The top 10 musical performances in The Legend of Zelda

Music has long been a defining element for The Legend of Zelda, dating all the way back to when we heard the-now iconic series theme for the first time on The Legend of Zelda’s opening title screen. Melodies from across the many games have consistently lodged themselves in fans’ memories, leaving just as much of an impression as the most recognizable characters, bosses, or dungeons. At times, the series’ music has been one component in a larger spectacle, used to create stirring cutscenes and depict pivotal events in the games’ stories. Of the many musical performances that Link and other characters have taken part in, these are the ten that were the most deserving of a standing ovation.

10. Indigo-Go’s Rehearsal at Zora Hall

It takes a bit of work to get the Indigo-Go’s rehearsal underway, what between lighting and sound checks (and that whole matter of dispelling the dark presence lingering over Great Bay), but the effort is well worth it to hear the Zora band jam out. With Zora Link filling in for the recently departed Mikau, the rest of the band is in place: Lulu on vocals, Japas on bass, Tijo on drums, and Evan adding notes on the piano. The song that they play is a unique rendition of a piece that Mikau and Japas composed together, slightly altered by Evan, who also acts as the band’s songwriter. It’s a smooth, laid back tune that serves as a taste of why the Indigo-Go’s were such a hot ticket in Termina, enough so to be booked for the Carnival of Time in Clock Town.

9. Isle of Songs Recitals

A hushed stillness presides over the dimly lit chamber on the Isle of Songs, but it comes alive with color and sound when Link learns parts of the Ballad of the Goddess in Skyward Sword. Like spotlights pointed from the rafters, two beams of light cut through the darkness to focus on Link and Fi, while a giant statue of Hylia rises from the shadows. As Link strums away on the Goddess Harp, Fi soars through the air and dances along the chambers’ walls. She eventually casts a burst of vibrant radiance over the scene, which then depicts Link playing the Goddess Harp somewhere high in the skies as a host of Loftwings fly about in the background.

8. Opening the Wind Fish’s Egg

Link collects a variety of different musical instruments during his time adventuring across Koholint Island, so you better believe he was eventually going to put them to good use. Once the player has acquired all eight of the Siren’s Instruments, their journey culminates at the cloud-ringed peak of Mount Tamaranch. Link becomes a one-man orchestra as he plays the “Ballad of the Wind Fish”, with each Siren Instrument lending its power to open up the Wind Fish’s Egg. Whether you experience this scene in the 2D version of the game, or in the Nintendo Switch remake, it’s one of most memorable moments in Link’s Awakening — and the prelude to one of the most memorable endings of any Legend of Zelda story.

7. Serenade to the Great Fairies

The Great Fairies have once again hidden themselves away from the world in Tears of the Kingdom, but instead of asking for Rupees, as they did in Breath of the Wild, they demand to hear beautiful music before reemerging. This serves as the premise behind a very fun side quest where Link must find the missing members of the traveling Stable Trotters band, before then escorting them to serenade the Great Fairies. The most memorable of these serenades comes once the entire band is reunited: Violynne on the violin, Pyper on the flute, Eustus on the horn, Beetz on the drum, and Mastro conducting the performance. When the Stable Trotters are playing in concert, there is no better musical act in the Era of the Wilds.

6. Milk Bar “Ballad of the Wind Fish” Recital

The “Ballad of the Wind Fish” that is heard in Majora’s Mask might not be the same song from Link’s Awakening, but it proves to be just as stirring of a melody when Link plays it for the Indigo-Go’s band manager, Toto, at the Milk Bar. The late night recital is a rare instance where Link’s Hylian self, along with his Deku, Goron, and Zora transformations all show up on screen at the same time. The subsequent cutscene depicts the quartet of Links on stage under the spotlights, each form lending his unique instrument to the performance. Aside from thoroughly impressing Toto, it also manages to move the crestfallen Gorman, reminding the man of fonder days from his past.

5. Link’s and Sheik’s Duets

Some of the most enduring images from Ocarina of Time are those scenes of Link and Sheik playing music together seven years into the future, enough so that it’s impossible to choose just one. After offering sagely, yet cryptic advice to the Hero of Time in each meeting, Sheik then taught him a unique melody that would return him to the nearby temple. These cutscenes were a highlight of early 3D cinematics in video games, featuring dynamic camerawork and fantastic sound design while Link performed on the ocarina and Sheik performed on the harp. Each melody had its own unique mood befitting the location and the circumstance that Link found himself in while questing there, making every duet memorable in its own way.

4. “Song of the Hero”

Any song that plays a crucial role in guiding someone to the Triforce needs to be treated like a momentous occasion when it is performed, so it’s only right that Skyward Sword dials up the spectacle for the first time we hear the complete version of the “Song of the Hero”. After putting in a lot of work to gather all parts of the song, what between collecting Tadtones, an elaborate stealth mission through Eldin Volcano, and Timeshift Stone escapades in Lanayru Gorge, players are treated to an enchanting cutscene where Link is serenaded by Hyrule’s ancient guardians. Once the gargantuan Levias is finished bellowing his solo section, it’s not long before the dragons Faron, Eldin, and Lanayru all join in, soaring through the heavens and lending their voices to the full length rendition. Fi even gets involved with a little twirl while Link takes in the sights with starry eyed wonder.

3. The Howling Stones

Wolf Link’s own voice becomes a musical instrument for the player to control whenever they find a Howling Stone in Twilight Princess. By manipulating the pitch with which he howls, Wolf Link is able to compose a song as naturally as any other incarnation of Link did with an ocarina, baton, or harp. This clever means of incorporating musical gameplay into a wild animal eventually created cutscenes between Link and the Hero’s Shade that are nothing short of sublime. With Link appearing as the blue-eyed beast, and the Hero’s Shade taking on his Golden Wolf form, they meet in an ethereal realm meant to represent all corners of Hyrule. The two lupine heroes combine their voices into a primal, captivating duet, communing without words before the Hero’s Shade would later pass on his knowledge of the sword to Link.

2. Korok Ceremony

The Wind Waker’s Korok Ceremony is one of the all time great payoffs to a dungeon quest in The Legend of Zelda. After braving the Forbidden Woods and bringing Makar back safe and sound to the Forest Haven, Link is lucky enough to witness the annual event where the Great Deku Tree produces new Forest Tree seeds. Makar ushers in the ceremony with a spirited solo on his violin, while the rest of the Koroks provide some delightful vocals. The amusing performance is not merely for show, however. There is great purpose behind the Korok Ceremony, as the Koroks will then take the Forest Tree seeds and plant them on islands all across the Great Sea. As they continue to do this year by year, there is hope that the seeds will one day grow into new forests like the one that the Koroks call home.

1. Playing “Saria’s Song” for Darunia

Darunia’s reaction to hearing “Saria’s Song” is such a beloved and iconic moment from Ocarina of Time that it’s easy to forget how wildly out of left field it was back in 1998 when we were playing the game for the first time. Watching it unfold spontaneously is just about the most hilarious and most outrageous scene that The Legend of Zelda has ever produced. “Saria’s Song” is as catchy as music can possibly be, but no one could have expected the sheer dancing fever that overcame Darunia. Here you have this angry, hulking boulder of a living being, with a glare that could cut solid rock, and suddenly he busts out dance moves like he’s going for a perfect score on Dance Dance Revolution. It instantly became a gif-worthy moment that would be shared for years to come, all while immortalizing Darunia as a fan favorite character within The Legend of Zelda community.