This is one of those songs wherein everyone knows the melody, but have no idea what the title is or where it came from.
Chariots of Fire is a British drama film released in 1981. The film was directed by Hugh Hudson and produced by David Puttnam. Chariots of Fire tells the story of two British athletes, Eric Liddell and Harold Abrahams, and their journeys to compete in the 1924 Olympics.
Continue reading Chariots of Fire Theme SongThe theme song for Beverly Hills Cop, the 1984 movie, is called “Axel F.” It was composed by Harold Faltermeyer, a German musician and composer. The instrumental track gained immense popularity and became a significant part of the film’s identity.
Continue reading Beverly Hills Cop Theme SongFor the franchise
Here’s another one of those franchises gone wild.
I guess it would be hard to discuss everything released in the name of Mortal Kombat—games, films, series—so let’s just stick to what matters.
It all started with Mortal Kombat: The Album, the soundtrack that accompanied the home versions of the popular arcade game series. The soundtrack is by the band The Immortals, a project band consisting of Belgian electronic musicians Maurice Engelen and Oliver Adams. Two tracks from this album would later be regarded as the themes: track 5 entitled “Techno Syndrome (Mortal Kombat)” and track 10 entitled “Hypnotic House (Mortal Kombat)”.
Below are the two songs in its original album form.
However, because of its use in the 1995 film (also made it to the soundtrack), “Techno Syndrome (Mortal Kombat)” became universally-recognized as “the Mortal Kombat theme song.” Plus, the song dates back to 1993 when it was released as part of the original Mortal Kombat single.
Below are the lyrics of the song.
Mortal Kombat theme song lyrics
Test your might
Test your might
Fight
Mortal KombatFinish him – Excellent
Kano, Liu Kang, Rayden, Johnny Cage, Scorpion, Sub Zero, Sonya,
Mortal KombatFight – Mortal Kombat
Finish him – ExcellentKano, Liu Kang, Rayden, Johnny Cage, Scorpion, Sub Zero, Sonya,
Mortal KombatExcellent, excellent
Excellent, excellentFight, test your might
The official soundtrack of the first film actually had a remixed version of “Techno Syndrome” which they dubbed the “7” Mix”. Below is the song as it appears in the album.
The sequel film, Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, also released a soundtrack. Yet another remix of the song made its way, this time they dubbed it “Encounter The Ultimate”. Below is the song taken from the second soundtrack.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sd6KULhi0PU
Really, the differences in the mixes are subtle.
You might also be looking for the themes to the television shows (I doubt it), so let’s include them as well.
First is the animated series Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm from 1996. Below is its intro.
Then the 1998-1999 television series Mortal Kombat: Konquest. Below is its opening sequence.
This is for the whole franchise
Just to recap—because technically there is only one Mission: Impossible theme song—let’s look at what the franchise has come up with so far.
From Wikipedia:
So, to make this post a little more exciting, we’ll try to discuss something from each. But first, something about the song.
The tune of course started life as the opening credits theme for the original television series. It has officially been called “Theme from Mission: Impossible” more so than anything else. It was composed by Lalo Schifrin, an Argentine composer who has received four Grammy Awards and six Oscar nominations, and is also known as the composer of the Dirty Harry theme, the Starsky and Hutch theme, as well as music for the Rush Hour film series.
Just to give you an idea of how legendary Mr. Schifrin and his theme song is, Lipton (the iced tea maker) created a tribute commercial in 2010 that fictionalized how he come up with the tune.
Now, on to the original series. Of course, this started it all. The theme was featured in the opening and closing credits; the opening sequence is legendary in itself—the match and fuse scene that burns from left to right as clips and the show’s stars are featured. The opening lasted 50 seconds. Luckily, this YouTuber compiled everything (opening, intro and closing) in one convenient video. See below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqEwkl9-bQk
The original series also gave birth to a soundtrack, but was only released in 1996 (I guess to bank on the success of the first film).
The 1988 television series revival is widely referred to as “The New Mission: Impossible.” Only actor Peter Graves (Jim Phelps) was able to reprise his role. The new series, of course, had a more modernized sequence and theme song. Below is the opening credits.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFGjKBW7cHQ
The tracks from this series, as well as the original one, can be found in an all-in-one soundtrack album called The Best Of Mission: Impossible Then And Now, which (I think) was also released in 1996.
The films
Mission: Impossible
The first film gave birth to a rockin’ soundtrack and remake of the theme by U2 members Adam Clayton (bass) and Larry Mullen, Jr. (drums).
Below is their version (with official video).
The song above peaked at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100, while the soundtrack (album) reached gold status.
The soundtrack also contained a remix (by the same U2 guys) entitled “Mission: Impossible Theme (Mission Accomplished)”. Listen below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ly72q7X-NNY
Because the film was scored by composer Danny Elfman, he also had a take on the theme song—featured in the opening of the movie. See below.
Mission: Impossible II
The film was scored by Hans Zimmer, and its soundtrack featured a bunch of rock songs from a bunch of rock bands. It gave birth to Limp Bizkit’s “Take a Look Around” that samples the original theme’s melody. Below is the song.
There’s also track in the Hans Zimmer score called “Mission:Impossible Theme” that lasts 39 seconds. For now I can’t get a hold of this version.
Mission: Impossible III
The second sequel did not do much for the good of the theme song. Official composer was Michael Giacchino. However, this time, the franchise did not release a song compilation album (just Giacchino score album). There is a 51-second version of the theme in the album, I guess a take by Mr. Giacchino but I also can’t find a video of it. Sorry.
Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol
The upcoming film is set to be scored once again by Michael Giacchino. Will update this once more information comes along. Movie is set to be released on December 16, 2011.
2010
Yes, Toy Story 3 is indeed in fact, more than just an animated film.
Not sure if this fits as a “theme song” though, but I really want to make an Oscar-related post.
Today, Toy Story 3 won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. Well actually, composer Randy Newman and his song “We Belong Together” did. It bested songs from the movies Country Strong, a film about music, Tangled, another animated feature, and 127 Hours.
Oh, did I mention that Toy Story 3 also won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature?
I guess “We Belong Together” can stand as an unofficial theme song. After all, it is played during the end credits—and it provides a good contrast and change of mood to the very-emotional ending.
The official soundtrack is widely available through (legal) downloads. Disney has been doing this thing wherein they choose not to release soundtracks of Pixar films on compact disc—pretty futuristic I have to say.
Here is the soundtrack from Amazon.com.
It contains all Randy Newman originals plus “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” by the Gypsy Kings. By the way, the soundtrack also won the Grammy for Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media. Impressive.
And now finally, “We Belong Together”.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bw7ZjO-Nf5Q
Toy Story 3 theme song lyrics
Don’t you turn your back on me
Don’t you walk away
Don’t you tell me that I don’t care
‘Cause I do!
Don’t you tell me I’m not the one
Don’t you tell me I ain’t no fun
Just tell me you love me like I love you
You know you doWhen we’re together
Gray skies clear up
And I cheer up
To where I’m less depressedAnd sincerely
From the bottom of my heart
I just can’t take it
When we’re apartWe belong together
We belong together
Yes we do
You’ll be mine foreverWe belong together
We belong together
(You) know it’s true
(It’s) gonna stay this way forever
Me and youIf I could really talk to you
If I could find a way
I’m not shy
There’s a whole lot I wanna to say
(Of course there is)Talk about friendship and loyalty
Talk about how much you mean to me
And I’d promise to always be by your side
Whenever you need meThe day I met you
Was the luckiest day of my life
And I’ll bet you feel the same
(Least I hope you do)So don’t forget me
If the future should take you away
(‘Cause) you’ll always be
Part of meWe belong together
We belong together
Wait and see
(It’s) gonna be this way foreverWe belong together
We belong together
Honestly
We’ll go on this way forever
You and meYou and me
I can’t believe I only thought of this now. The Star Wars franchise has a lot of themes, especially for its characters, but possibly the one with the most recall is Darth Vader’s theme. After all, it screams menace and evil.
So after this expect to see all Star Wars-related themes posted here.
Anyway, Darth Vader’s theme is an actual song entitled “Imperial March”. Some officially refer to it as “The Imperial March (Darth Vader’s Theme)”. It was composed of course by legendary composer—and composer of all Star Wars music—John Williams.
In orchestral mumbo jumbo, the song is what they would refer to as a leitmotif—a recurrent theme associated with characters or events.
The song’s first appearance is in The Empire Strikes Back (V), in piccolos (instrument), when the Galactic Empire sent probe droids in search of Luke Skywalker. Its major entrance is of course on Darth Vader’s first appearance in the film.
In Return of the Jedi, it was also played for the arrival of Emperor Palpatine on the Death Star, but it segued in the Emperor’s own theme.
It also had minor appearances in the prequel trilogy, most often when hinting about Anakin’s future as Darth Vader. However, Anakin has his own theme.
The song is available in multiple recordings—interpretations by other artists and original John Williams performances—but more importantly, it is part of the soundtrack for Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back.
Below is how it sounds like in the soundtrack album.
1997
This has been in my to-post list since the birth of this blog.
So anyway, for my generation, at least, not knowing what song this is is a rarity. “My Heart Will Go On”, performed by Celine Dion, with lyrics by Will Jennings and music by James Horner is the dramatic theme for the movie Titanic. It is a titanic-of-a-song as well, as it had major success, especially in the nineties.
The song was part of Celine’s 1997 release, Let’s Talk About Love. To this date, “My Heart Will Go On” is Ms. Dion’s biggest hit.
Of course the song is also part of the official soundtrack of the film, where it is listed as “My Heart Will Go On (Love Theme From Titanic)”. However, in total, the song appears in six Celine Dion albums, which include live albums (ergo, live takes), and three Celine Dion DVDs. If you are interested in knowing all of these—say you’re a Celine fanatic—click here.
Both the Titanic soundtrack and Let’s Talk About Love have sold over 30 million copies worldwide, and remain part of the best-selling albums of all time.
“My Heart Will Go On” is a major success, we all know that, and it went to number one virtually all over the world. It won the 1997 Academy Award for Best Original Song, dominated the 1999 Grammy Awards winning Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance and Best Song Written Specifically for a Motion Picture or Television, and the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song-Motion Picture in 1998.
But, these are what intrigued me. When composer James Horner said he wanted to make a vocal version of the instrumental song pieces for Titanic, James Cameron did not approve. Mr Horner, went ahead anyway and asked Jennings to write the lyrics. When Ms. Dion heard the song, she did not like it and did not to have anything to do with it. It was her husband/manager, Rene Angelil who convinced her to record a demo version—something a star of Celine’s stature does not do. It was only then that the song was presented to James Cameron, and after hearing it for a couple of times, he finally agreed—although he was weary that he might be criticized for “going commercial at the end of the movie.” And finally, the song was recorded in one take without instrumental accompaniment. The producers, Ms. Dion and the record label decided to stick with it because “Dion’s voice was perfect.” Amazing.
For the video, let’s go live this time. Below is a perfect live rendition of the song. An as a bonus—Andrea Corr playing the flute!
Titanic theme song lyrics
Every night in my dreams
I see you, I feel you
That is how I know you go onFar across the distance
And spaces between us
You have come to show you go onNear, far, wherever you are
I believe that the heart does go on
Once more you open the door
And you’re here in my heart
And my heart will go on and onLove can touch us one time
And last for a lifetime
And never let go till we’re goneLove was when I loved you
One true time I hold to
In my life we’ll always go onNear, far, wherever you are
I believe that the heart does go on
Once more you open the door
And you’re here in my heart
And my heart will go on and onYou’re here, there’s nothing I fear
And I know that my heart will go on
We’ll stay forever this way
You are safe in my heart
And my heart will go on and on
1966
Dare I say that in this time, this movie’s theme song has probably surpassed the popularity of the film. I mean it only takes a few seconds to be accustomed to the super-catchy tune, which is played virtually everywhere and is used in all sorts of application—ads, shows, and background music for anything Western.
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly movie was a Sergio Leone-directed Italian/Spanish Spaghetti Western that starred Clint Eastwood. Yes, in the 1960s, a bunch of Western films were directed by Italians, which resulted in the sub-genre Spaghetti Western.
The theme song, the one that goes “tana-nana-nan ta-nanan,” is also entitled “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly”. It was composed by legendary Italian composer Ennio Morricone. And yes, this theme song is one of the greatest themes in film history.
In 1966, when the movie came out, a supplementary original motion picture soundtrack was also released. That time was a time of no CDs but it continued on to reach the CD era. Also, in 2004, the album was re-mastered, re-released and expanded by Capitol Records.
Additional stuff
The album reached #4 on the Billboard pop album chart in 1968. American musician Hugo Montenegro also benefited from the song, as his Moog synthesizer-rendition of “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” reached #2 in the Billboard pop chart (1968).
So without further ado, here is The Good, the Bad and the Ugly theme song.
And below, Hugo Montenegro’s Moog synthesizer rendition.
1998–2004
This is for the television series, because that is what started it all. Actually wait, no, a book started it all.
And actually, for the films (for the first at least), the theme song is just a grander, re-worked version of the television theme.
The song in question is simply referred to as “Sex And The City Theme” and was composed by American composer Douglas J. Cuomo. It was originally recorded by Mark Berman on keyboards.
However, in the original and official soundtrack—the franchise has released a lot—the theme song is a version by Groove Armada, an electronic music duo from England. I do not know if the exact same one used in the show is available commercially.
In the soundtrack of the first film, a version by The Pfeifer Broz. Orchestra is included.
Like I said, there are a lot of music releases out there for this franchise. I have found six already—at least two for the series, and a separate soundtrack and film score for each of the two films. However, the two songs mentioned above are the only commercial releases and versions of the theme song that I know of.
Below is the original intro and opening credits for the series.
Below is a music only video of Groove Armada’s take on the theme, as included in the series’ official soundtrack (volume 1).
And finally, below is the one for the first film. The one included in the first film’s soundtrack by The Pfeifer Broz. Orchestra.
1984–1987
This primarily is for the original animated series, because truthfully, music from the motion picture(s) was kind of unorganized. For example, its soundtrack had a lot of songs that weren’t even in the film—typical big flick style, a la Spider Man—and did not give due credit to the film scorers.
Anyway, enough about that. Now it’s time to give credit where credit is due. The real Transformers theme song is as iconic as the animated series. It is where the phrase “more than meets the eye” came from—which was only referenced as an inside joke in the firs film.
The theme song, as well as music throughout the series, is mainly credited to two composers—Robert J. Walsh and the late Johnny Douglas.
As for how the song came to be, and who were the actual voices in the recording is still unarchived as of this moment. If you know information, please hit the comments below so we can make this post a full-blown resource.
Below is the short but legendary lyrics to the theme.
Transformers theme song lyrics
The Transformers
More than meets the eye
Autobots wage their battle to destroy the evil forces of the Decepticons
The Transformers
Robots in disguise
The Transformers
More than meets the eye
The Transformers
Below is the original opening sequence.
Below is one of the songs featured in the soundtrack of the first film, the theme interpreted by Mute Math.