Daily Debate: What’s Your Favorite Version of the “Great Fairy’s Fountain” Melody?
Posted on August 03 2023 by Michaela El-Ters
I think there are few songs that are as synonymous with Zelda as “Great Fairy’s Fountain.” This track can be heard in many Zelda games, including to A Link to the Past, Ocarina of Time, The Wind Waker, The Minish Cap, Twilight Princess, Breath of the Wild, and more. It’s evolved significantly over the years, with each version incorporating different instruments and even vocals to give it new life and personality. This song is often associated with the Great Fairy Fountains, but it can also be heard on the menu screen for many Zelda games. It’s no doubt a fitting tune for the Fairy Fountains, but I associate it with the menu and file select screens more. I remember lingering in the menu for Ocarina of Time for several minutes just to listen to the score and get immersed in the new fantastical adventure I was about to embark on.
“The Great Fairy’s Fountain” is lovely, and if I have to pick my favorite iteration of it, I’d have to go with Skyward Sword‘s. The Skyward Sword version features beautiful, swelling violins that greatly add to the piece, and it feels like a natural evolution of the song. But as a very, very close second, I also have to shout out the “Map” iteration in Four Swords Adventure. This version of the “Great Fairy’s Fountain” melody adds percussion and increases the tempo slightly. It may not seem like much, but the increased tempo and drums add a sense of adventure, wonder, and urgency to what is normally a slower, more emotional piece.
What do you think? With so many versions to choose from, which one is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!
Feature Image: Cynthia Marsana
Michaela El-Ters is a Senior Editor for Zelda Dungeon. She is also an Senior Writer for Boss Rush Network, and writes blogs and streams games on Objection Network. Her favorite Zelda game changes with the seasons, but the series as a whole is near and dear to her heart.
