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+--- Thread: My Top Five John Williams Songs in Film (/showthread.php?tid=15062)
My Top Five John Williams Songs in Film - theuprightbass - 28-12-2015
Since the new Star Wars Film just came out, I thought I might discuss one of the men that helped make it amazing. No, not George Lucas. John Williams, the composer of the music! I talk about this guy a lot and for good reason. He brought us music from many films. He has been the most notable composer in film. Even more than Jerry Goldsmith. Danny Elfman, and John Carpenter. We can discuss them at a later date. But I thought since he has made such an impact on film, I thought I'd show my top five songs by him that I find most memorable! The rule is: one song per franchise. I will have links to make listening possible.
Number 5: Fantasy of Flight (E.T.)
E.T. is such a great film. It helped shape Spielberg's career. One of the things I loved most about it was the whimsey. E.T. was such a whimsical film, but with a lot of help from John Williams. Fantasy of Flight is the song that plays when they're flying on the bicycle. This tune's melody with the flute background makes for a good blend. Link: https://youtu.be/C4WK9WvOBvE
Number 4: Raiders Theme (Indiana Jones)
Who doesn't know Indiana Jones? I haven't seen these movies in a long time, but one thing I do remember is the theme that John Williams wrote that was so memorable. It sounds so adventorous and definitely fits the movie. You feel the true adventure in the song, but also realize it doesn't take itself too seriously: just like Jones does himself. Such a great song for such a great movie franchise. Link: https://youtu.be/F4JfvdlKjHk
Number 3: Jaws Theme
Okay, I realized something. Majority of my favorite John Williams themes are in Spielberg films. Honestly, though it was a good match. Speilberg, being the try hard he was, would settle for no less than the best. I mean, Jaws almost didn't come out because of how particular Spielberg was, but we'll save that for another day. But anyways, Jaws is actually something that, even if you haven't seen, you know the music for. Every single person knows that iconic "du-nuh, du-nuh, du-nuh". This is because John Williams literally chose only two notes for this beast because it fit. Usually, when changing a chord from a minor chord to a major chord, it doesn't sound like much. However, John Williams realized that sharks are real and if he chose something memorable, it would stick better, and that it did. Link: https://youtu.be/A9QTSyLwd4w
Number 2: Jurassic Park Theme
Jurassic Park was a film that changed the industry forever. Why wouldn't it? The animatronic puppets were amazing, the cgi was dazzling in its debut, and the music was amazing. Like I said, Spielberg didn't ever settle for less. The theme John Williams made for this had an excellent combination of whimsy and mystery. Especially with the bugle line. The bugle line that starts it out is the best way. It is like the visitors being cautious about what is to be shown, then it bridges into the melody where the visitors see the beauty and the prehistoric life. This tune is near perfect. Link: https://youtu.be/D8zlUUrFK-M
Number 1: Star Wars Theme
Yeah, I pretty much knew I had to include this. Otherwise I may have disappeared off the face of the Earth. But this song embodies what all of Star Wars is. John Williams lived his Trumpets. And when he'd compose for action films, he always uses them. The Star Wars theme that opened every episode was like a narrator saying, " This is going to be amazing! You will have a huge adventure with many twists and turns!". The tune embodies the force and the creatures and the journey. And the triplets give a nice touch. This stuff is hard to play, but if you ever get to, do it. Play this in an orchestra. That goes for every song on this list. If you get a chance to play them, do it. I got to play two of the songs on this list and they were some of the most fun pieces ever. The link for this one is the actual footage of John Williams conducting a full orchestra. It is astounding. Link: https://youtu.be/4rQSJDLM8ZE
My Top Five John Williams Songs in Film - Jerome - 28-12-2015
My favourite by him would be Cavatina - from The Deer Hunter.
My Top Five John Williams Songs in Film - CRAZY-HORSE - 28-12-2015
I still have the original three Star Wars movie soundtracks on vinyl somewhere...
that eerie Jaws theme is absolutely brilliant, simplicity at its most powerful and emotive best IMO.
John Williams is a master composer IMO, up there with the so called classical legends from centuries ago....
My Top Five John Williams Songs in Film - Ruby - 28-12-2015
Three selections here from movies he scored that I like (not being a Star Wars person at all - I'll run for cover in a moment ....) -
The opening theme from Seven Years in Tibet - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyjDUSLErgE Yo-Yo Ma on the cello
Confluence, from Memoirs of a Geisha - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qA0uqwbLGI - Yo-Yo Ma again, and Itzhak Perlman
... and the spine tingling theme from Schindler's List - the most emotive piece of music - again with the brilliant Itzhak Perlman - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLK5OWU2YGw
My Top Five John Williams Songs in Film - Jerome - 29-12-2015
Oooh I forgot about Schindler's List - stunning piece of music.
My Top Five John Williams Songs in Film - theuprightbass - 04-01-2016
Ruby Wrote:... [/I]and the spine tingling theme from Schindler's ListSchindler's List, another Spielberg film. Spielberg knows his good composers!