SW: Where did you find the inspiration for the music and lyrics for "This Broken Soul", and at which point in the game's development did you think that you would add a vocal track for the end credits?

B&G: We talked about doing a song right at the beginning of working on Eternal Night. The producers liked the idea, and we were excited to do it. It was a nice way to incorporate some of the other strengths we have into the big orchestral stuff. The inspiration from the song came from Spyro's relationship to Ignitus, and on how we imagined he would feel having crossed over into 'dark Spyro.' But we also wanted to create it from a universal standpoint about our own selves; everyone has a part of them that doesn't always do the right thing. Sometimes our darker nature takes over, despite our best intentions. Ultimately no one wants to stay there, so we look for guidance and ask for help, and a way out.

www.spyroworld.net/home/3623

For example, I found a song written about 6 years ago by a band called BarlowGirl.  They are Christian rock/pop much like the kind of music Kneubuhl/Mann wrote for TEN and DotD's credits.

Such a storyline could permit a song I found by BarlowGirl to help border the emotional plot with their song "Never Alone."  Anyone ever heard it?  Well, here's a YouTube link with lyrics:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVwbrGCWic0

Understand this song speaks about the trust one can have in God, even though God isn't always a physical person to talk to.

I waited for you today
But you didn't show (no, no, no)
I needed you today
So, where did you go?

You told me to call
Said you'd be there
And though I haven't seen you
Are you still there?

I cried out with no reply
I can't feel you by my side
So, I hold tight to what I know you're here
And I'm never alone

And though I cannot see you
And can't explain why
Such a deep deep reassurance
You've placed in my life

We cannot separate
'Cause you're part of me
And though you're invisible
I'll trust the unseen

I cried out with no reply
I can't feel you by my side
So, I hold tight to what I know you're here
And I'm never alone

We cannot separate
'Cause you're part of me
And though you're invisible
I'll trust the unseen

I cried out with no reply
I can't feel you by my side
So, I hold tight to what I know you're here
And I'm never alone

HOWEVER!  All of this would make sense if you could convulse feelings of love, heartache, fear, doubt, pain, purpose, moral character, thanks, lonliness, forgiveness, encouragement, hope, confusion, heroism, ambition, and even worship all into one four minute song.  If that was Gabe and Becky's plan, then they successfully made my head spin.

The one from DotD is Spyro and Cynder.

I can see more than one meaning behind these songs.  For instance, here is my 'diagnosis' for This broken soul, my comments in parentheses:

O Holy Land
Come ancient spirits (Spyro with chronicler and others)
Take up my hand
And guide me.

Pull me to shore
Rivers are rising
Look in this heart
And find me.  (Cynder maybe trying to explain herself)

I've lost my way
Your voice is silent (Spyro to Ignitus)
I need you here
To remind me (Spyro to Ignitus; Spyro confused at the end of TEN)

Show me now
How to find my home. (Cynder's future)
All I am
Surrender (Cynder surrendered)

Let the water Flow right through this broken soul

I'm by your side  (Cynder would team up with Spyro)
Ashes still burning
I proved my worth
So tell me why  (Cynder to Spyro?)

I've lost my way
Your voice is silent
I need you here
To remind me

Show me now
How to find my home
All I am
Surrender

Tell me that you can forgive (Cynder pleads)
Bring me peace that I may live

Show me now
How to find my home
All I am
Surrender

Oh sweet rest Oh sweet rest
Find me at my home
Stay with me Forever  (Could be Spyro's comfort with the Chronicler)

Let the water Flow right through this broken soul

_
What do you guys think?

One thing that makes Cynder so awesome as a character is that you don't know which way she will fall sometimes, even after playing the game through a few times, she has a mysterious nature about her.  Like Ben Linus from Lost)