When you think of best Super Mario song, what comes to mind?  The overworld theme that is one of the most recognizable video game music compositions ever; the just-as-easily recognizable underworld theme; how about that one with the fish? Or God forbid, the Walk the Dinosaur song from the movie…

But I pose to you something else;  something newer, but not recent.  I’m of course talking about Dire, Dire Docks from the level of the same name in Super Mario 64.  Why do I think this song deserves recognition? Simply, it has stuck with me more than most other video game songs, including the overworld song.

The song has this tranquil feeling, but does not become a yawn-fest after a few seconds.  It keeps your attention with its addicting melody and harmonies of underwater chimes.  Somehow it is both simple and powerful at the same time.  The echo-filled nature of the composition also helps to fit the setting of the level, which is a water-filled cave and chasm.

Swimming through the main cave room in "Dire, Dire Docks."

The best part of the song, undoubtably, is not really even the song itself, but rather how it is programed into the level.  The song has three parts to it, starting with the simple chime version.  From there, as you dive deeper into the level and traverse through a completely flooded tunnel (losing your precious life along the way), a subtle track of strings is added on top of the chimes, providing a new melody for the “verse” of the song.  The third part of the song occurs when you get above water onto the docks themselves in the back of the level.  A very addicting drum track is added onto the previous two tracks, which complements them perfectly.  It really makes it feel like you are progressing through the level.  And as you are jumping from pole to pole over the water in the back of the level, the added drums add a little bit of adrenaline.  As you go in-between these three parts of the level, the music artfully fades between the three versions of the song, so that most of the the time you only notice is subconsciously.

There are many, many great songs in the Mario music repertoire, but this one stands out.  It is simple, elegant, and really sticks with you.  Music integration with the level is always a big plus in my book, and this composition writes the book. Unfortunately, being how subdued this song is when compared to its more prominent brethren, I doubt it is on your radar.  If you haven’t heard it ever, or maybe just in a while, it’s definitely worth a listen; or if you have Super Mario 64, a play through.  You won’t get the full impact of the song unless you are playing the level that goes with it.

Jason Factoid: I have this song as my picture message ringtone.