I once read an article from an IMDB link, about the evolution of soundtracks in the film industry.Everyone can remember hits like “My Heart Will Go On“, “I Will Always Love You“, or “Take My Breath Away“.Songs written specifically for the movies they appeared in.Songs that you’d here everywhere at the time.Songs that would haunt you to the point you’d hate them.
You won’t see this happening nowadays.Apart from your usual soundtracks, like the ones by John Williams(I can remember a funny joke from a “Family Guy” episode, in which Williams, who holds several Academy Awards, also won the porn industry soundtrack award), Howard Shore, Hans Zimmer or Danny Elfman(who can also sing), there are no singles being written for soundtracks(at least not like the megahits of yore).Instead, rights are being bought for songs already recorded.Because it’s safer.
I, for one, have yet to decide on whether this is a good thing.On one side, those songs were an integral part of the movies they accompanied.I can’t imagine a “Titanic” without Dion’s ballad.On the other hand, a truly passionate director will always know how to create a score for his movies(e.g. Quentin Tarantino, Cameron Crowe).Names like these broke the rules, and the trends(though not only-Kubrick used to do it also;we can all recall the infamous, in “A Clockwork Orange“, “Singin’ in the rain“).Today, I can’t imagine the classic “Stuck in the Middle with You” without seeing Michael Madsen dancing with axe in front of the tied up cop(hint:if you have no idea what I’m talking about, go see “Reservoir Dogs“).Anyone who saw “Elizabeth Town” will understand how much a colourful soundtrack, full of hits from the ’50s and up to present, for an otherwise mediocre movie.
Come to think of it, maybe this is better.It certainly gives a new meaning to the already existing syncretism in music and film.Also, how else would we get to discover old unpolished gems?
Posted on June 12th, 2008 by MrWiseguy
Filed under: Movies, Music
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