Music is arguably the most emotive art form. The coupling of music to film has been a long-held marriage all the way back to silent film in the early 20th Century and its success and commercial appeal has only grown in the last 20 years.
Stepping away from a straight review I thought it would be fun to compile a listing of a few film tracks that I hold in highest esteem. It would be very easy to run through the generic list of famous scores from Messrs Williams, Zimmer, Barry et al. but below you will find films or sections of music less well known.
To make it easier for readers I will also publish a public playlist on Spotify called ‘Hughes-Reviews’ that’ll feature this listing as well as some other top film tracks.
1. ‘Dinner Jackets’ from Casino Royale
The best of the modern Bond films produced one of its finest scores. In ‘Dinner Jackets’ composer David Arnold playfully matches the back and forth between Vesper and Bond. Kicking off with the Vesper love theme it slides into the strong bass line, rolling percussion and powerful brass quintessential of Bond music since John Barry as we get our first look of Daniel Craig in the iconic black tie.
2. ‘Cloud Atlas End Title’ from Cloud Atlas
A great book that didn’t make a great film. However, the Cloud Atlas sextet is fantastic. A single piano piece, slowly introducing more areas of the orchestra starting with strings and then onto to woodwind and brass, the song builds to a brilliant and powerful crescendo. For a film that’s about the inter-connectivity of stories throughout time, the piece holds its on the second clicking beat throughout.
3. ‘I’m Sending you Away’ from Oblivion
Releasing the soundtrack to a Tom Cruise driven sci-fi flick as well as smash hit Midnight City (yes the Made in Chelsea theme) in the same year was quite some feet for M83. With influencers like Daft Punk the French born artist stuck with the electronic music he knew and learnt heavily on the use of overlapping synthesisers. This gives the score a futuristic and progressive feel with the input of some resounding drums to push forward the gravitas of the track.
4. ‘New Fish’ from The Shawshank Redemption
Famous for its poor performance at the cinema, Shawshank is rightfully regarded as one of the greatest films of all time. Its music though is often overlooked. The song title refers to the ‘fresh fish’ to Shawshank prison as Andy Dufrane and other new inmates are bet upon by Red and his compatriots as to who will break first. The songs solo piano and swirling background homes in on the solitude and emptiness of that first night.
5. ‘Evey Reborn’ from V for Vendetta
Many will remember V for Vendettas music for its use of Tchoivskys 1812 Overture, however it’s this moment that gets my pick. As V releases Evey from her imprisonment not only literally but metaphorically the song that starts with low muffled rumbling tones builds into a clear string delight. The song is full of hope and uplift and its continual upwards arpeggios will make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.
6. ‘The Ludlows’ from The Legends of the Fall
Our mother’s favourite film is the story of 3 brothers and being the middle child that makes me Brad Pitt, no complaints over here! The Ludlows starts with a peaceful piano opening before swelling into a more grandiose movement in line with the glorious and sweeping scenery that makes this film beautiful. Honestly it will make you add Alberta to your list of holiday destinations. The return at the end to the family theme feels hugely intimate and calm.
7. ‘Injection’ from Mission Impossible 2
I know the intro says no Zimmer but this one snuck through as this track from MI2 is still one of my favourites and far less well known. The song sees Hans team up with vocalist Lisa Gerard and was released only 9 days after Gladiator which is their most famous collaboration. Similarly, to the Gladiator score it features wonderful acoustic guitar melodies. My favourite part is the cut back to ‘Nyah’s’ theme right before the bombastic finale. (If you have time find the scene on YouTube there is some top-quality line readings from Tom Cruise, safe to say the MI2 script isn’t the best from the franchise)
8. ‘Hand Covers Bruise’ from The Social Network
Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails and collaborator Atticus Ross are to thank for some amazing work for 2010’s ‘The Social Network’. The whole soundtrack has an underlyingly digital and technological feel and moves away from the grandiose orchestral arrangements that make up the majority of this listing. The songs composing piano providing the beauty and playfulness behind the Facebook creation story matched with the foreboding bass notes that hint at the darkness ahead and the impact that one website the way we live life today.
9. ‘Gortoz A Ran’ from Black Hawk Down
Lisa Gerards second appearance on this listing for ‘Gortoz A Ran’ written and sung by Denez Prigent. The language sung throughout is Breton of the Brittany region in France and is Celtic in origin. This beautiful duet perfectly personifies the desolation and mournfulness that grips the ending of Black Hawk Down as US army rangers run the now infamous Mogadishu mile following one of the most intense modern war skirmishes since Vietnam.
10. ‘Take you Down’ from The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
A criminally underrated film saves some of its best music till the final act. Starting out with a Western style call and some wonderful marching band percussion the tension builds into a unique call and return just as the song drops. Rolling into a slick and punchy rock themed ride for the rest of its duration the overlaying vocals ooze the wild coolness and pure enjoyment of the piece. It matches the scene in the film incredibly and it’s no wonder this absolute tune has been used repeatedly in adverts and TV shows.
Remember to search for the ‘Hughes-Reviews’ playlist on Spotify and enjoy this list plus many other great songs from a large variety of films.
Written by Will
Hughes Reviews 