Game of Thrones is a wonderful show. Not only the content of show is great, but also its soundtrack. In fact, I fell in love with Ramin Djawadi’s work. Just like last year, we’re counting down the best tracks of the official soundtrack. Does ‘The Children’ remain at #1. Let’s find out.

TOP 25: BEST SOUNDTRACK (2016 edition)

25 (18) You are No Son of Mine (Season 4 OST)

Tyrion had his best storyline in season 4. From being accused of murder on king Joffrey Baratheon to the final confrontation with his father, Tywin Lannister. Tyrion was the outcast of his family and loathed by his own father due to his dwarfism. Tywin never appreciated the goodness in Tyrion and got what was coming to him. This beautiful piece was played during Tyrion’s escape to Essos, where he would meet with Daenerys Targaryen. His storyline blended perfectly with Arya’s. Both characters left their past behind and sailed to a whole new continent. ‘You Are No Son of Mine’ is touching, but yet so beautiful. Too bad it has lost 7 places this year.



24 (NEW) Two Swords (Season 4 OST)

Another great track from Season 4 that makes the list is ‘Two Swords’. The song isn’t particularly long, but the mixture between House Lannister and House Stark is just awesome. Tywin Lannister melts Ice, the sword of House Stark, into two swords that now belong to House Lannister. This small scene shows how the power shift from the Starks to the Lannisters. It became my personal favorite opening of any season and I am glad the song made it into the top 25.



23 (16) Winterfell (Season 2 OST)

Winterfell is one of Game of Thrones’s finest themes. The show has been using the theme throughout the series: when Luwin found out about Bran and Rickon’s fate, when Luwin died, when Sansa builds Winterfell in the snow and when Sansa and Jon talk about trusting each other. The song never fails to cause tears in our eyes. A lot of horrible things happened to House Stark, but the North will never forget.

22 (9) Warrior of Light (Season 2 OST)

‘Warrior of Light’ loses 13 places this year. Perhaps that’s because Stannis is no longer alive in the show, but that doesn’t change the fact that this song is badass. It was the first time Melisandre’s theme was revealed. The second part of the song contains Stannis’s main theme. I am happy that the song is still present in our top 25. RIP Stannis Baratheon. You will not be forgotten. Bonus: I found ‘Warrior of Light’ with an altered pitch, it’s worth checking out.



21 (22) What is Dead May Never Die (Season 2 OST)

House Greyjoy is back with full forces this year. Not only in the show but also in this list. ‘What is Dead May Never Die’ climbs one place to #21. The music was used during Theon Greyjoy’s baptism and has been re-used in a lot of variations of the song. ‘What is Dead May Never Die’ became House Greyjoy’s main theme.



20 (NEW) Hold the Door (Season 1)

The most emotional scene in season 6 was, without a doubt, Hodor’s death (and revelation). The soundtrack that was used for Bran’s biggest scene was astonishing and immediately takes a spot in the top 20. The best part of the song actually starts at 4:00 when Bran warged into the Hodor of the past and therefore broke his mind. Hodor fulfilled his quest and held the door for his friends so they can survive. The soundtrack is as heartbreaking as the scene itself. Well done, Djawadi.

19 (8) The King’s Arrival (Season 1 OST)

‘The King’s Arrival’ is a golden oldie and remains popular in this list (even if it loses 11 places). The song marked the arrival of King Robert Baratheon in Winterfell where he asked Ned Stark to become Hand of the King. We never realized what would happen afterwards… The song is a bit nostalgic in my eyes. It reminds me of the very beginning of Game of Thrones.



18 (NEW) Breaker of Chains (Season 4 OST)

Finally this song makes an entry in this list. ‘Breaker of Chains’ might be one of the most emotional variations of Daenerys’s theme. The chaining of the dragons absolutely the saddest thing in the fourth season. And this theme simply breaks your heart. A golden tip: check the video out below and start it from 1:40. You’ll realize that ‘Breaker of Chains’ is one of the most beautiful things you have ever heard.

17 (NEW) Khaleesi (Season 6 OST)

Another badass Daenerys theme. This girl really gets the best songs, doesn’t she? Season 6 brought her (a little bit) back to the first season. This time her ‘khalasar’ is much bigger than the one in season 1. Just like in season 1, Dany emerges from the fire and shows her strength to the Dothraki. ‘Khaleesi’ reminds us of ‘Finale’, another song that earned a place in this list. Let’s rewatch this cool scene and Emilia Clarke’s ‘hot’ body of course.

16 (3) A Lannister Always Pays His Debts (Season 3 OST)

This Lannister theme couldn’t be left out in this list. Last year, ‘A Lannister Always Pays His Debts even ended in the top 3. This year, the epic song loses 13 (!) places. This song is a rendition of the infamous ‘Rains of Castamere’. If you hear it being played on a violin during a wedding, you’d better run. The Lannister songs never fail to intimidate the public.

15 (NEW) Reign (Season 6 OST)

‘Reign’ is another variation of Daenerys’s main theme; a theme that’s very popular in this list. Daenerys not only flies her dragon this time, but also orders them to attack while she’s riding the dragon. Can she be more badass? The beginning of ‘Reign’ is extremely powerful and makes you want to fly a dragon yourself. A variation of ‘Dracarys’ can be heard as well. ‘Reign’ also symbolizes the breakout of Viserion and Rhaegal. You can witness that epic scene once again. The song opens the top 15 of our list.



14 (7) Forgive Me (Season 5 OST)

‘Forgive Me’ is a weird case. Not the song, but the title actually. ‘Forgive Me’ has also been used in the soundtrack for season 4, when Dany banished Jorah. This time it’s used for a far worse tragedy: the burning of poor Shireen Baratheon, which was without any doubt the saddest scene throughout the series. The song contains Melisandre’s standard theme but slowly evolves into a very sad rendition of the theme. The best part of the song starts at 2:15, when mother Selyse tries to save Shireen but fails. I am not going to show the heart-wrenching scene, but instead the other ‘Forgive Me’. Check it out.



13 (NEW) Hear Me Roar (Season 6 OST)

Hear her roar. Cersei I Lannister, Queen of the Andals and First Men. One of my personal favorite scenes was Cersei’s coronation. I don’t like the things that she has done, but she’s badass for sure. This epic song once again shows the influence and power of House Lannister. Long May She Reign. ‘Hear Me Roar’ enters the list at #13.



12 (NEW) Blood of My Blood (Season 6 OST)

The first 45 seconds of this song are just too awesome. The speech that went along this epic soundtrack less so. But that doesn’t change the fact that I totally love ‘Blood of My Blood’. Again, Daenerys’s themes are doing excellent this year. You might want to check out this awesome cover of ‘Blood of My Blood’. It’s almost identical to the original one.

11 (14) Chaos is a Ladder (Season 3 OST)

Hey, this is one of the few songs that actually end higher on the list this year. One of the best speeches in Game of Thrones was certainly ‘Chaos is a Ladder’ by Petyr ‘Littlefinger’ Baelish. Petyr explains his whole philosophy of creating chaos, only to gain more power. But where will he stop? And will his plans somehow cause his own downfall? Will Petyr Baelish himself fall from the ladder and miss out the final climb? We still have to find out. Let’s listen to that awesome speech once again.



THE FINAL TOP 10

10 (1) The Children (Season 4 OST)



From 1 to 10. The Children was last year crowned as the ‘King of the Game of Thrones soundtrack’. Unfortunately, the song wasn’t able to remain at the spot for a second year. ‘The Children’ contains a variation of the Main Theme, Goodbye Brother and Valar Morghulis. It marks the beginning of Arya’s new quest to Braavos. Let’s enjoy once again of this beautiful song, this time sung by Zyrah Rose.



9 (10) Goodbye Brother (Season 1 OST)

‘Goodbye Brother’ is a song from the first season and used when Arya and Jon say goodbye to each other for a very long time. The song’s true meaning only showed up in season 5 when Jon was stabbed to death by his ‘brothers’. It’s nice to see how the title of the song actually works when we found out about Jon’s fate. ‘Goodbye Brother’ is a very emotional song and a lot of people still seem to be attached with it. Perhaps that’s why the song still manages to climb a spot in our top 10.

8 (NEW) Finale (Season 1 OST)

‘Finale’ finally makes an entry! And immediately in our top 10! One of the most memorable scenes in season 1 was the birth of Daenerys’s dragons. The final scene went along with this epic track ‘Finale’. ‘Finale’ contains Daenerys’s main theme, which has been used throughout the series, and the opening song. This beautiful song earned a well deserved place in our top 25. For those who want to see how ‘Finale’ was used in the show, watch the video beneath.

7 (NEW) The Tower (Season 6 OST)

The biggest reveal in Game of Thrones was Jon Snow’s parentage. Bran Stark (and we) were finally able to see what happened inside the Tower of Joy. The track that was played during that scene was ‘The Tower’. I remember when I heard it the first time. It already sent me shivers down my spine. The Tower deserved a good spot in our top 10.



6 (21) Mother of Dragons (Season 2 OST)

The biggest surprise of this list is ‘Mother of Dragons’. I came to the conclusion that Daenerys’s score is rather popular. And to be honest, every season she gets some wonderful tracks. ‘Mother of Dragons’ is another epic example of Daenerys’s themes. Again, this song has the same melody as the main theme of Game of Thrones. The song is used in the second season when Daenerys seeks revenge on Xaro Xhoan Daxos, who planned to have Daenerys and her dragons captured. Daenerys steals all his gold and leaves the city together with her three lovely dragons. Mother of Dragons is this year’s biggest climber. A little extra: the song is also used for the DVD-menu of the second season.



5 (4) The Dance of Dragons (Season 5 OST)

‘The Dance of Dragons’ ended at #4 last year. The first part is a variation of ‘Dracarys’ and isn’t too remarkable at all. The real EPIC part begins at 2:15 in the song. The sudden build-up indicates Daenerys riding Drogon for the first time. And god. We did wait long for that moment. The first time I saw the scene, I had goosebumps. Just like everyone else, I suspect. Let’s enjoy the Dance of Dragons for a last time.

4 (5) Mhysa (Season 3 OST)

One of my personal favorites is ‘Mhysa’. The scene itself wasn’t the greatest moment in Game of Thrones, but the soundtrack that went with it gave me goosebumps. This beautiful song contains the main theme as well. For those who don’t know the meaning of ‘Mhysa. It means ‘Mother’ in Ghiscari. Last year, the song even made it into the top 5. ‘Mhysa’ will always be remembered as one of the greatest songs of the Game of Thrones soundtrack. Those who like to see the final scene of season 3 again, see below.

3 (2) The Rains of Castamere (Season 2 OST)

The main theme of House Lannister is The Rains of Castamere. And of course, this song earns a well-deserved spot in this list as well. The Lannisters are often feared by the other Great Houses and this beautiful but intimidating song makes the picture complete. No one in the realm will ever forget what House Lannister did against House Reyne. ‘The Rains of Castamere’ is performed by the National and first used in the credits sequence of the episode ‘Blackwater’. Did you ever hear ‘The Rains of Castamere’ a capella? Oh man, this song is beyond epic.

2 (NEW) The Winds of Winter (Season 6 OST)

The songs that have been used in the final scenes of Game of Thrones never disappointed us. This year we got ‘The Winds of Winter’ as the final track of the season. ‘The Winds of Winter’ was played during Daenerys’s voyage to Westeros. A moment we have been waiting for since season 1. If you listen closely to the song, you can hear the theme of House Greyjoy. Together with her new allies (Greyjoys/Sand Snakes/Olenna Tyrell), Dany sails to the place where she was born. Westeros.



1 (NEW) Light of the Seven (Season 6 OST)

We have a new king among the tracks of the official soundtrack: ‘The Light of the Seven’. Fresh from the season finale of season 6 and already at the first spot. And to be honest, I saw it coming. ‘The Light of the Seven’ is an exception when we compare it with the other songs. It’s the first time in Game of Thrones that a piano has been part of the soundtrack. The hauntingly build-up to the conclusion of the song together with Cersei’s evil plan was a match made in heaven. I don’t think anyone would be disappointed to see ‘Light of the Seven’ at the top of our list. The scene itself made me think of the notorious scene of the Godfather. That scene together with this soundtrack is just too awesome. Check it out.

Thanks!

Thanks for those who have voted. I hope to see you back next year!

Special thanks to:

– IMdB message board ‘Game of Thrones’

– Subreddits ‘Free Folk’ and ‘Asoiaf’