Flute Boy’s Meadow – Lon Lon Ranch

Hello Zelda Dungeoners, and welcome to another weekly dose of Flute Boy’s Meadow!

This week, I felt compelled to cover a song that’s different; something unique, something that worked well with all the excitement of E3. Unfortunately most of my ideas stunk. Then it occurred to me; nobody is going to need help getting excited this week with all the great game announcements, so why not shoot for something more on the quiet side so people can take a break from the craziness?

In answer to that, I thought of a Zelda song that always makes me feel calm. Something that doesn’t bring to mind desperate times in Hyrule or sad losses of characters, just a gentle tune to relax to. Jump inside to read my thoughts on an old favorite of mine!

Track: Lon Lon Ranch
Game: Ocarina of Time (N64)

I’m a 90’s kid. Being born in ’92, by the time I started playing video games the big console to own was the Nintendo 64. Hence, my first Zelda game of course was Ocarina of Time, and it’s safe to say it had a pretty big effect on my childhood. So, one has to wonder if I’m a bit biased toward Ocarina of Time‘s music due to sheer nostalgia. The answer? Duh.

Purpose
Lon Lon Ranch is one of Link’s first diversions in Ocarina of Time. Most players wind up there after their first visit to Castle Town’s Market and meeting with Zelda. For me, I first found Lon Lon after meeting Malon, and I liked her character so I wanted to go see more about her.

So the basic build-up for this location is that it is someplace that should feel… homely. It is your view of a side of Hyrule that is quieter than the Market or even Kakariko, and on top of that it is the home of two memorable characters who have already helped you on your quest. A place like this needs to feel like it is safe, welcoming, and certainly more relaxed than the bustling Market or dangerous Hyrule Field. Plus, it’s a ranch, so all the musical nuances that can be associated with such places can be used to excellent effect.

Sound
The tune of this song is as pleasant as can be. A nice and soft guitar/banjo intro marked by a steady tempo gets you feeling calm from the start, and if Malon is present you are also treated to a 64-bit vocal performance from her. As the song progresses we also get to hear snatches of harmonica and violins, and the tune never speeds up. This is essentially the definition of a laid-back song.

With its acoustic instruments and country sounds, the song excellently captures the feeling of a ranch lifestyle. I almost imagine this song being played around a campfire to while away the hours.

Conclusion
There is little else to be said for Lon Lon Ranch. I have always loved this song as one of the standout tracks of Ocarina of Time, and I often find myself whistling it while going about my daily business. It’s the Zelda tune for any time of the day, any day of the week, whenever you want to just kick back and enjoy life for a minute.

What are your thoughts on Lon Lon Ranch? Do you enjoy it, or find it too slow for your tastes? What are your favorite easy-listening tracks from the Zelda series? Let me know in the comments!