Soundtracks

Why do I love film soundtracks so much? It's one of those things that I never really thought of explaining before... I just always have.

But I found myself listening to the soundtrack to 127 Hours yesterday, and being profoundly affected... even thought I have not even seen the film. Why? Why? I ask.

Because there is something in a film score that we simply do not have anymore today. There is something in there that you cannot find in a piece of pop music. You cannot find it in a rap, nor a big band jazz groove. What is it?

A story.

The great composers of old have gone the way of the dinosaurs. In our commercialism-laden, capitalistic society, where making money is the only thing of real importance (cough, cough), the greatest writers of music are in movies (with the possible exception of Michael W. Smith). Danny Elfman, Hans Zimmer, James Newton Howard, Ennio Morricone, John Murphy, Klaus Badelt, Michael Giacchino... all the greats are now in film. And if they are really good (most of the ones I just listened are) they don't need a film to tell a story, because that's what classical music is all about.

Buy a film score without watching the movie or knowing the story. Listen to it, let the music tell the story. I dare you.