Purely Because of a Movie – Songs on My iPod Part 9
Continuing my summer of 2014 series, which was begun right here and chronicled my history with said device, examining the music that ended up on my iPod byway of the films that featured it on their soundtracks. An inventory, as it were, and one I continue to add to. Especially since I press on with my movies-watching and music-listening.
New song and those of a more vintage variety, even years after the initial screening, which still got there purely because of a movie. As alluded in another series, the convergence of the music and film arts is one I’ve spent much time toward. I’ll attempt to break these songs up into the categories most fit into, at least for my bizarre thinking, purely to make it more manageable in presentation.
Since this category was the largest, I’ll group them by the decade that brought them forth. Again from fewest to most. Although combining the four lowest for a start.
Theme Song
A definition before we begin the what will be the closing, multi-part category.
- theme song
- a melody used, esp. in a film score, to set a mood, introduce a character, etc.
- signature tune
- Brit a melody used to introduce or identify a television or radio programme, a dance band, a performer, etc. Also called (esp. US and Canadian): theme song
I’ll note that one famous instrumental will be missing from this particular list, though multiple versions of it exist on my iPod. Theme From A Summer Place. Besides, it isn’t even the film’s main theme. The reason is simple: I became enamored with Percy Faith’s version of the song played on AM radio as a child. I wouldn’t see the film till a couple of decades later, so the movie isn’t why the song claimed me.
1940s
Casablanca [As Time Goes By] (1942): Of course, this had to be here, and on my iPod. Dooley Wilson’s heartfelt working of the 1931 Broadway stage number in my all-time favorite film. It’s a song that has endured enough to be used by the Warner Bros. studio as its fanfare since 1998.
Stormy Weather (1943): There’s a reason Lena Horne’s signature song is her signature song. You only have to watch her perform it in Andrew Stone’s 1943 film to realize why. No other cover for this Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler tune compare, in my opinion.
1950s
The Big Country (1958): Western or not, Jerome Moross’ majestic theme for William Wyler’s The Big Country remains one of the most identifiable and thrilling in cinema. Period.
North by Northwest (1959): The amazing score by Bernard Herrmann remains one of his best. With its theme song’s orchestration emblematic of Hitchcock’s film, it’s a thriller piece in the best sense of it all.
2000s
Batman Begins (2005): Some of the best work by Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard done for a Christopher Nolan film. Unexpected, yet in its own way, iconic.
Pacific Rim (2013): Guillermo Del Toro’s Pacific Rim could not have been better powered than by the main theme composed by Ramin Djawadi. In a word, driving. Damn, it had me from the start of the number. Still does.
1990s
Total Recall [The Dream] (1990): The pulsing beat of Jerry Goldsmith’s larger-than-life track is only matched its brass horns and strings. Like the film opening title sequence, it’s a stunning package.
Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991): Terminator 2’s theme song worked off of Brad Fiedel’s work in the original film, but I like what Fiedel did here. He actually improved what was already great and distinctive signature tune.
The Last of the Mohicans (1992): Trevor Jones and Randy Edelman theme builds up deceptively and blossoms beautifully into something truly grand. Even for a relatively short piece (1:44), it hits the mark.
Unforgiven [Claudia’s Theme] (1992): A haunting piece, written by Clint Eastwood himself, for one of the true dusky masterpieces. For a western or not, it’s a heartfelt track that reaches me every time I hear it.
Jurassic Park (1993): Who doesn’t love this theme? Not many I’d say. Once again, John Williams scoring a Steven Spielberg film, lifting the audience ever higher with what’s onscreen. Even bringing a tear to the eye.
Devil in a Blue Dress (1995): Elmer Bernstein’s splendid theme stood out as it reached back to the tradition of film noir scores. Right at home with the old blues and jazz songs needle-dropped into the film’s soundtrack, and in tune with the story’s tone and substance.
L.A. Confidential (1997): Jerry Goldsmith performing his magic once again with a theme of vintage hue. Harking back to another noted L.A. neo noir he scored byway of a haunting horn, yet different. Bequeathing Curtis Hanson’s film its own musical personality.
How about you? Any theme music from these periods you’ve collected because of a movie?
The entire series can be found here.
It Rains... You Get Wet 
12 Responses to “Purely Because of a Movie – Songs on My iPod Part 9”
Another top list mate.
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Thanks so much, my friend 🙂
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Great list. Sifting through my music now … I definitely have a Hermann/Hitchcock CD from the MoMA centenary celebration back in 1999.
From the 1940s I have the theme to Laura 🙂
Pride and Prejudice (2005). Not the best adaptation (I thought it was just OK) but I loved the music.
Ditto for Sense and Sensibility (1995) though the film IMO is a lovely adaptation of the source material.
Lastly (for now at least) I have music from Modern Times (1936).
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I’m w/ Iba about P&P and S&S 😀 Both soundtracks are lovely, and I have the S&S CD in my car right now 🙂
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Very cool! Thanks, Ruth and Iba 🙂
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That’s a great list of music, Iba. I need to go back and take in those Jane Auten adaptation scores. Awesome that you have Modern Times in there :-). Thank you!
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OH MY! You better be careful or I’ll steal your iPod Michael!! Sooo many of my faves are on here. I love As Time Goes By, both from Casablanca and Sleepless in Seattle. Oh and Batman Begins, Pac Rim, Mohicans, Jurassic Park, those are muy excellente! 😀
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Hehe 🙂 Thanks so much, Ruth (I think) 😉
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Marvelous list of themes there, Michael – a real pleasure to browse.
For myself, I remember going out of my way to track down the Quincy Jones soundtrack for The Deadly Affair when i first saw the movie. It’s wonderful music on its own but the jazzy score also evokes the right kind of edgy romanticism and melancholy for the movie.
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That’s an awesome Quincy Jones track, Colin. Now I need to take in The Deadly Affair. I’ve not seen it. Thanks so much, Colin! 🙂
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Well worth checking out, buddy. James Mason is wonderful as Smiley (renamed Dobbs for the movie) and it’s a fine Le Carre adaptation.
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