As for the greatest boss theme EVAR
Forgot about that tune, thanks. Shame the boss wasn't awesome, but transforming that pussy Wil into Shadow is one of my favorite SNES moments as a kid. Song reminded me of 7th Saga's boss theme a bit in the beginning.
Given the challenge of some parts of this game, and the fact most enemies could 2, or even 1 shot you with a poorly timed critical, when you hear this song you knew shit was about to hit the fucking fan. Death costing you half your cash, and making you walk back through a usually hellish dungeon made you REALLY not wanting to lose.
I see quite a few links to FFIX's OST, but there's two songs missing that's quite upsetting...
This is listed as Freya's Theme, but it's just as ubiquitous as your first entrance into Burmecia. Cloaked in permanent rainfall, your first glance at this city is not a happy one. As soon as you set foot, you know something has gone terribly, terribly wrong. Oddly, I think it encapsulates as much Vivi's condition as it does Freya's melancholy, with both intertwined rather intimately
Not too long after, when things keep getti g worse and worse, you come across this song. I guess it could be considered Beatrix's theme, but it does come at a time of major exposition and character development - Brahne is too far gone, has just wiped out an entire settlement, views her daughter as nothing but a tool, and is willing to kill her once she's done. On the other hand, we see Beatrix is more than just a mindless follower of the Crown, happening at a similar time to everyone's favorite Rust Bucket, Steiner, who also hits like a freight train, which coincides nicely with the seemingly upbeat melody that pervades the song.