Music Makes the Moment

By Euan Campbell



Mark Schwan (Creator-One Tree Hill) once said ' I can do more with right piece of music, than I can with 100 pages of dialogue.

This simple statement, i believe to be completely true.

For me, the movie going experience isnt just about story, or script. Its about the complete pacakge, the performances, the story, the effects and the music. Over the years hollywoods best have utilised music in both magnificent and terrible ways.

Today im going to look at the good. Instead of waxing lyrical for pages (which i could do) im going to select a few of my fav musical moments and share them with you. Feel free to add your own or dissect mine afterwards!


1. The Star Wars Symphony, John Williams.
For me, this is the greatest musical achievement in cinematic history. Every note, every beat is used to maximise the the visuals and the story, from the gentle melody for Princess Leia, to the crushing weight of the Imperial Death March. Some critics will say that the ONLY good thing about episode one was 'the duel of fates' and this is made all the more powerful by John Williams Epic Score.

2. You Make My Dreams, Hall & Oates used in '(500) days of summer'
I love this movie, its clever, with sharp dialogue and great performances, but for me its made complete by a wonderful soundtrack. Opening with Regina Spektor and weaving its way through the genres until it gets to the victory dance, which is performed to Hall & Oates. The 80's american cheesemeisters dont often strike gold, but for this moment, it was perfect!

3. Danger Zone, Kenny Loggins used in 'Top Gun'
Top Gun is an all time classic, and this song accents the whole ethos of the movie right at the start. Nuff said.

4. Dust In the Wind, Will Ferrell used in 'Old Skool'
A touching moment in a ridiculous comedy. Will Ferrell gets to exercise his pipes in singing this classic in memory of 'Blue'. Funny, and touching. A stroke of genius!

5. Johnny B Good, Chuck Berry used in 'Back to the future'
Think McFly think! Another absolute classic that brings a smile to my face everytime i watch BTTF!

6. 9th Symphony 'ode to joy' By Ludwig Van Beethoven used in Die Hard and A Clockwork Orange.
This is a beautiful piece of music, and its used in unusual circumstances in both a clockwork orange and Die Hard.

A Clockwork Orange is a whole article in itself, so il touch on Die Hard.
The Nakayomi heist is building up to the moment when Hans (Alan Rickman) and Co manage to crack the vault, and this glorius symphony booms out when the door slides open.

7.  Freebird, Lynard Skynard used in Elizabethtown.
Im a huge Cameron Crowe fan, and his movies always have great soundtracks. Elizabethtown had mixed reviews and you'll probably be surprised that an epic fan boy likes this movie as much as I do. Drew Baylor (Orland Bloom) witnesses his cousin's band performing this magnificent song in its entirety at the celebration of his deceased father's life, amid chaos and a major prop malfunction.

I think i'll leave it at that for now. Please add your own, i'll look forward to reading them!