Hello, all! It’s April 3, 2007 and I am writing you from the past to celebrate the fact that since I moved to WordPress this month I can now set the publish date for my posts whenever I want! Oh, WordPress! How I love thee!
So, I am setting my post today to re-publish this post a year from now.
(As a side note, I totally wonder where I will be in my life a year from now? On April 3, 2008 I hope I am softer in stress, firmer of ass, heavier in pocket and lighter in soul and spirit. In other words? I hope I’m happy and that you all are, too. Most importantly, I hope I am still hot. Priorities are important, you know. )
I just hope that I remember that I set this up so I don’t double post. On the other hand, if I’ve forgotten about it it will be like a groovy little surprise in the morning. Kind of like my birthday only in April! (Ok, this would make for a pretty lame birthday, huh?)
So, what are we waiting for? My post today is about one of my passions other than Diet Coke and blogging.
I’m referring to SOUNDTRACKS. My favorite music EVER. Period. The END. I would make out with them, marry them and have little orchestral score soundtrack babies with them if I could get away with it and not be carted away to the crazy house.
It is a huge list but if you knew how many I LEFT OFF! Soundtracks are the new “Classical Music”. The brilliant film composers of today would have been the Chopin’s and Handel’s back in the day. You may disagree, but that is how I feel.
So? Let’s discuss.
Here you go:
On Soundtracks
April 3, 2007
I thought that I would weigh in on my favorites as far as sound tracks are concerned and compile a list for you all.I know I am going to leave some off, but here it goes:
My favorite soundtrack: Robin Hood Prince of Thieve.It was not easy to pick a favorite soundtrack. It is sort of like asking me to pick out my favorite leaf on a tree, but I had to go with the one I listen to the most.
The summer of 1991 was life changing. At all of 15 years of age, my adoration of the orchestral film score was secured. I saw this movie about a dozen times in the theater because the first time I heard the opening to this movie I almost started shaking. Intense love at first listen.
It did help that Christian Slater was a hottie and Alan Rickman was a genius as the Sheriff of Nottingham, which helped diffuse how much Kevin Costner sucked in this film. The music was GLORIOUS. I love most of the tracks on this one.
I had loved the music of other movies (Namely, “The Man from Snowy River” and “Chariots of Fire” *Hey, synthesisers were new, OK?*) but since I was so young, I didn’t really understand how much of my enjoyment of a movie was based on the film score. They move me like no other music can.
Best comedy soundtracks: The Princess Bride and Emma by Rachel Portman. Portman is amazing and one of the most talented composers of this generation. I love all of her work and she is a heavy part of my library. I got married to this music, I love it so much. She does some very fun things with her arrangements. This music is both quirky and makes you feel so melancholy and at home at the same time.
Also on the list? 50 First Dates. Loved the Hawaiianesque covers of these tunes. AND? South Park: The Movie along with Team America, World Police. Say what you will about them, but they are absolute composition comedy GENIUSES. GENIUSES, I tell you. Though, I admit that they can be rather…EHEM…
Best action soundtrack: Star Wars (Or any John Williams soundtrack) There are no words for John Williams’ genius. I loved Star Wars. My very favorite scene of his is the last one at the awards ceremony. SO cool when they all turn at the same time. I think I ran unrestrained around the theater at three years old it hyped me up so much.
Best dramatic soundtrack: Forrest Gump. OK, I know that technically this is a comedy as well, but ‘Jenny’s Theme’ and ‘Run Forrest’ are both heartbreaking and inspiring. LOVE IT. Also? “City of Angels”. “I’d
give up forever to touch you…” Could you just die? I about did.
(Breaking in to say that I am not going to bother using italics for movie titles and use quotations. I know it is incorrect, but it’s taking me forever and there are eleventyhundred titles, ok?)
Best historical soundtrack: TIE. “Last of the Mohican’s” This was another MUST have. That fiddle they play on the main theme? TO DIE FOR. “Glory” by James Horner. Amazing. Kicked his score for Titanic by leaps and bounds. This is the sound track that heavily features the Harlem Boy’s Choir and where they got a good deal of their fame from. Gorgeous. “The Patriot” I love this soundtrack. Since it covers the southern part of the revolution, the music shows it in rich, homey, themes, heavy on the fiddle. I am also really fond of the the music in the Keira Knightly “Pride and Prejudice”. Very nice piano themes.
Best animal theme: “Fawkes the Phoenix” from Harry Potter. I’m sorry, but it is just so inspiring and reassuring, like the bird itself.
Sweetest theme: “A Simple Twist of Fate”. It is a very quiet little film by Steve Martin. The theme used here is so sweet and simple that it almost feels like taking a warm bath. Steve Martin is also an accomplished banjo player and he plays a lot in this soundtrack, which just adds to the coolness of it.
Also? The duet from “The Corpse Bride”. I love Danny Elfman and have wanted to have his babies since adoring him in his Oingo Boingo days. DAMN talented musician is he.
Most “Themed theme”: “Rudy”. I love the heavy “Fighting Irish” thread he has going on here. I dare you to not stand up and cheer when you hear it.
Most powerful theme: “Glory” by James Horner. Specifically, “Charging Ft. Wagner”. It is akin to Orff’s “Carmina Burana“. Loud, confusing, clashing and also building with subtle intensity in segments.
Most majestic soundtrack: “Lord of the Rings” Damn. That’s all I have to say about that.
Best use of political satire in a soundtrack: “Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy” The “Zephed Beezlebrock” (OR WHATEVER, BRIAN AND KAREN. I never get the name right. Sigh) is HILARIOUS! “He’s not stupid! (OH, NO!) He’s much smarter than you, and he’s better looking too!” Take a listen. The “Achoo” hymn done in traditional Anglican hymnal structure KILLS ME.
Soundtrack I used to love but can no longer admit to liking because even I can only take so much mocking: “Titanic”. Sigh.
Best scary soundtrack: “The Sixth Sense” OMG. I freaked out in the first two measures and asked my friend Brian to “Hold me”. “The Changeling” was also fairly freaky.
Best military influenced soundtrack: You know how much I love music with a military influence. I don’t really know why. Maybe it is the precision, maybe it is the heavy use of brass or the fact that I think the piccolo just isn’t used enough, I dunno. I just like it a lot. I have a tie. I cannot pick between “Glory” and “The Patriot” they both kick ass. “Gladiator” and “Pearl Harbor” also kicked a fair amount of ass.
If we are going with one specific theme, though, the winner is the main theme to the HBO series by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks “Band of Brothers”. Gorgeous.
Best soundtrack to inspire you to pretty much be willing to commit mass suicide in a muddy field in Agincourt, France: “Henry V” by Patrick Doyle. I love this Soundtrack. There are two moments that are pure genius-the track for the “St. Crispian’s Day Speech” and “Non Nobis Domine” kick some serious, serious composition TAIL. ( I HAD to find a way to put this in here)
Best romantic theme: “Kiss you” from Romeo & Juliet. OMG. It makes you want to grab the nearest object and start sucking face with it. I WILL sing this one day.
Best soundtrack from a children’s film: “Mary Poppins” What’s all this, step in time? It seriously makes you want to go be a chimney sweep and dance on the roof tops of London. And WHO doesn’t get misty eyed on “Feed the Birds”. It’s one of my favorite songs to sing.
Best vocals on a soundtrack: It has to go to the queen “Enya“. Between ‘Now you are free’ from “Gladiator” and “May it be ” from Lord of the Rings, and her work on Steve Maritn’s “LA Story”, she has it nailed. Second favorite is “Weep you no more sad fountains” from “Sense and Sensibility” by Patrick Doyle. THAT girl can sing classical. I actually convinced my vocal teacher to let me do his version of “Weep you no more” AND Quilter’s more classical version of it for vocal juries one year. I can’t believe she let me do it. It was awesome.
Best soundtrack from the 30’s: “Gone With the Wind”
Best soundtrack from the 40’s: “White Christmas” Hello, could you get more amazing than Bing Crosby on “I’ll be home for Christmas”? Need I say more?
Best soundtrack from the 50’s: “The King and I”
Best soundtrack from the 60’s: “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”. ‘Moon River’ is enough to make you lay down and weep.
Best soundtrack from the 70’s: “Jaws”. Who knew a minor 2nd could be so damn scary? John freaking Williams, that’s who!
Best soundtrack from the 80’s: “The Man From Snowy River” and “Say Anything”
Best Soundtrack from the 90’s: “City of Angels” (So, so, so awesome)and “Forrest Gump” the song compilation.
Best song remakes: Tie between the covers on “50 First Dates” and “Moulin Rouge” both are brilliant in different ways.
Best soundtrack for a completely stupid movie: “Cold Mountain”. There are no words for how much I did not really care for this film. What I LOVE is the music. You cannot get better than Allison Krauss singing “The Scarlett Tide”. Also, they recorded this amazing church choir located deep in the smokey mountains. “The Sacred Harp Singers” I have never heard anything like it: There is no attention to blend, no accompaniment, no strict time keeping, and the end result is loud, ruckus, and gloriously bizarre. I was very tempted to put the winner here as “The Legend of Bagger Vance” by Rachel Portman, but I think “Cold Mountain” takes it.
Best cry your eyes out moment:“Little Women” the simple piano theme when Beth dies. I love this soundtrack so freaking much I can forget the Winona Ryder stars in it.
Best quirky movie Soundtrack: “Harold & Maude” by Cat Stevens.
Best individual instrument performance: “Uncorked” by Jeff Dana. Specifically, “Ross’s Concert”. This is a little movie that stars Minnie Driver. I like the film well enough, but the music is the real star. The first time I heard this I literally had a tear run down my cheek and my jaw was on the floor. I think I repeated it 15 times in a row that night. It was this AMAZING musical moment that was so unexpected and lovely. This guy can play one hell of an acoustic guitar. I went through hell to get the soundtrack but it was worth it.
Soundtrack I never want to hear again: “The Omen”. I would say that THREE HOURS of being “Caroled” in a haunted corn maze by Brian Joy singing “Ave Satani” would be quite enough for anyone, thank you.
To wrap up, here are some other soundtracks that I WUV as well.
Honorable mentions:
“Jurassic Park”
“Waking Ned Divine”
“Moulin Rouge”
“Pearl Harbor”
“Gettysburg”
“Waking Ned Divine”
“Moulin Rouge”
“Pearl Harbor”
“Gettysburg”
“Anne of Green Gables”
“Practical Magic”
“Raiders of the Lost Ark”
“Black Beauty”
“Oh, Brother! Where Art Thou?”
“Practical Magic”
“Raiders of the Lost Ark”
“Black Beauty”
“Oh, Brother! Where Art Thou?”
“Amadeus” and “My Immortal Beloved”
“Cider House Rules”
“Braveheart”
“Far and Away”
“Rent”
“Say Anything”
“All John Hughs Films”
“Rob Roy”
“Garden State”
“Last Kiss”
“The Goonies“
“Meet Joe Black”
“Pirates of the Caribbean“
“Amalie”
“Highlander” (I swear when I go to Scotland with Michelle this fall I am going to sing “Who wants to live forever” at some castle ruin somewhere!)
“Rob Roy”
“Garden State”
“Last Kiss”
“The Goonies“
“Meet Joe Black”
“Pirates of the Caribbean“
“Amalie”
“Highlander” (I swear when I go to Scotland with Michelle this fall I am going to sing “Who wants to live forever” at some castle ruin somewhere!)
I know there are so many more, but my brain is fried. Discuss and comment away. Or not. I didn’t want to hear from you all anyway, so THERE!
PPPFFTTH!!!!!
well llc
music makes me feel good
sometimes i feel like dancing and getting on stage and singing
What a cute idea! I may have to try this.
I love soundtracks too. And I STILL admit to loving Titanic’s soundtrack. Kile LOVES the theme from the scene where Jack draws Rose, how it’s all done on the piano. I love the theme from where the boat is first “stretching it’s legs”.
I also love “Moulin Rouge” and is probably one of my favorite soundtracks ever. And “In Your Eyes” (yay for “Say Anything”!) was my favorite song for years. “O Brother!” has a fantastic soundtrack. Kile LOVES that movie. Man. I could go on and on and on. :) Some good music out there!
Marilyn’s last blog post..The end of a very long era
Our wedding song was “Storybook Story” From the princess bride soundtrack – I love, love, love it. I also remember Lorzenzo’s Oil soundtrack having an impression on me. goosebumps. I think I love soundtracks too – you can discover music and/or songs that you never normally would. But i think I still love musicals more :-)
Allycat’s last blog post..Lets Kiss, Like the Angels Do
This honestly stumps me and I can’t remember the last soundtrack I bought.
Some of my favorites from years past: Shadowlands, Serendipity and from waaaaaaay back, Lost Boys!
Holy cow!! That is the hugest list of music I have seen.
I am not surprised though :)
“Most importantly, I hope I am still hot. Priorities are important, you know.”
Made me crack up :)
Angella’s last blog post..Internet Lovin’
Upon reflection, I have realized that I have a teensy weensy obsession with Theme Songs. Eowyn’s Theme, Hedwig’s Theme, Nemo’s Theme…love ‘em all. Last of the Mohican’s rocks my world, Legends of the Fall, Sense and Sensibility(Alan Rickman is a GOD, I tell you!). Bicentennial Man(though it would have been complete if there was some way to put a soundtrack to a book.), but James Horner is amazing. And John WIlliams is the King of Composition, now and forever. Hook, Star Wars, Harry Potter, E.T, Far and Away. The King.
Charity’s last blog post..A Fool’s Delight
Wow! You really take your soundtracks seriously. I am also a lover of the movie soundtrack, but you put me to shame. But my kind of soundtrack is the kind with all the pop music, not the stirring, emotionally driven kind. I love me some Top Gun, Pretty Woman, Dirty Dancing, The Big Chill… Can’t think of any others right now.
But Moon River… There’s no denying that. I get goosebumps just thinking about it.
Jill (CDJ)’s last blog post..Yahoo! Mail Sucks
Holy crap! That is one monster list. You really must love soundtracks. I’m not too much into them, but I did enjoy the Wedding Singer soundtrack. I’m loving the Juno soundtrack lately (oh, how I love Kimya Dawson!) Favorite soundtrack of all time would have to be Amelie.
andi’s last blog post..Welcome to parenthood?
Holy moly, that’s quite the list.
Did you remember you did this, or was it a surprise this morning?
Gretchen’s last blog post..Are you weary of my projects?
The piece of music I love most in the world is Enya’s ‘Boudicea’, which is from her album ‘The Celts’, which is the soundtrack for the British TV series of the same name.
lceel’s last blog post..Hidden, a 100 Word Challenge
I think my comment may end up equal in length to that of your post if I wrote everything that kept popping into my head throughout reading this. But I will say a couple things:
- I need to go listen to the items that you mentioned that I am not immediately recognizing because I totally trust your instincts.
- City of Angels and Forrest Gump – I totally agree.
- And I am now sitting here at my desk singing “America! F*** Yeah!” and “I’m So Rohnery”.
Jill – GlossyVeneer’s last blog post..4 Things: Today is Good
At our wedding reception, my wife and I arrived and were introduced to that Star Wars Throne Room piece.
Kevin’s last blog post..Our House…In The Middle Of The Street
Funny thing is my DH and I own most of the soundtracks you listed. He used to listen to them while he studied (not anymore cuz med school’s a little different) and was always looking for new music.
I’m jealous you got to sing “Weep You No More?” at juries. I also bought the piano music for Kiera Knightly’s P&P, I liked it so much.
hairyshoefairy’s last blog post..Poor Mom
Holy crap that’s a long list!!!
I also love Danny Elfman. I still listen to Oingo Boingo when I’m feeling nostalgic.
And Steve Martin…I want to have his babies. I’ve had a crush on him since forever. He’s on my list.
Christine’s last blog post..Join me over there, won’t you?
If I didn’t already adore you, I would love you for this post. I love the idea of post dating a post. And I agree with most of your list (except Anne would have been higher on mine.)
Rachel (Louisiana)’s last blog post..Well this just takes the cake…
oh my gosh, I’m totally with you on the Robin Hood soundtrack- it is amazing! That was my favorite movie for like 15 years, I watched it so many times, had it completely memorized and I would annoy everyone by reciting the lines along with the movie. ha And the music is just… fantastic.
Jen’s last blog post..again with the perspective
For the record, you can now set your post date to whenever you like on blogger. To do it, you go to draft.blogger.com, which will take you to the draft publishing dashboard in blogger. This is where blogger tests out new features before incorporating them into actual blogger. But it still works when you use it. So what you do is create your draft post under the draft blogger dashboard, and then go to post options on your post and date the post for whenever you want it to post. This will automatically classify the post as “scheduled” in the dashboard. Then it will post automatically at the assigned time. I’ve used this feature before, and it works like a charm.
I’ve been listening to the Amelie soundtrack in my car the past couple days. Thanks for reminding me about the Harold & Maude soundtrack, this is one I’ve been meaning to get. I hear they are remaking that movie, which means they’ll probably ruin it.
I appreciate your passion for soundtracks, thank you for sharing.
Sra’s last blog post..Chanticleer the Clever Cowboy, Thurs. Apr. 3, 7:PM, Nobrow Coffee & Tea
Oh, I love that you put Anne of Green Gables and Gettysburg on there. Brilliant, both of them.
You’ve just given me a big old list of new movies to check out.
janssen’s last blog post..April Fools
That must have taken you forever. I appreciate it, though, because those movies will give me something to watch and listen for! Thanks!
Camille’s last blog post..Do Not Pronounce It “Orry-Gawn”
What? No Grease 2! The Best. Soundtrack. Ever. Umm yeah, that is the one I don’t always admit to.
City of Angels soundtrack makes me cry all the time!
Megan’s last blog post..The Nectar of the Gods
HO.LY.CRAP. You might actually be my equal in my obsessive love for film scores!!! I think I own all but of few of everything on your list!!! I read that whole thing nodding vigorously with my smile gradually growing into something that resembles Jack Nicholson as The Joker. Mary Poppins? LOVE IT! “It’s the Master!” Have you seen “Scary Mary”? If you don’t know what I mean, YouTube it immediately. It’s hilarious.
I’ve never heard A Simple Twist of Fate, The Patriot, Henry V, Little Women or Uncorked. Now I have a few more Soundtracks to look for. You made my day!!!
A few more that should have been on your list:
*Legends of the Fall – James Horner
*Chocolat – Rachel Portman
*Nanny McPhee – Patrick Doyle
*A Beautiful Mind – James Horner
*Peter Pan – James Newton Howard
*King Kong (specifically Central Park) – James Newton Howard
*Hook – John Williams
*The Chronicles of Narnia – Harry Gregson-Williams (LOVE it)
*The Theme Song from Love Actually – Craig Armstrong
and ps… There’s NO SHAME in loving the Titanic Soundtrack. It was sensational.
Melain’s last blog post..A Deep Breath of ME
once again, we are confirming that we have the same taste in music. i’m starting to wonder if we aren’t really related. too many coincidences.
Pink’s last blog post..pink’s pictures
You have to check out “The Red Violin.” John Corigliano did the score for it and it is amazing. The movie is wonderful too.
Good lord I feel like I’m turning to the dark side by commenting about soundtracks.
A couple I feel you should not have overlooked are Chicago and The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Next you should move onto porn movie soundtracks. I’m sure there is a ton of undiscovered talent out there.
Okay, I’m a bit of a soundtrack buff myself, and I was going to be all “OMG, she totally forgot Patrick Doyle” and then there he was, because Henry V rocks soundtrack-ass. As does Sense and Sensibility, Hamlet, and I personally love the scene from HPV when the Order of Phoenix has just picked up Harry and they are flying over the Thames on their brooms. It is my ring tone.
And White Christmas is my all time favorite holiday movie, even though I really love Elf.
And yes, the piano playing by Thierault in Pride and Prejudice almost makes up for the fact that it isn’t Colin Firth there as Darcy and Elizabeth is waaaay too thin.
See, I knew we were soul sisters.
Lianne’s last blog post..Because above all else, you want my opinion….
Firstly, you are still hot.
Secondly, until about 3 years ago, I totally thought his title was The Sheriff of Naughtyham
Thirdly, ditto to you list with one addition: The Soundtrack to the movie Hannibal. Some of Hans Zimmer’s best stuff. And the last track? Ohhhmuhhhhgawwwwd. Bruno Lazzaretti’s Vide Cor Meum….you MUST listen to this. Chills. Here’s a clip of it from the movie and make sure to turn it up loud.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=GtXNiI9zNpI
P.S. In Moulin Rouge when Ewan MacGregor (my massive celebrity crush) sings, “Now (or maybe it’s while?) You’re In the World!”….no words. Melt. I love him.
The Over-Thinker’s last blog post..The Ghosts of April Fools Past
I’m completely with you on “Glory” and “Amelie” (which is also my favorite movie ever), but I have to say that the soundtrack to “Memoirs of a Geisha” is incredible – if you don’t have it you need it.
The love song from Robin Hood (Bryan Adams?) was mine and hubby’s song – first movie we saw together and after? our first kiss. special place in my heart, that soundtrack.
Love Gladiator. LOVE it.
Lots of good ones. Now that I have kids, I’m also pretty partial to Randy Newman – currently, Cars soundtrack. Good stuff. And thanks…I’m looking forward to checking some of your list out that I’m not familiar with!
pgoodness’s last blog post..Awake
WAY, WAY too much of my music collection is soundtracks, both TV and movie.
Ally McBeal pretty much played throughout my freshman year, in my dorm room. Yeah, sorry about that girls.
Rhi’s last blog post..Bad Luck Barbie: Continued
A good selection, but do keep in mind that John Williams has scored more than just action films, and has actually written a vast number of softer, more subdued drama soundtracks as well, all worth checking out (‘Sabrina’, for instance)
Have you ever attended a wedding and felt sorry for the groom because he picked the biggest loser buddy to be the best man. It happened to me, we travelled a very trendy wedding ceremony and the Best Man’s speech was so awful that it was scary that this guy was the groom’s best friend. Once they found the best man, he got up to the mic and presented this speech: “This couple, Bill and Monica are great and I hope their life is filled with fulfillment and all those things that make a marriage great.” This is what you will get when you don’t prepare a speech. When I got married two years later I didn’t want my best man to be the subject of discussion for a long time so I sent him this set up http://www.bestmanspeech.largestnetwork.com on how to write a best man speech. It relieved the stress and his speech was incredible, funny and poignant.
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