->''This is my cheesy song for an RPG\\
Artistically invalid, but it rhymes sufficiently\\
And now it modulates to D\\
because it is the saddest of keys\\
To denote the tragic romance\\
That ended so predictably''
-->--'''"Cheesy RPG Song"''', ending theme of ''VideoGame/TurnBasedBattle''

An emotional, solemn, usually slow-paced [[EndingTheme song played during the credits]]. Common especially in anime and video games.

The most common type is a pensive, retrospective or sad AnimeThemeSong, but it can be an instrumental tune as well. Since except in [[SoundtrackDissonance some cases]] the soundtrack usually supports the temper of the ending, this is often a sign of a [[BittersweetEnding bittersweet]] or DownerEnding, except in anime, where the opening theme is usually more exciting in order to build excitement for the coming show while the closing theme is more somber to provide a resting period or moment of reflection between shows.

Might be accompanied by a CreditsMontage.

Tropes and styles commonly found in a SolemnEndingTheme:
* JapanesePopMusic
* OneWomanWail
* EtherealChoir
* PlayingTheHeartStrings

Preferably provide links to the song (Youtube or otherwise) when adding examples. Take care, linked credits videos might obviously contain ending spoilers; to prevent this, it would be optimal to link the song without the credits video or mark credits videos as such. %% This has to be done yet for the already listed examples.%%

[[folder: Anime ]]

* ''Anime/WolfsRain'', "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHOWudQNgAg Gravity]]". Sung in English by Creator/MaayaSakamoto. (non-spoileriffic credits video)
* ''Anime/CowboyBebop'' has [[http://youtu.be/nftxDrStny8 "The Real Folk Blues"]] as the answer to the intro theme [[http://youtu.be/T6zDfxZ4NcE "TANK!"]]. The series as a whole also has [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03qBqP2I4p8 "Blue"]].
* ''Anime/OutlawStar'' [[http://youtu.be/d5yjcPHEhIk features this]] for the first 13 episodes, and [[http://youtu.be/EYh-dCFb4Sg a slightly less solemn one]] for the rest of the series. Yes, both far more somber than the [[http://youtu.be/xrjUj-FRorY opening theme]].
* ''LightNovel/{{Baccano}}'', "Calling". Extremely noticeable in contrast to the jazzy upbeat opening, "Guns & Roses".
* The 3rd season of ''Anime/SailorMoon'' featured this in the original Japanese, it was changed to an instrumental version of the US opening credit song when it ran in syndication on Creator/CartoonNetwork.
* ''Anime/{{Gasaraki}}'' features one.
* ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion'' features Frank Sinatra's "Fly Me to the Moon" sang by several different female vocalists, each with her own unique voice style.
* ''Anime/ExcelSaga'' ends with a parody of this, where Menchi laments her role as the [[EatTheDog emergency food source]], while a woman translates her howls. The last episode parodies the parody with Menchi and the translator's roles reversed.
* The [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVS610rIqYY ending theme]] of ''Anime/QueenMillennia''. True, the title theme isn't exactly HardRock either, but the ending seems to be a bit more solemn. More pronounced in the film version where the ending theme (different from the TV series) is sung by Dara Sadaka.
* ''Anime/FutureWar198X'': "Pathetic Love is My Destiny" by Kazuko Kawashima. Only in the original Japanese version. The Macekered dubs replace it with a song by Asia.
* In comparison to the more HotBlooded opening theme and first and third endings, "Tsubasa Aru Mono," the second ending song from ''[[SaintBeast Saint Beast: Kouin Jojishi Tenshi Tan]]'', is very subdued and gentle.
* ''Manga/{{Berserk}}'' has "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MB_9-iFb9B0&list=FLqSkBarqx7oL3qVYMklBBQg&index=5&feature=plpp Waiting So Long]]", a song that manages to be both [[NarmCharm endearingly]] {{Engrish}}-y and genuinely haunting.
* ''Manga/GunslingerGirl'' has another foreign-language ending theme, this time in Italian: the bleak, operatic "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMZ-yvRdAHI&feature=related Dopo il Sogno]]".
* ''VisualNovel/{{Higurashi|WhenTheyCry}}'''s first ending [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPTGDWY5LrU Why or Why Not]]. It even comes with a [[OnTheNextEpisodeOfCatchPhrase Next Episode]] [[OnTheNext preview]] that FITS with the end of the song!
* ''Manga/RainbowNishaRokubouNoShichinin'' has "A Far Off Distance" by Galneryus.
* ''Anime/ALittleSnowFairySugar'' has "Snow Flower".
* Most episodes of ''Manga/BlackLagoon'' end with the incredibly dark and somber [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY1qaWJDu0s "Don't Look Behind"]] by EDISON.
** The Hansel & Gretel arc ends with the no-less solemn [[http://exhentai.org/g/595912/af30902919/ World of Midnight.]]
* ''LightNovel/GuinSaga'' has "This is my Road," sung by KanonWakeshima and composed by Creator/NobuoUematsu.
* ''Manga/{{Mushishi}}'' has a different one for every episode.
* The EndingTheme for ''The Disappearance of LightNovel/HaruhiSuzumiya'', [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHg3yJXGkdg Yasashii Boukyaku]] (Which translates as "Tender Oblivion") doesn't even feature any instruments ([[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxmRiVdB-EI although there is a version with them]]) focusing entirely on the solitary loneliness portrayed by [[Creator/MinoriChihara Yuki Nagato]].
* ''Anime/MekakucityActors'' has ''days'' as its ED, [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUMnmBozJ7M accompanied by a long take of Hiyori sitting alone on the train, with the main cast slowly appearing around her]]. After Episode 4, the final shot - of Hiyori alone again - becomes quite the TearJerker, [[spoiler:as she's just died]].
* The original release of the ''Anime/MobileSuitGundam'' compilation movies had the Enka style song "Cross of Sand" by Takajin Yashiki. The second movie had an unnamed EtherealChoir number amongst the stars. The third movie ended with Lala Sun's theme ("Beginning") by Daisuke Inoue. The GeorgeLucasAlteredVersion, however, replaces these second and third movie ending songs with the more fast paced Inoue song "Soldiers of Sorrow" (relocated from the final battle scene) and the more upbeat sounding "Encounters" also by Inoue. Fortunately, "Cross of Sand" was left alone in the first movie.
* ''Robotech Love Live Alive'' had the usual opening with the majestic Ulpio Minucci theme. The closing credits, suprisingly, were accompanied by the song "Only a Fool" by Gigi Agrama. This song was actually taken from the 1986 ''Robotech The Movie The Untold Story'' which few have seen outside of bootleg. But they may recognize it from the 1995 ''{{Robotech}}'' 10th Anniversary soundtrack double CD collection.
* ''Manga/BlueDrop'' has ''reversed'' this for its anime; the show starts with the slow, contemplative [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-wm2CLY6tE "Blue"]], and ends with the upbeat [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXxBK9mxSos "Tsumoboshi"]], both performed by Suara.
* ''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagica'' somewhat did this with [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cH6NB2F-Jcw "And I'm Home"]] and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__q9fsZa5vk "Mata Ashita"]] ("See You Tomorrow"), added to the disk sets for the 9th and the first 2 episodes, respectively. Both are considerably more sappy and emotional than [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwquipMpsiQ the dark rock ending for most of the episodes.]] But the clearest example is [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAs-pbIS-KU "Hikari Furu,"]] the slow, dramatic, string-filled ending of the second CompilationMovie.
* ''NabariNoOu'' has the quite depressing "Aru ga Mama" as its second ending theme.


[[folder: Film ]]

* ''Film/TheLordOfTheRings'' films have different but equally solemn songs that play over the end credits.
** ''Film/TheFellowshipOfTheRing'': Enya's [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOykCYDMKBs "May It Be"]], which has a (relatively) hopeful, hymnlike quality.
** ''Film/TheTwoTowers'': Emiliana Torrini's [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkXbzffVl44 "Gollum's Song"]], which is downright funereal.
** ''Film/TheReturnOfTheKing'': Annie Lennox's [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpdTLuqst-s "Into the West"]] completes the hat-trick.
* ''Film/TheHobbit'' trilogy follows its predecessor's example.
** Neil Finn's [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zakVfDY0xZk "Song of the Lonely Mountain"]] is an extended version of what the Dwarves sing in ''Film/TheHobbitAnUnexpectedJourney'', somehow making the events it describes sound ''more'' sad and horrible.
** ''Film/TheHobbitTheDesolationOfSmaug'': Ed Sheeran's [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uf8Fwiy0Bkc "I See Fire"]] is a mournful ballad about the inevitability of fiery, dragon-esque death. [[spoiler:Fitting, given that the film ends with Smaug setting out to destroy Esgaroth as he did Dale]].
* ''Film/TheRockyHorrorPictureShow'' has [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HF63XNES2I "Science Fiction Double Feature (Reprise)"]], a DarkReprise of the opening song. [Spoilers in the lyrics.]
* ''Against All Odds'' uses the Music/PhilCollins song [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWSQS06i7-w of the same name]].
* ''Film/CannibalHolocaust'' uses [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kf1Vt6r-sj8 its opening theme]].
* Most of ''Film/TheHustler'' is devoid of any sort of music or background theme, but the end credits are accompanied by a mournful jazz piece.
* Sent up in ''Film/TheLegoMovie'', where a slow guitar cover of "Everything is Awesome" - an extremely upbeat parody of shallow mainstream pop songs - plays over part of the end credits.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7acZQQMJx6E All]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sD32CjAuwlc the]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aa9N0KIA1OY ending]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lihqBKUKrMc themes]] in the ''Franchise/{{Rambo}}'' movies.
* The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrcGtExwvk0 end]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNwm9_Y5QuI titles]] in ''Film/DirtyHarry'' and ''Film/MagnumForce'', with ''Film/TheEnforcer'' having a DarkReprise of the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=It_CknYecqA end titles]] as [[spoiler: [[ActionGirl Inspector Moore]] [[HeroicSacrifice sacrificed herself]] to save Harry from [[BigBad Bobby Maxwell]].]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oji9U43YLKA This Side of Forever]] from ''Film/SuddenImpact'' as well as the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwjbXz3KAqM end titles]] from ''Film/TheDeadPool'' are a bit more positive in tone, though.
* Music/PinkFloyd's ''Music/TheWall'' - both the film and the album - end with "[[https://youtu.be/E2DNT5bsrnY?t=9m18s Outside the Wall]]"


[[folder: Live Action TV ]]

* GerryAnderson's ''{{UFO}}'' has a fast upbeat opening theme, but closes with an ominous atmospheric piece.
* ''Series/GameOfThrones'', especially after important characters kick the bucket. The credits music at the end of [[spoiler:"Baelor" is particularly sad, and "The Rains of Castamere" has ''no ending credits music at all,'' due to the shock and tragedy of the Red Wedding.]]
* Parodied by the version of the ''Series/MysteryScienceTheater3000'' "Love Theme" that plays over the show's closing credits, which is a much slower, more ponderous instrumental version of the theme sung over the opening credits.
* The ending theme of ''Series/TheIncredibleHulk'', "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0w1W5RGx9Q The Lonely Man]]".
* ''TheMickeyMouseClub''. "Now it's time to say goodbye to all our company..."
* Series/KamenRiderBlack: "Long Long Ago 20th Century"
* Friday episodes of ''MisterRogersNeighborhood'' from 1971-72 closed with the solemn-sounding "Weekend Song".
** A part of this song would also serve as the coda to the closing version of "It's Such A Good Feeling" used since 1972, but the solemn effect was less pronounced because the preceding portion was upbeat, and the tempo picked up again for the instrumental as Mister Rogers said his closing words.
* Used on the final episode of ''MontyPythonsFlyingCircus'', in which an acoustic guitarist played the ''Liberty Bell March''. [[StylisticSuck It sounded like a brand-new guitarist was playing it, slightly halting and unsure]]. Strangely, it ''works''.
* ''Series/TheSweeney'' has a fast-paced opening theme as befits an action-packed cop show, but the closing titles use a surprisingly low-key arrangement of the same theme.
* Archaeology show ''Series/TimeTeam'' has a slower ending theme without its usually drumbeats that it uses on "special" shows where they may be investigating things like WW2 archaeology or other sites that had a significant death count.
* Most episodes of ''Series/OnceUponATime'' end with a quiet and almost haunting sounding piano tune.


[[folder: Professional Wrestling ]]

* When MickFoley first appeared as "Mankind" in the WWF, he had two themes, an entrance theme and a different, more solemn exit theme that played when he won a match.


[[folder: Radio ]]

* The primary phase of ''Radio/TheHitchhikersGuideToTheGalaxy'' ends with a recording of Louis Armstrong's "What A Wonderful World."
* While most episodes of ''Radio/AdventuresInOdyssey'' end with a reprise of their signature upbeat theme-tune, episodes that either deal with serious subject matter or are just considerably [[DarkerAndEdgier darker]] (if not both) than the usual episode end with a slower and more solemn version of the usual theme. "Mortal Coil", "Blaackgard's Revenge" are couple of examples of this.


[[folder: Video Games ]]

* ''VideoGame/LastScenario'' ends with [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6iu5xGttrU "Moji no dengon"]] by SoundHorizon.
* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfWc0-nTdgg "Drift"]] by Laura Shigihara at the end of ''VideoGame/{{Quintessence}}''. [credits video, non-spoiler]
* ''VideoGame/{{Iji}}'' ends with [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKjrTpgLTbA a cover]] of the VNVNation song [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ftP6N-b1d0 "Further"]].
* Many ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'' games end with one of these.
** [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNefNLOHVYk "Eyes on me"]] for ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVIII''. [ending video, has spoilers]
** [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ye7BGnlTZmQ "Melodies of Life"]] for ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIX''.
* ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaSymphonyOfTheNight'' has [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FsFiBXOVK0 "I am the Wind"]].
* Inverted for the dog ending of ''SilentHill2''. The starting theme is melancholy, then the game ends with an upbeat J-pop anthem [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDcSeUvkOw followed by a cheery "singing dog"]]. The normal endings are played straight, however.
** Also inverted in the UFO ending of ''SilentHill3'' with a [[http://youtu.be/_t5jZvH7xwA children's song parody]] and amusing cinematics.
** All of the ''SilentHill1'' ending themes, but especially "Esperandote" from the worst ending.
** ''VideoGame/SilentHillShatteredMemories'' has [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkajjogjGu0 Acceptance]], one of two themes that can play over the end credits. [[spoiler:It's about Cheryl coming to terms with her father's death.]]
* ''VideoGame/{{ICO}}'' has "You Were There".
** ''VideoGame/ShadowOfTheColossus'' likewise has "Those Who Remain".
* ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid'' features a Gaelic one. Almost all the ''Franchise/MetalGear'' ending songs are like this, with the exception of "Can't Say Goodbye To Yesterday" and the one to the original ''VideoGame/MetalGear'' (which was ridiculously peppy). [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9hagVL-__c "Way To Fall"]] by Starsailor in ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid3'' is a mournful alt-rock ballad, ''[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyE0UabtLn0 "The Best Is Yet To Come"]]'' is a Gaelic ballad and ''[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpPH7deyMRI "Calling To The Night"]]'', ''[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOVkYAxHvkk "Here's To You"]]'' and to a slightly lesser extent ''[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQzgI6xJEH0 "Heaven's Divide"]]'' are all [[LargeHam super-melodramatic]] {{Power Ballad}}s.
* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atKv1JyQgV8 "Late Goodbye"]] by Poets of the Fall in ''VideoGame/MaxPayne2TheFallOfMaxPayne''.
* ''VideoGame/MaxPayne3'' has [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEH_LSL4rVw Tears]] by Health.
* ''VideoGame/TurnBasedBattle'' parodies this with [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVrh3tXgRy4 "Cheesy RPG Song"]], which [[ShoutOut name-checks]] several other examples from this list.
* ''VideoGame/WildArms'' series:
** ''VideoGame/WildArms2'' has "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xr08LGkX4gM Atomic Arms]]" and "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1d4y9Qge3E Zephyr's]]", the ending themes of Disc 1 and 2 respectively.
** A partial example: ''VideoGame/WildArms3'' has a [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiHk0e0pQjQ&feature=related: fairly sad theme]] that plays whenever you quit the game. The [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gMrdluPlms&feature=related: credit theme]] is a softer, more solemn theme of the opening theme, though possibly not solemn enough to qualify for this trope.
* ''VideoGame/LegendOfLegaia'' uses this trope. [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDxsTK-EGbk&feature=related: See for yourself.]].
* "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0iFMuEHoag Small of Two Pieces]]", the NarmCharm-loaded PowerBallad that caps off ''VideoGame/{{Xenogears}}'', might not be solemn enough to qualify for this trope, but the "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-Fr8gP_k8U Myth remix]]" likely is.
* ''[[VideoGame/PanelDePon Tetris Attack]]''/''VideoGame/PanelDePon'', a game with a very upbeat soundtrack, ends on "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LnnxaOh18U A Walk on a Rainbow]]".
* ''VideoGame/ChronoCross'' ends with the exquisite ballad "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBE3c9X0BoA Radical Dreamers ~ The Jewel Unstolen]]".
* ''VideoGame/RadiantHistoria'' ends with [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Bp_nwZ8O4k -HISTORIA-]], with its mellow instrumentals and [[http://princess-jakilna.deviantart.com/art/HISTORIA-English-Lyrics-263417038 retrospective, vague, sad lyrics]] (spoiler, but won't make much sense for anyone who hasn't played the game).
* ''VideoGame/MegaManZero 4's'' Freesia.
* ''VideoGame/DarkSouls'' has the [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpI-KeK-PQg Nameless Song.]], a haunting, beautiful OneWomanWail.
* ''Killer7's'' [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8JzA2B5Z7I Dissociative Identity]]
* ''VideoGame/CommandAndConquerRedAlert3'' has an [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMx7XcJR00o ending theme]] that is a mixture of hard rock, PlayingTheHeartStrings, and [[OminousLatinChanting Ominous Russian Chanting]]. And since [[TheEmpire Japanese]], [[DirtyCommunists Soviet]], [[RootingForTheEmpire and even]] [[BlackAndGrayMorality Allies']] endings can be considered TheBadGuyWins kind of ending, it can be seen as rather appropriate.
* The Mass Effect Trilogy concludes with [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLxv_g_zQkY An end, once and for all]] a melancholic yet progressively more bombastic reprise of the last episode main theme.
* The second episode from the VideoGame/ArcTheLad series ends with [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_kQtYux_9s To Tomorrow]].
* ''VisualNovel/UminekoNoNakuKoroNi'' has two: [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWDpCAt2LGI Bring the Fate]] from Ep 1 and [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFyzTtKNzYI Ricordando Il Passato]] from Ep 8 (it also counts as the ending theme for the series). Ricordando Il Passato is especially noteworthy because the lyrics is basically [[spoiler: Battler grieving and lamenting over that he wasn't able to solve the mystery and understand Beatrice/Yasu until it was too late]].
* {{VideoGame/Journey}} has "I Was Born for This."
* ''VideoGame/HaloReach'' has the OneWomanWail and [[LonelyPianoPiece piano piece]] [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktce1qctRbM "Ashes"]] during the credits, and [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcQBggE3LwY more lonely piano]] in the [[TheStinger post-credits epilogue]].
** ''VideoGame/{{Halo 4}}'''s [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Gnx4SoWaZE "Green and Blue"]] puts all other sad music in the series to shame. Following that, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZPr0mDtVgU a remix of "Never Forget"]] from ''VideoGame/{{Halo 3}}'' plays during the credits.
* ''VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas'' has PlayingTheHeartStrings [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzAePefXPXM credits music]].
* ''SyphonFilter: Logan's Shadow'''s ending theme has DeadCanDance-style [[{{Scatting}} wordless vocals]], sung by Azam Ali.
* ''VideoGame/TheWorldEndsWithYou'' features [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0KfQmVXbk4 "A Lullaby For You"]] playing over the credits.
* ''[[VideoGame/DonPachi DoDonPachi SaiDaiOuJou]]'' has Heading for Tomorrow performed by Zwei.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiTn4j7gVvY I Believe]], which plays in the end credits of ''VideoGame/WolfensteinTheNewOrder''.
* ''VideoGame/DragonAgeII'' ends with a remix of [[Music/FlorenceAndTheMachine Florence + the Machine]]'s [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1can-MLmWdA "I'm Not Calling You a Liar"]].
* Some of the ''VideoGame/TouhouProject'' ending themes, such as "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6K94mtZtHM An Eternity that is More Transient than Scarlet]]" from ''The Embodiment of Scarlet Devil'', and "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6X1ShSd63g Sylphid Dream]]" from ''Mountain of Faith''.
* ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfSpyro'' has This Broken Soul.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVDh-qAaipg Ending of the Starry Sky]] from ''VideoGame/SilhouetteMirage''.
* ''VideoGame/{{OFF}}'' uses Judy Garland's "Over the Rainbow" from ''Film/TheWizardOfOz'' as its ending theme.


[[folder: Web Original ]]

* Sad Panda's [[http://thatguywiththeglasses.com/videolinks/teamt/sadpanda/spmusicvideotheater/31584-suburban-knights-music-video 'Flight of Fantasy']] at the end of ''WebVideo/SuburbanKnights''.


[[folder: Western Animation ]]

* The ending for the ''Linus The Lionhearted'' show (1964) was like a funeral dirge. All the characters were sadly placing their props in a trunk, ending with Billie Bird sweeping up afterwards.
* ''The Porky Pig Show'' ending starts off sadly but perks up when they say they'll be back next week.