Pony Music Library 63: "Solidarity"

I think it's about time I got the Pony Music Library series out of storage again! This entry will probably not be a huge surprise to most of you, but it's a song that's new enough that it simply didn't exist for most of the time when I was making PML posts more frequently. Indeed, I stopped doing that about when this song came out!

PrinceWhateverer – Solidarity

What? "Solidarity"

Who? PrinceWhateverer

Which? Original song

When? October 2018

Why? This song might be considered the last true major hit of the Friendship is Magic era. There's been a lot of excellent music made since then, but mostly with five-figure view counts at best. "Solidarity" has over 305k views on the original post alone, and with 696k for the hugely (and deservedly) popular multi-artist animation from the following year, it's now clocked up over a million YT views overall. (You can also download it in higher quality for £1 on Bandcamp.) This is a song for the fans, all about how even as numbers dwindled and some would "fade to distant memories", our fandom was still here and still meant so much to so many. There's a lot of heart and soul, and PrinceWhateverer's choice of melodic rock over the shoutier metallic style he sometimes uses really helps this have mass appeal. The sample of Twilight's speech from her coronation – an earlier time when some "moved on", mixes nostalgia with inspiration. To me, at least, "Solidarity" took on even more importance during the period when things were often bleak and lockdowns and restrictions meant that "Will I see you at the con?" could only have the answer, "What con?" Even then, the fandom was there for us all. I've always felt that, regardless of what other interests I have already or may acquire in future, MLP will be a part of my life forever. I'm not going anywhere, I'll die with the herd.

Pony Music Library 62: "Fly My Kite"

Hey look, another feature I haven't used here since 2019! Pony Music Library was a fun little series, so I thought I'd bring it back, at least as an occasional thing. I'm starting off now with a song that wasn't even released when I posted PML 61!

4everfreebrony – Fly My Kite

What? "Fly My Kite"

Who? 4everfreebrony

Which? Original song

When? May 2020

Why? A true modern classic now, one which a friend found when it was still quite new but which I really like. This is a song about Starlight, whose liking for kites appeared in S7E04, "Rock Solid Friendship", though she'd had kites in her room a season earlier. Anyway, the song is one of the wonderfully melodic pieces for which 4everfreebrony has been rightly famed for many years now. The vocals are calm, yet with just enough emotion to hint at the emotional turmoil Glimmy has been through during her life. They give us a few of the highlights (and lowlights) of Starlight's story from Sunburst leaving right through to her acceptance by the Ponyville gang. Through it all, Starlight finds happiness and solace in her kite-flying. Never, ever let it be said that brony music died after 2014!

Pony Music Library 61: "Memory Lane"

I bet some of you thought I was finished with this series! Nope. I just kept forgetting about it, or having other things on my mind, or needing to post episode reviews, or doing "Sounds of 2012" instead. (On which note, I should have a scheduled So2012 post appearing over the weekend.) But even though it's almost six months since the last PML induction, I'm going to bring back the series right now, and with something thematically rather appropriate, I feel:

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What? "Memory Lane"

Who? Forest Rain

Which? Fandom song cover

When? February 2012

Why? Yes, I featured this as part of "Sounds of 2012" just last month, but I really do like it enough to induct it here as well. Many people these days don't realise that it's not a Forest Rain original: it's a cover of a gentler acoustic original by Osoth. However, I do like Forest Rain's version more – okay, I like most things she does – thanks to its additional touches, faster pace and infectious beat. It also carries a message that I feel has extra resonance as we face the end of Friendship is Magic. Yes, "No matter if you're underwing" is a slightly strange line (in a song this old, it's unlikely to be a reference to Scootaloo's disability) but I don't think it harms the track. "You just gotta walk that path again, and you can smile, smile, smile" and "where the hurtful and the hateful cannot fly" are much more important. This song reminds us that the happiness we've gained from My Little Pony won't go away. We just have to remember that.

Pony Music Library 60: "Loveless Lovechild"

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Hey look, two of these in the same month! Clearly the End Times are nigh. :P Don't get too used to this, though; you know what I'm like. This is a song I've been meaning to induct for a little while now, but other tracks get in the way. Not so today, so off we go!

What? "Loveless Lovechild"

Who? d.notive

Which? Original song

When? September 2013 (original YT upload; the public one now is from February 2014)

Why? This is the second d.notive song to be added to the PML, after the almost inevitable "Vicious Lies", and like that song "Loveless Lovechild" is a superbly catchy piece of darkly gripping synthesiser goodness. Originally described by d.notive as a spiritual successor to "VL", it's a song about Chrysalis. The first verse tells of her younger days, the second of her desire for revenge after the events of "A Canterlot Wedding". Back when this was written, that was still her only appearance, and the S6 finale lay far in the future. There's even a short sample from the S2 finale, used in a very effective manner.

You can get HQ versions on a name-your-price basis on d.notive's Bandcamp.

Pony Music Library 59: "Hope Shines Eternal"

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Season 9 of Friendship is Magic begins tomorrow, but in this latest edition of Pony Music Library I'm inducting an Equestria Girls song! This has been one of my favourites from that sub-franchise for a while now.

What? "Hope Shines Eternal"

Who? Daniel Ingram (music and lyrics)

Which? Equestria Girls song

When? October 2016

Why? It took me a while to warm to Legend of Everfree, and I don't think it's ever likely to dethrone Rainbow Rocks in my affections, but there are parts of LoE that I've always enjoyed. The outro song, "Hope Shines Eternal", is one of them. With its folk-rock style and message of optimism and friendship, it fits very nicely indeed over the end credits of an MLP film about a summer camp. It's fairly short, and an extended version with an extra verse or so might have been nice, but even as it is this is a very satisfying way for the movie to go out.

Pony Music Library 58: "The Pony I Want To Be (Sim Gretina Remix)"

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Well, I've managed – just about! – to fulfil my hope of getting a PML entry posted by the end of the Christmas season. This one is a little newer than some, but it's one I've listened to a lot recently. Even more than the song it's based on, actually...

What? "The Pony I Want To Be (Sim Gretina Remix)"

Who? Sim Gretina, based on the original by Daniel Ingram

Which? Show song remix

When? October 2015

Why? Sim Gretina is a musician that many people still badly miss since he stopped making MLP remixes, even though that was more than three years ago now. As far as I'm aware, this track from autumn 2015 marked the end as far as this particular fandom was concerned. It's a relatively light-touch remix, which for me places it squarely in the "simple things done really well" category. It pulls off the difficult trick of giving Diamond Tiara's lament an infectious beat while still maintaining the original's emotional pull. Not a bad Pony swan song for such a deservedly popular remixer.

Pony Music Library 57: "The Moon Rises"

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It's been a while, hasn't it? Let's get back to the PML, and today I'll be inducting a tune which might easily have made the list a long time ago. One which has more than one excellent version, too.

What? "The Moon Rises"

Who? Ponyphonic

Which? Original song

When? February 2012

Why? This is one of the undoubted vocal classics of the Pony fandom. It puts us in the horseshoes of Princess Luna in the run-up to her refusal to lower the sun, over a thousand years before the events of FiM. The song starts quite gently, but gradually builds in power until by the end there's no doubt that Luna's transformation into Nightmare Moon is imminent. My choice of Ponyphonic's original male vocals may be a little controversial, but I've always preferred this to any of the others, despite the lack of one verse that was later added.

However, there are two main female singers who've given this song their own individual stamp. In April 2016, Kristen Calvin's cover introduced us to the extra verse near the end – six lines about Luna's determination to be recognised. Then, in November of the same year, Duo Cartoonist's hugely popular animation (14m views and counting!) featured EileMonty's vocals, including some pretty striking evil laughter right at the end. They're both fine interpretations, but it's Ponyphonic's original that hits the right note for me.

Pony Music Library 56: "Raise This Barn"

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If real life hadn't overtaken me for a while, I'd been planning to make these PML posts a little bit more frequent. I didn't manage that, but I can at least put one up now. The Library isn't only for fan-made songs, and this week there's one of the best known of all tunes from the show.

What? "Raise This Barn"

Who? Daniel Ingram and Cindy Morrow

Which? Show song

When? December 2012

Why? Sometimes, like any other reviewer, I get things wrong. When I reviewed "Apple Family Reunion", an episode which I really didn't find very impressive, I said that "the song rather left me cold". Whoops! It certainly doesn't these days, as I now find it one of the catchiest and most all-round fun songs in the series' history. I did at least say that I thought it would be wonderful as an audience-participation convention number, and I can report that this is so. "Raise This Barn" is infectiously upbeat, its whirling Western rhythms almost forcing you to get up and dance. (I said almost!) Yes, we all know it sounds like "racist barn", but these days I don't think anyone really bothers too much about that old meme. The song itself, however, endures. This PML entry is my mea culpa for that review comment!

Pony Music Library 55: "Queen of Nightmares"

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It's been more than a month since I added to the Pony Music Library, so let's induct a new song today! Well, not a new song, but you know what I mean. This is a track I didn't actually know anything about until I chanced upon it while flicking through the tracks I hadn't tried in My Little Karaoke some while back, but it really stuck in my head.

What? "Queen of Nightmares"

Who? Time Baby

Which? Original song

When? November 2013

Why? What drew me into this song was the long intro, with its deceptively twangy banjo. Then the main part of the song came in and I was truly hooked. You don't get many songs specifically about Nightmare Moon, but this one fixes that. The breathy vocals fit the subject really well, and the banjo (which almost sounds as if it's about to break into Journey of the Sorcerer) creates a fascinating contrast. There's a definite hint of Depeche Mode in there, though the bridge reminds me just a little of mid-era Talk Talk. The whole atmosphere is dark and unsettling, ideal for its subject. For this to have barely 5,000 views is a crying shame.

Pony Music Library 54: "Kindness" (4EverfreeBrony cover)

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I'm back from my holiday in Scotland (which was fantastic, apart from the ~100 midge bites) and ready to ease myself back into Pony stuff. There'll be a small Ponyfic Roundup tomorrow, but I'll start off with another PML induction.

What? "Kindness"

Who? 4EverfreeBrony

Which? Cover

When? March 2018

Why? A song that isn't even three months old wouldn't normally be considered for the Pony Music Library – but this one is special, so much so that I bought it on Bandcamp without hesitation. It's a cover of the AcoustiMandoBrony classic "Kindness" from January 2013, a song I've always liked but somehow never quite loved, despite it being about Fluttershy. This version, though, was an instant favourite right from the jangly guitar intro. 4EverfreeBrony's voice fits so well, the guitar solo is perfect, the drums add to the melody but aren't too intrusive... yeah, I do love this version. I've listened to it dozens of times already, and as such it's going straight into the PML. :)

Pony Music Library 53: לעוף (Fly)

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Hey, would you look at that? It's less than three weeks since the last PML entry! Clearly dark magic is at work. (And why has the show forgotten about dark magic, anyway?) Today, a song written by a musician far better known for remixing other people's works – and this one isn't even in English.

What? "לעוף (Fly)"

Who? The Living Tombstone

Which? Original song

When? February 2012

Why? As far as his time making MLP music goes, The Living Tombstone is generally known as a remix artist – but there are exceptions, and this is one. What we have here is a very nice rock number in which one of Spitfire's fans (no, not Rainbow Dash!) sings about their wish that one day they could fly with their hero, despite not having wings of their own. This song is in TLT's native Hebrew, but even though I barely understand a word of that language, the track has really nice guitar sounds and an excellent beat. Into the PML it goes!

Pony Music Library 52: "Let Your Mane Down (d.notive cover)" by Replacer

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Frith, has it really been two months since the last PML post? I believe it has! Something must be done about that right this minute. Fortunately, I've been on a bit of a brony music binge recently, so I've listened to quite a lot and have chosen one of my favourite songs from that sample here. Replacer also gets props for his stamina: he's still producing fandom music in 2018. Yay for him!

What? "Let Your Mane Down (d.notive cover)"

Who? Replacer

Which? Cover/remix

When? February 2012

Why? I admire d.notive's work, and I quite like his original version of "Let Your Mane Down". (That seems to have disappeared from YouTube, so have this later album version.) However, Replacer's cover/remix is even more to my taste. It is almost ridiculously catchy, with a wildly infectious, uptempo beat and Replacer's excellent vocals. There's also a really nice instrumental break a little before the three-minute mark. The original song was inspired by the S2 episode "Sisterhooves Social", back in the days when Sweetie Belle seemed to live with her parents and only stay with Rarity.

Pony Music Library 51: "Spirit of Fire"

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It's long past time we had another PML entry, so let's get right to it!

What? "Spirit of Fire"

Who? PsychGoth (ft. Nowacking and Mysterious Bronie)

Which? Original song

When? July 2013

Why? I'm rather fond of Eighties-style music, so this song attracted my attention right from the start. The impressive line-up of performers didn't hurt, either. It's very much in the vein of Europop from that decade, so it may not win over those who don't already enjoy the genre. However, for those who are taken by it, this has a wonderful drive and energy that fits Spitfire's character perfectly and gives us a nice look at how she grew into the powerful mare she later became. Great guitar solo, too!

Pony Music Library 50: "My Little Pony Theme (Extended Version)"

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PML is 50 not out! I wasn't really expecting to get this far in the series when I started it back in April 2016, but here we are – and I suspect some of you guessed what I'd be featuring to mark the occasion.

What? "My Little Pony Theme (Extended Version)"

Who? Daniel Ingram, Lauren Faust, Anna Bryant, Clifford "Ford" Kinder and Barry Harman

Which? Extended version of FiM opening theme

When? February 2012

Why? Although the video for this says "Leaked", it was officially released that same month as an extra on The Friendship Express DVD. The show theme itself is something many of us skip these days (although not usually me) but it's also a hugely important part of Friendship is Magic. It's barely changed since S1, and though people sometimes complain about that I'm glad. This extended version adds some really nice extra lines about each of the Mane Six, and "We'll make it special every time" is one of my favourite lyrics in any My Little Pony song. The video is also very much in the style of early-fandom PMVs.

In February 2014, Hasbro uploaded a new version to its official account, but in usual Hasbro "music video" style its visuals vary substantially from the original. Besides, it doesn't have the nostalgia value that the original does – after all, that one was only a few weeks old when I came into the fandom. Love it, hate it or somewhere in between, the show theme is at the very core of FiM; after all, the tune's beginning (both here and in the short show version) seems to be hinting at a continuation of G3-style Pony but it then goes far more upbeat and marks a clear break with the former style. As such, it seems an entirely appropriate song to induct on this particular occasion.

Pony Music Library: What's coming... and what isn't

Those of you who follow my occasional "Pony Music Library" posts will know that the next one will be number 50 in the series. As such, I'm planning to feature a song that means something to me beyond "this is a nice piece of music". I expect the feature to arrive during January, but right now I can't be more precise than that.

Movie songs will become eligible for induction in January, too, since that's when my self-imposed film spoiler ban will expire. I'm not sure whether I really want to feature such recent tracks just yet, but I expect one or two of them will be inducted in time. And yes, album-only songs are eligible too. So, for the avoidance of doubt, are EqG shorts songs.

As for the second part of my title: I have decided not to feature songs which have been entirely removed from the musician's YouTube account, unless: a) they are freely available on an official account elsewhere, or b) there are very special circumstances. I am still considering unlisted songs (eg "Never Alone") as that's rather different.

One notable track which this affects is EileMonty's "I Am Octavia", which as far as I can tell she has deleted from her YouTube account – even direct links bring up "unavailable", which wouldn't be the case if the track had simply been unlisted. I don't know why EileMonty made this decision, but I want to respect it, even though the song is still everywhere online.

Any songs which get deleted after they have been featured in the PML will not be restrospectively un-inducted, as that would simply cause confusion. There are in any case limits to how much editing I can find the time for!

Pony Music Library 49: "My Little Pony Friends"

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Well, would you look at that? Logan's put up a PML post without waiting a month and a half since the last one! This is an interesting song, too, and one some of you may find a surprising choice as a favourite of mine, so let's get going.

What? "My Little Pony Friends"

Who? Daniel Ingram and Lauren Faust (show theme segments)

Which? Unused EqG song

When? August 2014 (public debut)

Why? The closing credits of the first Equestria Girls film featured the song "A Friend for Life", which in all honesty is not one I find very memorable. That wasn't the initial plan, though. The movie was originally going to close with this song. Why the change was made I don't know, but I like "My Little Pony Friends" more. It tugs at my heart in a way that "AFfL" doesn't quite manage. This was Kaylee Johnston's first singing role for MLP, and I think her only lead singing role, another reason I'm sad it was cut. Oh, and yes, it does indeed include the phrase "We love and tolerate". So let's have no more about that not being canon! :P

Pony Music Library 48: "Loyalty"

As it's well over a month since the last PML post, I think it's time to do change that. For what it's worth, no movie song will be eligible until next year, partly to avoid any spoilers and partly to give the songs time to settle in my head. Today's inductee is one you've probably all been waiting for almost since the start. Well, wait no longer!

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What? "Loyalty"

Who? Acoustic Brony & Mandobrony

Which? Original song

When? January 2012

Why? Well, here it is. I don't think this ode to Rainbow Dash's general awesomeness is the best song these musicians have come up with, and they're no longer even really involved with our fandom at all – but "Loyalty" is just too significant to leave out. It's also, undeniably, damn catchy, and it has one of my favourite guitar solos in all of pony music. I heard Acoustic Brony play this (not acoustically :P ) at BUCK 2014, and it had as much energy then as it does in this recording. It may be more nostalgic than ground-breaking now, and Dash herself may have progressed a lot since 2012 – but whether you love it or loathe it, "Loyalty" is one of those songs that everyone in the fandom recognises. As such, it's something that binds us together, and it demands its place in the PML.

Pony Music Library 47: "My Past is Not Today"

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What? "My Past is Not Today"

Who? Daniel Ingram

Which? Equestria Girls short

When? April 2015

Why? At the start of April 2015, three music videos appeared on Hasbro's channel. There'd been no hint that they were coming, strange as it may seem in these days of blanket promotion, and they blew the fandom away. I like all of them, but "My Past is Not Today" is probably the one which had the most impact. After Sunset Shimmer's triumphant Rainbow Rocks appearance, she'd become a hugely popular character, and this song cemented that further. It's a great power ballad about her redemption, sung excellently by Rebecca Shoichet and featuring a fine hook, a catchy melody and a strong bass line. The lyrics are solid and easily singable, too. The quality of the animation doesn't hurt, either, but it's the song itself that's getting inducted here.

Pony Music Library 46: "Sweetie's Big Race - FiW REMIX"

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What? "Sweetie's Big Race - FiW REMIX"

Who? Toastwaffle

Which? Friendship is Witchcraft remix

When? April 2012

Why? I've always loved Friendship is Witchcraft. It remains my favourite abridged series – ahead of Mentally Advanced, ahead of Scootertrix, ahead of everything. And among its best features were the original songs that gradually became more interesting as the series went on. "Sweetie's Big Race" (from episode 5, "Neigh, Soul Sister") is a fun little piece even in its original form, with Sweetie Bot putting a whole new spin on the events of "Sisterhood Social". Toastwaffle's version, though, picks up the pace, adds some unbearably catchy instrumentals and makes Sweetie Bot's vocals seem a little more menacing – as, in the context of FiW, they probably should be.

Pony Music Library 45: "Best Friends Until the End of Time (JTH Remix)"

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What? "Best Friends Until the End of Time (JTH Remix)"

Who? JoinedTheHerd

Which? Show song remix

When? April 2017

Why? Yeah, I know this is a bit recent by PML standards, but I just can't get it out of my head. The little repeated instrumental theme that plays multiple times during the song is one of the catchiest things I've heard in ages. The show version itself is growing on me a bit, but JTH's version really lifts it to another level. Nice ending, too. Also, cute cover art, though I can't help feeling this remix needs an animation with pixellated ponies bouncing along to the beat, a little like a 16-bit version of the way they do in "La Da Dee".