Dearly Beloved

"Dearly Beloved" is the opening and main theme of all games in the  series. Composed for  by Yoko Shimomura, a version of the piece has been featured in every Kingdom Hearts release to date.

"Dearly Beloved -Reprise-" is a version of "Dearly Beloved" that plays after the credits during The End.

Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance
In their journey through the Sleeping Worlds, Sora and Riku both encounter a younger version of Mickey in Symphony of Sorcery. The King is not yet able to control his magical power, causing great havoc with his spells. Both Sora and Riku are tasked with retrieving Sound Ideas in order to rid a musical book of darkness and return Yen Sid's tower to normal.





Ultimately, the Keyblade wielders return with the Sound Ideas. The first Sound Idea retrieved is a string harmony, while the second is the main piano melody of "Dearly Beloved". Mickey informs each wielder that one Sound Idea is not enough; having faith in each other, Sora's and Riku's Sound Ideas appear in the other's worlds. When combined, they create a powerful song that frees Mickey and restores the world, allowing Sora to confront the Nightmare within the musical book.

Appearances
"Dearly Beloved" plays in the opening menu of every Kingdom Hearts game to date. Likewise, either "Dearly Beloved" or "Dearly Beloved -Reprise-" plays during the ending screen, The End. The song also appears in a few cutscenes.

Kingdom Hearts Re:coded

 * "One Last Mystery"

Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep

 * "Blank Points"

Sora's Story

 * Symphony of Sorcery: "The Duet", "The Apprentice Practices"

Riku's Story

 * Symphony of Sorcery: "The Duet"
 * Mysterious Tower: "Into Sora's Slumber"

Kingdom Hearts Union χ

 * Medals


 * Cutscenes
 * Daybreak Town (Main Story): "The Power of Friendship", "To Other Worlds", "The Foretellers' Chamber", "One Last Wish", "Goodnight"

Kingdom Hearts III

 * Secret Forest: "Talking on Paper"

Kingdom Hearts Melody of Memory

 * "KINGDOM HEARTS II: Chapter 5"

Composition
"Dearly Beloved" contains two distinct melodies comprised out of identical chord structures, allowing them to be layered on top of each other. The second melody was first introduced in "Always on My Mind" and was first incorporated into "Dearly Beloved" in Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories.

Kingdom Hearts
In Kingdom Hearts, the main melody is performed as a piano solo with a synthesized choral background. The original Kingdom Hearts included the sound of ocean waves behind the instrumentation, and while still present in-game, the background sounds were not carried over to the Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX album recording. This version is also used in the opening menu of Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX.

"Dearly Beloved -Reprise" features a bell solo with pizzicato strings as support.

Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories
The Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories version contains the original melody played on the, along with the secondary melody played by a synthesizer. In Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories, the primary melody is moved to piano and secondary melody to celesta, and both versions include choral support. The arrangement is overall similar to the original "Dearly Beloved". While composing the track, the game's themes of connected memories and timelines inspired Shimomura's use of "Always on My Mind" and the piece's overall tone.

Kingdom Hearts II
The Kingdom Hearts II version transformed "Dearly Beloved" into a full orchestral piece, featuring a piano solo carrying the main melody and various woodwind solos building the secondary melody.

"Dearly Beloved -Reprise-" once again contains both melodies, arranged for piano by Kaoru Wada. It is played as a simple piano solo.

Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days
In the Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days arrangement, a flute brings the secondary melody to the foreground, while a piano plays the original melody behind it with accompanying strings. The tone of this version is sad and wistful and invokes a sense of longing, a parallel to Roxas's tragic story.

Kingdom Hearts Re:coded
Kingdom Hearts Re:coded contains a slightly faster version of the original "Dearly Beloved" theme. It features both the first and second melodies with pizzicato string support. This arrangement has a lighthearted and playful tone, mirroring the tone of the game.

Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep
The version introduced in Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep is also used in Kingdom Hearts 0.2 Birth by Sleep -A fragmentary passage-. This is an orchestral arrangement of "Dearly Beloved". It still features a piano, as with the previous games, but it also includes a violin solo with some added original melody. This is the first arrangement to alter the chord structure of Dearly Beloved, albeit briefly. It is an emotional arrangement, with both melancholy and vigor, reflecting the tone of the game.

Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance
The Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance version of "Dearly Beloved" was arranged by Yoko Shimomura, as with the other games, while the performance was orchestrated and conducted by Kaoru Wada. It retains the original theme with pianos, violins, glockenspiel, and plucked violins. The melody is then passed to flute, followed by a colorful waltz-like part which includes a tambourine and quick clarinet ornaments. Unlike other versions, it also switches between a 4/4 and 3/4 time signature – a reference to the "3D" in the title, according to Yoko Shimomura.

In Symphony of Sorcery, the version of "Dearly Beloved" formed by Sora's and Riku's Sound Ideas is far simpler. It only features the main melody, played on piano, and a simple string backing. This arrangement is inspired by the original "Dearly Beloved" from Kingdom Hearts, with the string part imitating the original's synthesized choral harmony.

Kingdom Hearts χ
The Kingdom Hearts χ arrangement begins with a unique piano section over a soft choir; here, notes of the primary melody play at half the regular frequency. It then transitions into a light and upbeat section prominently featuring mallet instruments, with support provided by strings. This arrangement is the only arrangement to not incorporate the secondary melody since its introduction in Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories.

Kingdom Hearts Union χ
The version used in Kingdom Hearts Union χ version is also used in Kingdom Hearts Dark Road. This arrangement is characterized by heavy usage of strings: the main melody is plucked, while the secondary melody and a steady background section are bowed. A new descending piano pattern also repeats throughout the arrangement.

The credits of Kingdom Hearts Union χ and Kingdom Hearts Dark Road feature a new version of "Dearly Beloved". It incorporates elements from the arrangements from Kingdom Hearts χ, Kingdom Hearts Union χ, Kingdom Hearts χ Back Cover, and Kingdom Hearts III (both the main version and "Dearly Beloved -Forest Memory-").

Kingdom Hearts χ Back Cover
In Kingdom Hearts χ Back Cover, the piece begins with a low piano backed by strings. Bells and a clarinet are added as the piece crescendos, while still maintaining a somber tone throughout.

Kingdom Hearts III
The arrangement of "Dearly Beloved" in Kingdom Hearts III by Yoko Shimomura and Yui Morishita is a. Tetsuya Nomura ordered it to be based on the , a series of twelve compositions for piano by. The melody in the introduction of the piece is different from any of the arrangements prior until the moment it becomes its usual melody. While initially relaxed and calm, this arrangement gradually builds up to a triumphant ending.

"Dearly Beloved -Forest Memory-" is a version that appears in Kingdom Hearts III and is more prominently featured in Kingdom Hearts III Re Mind. This version has the main melody on piano and the second melody on strings; the main distinguishing feature of this arrangement is the supporting flute ornaments. In addition, the arrangement subtly quotes the melodies of "" and "Musique pour la tristesse de Xion".

Kingdom Hearts Melody of Memory
Kingdom Hearts Melody of Memory features an upbeat iteration of "Dearly Beloved" that retains the original theme played on piano and trumpets. This version takes influence from jazz.

Piano Collections Kingdom Hearts
The version of "Dearly Beloved" included in Piano Collections Kingdom Hearts is arranged by Takehiko Yamada. This solo piano feature incorporates rhythms from the original Kingdom Hearts arrangement and shares similarities to the Kingdom Hearts II version of "Dearly Beloved -Reprise-". While initially simple, it gradually gets more complex as the piece progresses. Overall, it is a very calm arrangement. This version is also used in the opening menu of Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX, Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX, and Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue.

"Concert Paraphrase on 'Dearly Beloved'" is a piano solo, likewise arranged by Takehiko Yamada. It takes far more liberties with the rhythms and melodies of "Dearly Beloved" while including complex piano runs and several original segments.

memória! ~ The Very Best of Yoko Shimomura
This version of "Dearly Beloved" was arranged by Yoko Shimomura and Hiroyuki Nakayama and performed as a piano duet. The introduction of this arrangement is based on "March Caprice for Piano and Orchestra". It is a very complex arrangement and features a brief change in time signature (from 4/4 to 3/4).

Kingdom Hearts Tribute Album
The arrangement featured in the Kingdom Hearts Tribute Album was composed by (スエミツ アンド ザ スエミス). It is based on the original "Dearly Beloved" and only features the primary melody. The melody is played on piano, while the supporting instrumentation comprises of electronic percussion, synthesizer, and synthesized vocals (including the phrase "Dearly Beloved"), while the arrangement also contains a couple of bass drops. This cover could be described as.

Kingdom Hearts Concert -First Breath-
Arranged by Kaoru Wada, the Kingdom Hearts Concert -First Breath- version of "Dearly Beloved" builds upon the themes introduced in Kingdom Hearts II, Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep, and Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance. Piano, flute, clarinet, soft horns, strings, and bells carry the main portion of the piece, while tambourine and other percussion join in for the section in 3/4 time.

Kingdom Hearts Orchestra -World Tour-
The first wave of Kingdom Hearts Orchestra -World Tour- concerts in 2017 used an arrangement is based off the Kingdom Hearts II version, while the encore performances in 2018 played the Kingdom Hearts χ Back Cover version, both arranged for orchestra by Kaoru Wada. These versions retain all major elements of their respective original compositions while adapting the pieces for a full orchestra.

Kingdom Hearts Orchestra -World of Tres-
The Kingdom Hearts Orchestra -World of Tres- performances used the Kingdom Hearts III arrangement of "Dearly Beloved", once again adapted for full orchestra by Kaoru Wada.

Yoko Shimomura OFFICIAL YouTube Channel
On June 13, 2020, Yoko Shimomura uploaded an original arrangement of "Dearly Beloved" to her official YouTube channel. Titled "A piece of 'Dearly Beloved'", it is arranged and performed by Shimomura on solo piano. This version incorporates elements of "" and "Musique pour la tristesse de Xion" in a major key. It is a calm and flowing piece.

On December 25th, 2020, Yoko Shimomura uploaded a special Christmas version of "Dearly Beloved", titled "A piece of 'Dearly Beloved' -2020 Xmas Ver.-", only available for a limited time. The main piano line of this version stylistically similar to the previous arrangement on her channel, but the arrangement itself has many differences. It exclusively features the main melody of "Dearly Beloved", and its instrumentation adds a music box, bells, wind chimes, and a soft vocal backing, creating a very relaxed feeling.

Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary Event
The Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary Event featured a live orchestral performance of "Dearly Beloved", with instrumentation consisting exclusively of strings and piano. It is a lively arrangement based on the Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link version.

Variations
Several tracks center around the main melodic theme from "Dearly Beloved":
 * "Friends in My Heart"
 * "Always on My Mind"
 * "Link to All"

"Dearly Beloved" frequently appears in medleys that play during the credits of Kingdom Hearts games:
 * "March Caprice for Piano and Orchestra"
 * "Fantasia alla marcia for piano, chorus and orchestra"
 * "Birth by Sleep -A Link to the Future-"
 * "Dream Drop Distance -The Next Awakening-"
 * "Rhapsody in Tres for Piano, Chorus and Orchestra"
 * "March Caprice for 'Melody of Memory'"

In addition, a number of other songs in the Kingdom Hearts series contain the main melody from "Dearly Beloved":
 * "Working Together"
 * "Asteroid Attack"
 * "A Fight to the Death"
 * "Hand in Hand"
 * "Vector to the Heavens"
 * "Dearly Dreams"
 * "The Key"
 * "Mission Complete!"
 * "Hero Upgrade"
 * "Baymax Rebooted"
 * "Rise of the Union"
 * "Secrets of the Night"
 * "Rise of the Union"
 * "Secrets of the Night"

Official websites
The original Kingdom Hearts version of "Dearly Beloved" plays as the background music for the Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories page on the Square Enix website. The Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance and Kingdom Hearts Melody of Memory arrangements of "Dearly Beloved" play as the background music for the Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance and Kingdom Hearts Melody of Memory pages on the Square Enix website, respectively. The Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep version of "Dearly Beloved" plays as the background music for the Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue page on the Square Enix website.

The Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX recording of the original "Dearly Beloved" plays as the background music for the Memorial Stained Glass Clock and Memory Archive pages and is one of five selectable background tracks for the 20th Anniversary Archive page on the Square Enix website.

Kingdom Hearts Memorial Music Box
The main menu of the Kingdom Hearts Memorial Music Box website plays the Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX recording of the original Kingdom Hearts version of "Dearly Beloved". The campaign also featured a giveaway of fifteen physical music boxes in commemoration of the Kingdom Hearts 15th Anniversary. These wooden music boxes played a simplistic arrangement of "Dearly Beloved".

Kingdom Hearts Concert -Second Breath-
A special reserved seat was available for 7,700 yen during the Kingdom Hearts Concert -Second Breath- live performances. Attendees who purchased the special seat were also given an exclusive music box that plays a very simple arrangement of "Dearly Beloved".

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
In ', the Kingdom Hearts Melody of Memory version of "Dearly Beloved," referred to as "Dearly Beloved -Swing Version-'", appears as a available to players who also have a save file from Kingdom Hearts Melody of Memory''. It is also heard during the  video presentation on Sora, where it is played while talk about this track as special bonus content for players with both Challenger Pack 11 and a save file of Kingdom Hearts Melody of Memory.

Square Enix Music
Square Enix Music compiled a playlist of various Valentine's Day themed music tracks from Square Enix franchises. The playlist, titled Square Enix Music -2021 Valentine's Day-, was made available on digital streaming services including Spotify and Apple Music. "Dearly Beloved -KINGDOM HEARTS III Version-" is included in the playlist alongside "True Love".

Notes and references
Dearly Beloved