"Komm, süsser Tod" (German: Come, Sweet Death) is the English-language song which plays during the Third Impact when Instrumentality is initiated in The End of Evangelion. The song is performed by South African-born British singer Arianne,[1] backed by piano, pipe organ and various string arrangements by Shiro Sagisu. The original lyrics were by Hideaki Anno, which was later adapted into English by Mike Wyzgowski.[2]
Original Lyrics[]
Original Japanese Lyrics: Hideaki Anno
Transliteration & Translation: Rachel Clark
| Romaji | English | Original |
|---|---|---|
Fuan na no |
I know, I know I've let you down |
不安なの。 |
Notes[]
- The name "Komm, süsser Tod' was taken from Johann Sebastian Bach's "Komm, süßer Tod, komm selge Ruh"
- Two versions exist: the "Director's Cut" used in Episode 26', and the version released on the single KIDA-155, in which the choir continues after the final chorus in broken, incoherent song.
- There is also another alternative song considered as "one other possibility along with" "KSD", "Everything You've Ever Dreamed". It was fully produced and also sung by Arianne, but was ultimately unused.[3]
- The rhythm of the chorus is reminiscent of the second half of "Hey Jude" by The Beatles.
- There is also a remix of the song called "Tumbling Down Remix" which was made for the album Evangelion-VOX. The singer is Loren of LOREN & MASH, who also sang "Thanatos~If I Can't Be Yours~", the end credits song for Episode 25'. It is sung in a more cheerful manner, reminiscent of funk.
- The chiptune fan album "We Are (Not) Alone" final track, track 22 "“天”き死よ、来たれ", is an interpretation of "KsT".
- In January of 2012, Arianne, the artist who sang the song "Komm, susser Todd" announced on her Facebook page that she would be working on new versions of the song, along with a music video. Around the 20th of March, she posted that the song and video were finished recording and were in post-production.
- The site Komm Susser Tod 2012 was put up as a placeholder in mid-March of 2012; it now presents the finished song.
- Arianne, full name Arianne Schreiber, was born in South Africa and moved to England at the age of 19. She now lives in Australia.
- A flute version of the song can be heard during the credits of the anime short "Obake-chan" from the Japan Animator Expo.
- Initially, these songs were supposed to be sung by a "black female". Interestingly, producer Otsuki had indicated their decision on it being a gaijin early on.[4]
- Arianne was a teenager when recording both songs. She was introduced to Sagisu by songwriter Rob Davis. At the time of recording, she was entirely unfamiliar with the series. She attempted to get in contact with khara to participate in the Rebuild of Evangelion films, but was unable to reach them.[5]
- According to her Facebook page, Arianne was in Japan for three days to do recording on "Komm, süsser Tod" and "Everything You've Ever Dreamed". She said it was "amazing". She was also "honored to be a part of Evangelion".[6]
- An Interview with Mike Wyzgowski on Cartoon Milk
References[]
- ↑ The vocalist for “Komm Susser Tod” is a singer simply credited as ARIANNE. Who is Arianne, and how was she brought on to sing the song?'
I met Arianne (Schreiber) at around the same time I met Shiro. George Michael had just signed her to his label, and I think she was recording her demos at Martin’s studio.
“Komm Susser Tod” is perhaps the most famous original insert song in anime. What do you think about its legacy?
It’s amazing. It has millions of views on YouTube. It’s quite scary (and satisfying in equal measures) for me, seeing some of the comments of what the song means to people and what they read into the lyrics. - An Interview with Mike Wyzgowski on Cartoon Milk - ↑ "I would assume it was Hideaki Anno’s idea, but in all honesty I don’t know who would make those decisions."
[...]"As far as I’m aware the director has the final say, but I very rarely get asked to re-write so I think we must have a chemistry that works (fingers crossed)."
[...] "Shiro generally gives me a brief outline or a few buzzwords for whichever piece we’re working on and just leaves me to get on with it. On a lot of pieces it says “english translation” by me, but I think interpretation would be more accurate." - An Interview with Mike Wyzgowski on Cartoon Milk - ↑ The Refrain of Evangelion booklet describes it as "This CD concludes with this phantom song that we once planned to use as “one other possibility” along with Track 25. "[Komm, süsser Tod]." The early End of Evangelion drafts also mention an unspecified credits song after the beach ending scene, probably "EYED".
- ↑ Q: Who is going to sing the song for the new movie? Otsuki: A gaijin. Q: Who? Otsuki: I can’t say yet. Q: Male or female? Otsuki: Female, a black female. Q: What type of song? Otsuki: Gospel. It’s great. We will release a single of it too. We are dubbing it in London right now.28 - 1997-06-09 Geruge radio show
- ↑ Arianne Interview to Distopia Evangelion
- ↑ Interview with Evageeks user robersora
External Links[]
- Arianne's Facebook page [1]