Those who know me know that I can play the same song on repeat for a very long time when I’m in the mood for it. Sometimes it’s “Bubblegum K.K.” from the Animal Crossing series. Other times, it’s the theme for Beedle’s Shop Ship. Today, I’d like to highlight a track from Skyward Sword which I have also had on repeat for longer than what might be considered to be healthy.
“Gate of Time” is one of the most beautiful songs I know in the Zelda games because of its simplicity, silent determination, and undertones of sadness. Despite its repetitive and simple melody, there is something about this song which captures my interest so well that it makes it difficult for me to not listen to it once I’ve pressed the play button.
Not having played Skyward Sword for almost ten years now, I had forgotten when “Gate of Time” is played in the game (although the name of the track should’ve been a hint, but I’m not always that bright). So when I started to miss playing the game, I looked up its soundtrack and listened to “Gate of Time”. I eventually began imagining the song being played just after Zelda willingly goes to sleep and the sadness on Link’s face. There’s a somber tone in the strings which just fit into that scene so well and made sense in my mind, together with the way the drums were played. Combined, they told me to stay strong. Things are sad now but I can’t give up. I’ll make sure Link and I will see Zelda sometime again soon. In a similar sense, “Gate of Time” is a track I sometimes go back to when things are tough in reality too, as a reminder that the best I can do is to keep trying my best.
Despite how off I was imagining which scene the song is actually being played, the track still has a few key elements that are important in Skyward Sword. It has sweeping strings which remind me of the Loftwings soaring above Skyloft, the plucking of a harp just like the one Zelda held at the beginning of the game, and determined percussion to keep Link and I trying our best to save Zelda despite many setbacks. The melody played by the harp is simple, but it’s really the strings that make it easy for me to keep listening to the song no matter how long it’s been playing. I alternate from listening to the plucking of the harp strings to the grand, almost cinematic, strings. I never tire of either of them.
