The Magic of Movie Scores
By: Julia Hill
Tags: Movie Scores, Magic, Movies

The Magic of Movie Scores

My family has always loved watching movies together. I’m talking weekend nights on the blue corduroy couch, ice-cream-filled mug in hand, lights dimmed as low as possible, with the Steelers blanket pulled up to my chin. I discussed this mini-tradition in my “10 Must-See Classic Movies” piece, but I’ll say it again. The Hills love movies.

Yet, movies are not just about the actors, the special effects, the story lines that make you think for hours after it’s over. There are countless other elements that make watching an excellent movie such a changing experience, one being the movie’s score. You might not attend to it very often, but the music that appears in the background of your favorite movies is likely one of the main reasons why you love them so much.

As a child, I lived and breathed Disney. Sure, Disney Channel shows were great, but what I cherished most were the old Disney movies on VHS tapes (courtesy of my late Grandma Ann). For a young, bleach blonde-haired Julia, there was no better pastime than watching these tapes with my sisters.

Nowadays, there are certainly less VHS tapes being popped into the family TV. This doesn’t mean that our love for Disney has died (quite the opposite, actually). It just exists in alternate forms.

I’m currently a senior in college, so you might guess that a large chunk of my time is devoted to studying and writing painfully long papers. To make these study sessions a bit more, shall we say “glass-half-full,” I’ve started listening to my favorite movie scores as I work, many of which come from Disney origins. I know what you’re thinking, and yes, I do have a Spotify playlist for this. Duh.

I love the way these songs transport me into some of my favorite movies. I love the way the music swells with passion one minute and calms so beautifully the next. I love the way they evoke every single emotion imaginable in me. Aw, how wholesome.

So, here are ten movie score tracks that I find unbelievably magical. I hope you agree.

10. Theme From Jurassic Park (John Williams)

Ah, a classic. This song captures the wonder that is Jurassic Park, a world of scientific innovation and excitement beyond belief (well, at first). My favorite part comes in the final minute, when all the different sounds happening on their own finally come together, exploding into life. The carnivorous dinosaurs may scare you off, but the music certainly invites you in.

9. Overture (Alan Menken)

I just had to throw something Disney princess-related in here. I recently learned that “overture” is a term that describes the instrumental introduction to a ballet, play, or opera. This particular overture introduces the 2017 live action Beauty and the Beast. Alan Menken manages to craft something beautiful and new by tying bits and pieces from each of the movie’s featured songs together. The ending of this one is just, wow.

8. Bella’s Lullaby (Carter Burwell)

First off, I had trouble finding an applicable link from the Twilight soundtrack, so please excuse this off-brand one. Twilight is, admittedly, pretty stupid, but this song is anything but. Bella’s Lullaby has become Julia’s, as I play this song while trying to fall asleep each night. It really does put me to sleep — not in the extreme boredom sort of way, but rather in a state of gorgeous relaxation. All it takes is for me to picture Bella and Edward gazing into each other’s eyes in their field of purple flowers, and I’m transported.

7. He’s a Pirate (Klaus Badelt)

If I play this theme aloud and you can’t name the movie, I’m not sure we can be friends. Pirates of the Caribbean gives us this upbeat (dare I say hype?) song to jam to while Captain Jack Sparrow runs around battling pirates and living skeletons alike. It serves as the jolt of energy you desperately need while studying. This theme even played at a frat party that I attended once, and I don’t think I’ve ever danced harder. Nope, not a joke.

6. Forrest Gump Suite (Alan Silvestri)

My older sister says she wants to walk down the aisle at her wedding to this one. So yeah, it’s a decent song. If you’ve seen this movie, and I seriously hope you have, you likely shed some tears at its conclusion. Well, as that feather flies in the Alabama wind oh so metaphorically, this song plays, wrapping up the wonder that is Forrest Gump’s amazing life story. This is the longest track on this list, but certainly worth every minute of listening.

5. Simba is Alive! (Hans Zimmer)

If you are a Lion King fan, especially if you cried when Mufasa died (spoiler alert, oops), this one’s for you. Most of the song is slow and peaceful, but begins to pick up when voices and animal noises chime in, chanting and humming. The last twenty seconds of this song are breathtaking, as Simba begins running back to save his kingdom. Yes, I am a Disney nerd. No, I am not ashamed in the slightest.

4. Hoppipolla (Wenzel Templeton, Robert Pegg)

This is probably the most random pick on this list. It’s from the movie Penelope, about a girl who’s face resembles that of a pig. Sounds thrilling, I know. But this song really is thrilling, at least it is for me. Similar to my Twilight pick, I oftentimes listen to this as a close my eyes at night. The piano melody has the ability to make me the happiest, most calm version of myself. Think outdoors, sunshine, cool breeze, rolling hills vibes.

3. Flying Theme (John Williams, London Symphony Orchestra)

If you’ve ever been on the ride at Universal Studios that involves flying on a bicycle, you’ll recognize this one. In all honestly, I haven’t watched the movie E.T. in a very, very long time. But I do listen to this song quite often. It takes me back to childhood in the most freeing way imaginable, as the music swirls and dances between lows and highs. John Williams is really out here doing the most.

2. Suite From The Polar Express (Alan Silvestri)

Right as this song begins, I am immediately filled with a sense of childish wonder. The Polar Express is simply overflowing with the magic of Christmas, and its music perfectly captures this magic and awe. As we are only three days away from Christmas now, I suggest you drop what you’re doing and listen to this one. You’ll instantly be in the Christmas spirit, I promise. You may even believe in Santa again, just like our nameless friend in the blue robe.

Leaving Hogwarts (John Williams)

Coming in at number one we have my pick from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. It is nearly impossible for me to choose just one out of the eight soundtracks worth of Harry Potter songs, but I gave it my best shot. This song plays at the end of the movie, when Harry says goodbye to his friends and rides the train home after one heck of a year at Hogwarts. It sums up the adventure and bittersweet goodbye perfectly. Nothing produces emotion in me quite like Harry Potter scores do (not ashamed to admit that I’m a Harry Potter nerd, too).

Honorable mentions include “Ben” from National Treasure, “Nemo Egg” from Finding Nemo, “Hymn To The Sea” from Titanic, and every single other Harry Potter song. Sorry, had to.

I’m not an expert in music composition. Not even close. I can barely even pick out which instrument I’m hearing when I listen to these masterpieces. All I can know for sure is the emotions that they’re capable of evoking in me. Oh, and how they help me focus during a study sesh. That’s cool too.

Interested in studying to these songs as well? Just want to bask in John William’s glory? Check out my playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/50jiLdUQzE5QkSgqj9hCOE?si=PNcNMqwjScGzt1QN3uOMgA

As always, happy listening.