Soundtrack to Psycho Soldier
Psycho Soldier (サイコソルジャー) is a 1986 song for the game of the same name and is the first vocalized song in video game history. The song is also one of the main character themes for Athena Asamiya and continues to follow her in The King of Fighters series. When the game Psycho Soldier was released internationally, a different set of lyrics was composed to localize the title. This song was also used to advertise the Athena NES port.
The Japanese version is sung by Kaori Shimizu and the original lyrics were composed by Eikichi Kawasaki. It was covered by Reiko Fukui in The King of Fighters '94, Tamao Sato in The King of Fighters '96, and Yukina Kurisu in The King of Fighters '97. The identity of the singer for the English version used in the international release of Psycho Soldier remains unknown. Haruna Ikezawa would cover the song in The King of Fighters XV.
The band, From the Ashes, rearranged the English version and posted it online.
Another cover of the song was included in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as part of Challenger Pack 4, which added Terry Bogard as a playable character alongside Fatal Fury and other SNK content to the game. This version is arranged by Yuzo Koshiro and has both a Japanese and English version (the first time the song was sung in English officially since Psycho Soldier's US release), both versions sung by Kotera Kanako. The two remixes are identical in background music, though as the Japanese version features more lyrics, the English version features a saxophone solo in place of the second verse, and a reprisal of the first verse in place of the third verse.
| Lyrics
Saiko bōru ga hikari hanachi Atena no sugata terashidasu no Saiko sōdo ga yami wo saite Atena wa yume wo sukui dasu no Saiko pawaa wo kokoro ni himete Hateshinai michi wo hashiru Ima wa mō aozora mienai kedo
Atena wa yume wo sukui dasu no Saiko biimu no kagayaki nokoshi Atena wa mirai wo motome tabidatsu Honō no yōni moeru hitomi Kibō no kakera wo mitsume Ima wa mada namida wa misenai wa
Atena wa mirai wo motome tabidatsu Dare hitori shiranai ashita Hi no tori no sugata karite Honō no yōni moeru hitomi Kibō no kakera wo mitsume Saiko pawaa wo kokoro ni himete Hateshinai michi wo hashiru Saiko pawaa |
English translation
The Psycho ball's light bursts And Athena's form shines The Psycho Sword cuts through the darkness Athena saves dreams She hides the Psycho Power in her heart To run on the endless path Though she now can no longer see the blue sky
Athena saves dreams The Psycho Beam's radiance sparkles Athena sets out on a journey to decide the future Her eyes burn like a flame She stares at these shards of hope And now cannot let her tears be seen yet
Athena sets out on a journey to decide the future Towards tomorrow no one knows Take the form of a phoenix Her eyes burn like a flame Stare at these shards of hope She hides the Psycho Power in her heart To run on the endless path Psycho power | |
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| Lyrics
Athena's name is magic Mystery... is what you see Her crystal is the answer fighting fair to keep us free She's just a little girl with power inside burning bright You'd better hide if you are bad... she'll get you She'll read your mind and find if you believe in right or wrong! "Fire," "Fire..." Psycho Soldier "Fire," "Fire..." Psycho Soldier |
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Releases[]
- Psycho Soldier Music Cassette
- Game Sound SNK
- SNK Original Best
- Legend of Game Music 2 ~ Platinum Box
- Athena the Music
- The King of Fighters 94 Original and Arranged Soundtrack (Psycho Soldier "K.O.F. Version")
- The King of Fighters 96 Original and Arranged Soundtrack (Psycho Soldier REMIX '96)
- The King of Fighters 97 Original and Arranged Soundtrack (Psycho Soldier REMIX '97)