The BB theme is “the song I spent the most time on, more than anything I've written in my entire life,” said Death Stranding composer Ludwig Forssell.
Eurogamer spoke to Forssell and the song's vocalist Jennie Plant ahead of the concert. Strands of Harmony Concert Series it starts next month and will focus on the music of the two Death Stranding games.
The BB theme will be performed in a new arrangement, first performed earlier this year at London's Roundhouse, with live vocals from Plant. The song is an iconic part of both games' soundtracks, but how did it come to be?
“Initially, Mr. Kojima had an idea for a lullaby theme for [Death Stranding 1]and it will blossom at the very end of the game,” Forssell explained. “This theme, which was played out throughout the game and sung by various characters, will be reproduced in its entirety. It was Mr. Kojima's idea from the very beginning.”
Although Forssell had ideas for this article, he was traveling and could not find the time to sit down and write it in full. Then, over time, Forssell laid the foundation for the song, recorded strings, added guitar, and doubled the length of the final chorus as Kojima requested.
“We were also looking for the perfect singer for the song and were introduced to Jenny's work,” Forssell said. “This is the soothing voice we need for the lullaby.”
He concluded, “This is the song I spent the most time on, more than anything I've written in my entire life.”
Plant's involvement began when she was put forward to take part in a “secret project” and after being selected, she recorded her vocals at London's iconic Abbey Road Studios. “I met Ludwig there on Zoom,” she said, “and he told me about the game and the song. Obviously I had heard the music before the session, but he told me the story, the feelings and what to evoke when I sing it. I had some visual effects, it was all a bit crazy!”
Plant had prior knowledge of the Metal Gear Solid games, but admitted that singing in video games was “kind of a new world” and thanked the fans for being “especially amazing” as well as the “wonderful conversations” she's had since then.
“It's an amazing song to sing,” Plant continued, discussing its emotional intensity. “It's dynamic to start with that soft, tender 'I'll hold you' – that opening line is so powerful – and then move on to the big moments of the climax. This is amazing. I became a mother myself and sing this song, and I also have such a beautiful connection. So when I perform it, it always feels special.”
“I’m a mom now and singing this song also gives me this beautiful connection. So when I perform it, it always feels special.”
Since working on the first Death Stranding game, Forssell and Plant's lives have changed significantly.
Forssell believes that his participation in the series gave him “a chance to spread his wings” and is grateful for the opportunity. “We started with 30 people at rental stores trying to figure out how to make a game about carrying packages and figure out how to make it fun,” he said. Kojima Productions is doing well now, he added. “Every time I go there I'm amazed at how far they've come – and that's really down to one man, Hideo Kojimawho came up with it all from scratch.”
Forssell also noted that the first Death Stranding game has been “re-evaluated years after its release” and now “everyone is in on it, which is really fun to see.”
Meanwhile, Plant described her participation as a “wild adventure” and the upcoming tour is “an exciting opportunity to travel, sing and be a part of something so exciting.”
eurogamer further spoke with Forssell about Death Stranding 2discussing his relationship with Kojima and paying tribute to Low Roar frontman Ryan Karazia, who passed away between the two games.
