipOfTheRing The Fellowship of the Ring]]'': Enya's [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOykCYDMKBs "May It Be"]], which has a (relatively) hopeful, hymnlike quality. |
| 88 | ** ''[[Film/TheLordOfTheRingsTheTwoTowers The Two Towers]]'': Emiliana Torrini's [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkXbzffVl44 "Gollum's Song"]], which is downright funereal. |
| 89 | ** ''[[Film/TheLordOfTheRingsTheReturnOfTheKing The Return of the King]]'': Annie Lennox's [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpdTLuqst-s "Into the West"]] completes the hat-trick. |
| 90 | * ''Film/TheHobbit'' trilogy follows its predecessor's example. |
| 91 | ** Neil Finn's [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zakVfDY0xZk "Song of the Lonely Mountain"]] is an extended version of what the Dwarves sing in ''Film/TheHobbitAnUnexpectedJourney'', somehow making the events it describes sound ''more'' sad and horrible. |
| 92 | ** ''Film/TheHobbitTheDesolationOfSmaug'': Ed Sheeran's [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uf8Fwiy0Bkc "I See Fire"]] is a mournful ballad about the inevitability of fiery, dragon-esque death. [[spoiler:Fitting, given that the film ends with Smaug setting out to destroy Esgaroth as he did Dale.]] |
| 93 | ** ''Film/TheHobbitTheBattleOfTheFiveArmies'': Billy Boyd's [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8ir8rVl2Z4 "The Last Goodbye"]], a melancholy farewell to both Bilbo's comrades and, on a meta level, the film series itself. It contains many lyrics from Bilbo's song [[http://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/The_Road_Goes_Ever_On_(song) "The Road Goes Ever On"]], which could qualify for this trope in print (at least the verses that appear near the respective ends of ''Literature/TheHobbit'' and ''Literature/TheLordOfTheRings''). |
| 94 | * ''Film/TheRockyHorrorPictureShow'' has [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HF63XNES2I "Science Fiction Double Feature (Reprise)"]], a DarkReprise of the opening song. [Spoilers in the lyrics.] |
| 95 | * ''Against All Odds'' uses the Music/PhilCollins song [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWSQS06i7-w of the same name]]. |
| 96 | * ''Film/CannibalHolocaust'' uses [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kf1Vt6r-sj8 its opening theme]]. |
| 97 | * Most of ''Film/TheHustler1961'' is devoid of any sort of music or background theme, but the end credits are accompanied by a mournful jazz piece. |
| 98 | * Sent up in ''WesternAnimation/TheLegoMovie'', where a slow guitar cover of "Everything is Awesome" - an extremely upbeat parody of shallow mainstream pop songs - plays over part of the end credits. |
| 99 | * [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7acZQQMJx6E All]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sD32CjAuwlc the]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aa9N0KIA1OY ending]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lihqBKUKrMc themes]] in the ''Franchise/{{Rambo}}'' movies. |
| 100 | * The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrcGtExwvk0 end]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNwm9_Y5QuI titles]] in ''Film/DirtyHarry'' and ''Film/MagnumForce'', with ''Film/TheEnforcer'' having a DarkReprise of the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=It_CknYecqA end titles]] as [[spoiler: [[ActionGirl Inspector Moore]] [[HeroicSacrifice sacrificed herself]] to save Harry from [[BigBad Bobby Maxwell]].]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oji9U43YLKA This Side of Forever]] from ''Film/SuddenImpact'' as well as the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwjbXz3KAqM end titles]] from ''Film/TheDeadPool'' are a bit more positive in tone, though. |
| 101 | * Music/PinkFloyd's ''Music/TheWall'' - both the film and the album - end with "[[https://youtu.be/E2DNT5bsrnY?t=9m18s Outside the Wall]]" |
| 102 | * [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVYFOlVB-Uo Shape of My Heart]] from ''Film/TheProfessional''. |
| 103 | * ''Film/ReturnOfTheJedi'': In Anakin's final moments a [[DarkReprise slowed down quieter version]] of the Imperial March plays as Luke peels of his mask and has Anakin slumps to the floor dead, symbolizing the end of Vader and the end of the Empire. When Luke cremates Vader's [[NoBodyLeftBehind empty armor]], a solemn reprise of "Binary Sunset" (AKA the Force theme) from ''Film/ANewHope'' plays. |
| 104 | * ''Film/RolliAmazingTales'' ends with the main heroes singing "Me ollaan hänen lapsiaan" ("We are his/her children" in Finnish) song, continuing over the credits. The rather melancholy song resembles an eulogy for [[spoiler:the old tree that just let itself fall to rescue the two heroes from the BigBad]] and a praise for the purity of the forest surviving after all the malevolent littering. |
| 105 | * Music/JohnnyCash's cover of [[Music/NineInchNails "Hurt"]] plays over the end credits of ''Film/{{Colombiana}}''. |
| 106 | * The end credits of ''Film/NoTimeToDie'' is set to Music/LouisArmstrong's "We Have All the Time in the World", which was previously used in ''Film/OnHerMajestysSecretService''. |
| 107 | * ''WesternAnimation/TheSnowman'''s SuddenDownerEnding appropriately uses a {{Lonely Piano| Piece}} DarkReprise of "Walking In The Air". |
| 108 | [[/folder]] |
| 109 | |
| 110 | [[folder:Live-Action TV]] |
| 111 | * Series/BetterCallSaul has several episodes in the series which have different themes. |
| 112 | ** The third season finale, [[Recap/BetterCallSaulS3E10Lantern Lantern]], has the track "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWZNASaZsYk Fallen Lantern]]" playing to fit with the ending that involves [[spoiler:Chuck's death]]. |
| 113 | ** The series finale, [[Recap/BetterCallSaulS6E13SaulGone Saul Gone]], has the track "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAiVsNlPMks Saul Done]]" playing instead. |
| 114 | * ''Series/{{Blackadder}}'': Fittingly, examples of this happen in the [[spoiler: DownerEnding of both the first and (especially) the fourth season]] (the other two did not have enough of an emotional impact to warrant any change in the credits). [[spoiler: The first ends with a solemn child's angelic voice singing lyrics more serious than the usual credits song and the fourth has no credits at all and ends with a mournful reprise of the theme and a fadeout to some poppies.]] |
| 115 | * ''Series/TheBookOfPooh'' has a sad sounding song at the end of each episode in which Winnie the Pooh and his friends bid goodbye to the viewer(s) and assure them that there will be more "adventures on the way." |
| 116 | * ''Series/UFO1970'' has a fast upbeat opening theme but closes with an ominous atmospheric piece. |
| 117 | * ''Series/GameOfThrones'', especially after important characters kick the bucket. The credits music at the end of [[spoiler:"Baelor" is particularly sad, and "The Rains of Castamere" has ''no ending credits music at all,'' due to the shock and tragedy of the Red Wedding.]] |
| 118 | * The ending theme of ''Series/TheIncredibleHulk1977'', "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0w1W5RGx9Q The Lonely Man]]". |
| 119 | * ''Series/KamenRiderBlack'': "Long Long Ago 20th Century" |
| 120 | * ''Series/TheLordOfTheRingsTheRingsOfPower'': The end-credit song at the end of episode 8x01 is called ''Where the Shadows Lie''. The song is the poem Tolkien wrote about the rings, being performed by Music/FionaApple in a ominous, hopeless manner. |
| 121 | * ''Series/TheMickeyMouseClub''. "Now it's time to say goodbye to all our company..." |
| 122 | * Friday episodes of ''Series/MisterRogersNeighborhood'' from 1971-72 closed with the solemn-sounding "Weekend Song". |
| 123 | ** A part of this song would also serve as the coda to the closing version of "It's Such A Good Feeling" used since 1972, but the solemn effect was less pronounced because the preceding portion was upbeat, and the tempo picked up again for the instrumental as Mister Rogers said his closing words. |
| 124 | * Used on the final episode of ''Series/MontyPythonsFlyingCircus'', in which an acoustic guitarist played the ''Liberty Bell March''. [[StylisticSuck It sounded like a brand-new guitarist was playing it, slightly halting and unsure]]. Strangely, it ''works''. |
| 125 | * Parodied by the version of the ''Series/MysteryScienceTheater3000'' "Love Theme" that plays over the show's closing credits, which is a much slower, more ponderous instrumental version of the theme sung over the opening credits. |
| 126 | * ''Series/TheSweeney'' has a fast-paced opening theme as befits an action-packed cop show, but the closing titles use a surprisingly low-key arrangement of the same theme. |
| 127 | * Archaeology show ''Series/TimeTeam'' has a slower ending theme without its usual drumbeats that it uses on "special" shows where they may be investigating things like [=WW2=] archaeology or other sites that had a significant death count. |
| 128 | * ''Series/TuttiFrutti'' episode 5 ended with a character's suicide. In place of the usual closing credits theme, Tutti Frutti by Little Richard, this episode ended with a lone guitar playing a haunting instrumental version of Love Hurts (a song that had been a recurring theme through the episode), while the credits appeared in red on a stark black screen instead of their usual multicoloured appearance. |
| 129 | * Most episodes of ''Series/OnceUponATime'' end with a quiet and almost haunting sounding piano tune. |
| 130 | * ''Series/{{Jeopardy}}'': |
| 131 | ** The final episode of the Art Fleming edition in 1975 ended with Creator/CharlieChaplin's "Smile" from ''Film/ModernTimes'' playing over a now-darkened set. |
| 132 | ** The final episode Creator/AlexTrebek [[SwanSong taped before his death]] ended with a montage of memorable moments in his tenure, accompanied by Creator/HughJackman's rendition of "Once Before I Go" from ''The Boy From Oz''. |
| 133 | * The final scene of the GrandFinale of ''Series/BreakingBad'' is set to "Baby Blue" by Music/{{Badfinger}}. It plays just as [[spoiler: Walter dies.]] |
| 134 | * In the last episode of ''Series/TheTerror'', a [[FinaleCredits reprise of "The Silver Swan"]], which was sung after the death of one of the characters earlier in the series, plays with the credits. |
| 135 | -->Farewell, all joys; Oh death, come close mine eyes; |
| 136 | -->More geese than swans now live, more fools than wise. |
| 137 | * This trope was quite popular in Australia throughout the 1980s and 90s, being regularly used in many of their classic dramas, some of which include ''The Sullivans'', ''Sons and Daughters'', ''A Country Practice'' and ''Home and Away''. |
| 138 | * ''Series/TheMandalorian'' had a solemn ending theme for Chapter 7: "The Reckoning", symbolizing the DarkestHour nature of the episode. |
| 139 | * The final episode of ''Series/TheColbertReport'' ends with Music/NeutralMilkHotel's "Holland, 1945", as a tribute to Creator/StephenColbert's father and two of his brothers, who were killed in the crash of Eastern Air Lines Flight 212 in 1974. |
| 140 | * ''Series/JejakSuaraAdzan'' uses Rizky Febian and Aisyah Aziz' "Indah Pada Waktunya", a solemn song about someone longing and waiting for another, somewhat fitting for a show about a son traveling far away from his mother to find his long-lost brother. |
| 141 | * ''Series/WalkerTexasRanger'': "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pnoa9wIOy4A&pp=ygUmYSByb3NlIGluIGRlY2VtYmVyIHdhbGtlciB0ZXhhcyByYW5nZXI%3D A Rose in December]]", featured in the [[MultiPartEpisode two-part]] TragicAidsStory, "Lucas", is played during the end credits. Also qualifies as a MelancholyMusicalNumber all through the story. |
| 142 | [[/folder]] |
| 143 | |
| 144 | [[folder:Professional Wrestling]] |
| 145 | * When Wrestling/MickFoley first appeared as "Mankind" in the WWF, he had two themes, an entrance theme and a different, more solemn exit theme that played when he won a match. |
| 146 | [[/folder]] |
| 147 | |
| 148 | [[folder:Radio]] |
| 149 | * The primary phase of ''Radio/TheHitchhikersGuideToTheGalaxy1978'' ends with a recording of Louis Armstrong's "What A Wonderful World." |
| 150 | * While most episodes of ''Radio/AdventuresInOdyssey'' end with a reprise of their signature upbeat theme-tune, episodes that either deal with serious subject matter or are just considerably [[DarkerAndEdgier darker]] (if not both) than the usual episode end with a slower and more solemn version of the usual theme. "Mortal Coil", "Blaackgard's Revenge" are couple of examples of this. |
| 151 | [[/folder]] |
| 152 | |
| 153 | [[folder:Video Games]] |
| 154 | * Both endings of ''VisualNovel/CorpsePartyD2DepthsOfDespair'' are set to [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0pNahH8qkg "Tada Hitotsu no Monogatari"]] by Artery Vein. |
| 155 | * ''VideoGame/LastScenario'' ends with [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6iu5xGttrU "Moji no dengon"]] by Music/SoundHorizon. |
| 156 | * [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfWc0-nTdgg "Drift"]] by Creator/LauraShigihara is a slow and wistful song that plays during the credits at the end of ''VideoGame/{{Quintessence}}''. [credits video, non-spoiler] |
| 157 | * ''VideoGame/{{Iji}}'' ends with [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKjrTpgLTbA a cover]] of the Music/VNVNation song "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ftP6N-b1d0 Further.]]" |
| 158 | * Many ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'' games end with one of these. |
| 159 | ** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNefNLOHVYk "Eyes on me"]] for ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVIII''. [ending video, has spoilers] |
| 160 | ** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ye7BGnlTZmQ "Melodies of Life"]] for ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIX''. |
| 161 | ** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b96rrbo-_Ik "Answers"]], which plays at the end of the ''A Realm Reborn'' 2.X series. Very notable since not only plays after a very emotional roller coaster and big plot twists, it's also the same song that played after the game's servers in 1.0 were shut down and is also the same song that plays when you fight [[OptionalBoss Bahamut Prime]]. Likewise, the end of the ''Heavensward'' 3.x series has [[https://youtu.be/FtuwltmTp9I "Dragonsong"]], which also played at the opening trailer for the expansion pack. |
| 162 | * ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaSymphonyOfTheNight'' has [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FsFiBXOVK0 "I am the Wind"]]. |
| 163 | * Inverted for the dog ending of ''VideoGame/SilentHill2''. The starting theme is melancholy, then the game ends with an upbeat J-pop anthem [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw followed by a cheery "singing dog"]]. The normal endings are played straight, however. |
| 164 | ** Also inverted in the UFO ending of ''VideoGame/SilentHill3'' with a [[http://youtu.be/_t5jZvH7xwA children's song parody]] and amusing cinematics. |
| 165 | ** All of the ''VideoGame/SilentHill1'' ending themes, but especially "Esperandote" from the worst ending. |
| 166 | ** ''VideoGame/SilentHillShatteredMemories'' has [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Sl7lkKWI_M Acceptance]], one of two themes that can play over the end credits. [[spoiler:It's about Cheryl coming to terms with her father's death.]] |
| 167 | * ''VideoGame/{{ICO}}'' has "You Were There". |
| 168 | * ''VideoGame/ShadowOfTheColossus'' has "Those Who Remain". |
| 169 | * ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid'' features a Gaelic one. Almost all the ''VideoGame/MetalGear'' ending songs are like this, with the exception of "Can't Say Goodbye To Yesterday" and the one to the original ''VideoGame/MetalGear'' (which was ridiculously peppy). [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9hagVL-__c "Way To Fall"]] by Starsailor in ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid3SnakeEater'' is a mournful alt-rock ballad, ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyE0UabtLn0 "The Best Is Yet To Come"]]'' is a Gaelic ballad and ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpPH7deyMRI "Calling To The Night"]]'', ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOVkYAxHvkk "Here's To You"]]'' and to a slightly lesser extent ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQzgI6xJEH0 "Heaven's Divide"]]'' are all [[LargeHam super-melodramatic]] {{Power Ballad}}s. |
| 170 | * ''VideoGame/MaxPayne2TheFallOfMaxPayne'' has "[[https://youtu.be/AzsiE44Lz_w?list=PLjACqN5i5sDVBPJGHevomO4YZd9wwVLkS Late Goodbye]]," a melancholic, country-inspired tune implying a never-ending SternChase, as its AwardBaitSong end credits music, and RecurringRiff. The song became a BreakawayPopHit, launching the career of Finnish AlternativeRock band Music/PoetsOfTheFall. |
| 171 | * ''VideoGame/MaxPayne3'' has [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEH_LSL4rVw Tears]] by Health. |
| 172 | * ''VideoGame/TurnBasedBattle'' parodies this with [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVrh3tXgRy4 "Cheesy RPG Song"]], which [[ShoutOut name-checks]] several other examples from this list. |
| 173 | * ''VideoGame/WildArms'' series: |
| 174 | ** ''VideoGame/WildArms2'' has "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xr08LGkX4gM Atomic Arms]]" and "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1d4y9Qge3E Zephyr's]]", the ending themes of Disc 1 and 2 respectively. |
| 175 | ** A partial example: ''VideoGame/WildArms3'' has a [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiHk0e0pQjQ&feature=related: fairly sad theme]] that plays whenever you quit the game. The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gMrdluPlms&feature=related: credit theme]] is a softer, more solemn theme of the opening theme, though possibly not solemn enough to qualify for this trope. |
| 176 | * ''VideoGame/LegendOfLegaia'' uses this trope. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDxsTK-EGbk&feature=related: See for yourself.]]. |
| 177 | * "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0iFMuEHoag Small of Two Pieces]]", the NarmCharm-loaded PowerBallad that caps off ''VideoGame/{{Xenogears}}'', might not be solemn enough to qualify for this trope, but the "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-Fr8gP_k8U Myth remix]]" likely is. |
| 178 | * ''[[VideoGame/PanelDePon Tetris Attack]]''/''VideoGame/PanelDePon'', a game with a very upbeat soundtrack, ends on "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LnnxaOh18U A Walk on a Rainbow]]". |
| 179 | * ''VideoGame/ChronoCross'' ends with the exquisite ballad "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBE3c9X0BoA Radical Dreamers ~ The Jewel Unstolen]]". |
| 180 | * ''VideoGame/RadiantHistoria'' ends with [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Bp_nwZ8O4k -HISTORIA-]], with its mellow instrumentals and [[http://princess-jakilna.deviantart.com/art/HISTORIA-English-Lyrics-263417038 retrospective, vague, sad lyrics]] (spoiler, but won't make much sense for anyone who hasn't played the game). |
| 181 | * ''VideoGame/MegaManZero 4's'' Freesia. |
| 182 | * ''VideoGame/DarkSouls'' has the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpI-KeK-PQg Nameless Song.]], a haunting, beautiful OneWomanWail. |
| 183 | * ''VideoGame/Killer7's'' [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8JzA2B5Z7I Dissociative Identity]] |
| 184 | * ''VideoGame/CommandAndConquerRedAlert3'' has an [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMx7XcJR00o ending theme]] that is a mixture of hard rock, PlayingTheHeartStrings, and [[OminousLatinChanting Ominous Russian Chanting]]. And since [[TheEmpire Japanese]], [[DirtyCommunists Soviet]], [[RootingForTheEmpire and even]] [[BlackAndGrayMorality Allies']] endings can be considered TheBadGuyWins kind of ending, it can be seen as rather appropriate. |
| 185 | * The ''Franchise/MassEffect'' Trilogy concludes with [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLxv_g_zQkY An end, once and for all]] a melancholic yet progressively more bombastic reprise of the last episode main theme. |
| 186 | * The second episode from the ''VideoGame/ArcTheLad'' series ends with [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_kQtYux_9s To Tomorrow]]. |
| 187 | * ''VisualNovel/UminekoWhenTheyCry'' has two: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWDpCAt2LGI Bring the Fate]] from Ep 1 and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFyzTtKNzYI Ricordando Il Passato]] from Ep 8 (it also counts as the ending theme for the series). Ricordando Il Passato is especially noteworthy because the lyrics is basically [[spoiler: Battler grieving and lamenting over that he wasn't able to solve the mystery and understand Beatrice/Yasu until it was too late]]. |
| 188 | * ''VideoGame/Journey2012'' has "I Was Born for This." |
| 189 | * ''Franchise/{{Halo}}'': |
| 190 | ** ''VideoGame/HaloReach'' has the OneWomanWail and [[LonelyPianoPiece piano piece]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktce1qctRbM "Ashes"]] during the credits, and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcQBggE3LwY more lonely piano]] in the [[TheStinger post-credits epilogue]]. |
| 191 | ** ''VideoGame/{{Halo 4}}'''s [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Gnx4SoWaZE "Green and Blue"]] puts all other sad music in the series to shame. Following that, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZPr0mDtVgU a remix of "Never Forget"]] from ''VideoGame/{{Halo 3}}'' plays during the credits. |
| 192 | * ''VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas'' has PlayingTheHeartStrings [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzAePefXPXM credits music]]. |
| 193 | * ''VideoGame/SyphonFilter: Logan's Shadow'''s ending theme has a Music/DeadCanDance-style [[{{Scatting}} wordless vocals]], sung by Azam Ali. |
| 194 | * ''VideoGame/TheWorldEndsWithYou'' features [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0KfQmVXbk4 "A Lullaby For You"]] playing over the credits. |
| 195 | * ''[[VideoGame/DonPachi DoDonPachi SaiDaiOuJou]]'' has [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTs4pe2x-yw Heading for Tomorrow]] performed by Zwei. |
| 196 | * [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiTn4j7gVvY I Believe]], which plays in the end credits of ''VideoGame/WolfensteinTheNewOrder''. |
| 197 | * ''VideoGame/DragonAgeII'' ends with a remix of [[Music/FlorenceAndTheMachine Florence + the Machine]]'s [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1can-MLmWdA "I'm Not Calling You a Liar"]]. |
| 198 | * Some of the ''Franchise/TouhouProject'' ending themes, such as "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6K94mtZtHM An Eternity that is More Transient than Scarlet]]" from ''The Embodiment of Scarlet Devil'', and "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6X1ShSd63g Sylphid Dream]]" from ''Mountain of Faith''. |
| 199 | * [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Xu4T1wWB7I "In a Moment's Time"]] is this for ''VideoGame/{{Skullgirls}}'' |
| 200 | * ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfSpyro'' has This Broken Soul. |
| 201 | * [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVDh-qAaipg Ending of the Starry Sky]] from ''VideoGame/SilhouetteMirage''. |
| 202 | * ''VideoGame/{{OFF}}'' uses Judy Garland's "Over the Rainbow" from ''Film/TheWizardOfOz'' as its ending theme. |
| 203 | * ''VideoGame/SuperMarioWorld2YoshisIsland'', of all games, ends with [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAPaGu0fWDE a slow, beautiful piano piece]]. |
| 204 | * ''VideoGame/SuperMarioGalaxy'': |
| 205 | ** While most of [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBrwceBdDQQ the credits theme]] is upbeat and cheerful, there is a portion where it devolves into a slow, heartfelt reprise of [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEIWhy-urqM Gusty Garden Galaxy]]. |
| 206 | ** The bonus cutscene given for HundredPercentCompletion has a LonelyPianoPiece reprise of the Observatory's theme playing over it titled [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4WjESkpwCg Family]]. |
| 207 | * [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-YCA1WXI2s Period]] from ''VideoGame/{{Deathsmiles}}''. |
| 208 | * ''VideoGame/OriAndTheBlindForest'''s [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kN_LvY97Rco end titles]] music, though upbeat, is accompanied by a heartwrenching OneWomanWail vocal. |
| 209 | * ''VideoGame/CallOfDuty: [[VideoGame/ModernWarfare Modern Warfare 3]]'''s [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyuILHDD-pY end titles]]. |
| 210 | * ''VideoGame/TimeCrisis'': ''VideoGame/RazingStorm'' has Music/FiveFingerDeathPunch's "The Bleeding". |
| 211 | * [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlvfFfvzkf8 The end credits]] for ''[[VideoGame/{{Darius}} Darius Gaiden]]''. |
| 212 | * ''VideoGame/DuckTales: Remastered'''s credits use a [[LonelyPianoPiece melancholy piano arrangement]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wBtsLditgY of the Moon theme]]. |
| 213 | * ''Franchise/{{Splatoon}}'' has these to contrast its otherwise usually upbeat, quirky, and raucous soundtrack, with the singers being (in-universe) whatever idol group has been your MissionControl: |
| 214 | ** The first ''VideoGame/Splatoon1'' has "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SxULXaKb7Q Maritime Memory]]" by the Squid Sisters for its end credits theme, with the melody being a medley of several songs from throughout the game. |
| 215 | ** ''VideoGame/Splatoon2'' has "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofQiYxuJCBc Fresh Start]]" by the Squid Sisters for the base game's Hero Mode campaign, and "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06My7dstNqs Into the Light]]" by Off the Hook for the ''Octo Expansion'' DLC campaign. |
| 216 | ** ''VideoGame/Splatoon3'' has "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUsTW4x6skY Wave Goodbye]]" by the Squid Sisters (again) for its base campaign. |
| 217 | * ''VideoGame/EvilZone'' has "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDxMnq0kb48 Sorrow Long Day]]". |
| 218 | * ''VideoGame/DynastyWarriors 3'' has [[https://youtu.be/W7KyttXlOV8 Circuit]], a slow and reflective song about the singer opening a hidden side of themself up to someone close. Dynasty Warriors 8 also uses the song for the [[EarnYourHappyEnding hypothetical endings]]. |
| 219 | * ''VideoGame/FireEmblemThreeHouses'' has "The Edge Of Dawn," which plays for the credits [[spoiler:on every route besides Crimson Flower]]. The song is implied to be from the perspective of [[spoiler:Edelgard, who dies in three out of four routes]], and looks back on happier times with a mix of nostalgia and regret. |
| 220 | * The games in the ''VideoGame/TheTaleOfAlltynex'' trilogy all follow this trope to various extents with ''VideoGame/RefleX'' following it the straightest with a one-two punch with the tracks "[[https://youtu.be/9weagXW4aKs The End of Reflection]]" and "[[https://youtu.be/q7QH_d6uS68 An Unavoidable Choice -End Roll Version-]]" playing back to back just to hammer it in just how bitter the ending the whole conflict ended up being. Sure, the Zodiac machines where destroyed and the alien invaders repelled, [[PyrrhicVictory but at what cost]]? |
| 221 | * While the mainline ''Franchise/{{Danganronpa}}'' series has had peppy and high-octane ending themes, the FanGame ''VisualNovel/DanganronpaAnother'''s credits sequence is set to the more morose "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GfR4DBeujg I believe]]" by KOKIA. |
| 222 | * ''VideoGame/{{Ikaruga}}'' has "[[https://youtu.be/ZbhzoB9Wp-Y Spirit Being]]", a funerary reprise of the game's main theme, during its end credits. |
| 223 | [[/folder]] |
| 224 | |
| 225 | [[folder:Web Original]] |
| 226 | * Sad Panda's [[http://thatguywiththeglasses.com/videolinks/teamt/sadpanda/spmusicvideotheater/31584-suburban-knights-music-video 'Flight of Fantasy']] at the end of ''WebVideo/SuburbanKnights''. |
| 227 | [[/folder]] |
| 228 | |
| 229 | [[folder:Western Animation]] |
| 230 | * At the end of the first episode of Seaon 8 of ''WesternAnimation/DragonsTheNineRealms'', [[spoiler:Jun breaks up with Tom as a result of the latter breaking a promise. The sad music which played during the break-up scene continues playing as the credits roll.]] %%By the time of writing this, a link to the music piece cannot be provided yet. |
| 231 | * The ending for the ''WesternAnimation/LinusTheLionhearted'' show (1964) was like a funeral dirge. All the characters were sadly placing their props in a trunk, ending with Billie Bird sweeping up the spotlight afterwards. |
| 232 | * ''The Porky Pig Show'' ending starts off sadly but perks up when they say they'll be back next week. |
| 233 | * Likewise, ''Matty's Funday Funnies'' had its end theme start out a slow and sad verse, but then perks up for the rest of the song. |
| 234 | * ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'': |
| 235 | ** "Mother Simpson" ends with a sad orchestral piece rather than the usual Simpsons credits theme as Homer sitting alone on the boot of his car for hours, well into the night. At that time, Fox started ending shows with split-screen credits with ads for Fox shows playing over it. The Simpsons staff had to fight tooth-and-nail to have the full studio credits play over that beautiful shot — and they got it. |
| 236 | ** "The Homer They Fall" ends with the emotional "People" accompanying [[TheGreatestStoryNeverTold images of Moe aiding people in need around the world]]. |
| 237 | ** "Diary Queen", the show's belated tribute to Creator/MarciaWallace [[TheCharacterDiedWithHim and her character, Edna Krabappel]], [[ReallyDeadMontage ends with a montage of her life]], accompanied by Music/{{Bread}}'s "Diary". |
| 238 | * ''WesternAnimation/SummerCampIsland'' occasionally has the spooky "Witches' Lullaby" play instead of the usual upbeat "Witches' Samba" to indicate that something important to the show's lore happened in the episode. |
| 239 | * While not quite the end credits, leading to MoodWhiplash when the actual credits do come on, the two season finales of ''WesternAnimation/TheTrapDoor'' conclude with a piece of instrumental music that would not sound out of place at a funeral. Listen [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3CjJ9nVTu8&t=52s here]]. |
| 240 | [[/folder]] |
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/context.php
FollowingContext Main / SolemnEndingTheme
Go To
- Show Spoilers
- Night Vision
- Sticky Header
- Wide Load
