It’s Endwalker eve and while Final Fantasy XIV‘s servers are down for maintenance, Square Enix has released a new trailer featuring a rendition of “Fly Me To The Moon” by Sia.
The nine-time Grammy nominated superstar released her new rendition, “Fly Me To the Moon (Inspired by Final Fantasy XIV)” on the game’s official social media today. Its video features a supercut of footage from all of the game’s trailers since A Realm Reborn (so, potential spoilers abound if you’re not up to date, or haven’t seen those individual trailers).
Also featured are a Dark Knight character reaching out to an Aetheryte crystal, which shatters to reveal an Eikon-like avatar of Sia herself. With this, the Australian singer/songwriter unofficially becomes the third popstar to be recreated as a Final Fantasy character—following Ariana Grande and Katy Perry, who are playable units in Final Fantasy Brave Exvius.
With Endwalker eventually taking players to the moon, and the strong tradition of lunar objects influencing Final Fantasy stories, the track chosen is an obvious match. “Fly Me To The Moon (In Other Words” was originally written in 1954 by Bart Howard and recorded by Kaye Ballard. Many others have recorded their own takes over the years, but Frank Sinatra’s 1964 recording may be the most famous.
You also may recognize it from the anime Neon Genesis Evangelion, where various versions played over the end credits before Netflix took over the rights, or from the battle theme of the original Bayonetta.
This collaboration adds a new track to the long list of the series’ vocal themes that started with “Eyes on Me” in Final Fantasy VIII. VIII, IX, X, and XII featured closing themes performed by female Japanese singers, until Final Fantasy XIII used an alternate song by British artist Leona Lewis for its international release. For Final Fantasy XV, Florence + the Machine performed another old classic, “Stand By Me,” as the game’s vocal theme, and now Final Fantasy XIV has taken up this trend for Endwalker.
Sia is one of the biggest singers in the world today, between her own performing successes and writing songs for other monumental figures, like Perry, Beyonce, and BTS. She currently has more videos in YouTube’s “Billion Views Club” than any other female artist—so having her associated with Final Fantasy XIV is a big get for Square Enix.
Final Fantasy XIV is offline for maintenance until tomorrow, December 3, at 1AM PST / 4AM EST / 9AM GMT. Service will resume at that time, and those who preordered Endwalker can begin the final chapter of the Hydaelyn & Zodiark Saga. Early access will continue through the weekend, until the expansion officially launches on Tuesday, December 7.