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Due to the controversy of the first list, this one was not compiled to merely tie up loose ends, but to reexamine an alternative of not only compilations, but original and adapted film scores. Here they are in descending order:
Howard Shore created one of the funkiest soundtracks of his career at the behest of Tim Burton for this luscious comedy, turning the Waltz from Carmen into a symphonic requiem without equal.
Darren Daronofsky had his breathtaking film complimented by the intensely beautiful work of Clint Mansell and the Kronos Quartet, that merges with the film’s scenery in an Olympian amalgam of grace and meticulous style. A modern classic. Note: the video pictures are not from the film.
One of the most inspirational and historically accountable scores in cinema, Maurice Jarre composed an epic soundtrack that oozes with themes of rebellion, paranoia and revolution. It remains one the most honorable Oscar-winning scores in history.
Philip Glass’s hypnotizing score served as a brooding alternative to the original film’s lack of a soundtrack, and the Kronos Quartet make the most of their efforts. With every descending third note we spiral along in to the darkness of the film, helping it to regain its eerie essence.
“Moon River” won a well-deserved Oscar after becoming the highlight of this film’s majestic score, contributing to the greatest songs recorded for the screen. It’s beauty and grace continues to resound after forty years, and the swelling choral motif adds to an already moving score.
Clint Mansell at his peak with an angelic leitmotif that grows grimmer as the film progresses; a triumph. Once you have seen this film you will never forget the theme and the images it evokes.
A theme that everyone from the 80s will remember well. By the masterful John Williams – little else needs to be said really.
Again by the great John Williams – there is not a person alive who has access to cinema who won’t recognize this theme. The crowd reaction in the live recording above says it all. The end-all be-all in science fiction scores, legendary in its own time as well as ours.
Leonard Cohen’s songs are rightly regarded as among the most prestigious in history, and the ones contributed to this film are no less important or seminal. If you haven’t heard the songs in this film yet, make the effort. You will not be disappointed by their depth, clarity and beauty.
F.W. Murnau’s film contains one of the greatest scores in silent film history, and remains a legend for the dance of Mephisto alone, a morbid chorus resounding hauntingly through its vital, imaginative scenery. It’s importance is not to be forgotten. Modern film would not contain the same amount of innovation without this or any of Murnau’s contributions.
You didn’t think I would forget, did you?
Contributor: F. McClure
January 22nd, 2009 at 2:24 am
Haha kudos for having Saturday Night Fever
Mr Travolta was a bomb back then
Shame it’s videos and I can’t see them on college computers
I must say though, the soundtrack to the film Crazy/Beautiful is great: Emiliana Torrini and The Dandy Warhols among others.
I’ve never seen some of these films so it’s given me a few more to check out
Well done
Good list ^^
xxx
January 22nd, 2009 at 2:27 am
I’m glad Star Wars was in there. I love the music and new it was Star Wars before I had seen Star Wars. I think if you ever do another list, Indiana Jones should be on there.
January 22nd, 2009 at 2:30 am
I think the soundtracks of Disney’s movies are the best..
January 22nd, 2009 at 2:34 am
you meant darren aronofsky on 9
January 22nd, 2009 at 2:34 am
What about Dazed and Confused????
January 22nd, 2009 at 2:44 am
i watched the whole dracula thing…. thats some spooky stuff. but other than that, good post. although ive never heard of some of these
January 22nd, 2009 at 2:44 am
This list included some older soundtracks, but I sure would like to have seen some of the great music by Erich Wolfgang Korngold. Like The Adventures of Robin Hood, The Sea Hawk, Of Human Bondage, etc. And I too think that Dr Zhivago is one of the great scores. Thanks for including it. And thanks for adding the clips to listen to. Lots of fun.
January 22nd, 2009 at 2:46 am
Everytime I hear the score to Darran Aronofskys Requiem For A Dream I get goosebumps, its simply amazing!
January 22nd, 2009 at 3:13 am
Aural guns on the list, g – you quite clearly haven’t heard The Goblins’ soundtrack to ‘Suspiria’, pity be that yo.
January 22nd, 2009 at 3:17 am
ooooooh McCabe & Mrs. Miller. Good choice. I need to go watch that film again. Cohen’s eery voice definitely added to the film’s uniqueness and tone.
January 22nd, 2009 at 3:23 am
jajdude: thanks for mentioning suspiria – it makes the film so much creepier.
January 22nd, 2009 at 3:27 am
“death is the road to awe”, from the fountain is one of my favorite pieces of music. When it plays out over the last 10 minutes of that film, coupled with Aronofsky’s visuals, I was completley blown away. The Goblins work on Suspiria is brilliant to, also the work they did on Profondo Rosso and Tenebrae.
January 22nd, 2009 at 3:34 am
I’m glad to see Faust as number 1, the music in that film has always been some of my favorite…so dark and beautiful. Great list!
January 22nd, 2009 at 3:43 am
whts the deal with you and dazed and confused, jamie? not in the best high school movies. not even in the top 20 soundtracks.
really?
try watching it this weekend. or get the soundtrack and listen to it on a drive or something.
January 22nd, 2009 at 3:54 am
the ninth gate…. by Wojciech Kilar is my personal favourite…. dont know whether it qualifies as a great or not….
January 22nd, 2009 at 4:00 am
Glad to see Breakfast at Tiffany’s up there as well.
I had the great honour to play violin with the same orchestra that played the Star Wars starting music as a child, I loved playing along with them.
January 22nd, 2009 at 4:08 am
What about Lord Of The Rings!
January 22nd, 2009 at 4:40 am
I liked the score from Brass the contreto De d”arunjuis was particiliary moving
January 22nd, 2009 at 4:43 am
Excalibur soundtrack..
January 22nd, 2009 at 4:52 am
Some of my favourites:
The Draughtsman’s Contract (Michael Nyman)
Amelie (Yann Tiersen) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgYnRh8ACGQ
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (Ennio Morricone)
Koyaanisqatsi (Philip Glass)
January 22nd, 2009 at 4:59 am
#7 is a film clip from Nosferatu, not Dracula.
January 22nd, 2009 at 5:00 am
AHAHHAA
January 22nd, 2009 at 5:00 am
7 Dracula – I am trying to figure out what a “descending third note” is. Musically and English gramatically, there are several possibilities, none of which makes entire sense.
4 Close Encounters – Did the score contain anything else but variations on this 5-note theme? When you say “Star Wars [ep 4]“, you can easily think of 1) main titles 2) Princess Leia’s theme 3) cantina band and 4) throne room at least and add in Darth Vader’s theme from ep 5. When you say “Close Encounters”, there’s five notes, and that’s pretty much it. Or is it?
January 22nd, 2009 at 5:02 am
Peter,are you mentioning “Concierto de Aranjuez”? I love that too.
January 22nd, 2009 at 5:26 am
Thanks for putting in McCabe and Mrs. Miller. “Sisters of Mercy” and that film are perfect together. And Vilmos Zigmond’s cinematography make this one of the most watchable and films ever made. (To say nothing of Beatty, Julie Christy, and the rest of this cast’s wonderful work.)
January 22nd, 2009 at 5:38 am
How could you still not have “Singles” up there?
Track listing:
“Would?” – Alice in Chains
“Breath” – Pearl Jam
“Seasons” – Chris Cornell
“Dyslexic Heart” – Paul Westerberg
“The Battle of Evermore” – The Lovemongers (Heart)
“Chloe Dancer/Crown of Thorns” – Mother Love Bone
“Birth Ritual” – Soundgarden
“State of Love and Trust” – Pearl Jam
“Overblown” – Mudhoney
“Waiting for Somebody” – Paul Westerberg
“May This Be Love” – Jimi Hendrix
“Nearly Lost You” – Screaming Trees
“Drown” – The Smashing Pumpkins
Retrieved from “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singles_(soundtrack)”
January 22nd, 2009 at 5:47 am
it was a great movie list..however i think you will be publishing a list on greatest sports movies very soon. I will be waiting for that list.
January 22nd, 2009 at 6:11 am
Please tell me you were joking about Saturday Night Fever? The best thing about that sound track was that it rang the death knell for disco “music.” I actually liked some of the BeeGees earlier stuff (guilty pleasure?); but this sound track – awful! Even the movie was ridiculous, full of stereotypes, stupid dialog, the God awful rape scene, I could go on, but this list is about the music.
January 22nd, 2009 at 6:26 am
Great list. I would divide this into two lists however. One list being a score with music made specifically for the movie. The classical, orchestra type soundtrack if you will. Danny Elfman and Phillip Glass would be two of my favourite artists in this genre.
The other type would be a soundtrack comprising of already existing songs. Some of my favourites here would include:
Pulp Fiction
O Brother, Where Art Thou?
City Of God
The Life Aquatic
The Harder They Come
Easy Rider
Blow
High Fidelity
The Blues Brothers
Vanilla Sky
Fight Club
January 22nd, 2009 at 6:40 am
#25 Spocker, you beat me to it. i was about to declare this list null and void for the exclusion of Singles. i wore out that tape twice and the cd has spent countless hours in my players.
January 22nd, 2009 at 6:42 am
I’ll second Mullacio #28, and agree with several of his films. Pulp Fiction is at the top of his list where it belongs IMO.
Easy Rider is clear.. the film itself is a standout, yet the soundtrack is linked to it. You can’t listen to Born to be Wild and not think of Fonda, Hopper and Nicholson on their choppers.
I’m a big fan of director Wes Anderson’s soundtrack choices (i.e., The Life Aquatic). Just watched The Darjeeling Limited. The music was fantastic, raising a good film to very good.
January 22nd, 2009 at 6:43 am
Isn’t #7. clip from “Nosferatu” (1922), not Dracula…?
January 22nd, 2009 at 6:44 am
I agree with Singles, although (don’t shoot me) I programmed out all the Westerberg tracks on my I-Tunes.
January 22nd, 2009 at 6:53 am
I haven’t seen a few of the films on the list, but I can confidently say that the score of “THE FOUNTAIN” is easily one of the best CDs ever, soundtrack or otherwise. The emotion in every track is amazing, especially if you’ve seen the movie (which is one of my favorites.)
Great list!
January 22nd, 2009 at 7:15 am
Nice addition with Mansell. His score in Requiem is jaw-dropping.
January 22nd, 2009 at 7:16 am
Sorry, I do not mean to hog all the space but I have to mention this soundtrack.
Man With A Movie Camera by The Cinematic Orchestra
It is a Russian silent movie from 1929 directed by Dziga Vertov.
January 22nd, 2009 at 7:17 am
John Williams is one of the best composers out there! I have a collection of his best works and I love it. Wish Star Wars was higher on the list…should be number one!
January 22nd, 2009 at 7:18 am
Forgot to mention Man With a Movie Camera by The Cinematic Orchestra. Such a powerful journey of a soundtrack.
January 22nd, 2009 at 7:20 am
Still no Jurassic Park; I hope you hang.
January 22nd, 2009 at 7:21 am
I completely agree with you Kush. The Fountain is also one of my favourites.
January 22nd, 2009 at 7:32 am
Good list. Have to agree about “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”, “Easy Rider”, and “Blues Brothers”, BUT, I would also add my vote for “Streets of Fire” (a nice “80’s” sound) as well as “Vanishing Point” for it’s early 70’s “progressive, open-minded” bend.
January 22nd, 2009 at 7:38 am
Lord of the Rings
The score for the Original Superman Movie with Christopher Reeve
Newsies
Oliver Twist
January 22nd, 2009 at 7:38 am
I don’t see Superfly anywhere.
January 22nd, 2009 at 7:39 am
I think we should separate real original soundtrack from soundtrack that are basically mixed tapes.
For the first category, in my opinion, nothing comes close to The Good, The Bad & The Ugly (Ennio Morricone) and Conan the Barbarian (Basil Poledouris).
You could also mention the soundtrack of Ravenous (by the guy from Blur) which is totally weird and gives a very special taste to the movie…
January 22nd, 2009 at 7:40 am
Both of these lists are absent of potentially the greatest soundtrack of all time. I posted this in the comments of the first, but Cruel Intentions has that perfect soundtrack most movies could only lust after. =)
January 22nd, 2009 at 7:49 am
anyone else love the Juno soundtrack?
January 22nd, 2009 at 7:54 am
junos good, i love the devils rejects soundtrack
January 22nd, 2009 at 7:55 am
Also include The Nightmare Before Christmas
January 22nd, 2009 at 7:56 am
What about:
Shaft
Fight Club
Lost in Translation
Dig!
Broken Flowers
Boogie Nights
Death Proof
School of Rock
Maximum Overdrive
Dukes of Hazzard
I could go on all day!
January 22nd, 2009 at 7:59 am
The Nightmare Before Christmas – Danny Elfman
January 22nd, 2009 at 8:03 am
Pee-Wee’s big adventure had an AWESOME soundtrack!!!
January 22nd, 2009 at 8:12 am
The Last of the Mohicans has one of the best scores of all time. It so wonderfully entangles with the story that there is no dialogue for the last 10-ish minutes of the movie, just the music helping the story along. It should be included (on the first list and this one…and all soundtrack lists to come
) I love that movie as a whole, but if I’m not in the mood to watch the whole thing I’ll still tune in for the last 15 minutes.
January 22nd, 2009 at 8:15 am
‘True Romance’ has some great Hans Zimmer scores in it. If you want to discuss great soundtracks that don’t contain original scores, than I suggest checking out the ‘Rushmore’ soundtrack.
January 22nd, 2009 at 8:21 am
49. AllDayDre – this was also Danny Elfman!
January 22nd, 2009 at 8:30 am
52. TEX – Danny Elfman is the man then!!!!
January 22nd, 2009 at 8:31 am
37. flgh – Jurassic Park’s soundtrack was crazy good…..anybody can hear that score and now exactly where its from, love the climax!!!
January 22nd, 2009 at 8:35 am
I haven’t seen this movie but the soundtrack to “Until The End Of The World” is remarkable. All the songs fit together and are beautiful. According to wiki, all these songs except the title were original.
Track listing
Graeme Revell: “Opening Theme”
Talking Heads: “Sax and Violins”
Julee Cruise: “Summer Kisses, Winter Tears”
Neneh Cherry: “Move With Me (Dub)”
Crime and the City Solution, “The Adversary”
Lou Reed: “What’s Good”
Can: “Last Night Sleep”
R.E.M.: “Fretless”
Elvis Costello: “Days”
Graeme Revell: “Claire’s Theme”
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds: “(I’ll Love You) Till the End of the World”
Patti Smith and Fred “Sonic” Smith: “It Takes Time”
Depeche Mode: “Death’s Door”
Graeme Revell: “Love Theme”
Jane Siberry and k.d. lang: “Calling All Angels”
T-Bone Burnett: “Humans from Earth”
Daniel Lanois: “Sleeping in the Devil’s Bed”
U2: “Until the End of the World”
Graeme Revell: “Finale”
January 22nd, 2009 at 8:39 am
Callie’s right, Last of the Mohicans has an amazing soundtrack. It’s actually the only soundtrack I have (that’s not a musical, that is), and would most definitely be listening to it now if I didn’t associate it with times I’d rather forget…
I hate when good music gets associated with bad things *sigh*
January 22nd, 2009 at 8:42 am
Top 10 Movie themes of all time:(In no particular order)
1.High Noon
2.Lara’s Theme(Dr.Zhivago)
3.Theme from “The Searchers”
4.Theme from “Bridge On The River Kwai”
5.”2001-A Space Odyssey”
6.Theme from “Lonesome Dove”
7.Rocky1
8.”Gone With The Wind”
9. “From Russia With Love” soundtrack
10. Claudia’s Theme from “Unforgiven”
January 22nd, 2009 at 8:43 am
nice list, will be looking up for some of them.
on the other hand i read both great film soundtracks lists and couldnt believe there was no A CLOCKWORK ORANGE in any of them! i believe wendy/walter carlos did an excellent job and it has become one of my favorite soundtracks ever… also, there was no HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH!!!
January 22nd, 2009 at 8:53 am
Check out ‘Cinematic Orchestra Man w/ the Movie Camera 8′ on you tube…absolutely marvelous track.
January 22nd, 2009 at 8:58 am
no American Psycho
January 22nd, 2009 at 9:02 am
Pretty good list, but I could never have left out Blade Runner. Vangelis has never sounded better
January 22nd, 2009 at 9:13 am
Noice list. I’ve heard a lot about McCabe and Mrs Miller but nothing about its soundtrack…
January 22nd, 2009 at 9:22 am
Not for this list – but I must give a shout out to one of my favorites — lead Talking Head, David Byrne
Oscar for co-writer original score Bertolucci’s The Last Emperor
Most music from Wall Street (some Brian Eno)
Many, many more – he’s probably one of the most used composers in film, TV, advertisements
(almost matched by my beloved Kinks)
January 22nd, 2009 at 9:40 am
Woodstock and the Koyaanisqatsi trilogy. The scores ARE the films.
January 22nd, 2009 at 9:47 am
I don’t see the theme from Shaft on your list, smithstar4.
January 22nd, 2009 at 10:08 am
Requiem soundtrack? Ok…..
January 22nd, 2009 at 10:17 am
i totally agree with requiem being one of the best soundtracks ever. its is just so…. breathtaking, so awesome, yet depressing (due to the context of the soundtrack in the movie)
Winter: Lux Aeterna, is the best song. followed by Summer: Summer Overture.
January 22nd, 2009 at 10:18 am
What about Forest Gump? Can’t forget the part where Jenny is trippin out about to jump with Freebird blarring in the background.
Also, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas? Pretty good track there too.
January 22nd, 2009 at 10:21 am
I would have liked to seen PULP FICTION on one of the lists, and how about BROTHER WHERE ART THOUGH
January 22nd, 2009 at 10:30 am
70. The Grey GOAT
- that scene with Jenny is like a song you can’t get out of your head – only EVERY time i hear it i see the junkie then her going on to the balcony
January 22nd, 2009 at 10:30 am
mmmmmm.. the soundtrack to The Fountain was good, yes. The film itself though…. can’t say so.
January 22nd, 2009 at 10:38 am
The Soundtrack to the movie “Orlando” with Tilda Swinton is quite good, as is the movie.
January 22nd, 2009 at 10:54 am
Wow, you missed Prokofiev’s score to Alexander Nevsky. That soundtrack has been ripped off so many times in other movies. If you hear it I think you’ll agree that it may be amoung the best sound tracks ever written.
January 22nd, 2009 at 10:56 am
Can we just get it straight that there is a difference between “soundtrack” and “score”? The music in most of the films on the list are “scores” because they are written expressly for that film and composed scene-by-scene to move the film along and evoke various emotions. A soundtrack is a collection of songs used for the film, not necessarily original recordings expressly for the movie. A lot of the suggestions people are posting in their comments are soundtracks. Including Dazed and Confused, Pulp Fiction, School of Rock…Although the Bee Gees did write their songs specifically for Saturday Night Fever, but not all songs in the soundtrack were like that, some already existed. Just thought I’d point that out. Thanx for indulging me.
January 22nd, 2009 at 10:57 am
Serenity (the Firefly movie, otherwise known as the BDM)
January 22nd, 2009 at 11:01 am
I think this list is actually worse than the first one. Different people just have very different opinions on what makes a great soundtrack i guess. i agree with Steve d. Most of these are scores, not soundtracks.
January 22nd, 2009 at 11:01 am
Yes! Requiem for a dream soundtrack is amazing!!!!
January 22nd, 2009 at 11:22 am
Ah, Yes, But WHAT ABOUT SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE!?!?!?!
THAT’S ANOTHER CLASSIC JOHN WILLIAMS SCORE THAT SHOULD BE HERE AND BE AT LEAST NUMBER 2 OR EVEN THE BONUS!!!!!!!!!!
January 22nd, 2009 at 11:38 am
Joe Dirt has an awesome soundtrack.
January 22nd, 2009 at 11:52 am
Doctor Zhivago, one of my favorites…ah, memories. I want to hear the others, but am off to another meeting!
January 22nd, 2009 at 12:07 pm
These are more “film scores” than “soundtracks”. I understand “Soundtracks” are about music by bands…
January 22nd, 2009 at 12:28 pm
Again the great Badalamenti ignored (sigh).
January 22nd, 2009 at 12:31 pm
I am very happy to see Leonard Cohen on this list, although I prefer the soundtrack from the Natural Born Killers because I haven’t seen the movie Mcabe and Mrs Miller. However when it comes to great soundtracks, I also have to mention Jesus Christ Superstar (1973), Yvonne Elliman has an amazing voice.
January 22nd, 2009 at 12:35 pm
Jean de Florette, All of the music is so emotional
January 22nd, 2009 at 12:58 pm
Mellafe(83) – oddly enough, our author DID say as much in the intro: “Due to the controversy of the first list, this one was not compiled to merely tie up loose ends, but to reexamine an alternative of not only compilations, but original and adapted film scores.”
January 22nd, 2009 at 12:59 pm
What, no Rocky Horror Picture Show? =D
January 22nd, 2009 at 1:08 pm
i havent seen the movie in awhile but i remember that the music in shindler’s list added to the emotions i felt while watching it.
and if you like classic rock, forest gump would be such a good soundtrack. does anyone know if they make them one for the movie?
January 22nd, 2009 at 1:42 pm
I would have to take issue with the dismissing (comment 23) of the CLOSE ENCOUNTERS soundtrack. It is a hell of a lot more than just those 5 notes. Some of Williams’ best dramatic scoring, bar none. Listen to samples over at iTunes or Amazon; tracks like “Stars and Trucks’ or “TV Reacts”; some suspenseful and iconic music. Remains one of my favorite soundtracks to this day.
BTW, I’m not sure I get the “Everyone from the 80s” comment as the film is from 1977, same year as STAR WARS.
And I’d do two lists: one for “songtracks” and the other for soundtracks (orchestral/song-free). I have a lot of both, and I have favorites in each category.
Some I would tip into soundtracks:
GLORY (James Horner)
THE INCREDIBLES (Michael Giacchino) (just about anything of his)
ADVENTURES OF BARON MUNCHAUSEN (Michael Kamen)
BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (new series/Bear McCreary’s work)
THE BLACK HOLE (John Barry)
BLADE RUNNER (Vangelis)
BRAZIL (Michael Kamen)
CONAN THE BARBARIAN (Basil Poledouris)
The HALO Series (Martin O’Donnell & Michael Salvatori)
The INDIANA JONES Series (Williams) (RAIDERS is still the best)
IRON MONKEY (James L. Venable)
THE ROCKETEER (James Horner)
STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE (Jerry Goldsmith)
STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN (James Horner)
STAR WARS (Take your pick) (Williams)
WATERWORLD (James Newton Howard)
2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY (Various)
Songtracks would include:
Flash Gordon (Soundtrack from the Motion Picture) (Queen)
Yellow Submarine (The Beatles)
Shrek (all?) (Various)
Six Feet Under (Various)
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Curry & Meatloaf, mostly)
I have more Songtrack favorites, but those are the ones that come to mind.
January 22nd, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Steve d #76, thanks for clearing that up, it should be in the introduction.
Notable omissions for movie scores, no Bernard Herman(Vertigo), no Tangerine Dream(Sorcerer), no Ry Cooder(Paris,Texas).
For soundtracks Cadillac Records, 8 Mile, Cabaret, and for crying out loud, what about A Hard Day’s Night?
January 22nd, 2009 at 2:18 pm
A few more: Georgia, Magnolia, Laurel Canyon, Box of Moonlight, I Am Sam
January 22nd, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Harry Potter and Legend should have been added as well. Got both on my iPOD.
January 22nd, 2009 at 2:30 pm
This Is Me:
I have all of those movies and/or soundtracks! I played Dr Frank-N-Furter in the play version of Rocky Horror at the Roadhouse Theater and have seen the movie (in theaters) 314 times to date!
January 22nd, 2009 at 2:35 pm
“23. astraya – January 22nd, 2009 at 5:00 am
7 Dracula – I am trying to figure out what a “descending third note” is. Musically and English gramatically, there are several possibilities, none of which makes entire sense.”
He’s talking about the tritone… link follows:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tritone
January 22nd, 2009 at 2:36 pm
- This is me…
I LOVE RHPS! The entrance of Dr. Frank -n- Furter is one of my all time favorite scenes.
January 22nd, 2009 at 3:26 pm
Movie soundtracks are surely the most underrated of all the arts which go into making a movie great, or a failure.
This list shows how some otherwise mediocre movies were made into wonderful movies on the strength of their soundtracks.
Philip Glass’ choice for the silent Dracula was brilliant! Then, those of you who have been around awhile know my love of, and my personal story of, my connection to Glass’ music.
Clint Mansell’s music for Requiem for a Dream could not be more perfect. It finds it’s way into your heart and mind and latches on; becoming part of both the picture and you at the same time. You carry both away with you. Just hearing a few notes of the music brings back flashes of the movie behind your eyes, and you relive moments of utter beauty.
FW Murnau’s soundtrack for Faust was as terrifyingly beautiful as the story. I don’t know why I find Faust beautiful as well as terrifying; perhaps it’s because I have always associated him with some of the most magnificent music ever written.
Saturday Night Fever. Now this one…well…I detested the disco age, yet I loved Saturday Night Fever and the entire soundtrack! What I hated about “disco” was the clothes, the hairstyles, the shoes…but the music was okay. The music was okay.
John Williams soundtrack for Close Encounters was pretty good. In some places it bordered on magnificent. But here’s my problem with John Williams. He is America’s Andrew Lloyd Weber.
They churn them out. I don’t feel any emotion behind their music.
I know, I know…if I want to criticize, try doing it myself.
So not the point.
Both of these men are talented enough for any four normal mortals, but they betray it by formulaic piece after formulaic piece.
~sigh~
I wrote the above 4 hours ago, and before i could hit ’submit’, my husband asked if I wanted to take a drive up the coast. So we did. Up through Big Sur, through thee thick rainy fog, and beach combing on Sand Dollar beach in that same rain and fog, and you know what?
Nothing matters.
Everything is beautiful and perfect.
I come home to my house in the woods, just minutes from the ocean and it’s perfect.
And all of those pieces of music are perfect.
January 22nd, 2009 at 3:29 pm
How about the theme song from the original Exorcist movie (with Linda Blair)? The soundtrack was haunting and unusual and was even overplayed on the radio for a while.
January 22nd, 2009 at 3:31 pm
O Brother Where Art Thou? Still has the best soundtrack I’ve ever heard. Far, far better than Star Wars.
January 22nd, 2009 at 3:39 pm
What about “The Graduate”? That movie had some of the most memorable songs of the 60’s…
January 22nd, 2009 at 3:42 pm
76. steve d
DEAD ON
I saw the pattern that was forming, people mentioning tracks that had some of there favorite recordings in them.
I think it’s easiest to explain with a visual –
a score involves a composer and live musicians in a recording facility – the music is designed to follow the action or emotion and accent that action, help create the emotion of the film in real time, almost subliminal.
tracks are usually – not always – used in period movies – picture a director, writer, best buddy, whatever sitting with lists of dated songs playing them to the footage and seeing what fits.
A score is a unique work of art, If done well.
A track is somewhat less – but I would point out that some movie people are much better than others.
Some that come to mind – Martin Scorsese, Quinton Tarantino, the Cohen brothers.
All of them or their associates are so good at picking period songs that shape the scenes – it truly is a talent.
January 22nd, 2009 at 3:57 pm
My one problem with the list is that it has both scores and soundtracks. When I think of soundtracks, I envision more of a compilation of tracks which may or may not have been intended for the movie not the accompanied music. IMO i think there should be three separate lists; one list for soundtracks, one list for scores and a separate list for musicals/Disney movies.
January 22nd, 2009 at 4:02 pm
anyone ever heard of the movie jaws?
January 22nd, 2009 at 4:50 pm
What about The Wall or Zabriskie Point?
January 22nd, 2009 at 4:55 pm
WHERE IS HOOK!?!!?!?!?!?!!?!?
January 22nd, 2009 at 5:07 pm
I just wanted to double-ditto on
The Nightmare Before Christmas
and
Pee Wee’s Big Adventure
works of Art by the Elf-man!
January 22nd, 2009 at 5:09 pm
Sadly – and I’m not a Tolkien geek – but I do think LOTR should be up there. I had the privilege of hearing the NZSO play it live with a choir along with other pieces like the Jupiter Symphony – it was fan-tab-lous.
January 22nd, 2009 at 5:10 pm
fight club, GOOD WILL HUNTING, the lion king
January 22nd, 2009 at 5:26 pm
what about There Will Be Blood? excellent work from Jonny Greenwood
January 22nd, 2009 at 5:59 pm
I’d love to see ‘Flight of the Valkyries’ in a similar list in the future. It was used in Apocalypse Now and the recent film, Valkyrie.
January 22nd, 2009 at 6:14 pm
I personally really love the sound track to “Apollo 13″ very inspiring. Especially “reentry & splash down”
January 22nd, 2009 at 6:30 pm
THE GRADUATE
January 22nd, 2009 at 6:31 pm
99. Brosiusjb – January 22nd, 2009 at 3:31 pm
O Brother Where Art Thou? Still has the best soundtrack I’ve ever heard. Far, far better than Star Wars.
agreed… it’s a brilliant soundtrack, and fantastic movie
January 22nd, 2009 at 6:44 pm
Shawshank REdemption
January 22nd, 2009 at 7:09 pm
i think the idea of a great musical score is how moviegoers recalls the movie or a particular scene of a movie just by playing the music in their head. listen to every john williams composition and you’ll get what i mean.
January 22nd, 2009 at 7:20 pm
Noone mentioned
Braveheart.
January 22nd, 2009 at 7:48 pm
Where is Donnie Darko!?
January 23rd, 2009 at 12:32 am
I listened to the ten scores with my eyes closed, thinking of them as musical pieces, and not part of a movie. I must say, Requiem for a Dream and Faust were stunning.
I would also like to add my vote for The Nightmare Before Christmas.
The “sound tracks,” (or mixed tapes as someone called them
) that I love and listen to the most are O Brother, Where Art Thou, The Harder They Come(reggae), and Woodstock. I also thought the Doors songs included in Apocalypse Now were excellent choices and really lent a mood to the film.
January 23rd, 2009 at 12:34 am
In neither of the lists for film soundtracks, I’m amazed that Pirates of the Caribbean hasn’t been mentioned. My personal favorite is The Curse of the Black Pearl. Have a listen sometime – The best tracks on there are The Medallion Calls and He’s a Pirate.
January 23rd, 2009 at 12:39 am
segue (97)
“Nothing matters.
Everything is beautiful and perfect.
I come home to my house in the woods, just minutes from the ocean and it’s perfect.
And all of those pieces of music are perfect.”
It sounds like you had a beautiful day. I also live on the coast, but farther north (Eureka). My dogs are both beach lovers, so we three have wondersome adventures in the fog, too. I moved here from Colorado because I love the ocean so much… It is magical to me. Unfortunately, Eureka was as far south as I could afford to buy a house near the shore, so it’s always too cold for swimming. As soon as I lose some weight, I’m going to but a wetsuit! (and a boogie board!)
January 23rd, 2009 at 2:06 am
What fascinates me about film soundtrack music is that people will willingly listen to music they would otherwise run away from:
Me: Do you want to come to a concert of choral and orchestral music by Gyorgi Ligeti?
Friend: Eww, no.
Me: Do you want to come to a special screening of 2001: A Space Odyssey, with live choir and orchestra?
Friend: Ooo, yes.
And imagine if Maurice Jarre had written his Symphony No 1 with “Lara’s theme” as the first movement. The critics would have pounded him for writing something so derivative and blatantly emotional.
A number of “classical” composers also wrote/write film music, or vice versa. Eric Korngold wrote a violin concerto, rehashing some of his film music. One critic said it was more corn than gold. (hahaha)
Several years ago I was listening to ABC Classic FM in Australia and they played an excruciating (in the nicest possible way) score which a lot of research later I found out was a written by a composer named Michael Gordon for a film called Decasia. This film takes movie footage from the early days of cinema and runs it together as a commentary on decay and transitoriness. The music is minimalist and heavily dissonant. It’s the sort of music I can’t imagine my imaginary friend in paragraph 1 coming to hear as music, but quite possibly would as a movie soundtrack.
A couple of months ago I tracked down the music on itunes store and quite coincidentally bought and downloaded two days ago.
A short clip is at http://decasia.com/clip2.html
January 23rd, 2009 at 2:12 am
Oh, BTW, re Breakfast at Tiffany’s: Audrey Hepburn is one of just 9 people who have won an Oscar, an Emmy, a Grammy and a Tony award during their career.
January 23rd, 2009 at 2:32 am
Darren Aranofsky, not Daranofsky… but more importantly, the video you posted for Number 7 under Dracula is from the movie Nosferatu. I am not complaining or anything, because that is the FAR superior movie, but it is worth mentioning.
January 23rd, 2009 at 7:37 am
97. segue, about 20 years ago I spent a month at Monterey Bay.
I envy you so much.
January 23rd, 2009 at 8:03 am
Wow. Looks like I made some popular decisions this time.
Thanks.
January 23rd, 2009 at 8:11 am
dazed and confused is left out of another list!!
and it’s darren aronofsky, although it is tempting to shorten it and just refer to him as darrenofsky.
January 23rd, 2009 at 8:31 am
Brian Moo–I was remiss-You’re right. “Shaft” and the theme from “Last Of The Mohicans” should have definitely been included.Also the background music from “On The Waterfront” by conductor Leonard Bernstein (For which he won an oscar)
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:05 am
Typo concerning Ed Wood: it wasn’t Carmen used in the film; it was Swan Lake. JFrater, please note this.
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:14 am
**120. BooRadley: Yes, it was a lovely day. And you know, Eureka is a wonderful area. It’s not urbanized. It still has a wildness to it that makes it beautiful.
I’d definitely lose the weight, get into the wetsuit, and onto the boogie board! Good luck.
**126. psychosurfer: 97. segue, about 20 years ago I spent a month at Monterey Bay. I envy you so much.
****
psychosurfer, I do live in paradise. I know this, and am grateful daily. The area I live in in a small Village, and my house is situated in the woods, out of sight of any neighbors. The ocean, complete with tide pools, is less than 3 minutes from our door.
I didn’t always live like this. I spent the greatest part of my life in Los Angeles, where I went from middle class to upper class to (when I got sick, and had to go onto disability), the poor class.
When my now husband fell in love with me, and I with him, I was fortunate that neither my medical nor financial state did not scare him off.
So, you see psychosurfer, I have much more than just a beautiful place to live to be envious of.
January 23rd, 2009 at 1:53 pm
The sound track to almost famous was good…I liked how they edited all the old rock songs together.
January 23rd, 2009 at 7:01 pm
Every time I hear the soundtrack of requiem for a dream I get the chills.
Sadly enough, here in England, they use one of the songs on skysports. Try watching sportnews with a tune like that in the background!
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:36 pm
Requiem is great, and American Beauty is covered in the first one. I wished that there were more tunes from Stillwater on Almost Famous. Feverdog rocks! My picks:
Everything is Illuminated
Six String Samurai
Amelie
A.I.
Passion (Peter Gabriel)
Devdas (incredible stuff!!)
Alexander (Vangelis)
French Kiss
Lost In Translation
Sprout
Great list!! Thanks!
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:45 pm
My top soundtracks (since no one aksed)
10.The Waterboy
9. Go
8. Rules of Attraction
7. Forrest Gump
6. Captive
5. Natural Born Killers
4. Thelma and Louise
3. Cool World
2. Singles
1. True Romance
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:56 pm
I forgot Tank Girl.
January 24th, 2009 at 12:26 am
Very interesting list, however, there is no Waltz in Carmen…it’s the Habanera which is a forerunner of the Tango.
January 24th, 2009 at 6:22 pm
breafkast at tiffanys & requiem for a dream, nice.
January 24th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
I don’t like this list.
January 24th, 2009 at 11:30 pm
I have to disagree with “Breakfast At Tiffany’s”. The only song in the soundtrack is Moon River – it’s just mixed and remixed in every conceivable format until when you finally finish the movie, the thought of that song drives you completely insane. Of course, all things equal, this is my opinion like the list is yours.
January 25th, 2009 at 12:42 am
Here are some more…
“The Crow” and “Juice” are good soundtracks if you a fan of the genre.
January 25th, 2009 at 5:30 pm
I don’t know if it’s been mentioned, but I’m giving a shout-out to the great Herrmann (Vertigo, The Day the Earth Stood Still, Psycho, etc.), the composer to some of my favourite films!
Great list, glad to see The Fountain and Requiem For a Dream on there – Darren Aronofsky is one of my new favourites, and the scores to his films are emotional and haunting!
January 26th, 2009 at 10:48 am
Donnie Darko!
The Mad world montage… Amazing!
Pee Wee Herman’s big adventure.
Man oh man. I think you need a third.
January 26th, 2009 at 11:34 am
#98 wordgurl-that would be Mike Oldfield’s “Tubular Bells”
January 26th, 2009 at 11:37 am
#98 WRITEGURL-so sorry! experiencing technical difficulties…
January 26th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
That South Park the movie isn’t on this list is just plain sad. That movie clearly has one of the greatest soundtracks of all time and it’s a shame that the Academy Awards chickened out and gave the Oscar to Tarzan instead.
January 26th, 2009 at 3:42 pm
one of the best soundtracks is def 28 days later…
January 26th, 2009 at 5:33 pm
best soundtracks r good bad and the ugly, once upon a time in america and casino.
January 27th, 2009 at 5:26 am
the hours soundtrack by Philip Glass is cool, harold and maude by cat stevens is great
January 28th, 2009 at 9:55 am
I dont like this list. maybe try something more modern next time-
January 29th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
I would have included Across the Universe and Almost Famous.
January 30th, 2009 at 11:10 am
Well, the list maker obviously forgot to mention a genius like Jerry Goldsmith (I agree with many of “this is me”): Carol Anne’s Theme (both the 1st and 2nd version from the first two movies), from Poltergeist shoulda been listed here.
February 3rd, 2009 at 3:14 pm
What about the Girl Next Door soundtrack
February 12th, 2009 at 2:58 pm
146. Festos
Doubtful you will see this at this late date – but,
It is rumored that the world renown composer and lyricist Stephan Sondheim is supposed to have called up Matt Parker and Trey Stone to tell them that “South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut” was the best musical he’d seen in years…
April 8th, 2009 at 3:46 pm
Philip Glass wrote a new score for the 1931 Lugosi Dracula. You have a clip from the 1922 Nosferatu, which had a new score written for it by James Bernard, who scored several Hammer horror movies.
April 8th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
And you should really add A Clockwork Orange to this list. The electronic Funeral March Of Queen Anne alone makes the album great.
April 29th, 2009 at 12:03 am
some of the soundtracks mentioned in both lists are good, but personally I feel there were better ones you missed. Like most anything by Ennio Morricone (think that’s right) especially the spaghetti westerns, the soundtracks to Full Metal Jacket, Good Morning Vietnam, the Big Chill, both Crow movies, and last but not least, Both Heavy Metal soundtracks are great, but the first one is a major classic!
May 16th, 2009 at 3:05 pm
dude ..top 1 is “my heart wll go on”
June 20th, 2009 at 8:29 am
lotr come on!! howard shore..
July 30th, 2009 at 9:37 am
I’m kinda sad you don’t don’t have Cinema Paradisco. If you haven’t seen this movie, you should stop what you’re doing and do so right now!
September 4th, 2009 at 7:32 am
The Crow Soundtrack (if you remove the rap song) is one of the my favorites next to the unoffical Highlander Soundtrack (It’s a kind of Magic UK version).
September 23rd, 2009 at 2:57 pm
Beverly Hills Cop
Pulp Fiction
Trainspotting
Bladerunner
the Great Escape
Life of Brian
Full Metal Jacket
Platoon
Apocalypse Now
…these might already be on some other list on this site, but anyway
October 13th, 2009 at 5:16 am
#7. Actually, the music used in this clip is Glass’ orchestration of Icct Hedral by Aphex Twin.
Btw, try music by Popol Vuh for Herzog’s Nosferatu or other Herzog films.
October 22nd, 2009 at 4:26 am
where the fuck is 8 MILE??????????????????
October 22nd, 2009 at 6:06 pm
Gladiator.
300.
Franklyn.
Pulp Fiction.
November 20th, 2009 at 8:31 am
where’s Cavatina from The Deer Hunter