Purely Because of a Movie – Songs on My iPod Part 12
Finishing 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. Closing out this series with a decade, my favorite for film, with the most theme songs on my iPod.
Theme Song
I only include a definition for what’s covered here for anyone popping in at the end of this series1.
- 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
1970s
On a Clear Day You Can See Forever (1970): As mentioned, “…it is this one, from Vincent Minnelli’s film, that still gets the hairs on the back of my neck to stand on end.” Music and lyrics by Burton Lane and Alan Jay Lerner, it remains an underrated theme song in my book.
Patton (1970): Composer Jerry Goldsmith sure knew how to put these together. This another of his unique and dramatic theme pieces that he could match together, with a distinct melody to hook the audience, to this stellar war film.
Get Carter [Carter Takes A Train] (1971): Covered here, “Roy Budd’s rhythmic jazz track, which accompanied the [title] sequence, was one of the great and neglected movie theme instrumentals around — it bookended well with Lalo Schifrin’s main title score for Bullitt, I think.”
Dirty Harry (1971): Coming back to another fine Lalo Schifrin instrumental, which also harkened back to his great jazz theme for Bullitt. It again perfectly captured another San Francisco detective during a turbulent time. A great composer and composition for the era.
Shaft (1971): Though I like the next one better as a distinct theme song of the era, as a breakthrough film and with its solid soundtrack, Isaac Hayes’ tune, recorded for the legendary Stax Records’ Enterprise label, remains a great hallmark work for the 70s.
Superfly (1972): Now this was it in a Blaxploitation film! The great Curtis Mayfield pulled out all stops to bring to the masses a funky R&B number that drew from all facets of moviegoers and music listeners. Not only one of the best 70s anti-heroes onscreen, but one of the all-time best soundtracks. Period.
Trouble Man (1972): If you saw Captain America: The Winter Soldier, you know Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson character praised this. Believe him. Like the above, the Marvin Gaye composed soundtrack was one of definitive scores of the era. Its theme song one of the all-time coolest, jazz-influenced pop hits of the 70s.
The Exorcist [Tubular Bells] (1973): Covered here, “I don’t think seeing Mrs. MacNeil walking along that autumn-leafed street as the kids in their Halloween costumes run by, or when Father Dyer keeps wake by the stairs as the film comes to a close, has ever left me. This [Mike Oldfield] song seemed to guarantee that.”
The Way We Were (1973): Cannot go without a Barbara Streisand number getting honors as a theme song during this decade. You just can’t, and this was one of those most closely associated with Babs.
Enter the Dragon (1973): Truly, one of the best movie intro-songs for the 70s. Hell, of all-time! Again, Lalo Schifrin powered it with another of jazz-tinged theme piece. To this day, I find it hard to sit still while playing it.
Chinatown (1974): Arguably, the best neo noir of the 20th Century, with a Jerry Goldsmith score that matched it. Had one of the most haunting opening chords and horn solos, too. A theme song that just grabbed at your soul, and ached out its melody like a loved one crying their heart out.
Blazing Saddles (1974): Thank God for this Mel Brooks number, music by John Morris, or I’d have slit my wrists by now. With Frankie Laine punching out the vocals, it reflected the western genre the comic wanted to send up in this brilliant satire. “Hello, boys.”
Jaws (1975): If there’s a more recognizable theme instrumental than this, or the couple further down, I’m hard-pressed to name it. John Williams surely had made a name for himself as a film composer (The Poseidon Adventure, Towering Inferno, Earthquake, etc.) before this, but this was his demarcation point for greatness.
The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976): The underrated Jerry Fielding score and main instrumental overture for this great Clint Eastwood western called on vintage military themes (Grenadiers March) to power its opening titles sequence. It certainly complemented it cinematic source material to an extraordinary extent.
A Bridge Too Far (1977): Another underrated war film theme instrumental, this by John Addison. As fitting for the grand scale of the overly optimistic operation that was Market Garden, and perhaps film, it’s nonetheless one of the very fine score pieces.
Sorcerer [Betrayal] (1977): One the genuinely underrated works by director William Friedkin. Accompanied by the another remarkable score by Tangerine Dream, the title theme fitting dubbed Betrayal. A track that since has been used many times in other movie trailers, but never been more effectively utilized than here.
Star Wars (1977): Along with Jaws, and the one below, this is where the music of John Williams truly took off. Literally and figuratively, into space. A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away… (sorry, I couldn’t help myself).
High Anxiety (1977): Mel Brooks and John Morris bringing another song and music to a comedy. Really, I think Mr. Brooks is a frustrated stage performer of show tunes. He just has a knack for it.
Superman: The Movie (1978): There’s just no way to separate the magnificence of John Williams’ theme from Richard Donner’s classic opening sequence of this superhero film. Just no way. Soaring in the best sense, it’s awe-inspiring musically. One of the few that actually draws goosebumps by listening to it. At least for me.
Halloween (1978): One of the most effective and moody theme songs of the era. Composed and performed by the filmmaker, too. “…a piano melody played in a 10/8 or “complex 5/4″ meter composed and performed by director John Carpenter.” [Wikipedia] If the above can produce goosebumps, this one gives you chills.
How about you? Any theme music from this period you’ve collected because of a movie?
The entire series can be found here.
- I will undoubtably follow-up with a recap post, but only because it’ll give me a shot at #13 (which, admittedly, I’m obsessed with) 😉 ↩
It Rains... You Get Wet 
15 Responses to “Purely Because of a Movie – Songs on My iPod Part 12”
High Anxiety, anything with Barbara Streisand, Eastwood–great list once again, Michael. I never collected theme songs like you, but I did buy albums and listen to them over and over. Star Wars comes to mind 😉
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Thank you so much for your comments and following, Cindy. There are a number of us who enjoy this platform for music and it does reach us at our hearts.
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It’s generational, for sure. I think I don’t pass muster (even my adages are dated) with the 20 and 30 year old virtual friends, but we do have a knowledge base on our side, don’t we? At 51 I know everything you talk about and can place myself easily. That’s okay, isn’t it? I like analyzing the “classic stuff” and bringing it forward to today. IN the end, all you can do is be true to yourself and your passions are yours–never apologize. 😉 There’s too much garbage out there these days — I don’t pretend to like or follow it.
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Hear, hear, Cindy! 😀
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I completely understand your love for film music on the iPod.
Mine is loaded with it as well.
Recent numbers I’ve listened to connected to my car have been selections from Code 46, Monsters, Hachi and others. And when those numbers come on in between all of the pop songs I don’t skip over them, but rather I am genuinely mesmerized at times.
Anyway, you have a passion for music like my own and it is self-evident here.
Also, I did finally get the Blu-Ray of Sorcerer on your recommendation. I will watch it one day soon I hope.
Best.
sff
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Ah, great to hear from you, G, on this matter. I’ve no doubt you’ve quite a collection yourself, my friend. Those sound like excellent sources for this endeavor.
That’s great! Now you’ll get a chance to see it in all the widescreen beauty Sorcerer was meant to be seen in. That clip of the film with Betrayal playing used the old cropped movie as its source. If you can, watch the YouTube video right before you tee up the Blu-ray. You’ll be blown away by what was lost.
Best to you, my friend 😀
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A very diverse and intriguing play list, Michael!
Not really surprised by some (‘On a Clear Day’, ‘Patton’. ‘Get Carter’, ‘Halloween’ and ‘The Outlaw Josey Wales’). Carpenter was still deep into his four chord sound track, then. Check out his original ‘Assault on Precinct 13’ for earlier tension heightening chords.
Both surprised and pleased to see ‘Shaft’, ‘Super Fly’ and Ivan Dixon’s ‘Trouble Man’ make the cut. Where Marvin Gaye created a musical back story for one of the quirkiest and sometimes over the top (A Coke machine in a pool hall that spits out a Colt .45 ACP for Robert Hooks as he gives chase to some bad guys!) “Blaxploitation” films on celluloid!
Very high marks for ‘Sorcerer’ and ‘A Bridge Too Far’. Its piece as gliders, tow lines uncoil and C-47s and British light bomber tow planes rolling out give a hint at the size and breadth of an ultimately failed operation.
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Thank you very much, Kevin. Much appreciated. So glad to hear, especially about Trouble Man. Yeah, that Coke machine in the pool hall scene was classic for the genre.
Love that scene with the gilders in A Bridge Too Far. Truly epic!
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We’ve already lost Jerry Goldsmith, I have a hard time imaging a world without him, Lalo Schifrin and John Williams, but they are up in age also. Looking at your list, more than a half dozen of your choices come from those three.
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Yeah, losing Jerry Goldsmith, like John Barry, was quite a loss for music and movie fans. And yes, Lalo Schifrin and John Williams to make up a lion’s share in this. Check out tomorrow’s recap of the series where I’ll have The Numbers for what was covered. Thanks, Richard! 🙂
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Another big like 🙂
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Thanks so very much for your readership, my friend. 😀
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Nay worries
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[…] Part 12 – 1970s […]
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Just resetting my WordPress account.
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