John Williams's finest film music track of all time - what would you select as his top 10?

[Fabulin 3,506]

1.       The Empire Strikes Back End Suite (1980)          

2.       Last Crusade End Suite (1989)                  

3.       The Temple of Doom End Suite (1984)              

4.       Raiders of The Lost Ark End Suite (1981)  

5.       The Asteroid Field (1980)                                      

6.       The Parade of The Ewoks (1983)                  

7.       Hedwig’s Theme (1998)                                

8.       Into the Trap (1983)                                  

9.       Duel of the Fates (1999)                                  

10.    Journey to the Island (1993)                        

hm.    The Flag Parade (1999)

 

1-4 Suites are a loophole that allows for multiple compositions, so no wonder which wonders end up at the top.

5-7 Three great "complex" uh... singles.

8 Into the Trap—just very elegant

9 Duel of the Fates is a repetition of repetitions, but the thing being repeated is so great that I have no other choice... 

10 Journey to the Island is probably the best from what is left, although I do not like it that much

 

Honorable mention of The Flag Parade—the fanfarous aspect of JW's appeal in a nutshell. These trumpets bring me closer to ancient Rome than the entirety of Ben Hur and sound more regal than the Imperial March.

[Steve H 24]

Man Against Beast (Jaws)

Desert Chase (Raiders of the Lost Ark)

[Demodex 557]

Rebel Fleet/End Titles from ESB:SE. 

 

That's definitely my #1. 

[The Illustrious Jerry 3,356]

The Star Wars Main Title is 1 through 10, then maybe Jurassic Park and Jaws.

[finalscore 10]

For me these are my top 10 in preference order"

 1. The Imperial March. I can listen to this track without ever getting board.

 2. Theme from Jaws (Original 1975 album version)

 3. March/Main Title From Superman

 4. Raiders March

 5. Love Theme from Jane Eyre

 6. "Battle In The Snow" from The Empire Strikes Back 1980 LP

 7. The Conversation from "Close Encounters of the Third Kind"

 8. One Barrel Chase from "Jaws" (Film version)

 9. Hedwig's Theme

10. Main Title and The Storm from "Dracula"

[Lewya 360]

-

 

[bollemanneke 3,334]

Late to the party, but... Han Solo and the Princess (new version). Hearing the LSO play that one was a life-changing experience. Music has never moved me so deeply.

[Oomoog the Ecstatic 314]

I'm more of a 'moments guy' than a 'track guy.' With that being said:

 

1st Place

This two-melody-in-one version of Leia's Theme at 3:09 is the greatest single thing Williams has ever written, imo. It entirely epitomizes the space fantasy of Star Wars, and I'm not even huge on Leia's Theme itself, but this is about as golden as a composition can get. The flutes and strings are way too overly-majestic and iconic, the flutes sound like they're counting every star one at a time.

 

 

2nd Place

I have to give the first minutes of E.T. End Credits the 2nd place trophy, for (a) not only the bewildering entry piano and horns, but (b) what an End Credits track will never achieve, (in the context of what was building up after 1:15): the timpani roll at 1:23 immediately followed by this showy, shouting string motif! It's End Credits music for sure because of that explosive moment. Because of altogether moments like 1:18 - 1:30, simple credit animations moving around like cartoons might be the most stunning show you'd ever see. But the piano--get outta town, because that part's even better.

 

[_deleted_ 203]

Imperial Attack

[Fabulin 3,506]

.

[Oomoog the Ecstatic 314]

Deleted by poster. Reason: redundant

[1977 1,743]

Love Theme from Superman: The Movie would definitely be in my top ten.

[Oomoog the Ecstatic 314]

On 7/2/2018 at 7:18 PM, JoeinAR said:

Rey's Theme is his best of the 21st century

 

On 7/2/2018 at 11:31 PM, Stefancos said:

When John goes to heaven, God will thank him for E.T.

 

He will thank Speilberg for E.T.:

 

 

Elliott: It wasn't like that penis breath!

Elliott: It was nothing like that, penis-breath!

 

 

Tyler: Where is he from, Uranus? Get it? Your anus?

Greg: He doesn't get it, Ty

Greg: He doesn't get it, Ty.

Tyler: get it? Your anus?

Tyler: Get it? Your anus?

Greg: He doesn't get it.

Elliott: Your so immature!

 

 

Greg: Get plenty of sausage, and peperoni!

Tyler: Everything but the little fishies!

[finalscore 10]

Back in July 2018 I replied as follows:

For me these are my top 10 in preference order"

  1. The Imperial March. I can listen to this track without ever getting board.

  2. Main Title Theme from Jaws (Original 1975 album version)

  3. March/Main Title From Superman

  4. Raiders March

  5. Love Theme from Jane Eyre

  6. "Battle In The Snow" from The Empire Strikes Back 1980 LP

  7. The Conversation from "Close Encounters of the Third Kind"

  8. One Barrel Chase from "Jaws" (Film version)

  9. Hedwig's Theme

10. Main Title and The Storm from "Dracula"

 

I am revising my list as such, once again in order of my preference not chronology: (Revisions in Red)

While some of the tracks are the some, there are some position shifts. 

 

  1. The Imperial March. I can listen to this track without ever getting board.

  2. Main Title Theme from Jaws (Original 1975 album version). 

  3. March/Main Title From Superman

  4. Love Theme from Jane Eyre

  5. Raiders March

  6. The Conversation from "Close Encounters of the Third Kind"

  7. "Battle In The Snow" from The Empire Strikes Back 1980 LP

  8. Desert Chase from "Raiders" especially when he fight the last Nazi soldier.

  9. Conspirators from "JFK" (new to the list)

10. Dracula's Death from 2018 "Dracula" Release (new to the list)

 

[Naïve Old Fart 9,488]

1 hour ago, Borodin said:

Tyler: Where is he from, Uranus? Get it? Your anus?

Greg: He doesn't get it, Ty

Greg: He doesn't get it, Ty.

Tyler: get it? Your anus?

Tyler: Get it? Your anus?

Greg: He doesn't get it.

Elliott: Your so immature!

Zero charisma.

[Naïve Old Fart 9,488]

On 7/2/2018 at 10:04 PM, Loert said:

The Towering Inferno (opening music)

 

It's called MAIN TITLE. Just so's you know.

 

On 7/2/2018 at 10:04 PM, Loert said:

Last 30 minutes or so of CE3K

 

Oi, mate, are you 'avin a giraffe?!

It's called "Finest...track", and not

"Finest 1/2 hour"!

[Brundlefly 2,385]

Most of these lists are boring as hell!

[The Illustrious Jerry 3,356]

Main Title from STAR WARS 

This was previously my single answer, essentially. But I mostly picked because, wel, it's so iconic. So I'm going to push it aside for my list just to get some other titles up there.

 

1. Adventures on Earth (E.T. the Extra Terrestrial) 

2. Seven Years in Tibet (Seven Years in Tibet)

3. Journey to the Island (Jurassic Park)

4. Main Title and the Ice Planet Hoth (The Empire Strikes Back)

5. Desert Chase (Raiders of the Lost Ark)

6. Dartmoor, 1912 (War Horse)

7. The Jedi Steps and Finale (The Force Awakens)

8. Suite (Close Encounters of the Third Kind)

9. The Advenutre Continues (The Adventures of Tintin)

10. The Battle of Yavin (Star Wars)

 

SPECIAL MENTIONS

The Presses Roll (The Post)

The Book Thief (The Book Thief)

Into the Trap (Return of the Jedi)

The Spark (The Last Jedi)

End Titles (E.T. the Extra Terrestrial)

With Malice Toward None (Piano Solo) (Lincoln)

The Adventures of Han (Solo: A Star Wars Story)

The Adventures of Tintin (The Adventures of Tintin)

Remembrances (Schindler's List)

 

 

[Kasey Kockroach 2,343]

"Epilogue" from The Fury

"End Title/End Cast" from Jaws 2

"Journey to the Island" from Your Ass in My Park

"Remembering Childhood" from Hook

"Adventure on Earth" from E.T

"The Mine Car Chase" from Temple of Doom

 

I can't do a top ten, just a top six.  

 

[Jurassic Shark 12,008]

3 minutes ago, Kasey Kockroach said:

"Epilogue" from The Fury

"End Title/End Cast" from Jaws 2

"Journey to the Island" from Your Ass in My Park

"Remembering Childhood" from Hook

"Adventure on Earth" from E.T

"The Mine Car Chase" from Temple of Doom

Main Titles

Main Titles

Main Titles

Main Titles

 

I can't do a top ten, just a top six.  

 

 

Fixed!

[Oomoog the Ecstatic 314]

I just have my top 2 above for now, but I think this would go somewhere in my Top 10.

 

2:31 - 3:25 Terrific rhythm and bass... and adventuuure. I love the bass starting at 3:11.

 

 

[Sandor 796]

1. The Throne Room and Finale from Star Wars

2. Adventures On Earth from E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial

3. Journey To The Island from Jurassic Park

4. The Rebel Fleet And Finale from The Empire Strikes Back

5. Raiders Of The Lost Ark from Raiders Of The Lost Ark

6. Theme from Schindler’s List

7. Resolution And Finale from Close Encouters Of The Third Kind

8. Theme from Jaws

9. Hedwig’s Theme from Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone

10. Prelude And Superman Theme from Superman The Movie