The Rains of Castamere (song)
| "The Rains of Castamere" | |
|---|---|
| Song by The National | |
| from the album Game of Thrones: Season 2 (soundtrack) | |
| Released | June 19, 2012 |
| Recorded | 2011 |
| Genre | Television soundtrack |
| Length | 2:23 |
| Label | Varèse Sarabande |
| Songwriter(s) | Ramin Djawadi, George R. R. Martin |
| Producer(s) | Ramin Djawadi |
| Audio sample | |
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"The Rains of Castamere" is a song in the A Song of Ice and Fire novels and of the television series adaptation Game of Thrones. The song was written by George R. R. Martin in the original novel and was composed by Ramin Djawadi in 2011, upon request from the series creators David Benioff and D. B. Weiss. The song appears multiple times throughout the books and show.
History
The season 2 soundtrack contains a rendition of the song "The Rains of Castamere" by the indie rock band The National, sung by their vocalist Matt Berninger.[1] On the published track list, the title is spelled "The Rains of Castomere" rather than "Castamere" as in the novels. The spelling is corrected on the printed listing on the liner notes that come with the disc.[2] It was played over the end credits of the ninth episode, "Blackwater".
In the series, the song was first heard when Tyrion Lannister whistled a small part in the first episode of the second season.[3] An instrumental version can be heard during Tyrion's speech right after King Joffrey abandons the battlefield in the same episode. In season 3, an instrumental version of "The Rains of Castamere" plays over the end credits in episode 7, "The Bear and the Maiden Fair".[4] In episode 9 of season 3, an instrumental version of "The Rains of Castamere" is played by the musicians at the Tully-Frey wedding. In episode 2 of season 4 of Game of Thrones ("The Lion and the Rose"), Icelandic band Sigur Rós makes a cameo appearance as musicians performing their rendition of "The Rains of Castamere" at the wedding of Joffrey and Margaery. Joffrey stops them midway by throwing coins at them. Their version also plays over the closing credits of this episode.[5]
The song's lyrics are taken from the A Song of Ice and Fire novels, in which "The Rains of Castamere" is sung or mentioned several times.[6] It remembers Tywin Lannister's victory over House Lannister's rebellious vassals of Reyne ("the Reynes of Castamere") and Tarbeck, about 40 years before the events of the novels. The stanza of the song that is reproduced in the novels and adapted for the series tells of the vassals' defiance – "And who are you, the proud lord said / That I must bow so low?" – and the subsequent obliteration of their houses: "But now the rains weep o'er his hall / With no one there to hear." Tywin eliminated the Reynes by sealing them in Castamere and diverting a river, drowning all surviving members of the House, thus bringing another meaning to Reynes.
Credits and personnel
Personnel adapted from the album liner notes.[7]
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See also
References
- ↑ "‘Game of Thrones’ Season 2 Soundtrack Details". Film Music Reporter. May 24, 2012. Retrieved May 24, 2012.
- ↑ Elio, García (May 23, 2012). "Season 2 Soundtrack Details". Westeros.org. Retrieved May 24, 2012.
- ↑ Mahoney, Lesley (September 20, 2013). "Behind the Scenes with Game of Thrones Composer Ramin Djawadi". Berklee College of Music.
- ↑ Carp, Jesse (May 24, 2012). "Listen to the National Recording of the rains of Castamere for Game of Thrones". cinemablend. Retrieved June 1, 2012.
- ↑ "Listen: Sigur Rós’ cover of "The Rains of Castamere" for Game of Thrones". Consequence of Sound. April 13, 2014. Retrieved April 14, 2014.
- ↑ "Listen to The National’s new Lannister-happy song from The Game of Thrones soundtrack". io9. May 24, 2012. Retrieved May 25, 2012.
- ↑ "Game of Thrones: Season 2 by Ramin Djawadi". Retrieved July 20, 2012.
