10 John Williams' Best Contributions to Film
Trust me, you know John Williams' work. He's the sound of the Olympics! And he scored those indie Star Wars films! Even if you don't like those movies, you've heard music from them!
I recently wrote about some of the good work composers have done for Comic Book Movies. That didn't include John Williams, because, even though you'll notice he has super hero work on this list, he creates iconic music for all sorts of films! Let's get into 10 of the best times John Williams did a film's score.
Song/Rank:
#10- "Raiders March" [Raiders of the Lost Ark 1981]
Why Though:
Here's something I've learned during research for this post. My enjoyment of John Williams joint comes down to the mid section of any given piece of music he's made for a film. While I'd hope that all these songs have an instant pang of nostalgia for you, do they stand the test of time... rather the test of the duration of the whole song. That brings us tot he triumphant march for Indy, the name sake of Dylan's dog. I can't get with the mid section of this piece of music. It feels like a romantic interlude where there's no place for one. Really messes with the momentum of the song.
Song/Rank:
#9- "Flying Theme" [E.T. the Extra Terrestrial 1982]
Why Though:
THOSE STRINGS THO! It's almost impossible to hate on this piece of music.. You really can envision that bike lifting off the ground with E.T. in the basket and start to map out the adventure.
Song/Rank:
#8- "Main Title" [Superman 1978]
Why Though:
The timpani creating the back bone for the horns to go H.A.M. all over this piece of music is great. I don't even rock with Superman like that. You'll notice his absence from my favourite Comic Book Characters list. But these Donner film(s)? were something special and John Williams' contribution is a big part of that.
Song/Rank:
#7- "Hedwig's Theme" [Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone 2001]
Why Though:
I also don't really care about Harry Potter. I have nothing against the character, I just never got into the books. I have seen every movie though, and I even spoiled Fantastic Beasts with Ben on Spoiled Rotten. Either way, I, no joke, found the first Harry Potter to be sublimely magical. I'd like to think that even though most of the details of the movie have faded away, at least this piece of music has stuck with me. I'd also like to point out that the goodwill amassed before we jump into the sub par mid section of this piece of music definitely helps get this song higher on the list.
Song/Rank:
#6- "Main Title" [Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope 1977]
Why Though:
LOL! Get it! Because what happened with A New Hope's hero, Luke Skywalker, in The Last Jedi was so well received!!! Anyway, John has a great track record with blaring horns and timpani drums, word to the first two seconds of this song. It may just be the fact that every audience I've seen these Star Wars films with (I've seen them all with audiences thanks to the re-releases) has met this piece of music with glorious cheers, but I feel like this is undeniable. It's that bit of hope at the beginning of each chapter that makes you feel you're in for something special.
Song/Rank:
#5- "Duel of the Fates" [Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace 1999]
Why Though:
I know people are trying to say the Prequels are pretty good. I don't agree. But I do think that this piece of music is amazing. It gets me amped every time I hear it, and it somehow lives outside the quagmire that is "prequels." Listen to the urgency pulsing throughout the whole song. The almost demonic choir mixed with almost defiant horns all in service to a guy with a double edged lightsaber. Cool!
Song/Rank:
#4- "Somewhere in My Memory" [Home Alone 1990]
Why Though:
Just because I LOVE Home Alone and Home Alone 2 doesn't mean I've lost objectivity. This is an undeniable classic tune that gets across the mischievous side of Kevin, the menace of the bandits and the emotional gut punch of a mother (why didn't Kevin's dad seem more torn up?) and a son trying to get back to each other after a horrible fight. Realistically this should be two different songs, but it's not so it counts!
Song/Rank:
#3- "Main Theme" [Jurassic Park 1993]
Why Though:
A theme to match the majesty of seeing those dinosaurs for the first time. Not only does this song not suffer from a dip in the mid section, I genuinely look forward to the mid section of this song. There are two themes at play in this song and I love them both!
Song/Rank:
#2- "The Imperial March" [Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back 1980]
Why Though:
Iconic somehow even for people who don't care about the films. IT's synonymous with doom and evil. The Imperial March has got to be one of the best marches created. I don't even think this piece of music bothers with a mid section. Sure there's a middle of the song, but the main theme stays in tact for the whole duration. This tune has such a strong finish too! As if to say, you can't mess with the Empire!
Song/Rank:
#1- "Flight to Neverland" [Hook 1991]
Why Though:
Even with the recent Honest Trailer, I still feel like people don't understand this classic film! Including its director. But that's neither here nor there. We're here for the John Williams gems, and even haters of the film must recognize this is a top notch tune. The use of trumpets and sundry other horns mixed with soaring strings and that timpani once again proves that John Williams is a master. There even flares from flutes and glockenspiels for those that think horns, strings, and drums aren't enough to get the job done. Plus we have no mid section slump! Like Jurassic Park, I genuniely look forward to the mid section!
-YG