Top 15 ESSENTIAL John Williams Cues

[crumbs 16,007]

Let's say a deaf person can hear miraculously, and the first thing you want to do is introduce them to the music of John Williams. But they will cease hearing once they finish listening to fifteen of his cues. So of all the cues in his career, which do you select, and in which order? Basically, create a John Williams Best Of compilation, surmising the absolute ESSENTIAL cues of his entire career. An All Stars soundtrack, of sorts.

What's your pick?

[Maglorfin 219]

Oh, lovely, another "best of JW" thread, such decisions are insanely difficult! So why don't you start us off with your own list, crumbs?

[MissPadmé 17]

1. The Autopilot Field

2. The Autopilot Chase

3. Journey to the Autopilot

[Hlao-roo 390]

Let's say a deaf person can hear miraculously, and the first thing you want to do is introduce them to the music of John Williams. But they will cease hearing once they finish listening to fifteen of his cues. So of all the cues in his career, which do you select, and in which order?

Unless the individual preferred being deaf, it would seem cruel to enumerate such a list. I would rather supply the person with John Williams' complete filmography so that he or she would know which movies to avoid and preserve his or her hearing as long as possible.

[Neimoidian 15]

John Williams Greatest Hits 1969-1999 cd1 - (Sugarland Express cue + The Reivers cue) + (John Williams Greatest Hits 1969-1999 cd2 - everything, but Jurassic Park & Schindler's List)

These are the essentials. They are good for a start. Now I often prefer nonessential cues.

[Hlao-roo 390]

These are the essentials. They are good for a start. Now I often prefer nonessential cues.

I guess you're a nonessential kind of guy.

[Neimoidian 15]

These are the essentials. They are good for a start. Now I often prefer nonessential cues.

I guess you're a nonessential kind of guy.

Nonsensical perhaps...

[A24 5,156]

Let's say a deaf person can hear miraculously, and the first thing you want to do is introduce them to the music of John Williams.

I rather would let him enjoy the sounds of nature. I think music (certainly things like Star Wars, Supes or Raiders) would be too much for such a person to handle.

Alex

[Maurizio 6,913]

Let's say a deaf person can hear miraculously, and the first thing you want to do is introduce them to the music of John Williams. But they will cease hearing once they finish listening to fifteen of his cues. So of all the cues in his career, which do you select, and in which order? Basically, create a John Williams Best Of compilation, surmising the absolute ESSENTIAL cues of his entire career. An All Stars soundtrack, of sorts.

What's your pick?

This one is probably the best way to introduce anyone to the art of John Williams (even though I would probably switch Midway March for Schindler's List and Liberty Fanfare for The Accidental Tourist). And it's a 15 track CD!

[King Mark 3,975]

1-Man Against Beast -Jaws

2-The Throne Room and End Titles-Star Wars

3-Adventures on Earth-E.T.

4-Journey to the Island-Jurassic Park

5-The Battle of Hoth-The Empire Strikes Back

6-The Prison Yard/End Titles-Superman the Movie

7-Jonathan Begins to Draw/The Landing -Amazing Stories The Mission

8-Olympic Fanfare and theme

9-NBC News The Mission

10-Harry's Wondrous World-HPSS

11-Hedwig's Theme-HPSS

12-Desert Chase-Raiders of the Lost Ark

13-Return to the Village and End Titles-Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

14-Flight to Neverland(Concert Version)-Hook

15-Final Duel /Into the Death Star-Return of the Jedi

[Nick Parker 3,049]

1-Man Against Beast -Jaws

2-The Throne Room and End Titles-Star Wars

3-Adventures on Earth-E.T.

4-Journey to the Island-Jurassic Park

5-The Battle of Hoth-The Empire Strikes Back

6-The Prison Yard/End Titles-Superman the Movie

7-Jonathan Begins to Draw/The Landing -Amazing Stories The Mission

8-Olympic Fanfare and theme

9-NBC News The Mission

10-Harry's Wondrous World-HPSS

11-Hedwig's Theme-HPSS

12-Desert Chase-Raiders of the Lost Ark

13-Return to the Village and End Titles-Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

14-Flight to Neverland(Concert Version)-Hook

15-Final Duel /Into the Death Star-Return of the Jedi

Are you crazy, that person's ears would explode! I would probably opt for something like Jane Eyre.

[Bowie 48]

01 Olympic Fanfare & Theme

02 Jaws Theme

03 Adventures on Earth from E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial

04 Love Theme from Superman

05 Prelude & Main Title March from Superman

05 Journey to the Island from Jurassic Park

06 The Lost World Theme

07 Hedwig's Theme from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

08 Mischief Managed! from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

09 Theme from Schindler's List

10 The Cowboys Overture

11 End Credits from The Last Crusade

12 The Imperial March (Darth Vader's Theme) from The Empire Strikes Back

13 The Battle of Endor III from Return of the Jedi

15 The Rebel Fleet & End Title from The Empire Strikes Back

[Bowie 48]

Is it Adventure on Earth or Adventures on Earth?

[Nick Parker 3,049]

Interesting, double-posts are not combined anymore, it would seem....

And I do believe it is "Adventures on Earth".

EDIT:

double-posts are not combined anymore, it would seem

Wait, they are! What did you do, Bowie?

[Ollie 1,375]

In no particular order:

1. Princess Leia's Theme

2. Love Theme From Superman

3. Theme From Jane Eyre

4. March From 1941

5. Main Titles From The Towering Inferno

6. End Titles From The Poseiden Adventure

7. Desert Chase From Raiders

8. Short Round's Theme From TOD

9. Hymn To The Fallen From SPR

10. Battle Of Yavin from Star Wars

11. Sea Attack Number One (Man Against Beast) From Jaws

12. Barry's Abduction from CE3K

13. Lost In Space Title From Season 3

14.E.T. Adventure On Earth

15. Hedwig's Theme

[Koray Savas 2,260]

Top 15 JW cues? Hmm...

1. A.I. Artificial Intelligence - Where Dreams Are Born

2. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial - Escape/Chase/Saying Goodbye

3. Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone - Hedwig's Theme

4. Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban - Mischief Managed!

5. Hook - The Ultimate War

6. Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom - End Credits

7. JFK - The Conspirators

8. Jurassic Park - Welcome To Jurassic Park

9. Munich - End Credits

10. Saving Private Ryan - Hymn To The Fallen

11. Schindler's List - Theme From Schindler's List

12. Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace - Duel Of The Fates

13. Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back - The Imperial March (Darth Vader's Theme)

14. Superman: The Movie - Love Theme From Superman

15. 1941 - The March From 1941

[Nick Parker 3,049]

In a somewhat specific order:

1. Abduction of Barry - Close Encounters of the Third Kind

2. The Love Montage - Images

3. Intersection Scene - War of the Worlds

4.Well of the Souls - Raiders of the Lost Ark

5. Compys Dine - The Lost World: Jurassic Park

6. "Can You See?" - Minority Report

7. Raptor Attack - Jurassic Park

8. Incident at Isla Nublar - Jurassic Park

9. The Underwater Seige - Jaws

10. The Serpent - White Witch Doctor ( it is not like he would know)

11. Ben Gardner's Boat - Jaws

12. Gillian's Vision - The Fury

13. Letter Bombs - Munich

14. Main Titles & Storm Sequence - Dracula

15. March from 1941 - 1941

[Neimoidian 15]

In a somewhat specific order:

1. Abduction of Barry - Close Encounters of the Third Kind

2. The Love Montage - Images

3. Intersection Scene - War of the Worlds

4.Well of the Souls - Raiders of the Lost Ark

5. Compys Dine - The Lost World: Jurassic Park

6. "Can You See?" - Minority Report

7. Raptor Attack - Jurassic Park

8. Incident at Isla Nublar - Jurassic Park

9. The Underwater Seige - Jaws

10. The Serpent - White Witch Doctor ( it is not like he would know)

11. Ben Gardner's Boat - Jaws

12. Gillian's Vision - The Fury

13. Letter Bombs - Munich

14. Main Titles & Storm Sequence - Dracula

15. March from 1941 - 1941

That's a very odd choice. Are these your favourite JW tracks?

[Bowie 48]

In a somewhat specific order:

1. Abduction of Barry - Close Encounters of the Third Kind

2. The Love Montage - Images

3. Intersection Scene - War of the Worlds

4.Well of the Souls - Raiders of the Lost Ark

5. Compys Dine - The Lost World: Jurassic Park

6. "Can You See?" - Minority Report

7. Raptor Attack - Jurassic Park

8. Incident at Isla Nublar - Jurassic Park

9. The Underwater Seige - Jaws

10. The Serpent - White Witch Doctor ( it is not like he would know)

11. Ben Gardner's Boat - Jaws

12. Gillian's Vision - The Fury

13. Letter Bombs - Munich

14. Main Titles & Storm Sequence - Dracula

15. March from 1941 - 1941

That's a very odd choice. Are these your favourite JW tracks?

Yeah -- and I fully admit my selections for criticism -- Nick I think you mustn't have read the precise question asked, or are being devilishly facetious.

[Nick Parker 3,049]

I think you mustn't have read the precise question asked, or are being devilishly facetious

No, I think those are absolutely essential John Williams cues.

[Romão 2,473]

In a somewhat specific order:

1. Abduction of Barry - Close Encounters of the Third Kind

2. The Love Montage - Images

3. Intersection Scene - War of the Worlds

4.Well of the Souls - Raiders of the Lost Ark

5. Compys Dine - The Lost World: Jurassic Park

6. "Can You See?" - Minority Report

7. Raptor Attack - Jurassic Park

8. Incident at Isla Nublar - Jurassic Park

9. The Underwater Seige - Jaws

10. The Serpent - White Witch Doctor ( it is not like he would know)

11. Ben Gardner's Boat - Jaws

12. Gillian's Vision - The Fury

13. Letter Bombs - Munich

14. Main Titles & Storm Sequence - Dracula

15. March from 1941 - 1941

That's a very interesting list.

But isn't White Witch Doctor a Bernard Herrmann composition?

[Trent Hoyt 13]

It would be cool if we could get the entire board to agree on this. Maybe some kind of tournament should be made.

[Nick Parker 3,049]

But isn't White Witch Doctor a Bernard Herrmann composition?

Yes.

[Romão 2,473]

Soooo....

[Nick Parker 3,049]

I think the poor man should be entitled to a little more than Williams!

[Neimoidian 15]

I think the poor man should be entitled to a little more than Williams!

I am not sure if Bernard Herrmann is the right guy whose music should be listened by a beginner It's very advanced stuff.

[Nick Parker 3,049]

Did I seriously list it as "The Serpent"? What a moron am I, I got confused with the title and the instrumentation. It should be "The Tarantula".

[Xander Harris 9,674]

Indy's Very First Adventure

Love Theme From Superman

The Asteroid Field

Slave Children's Crusade

Short Round Helps

The Battle Of Hoth

Harry's Wondrous World

Sea Attack Number One

Ben Kenobi's Death/TIE Fighter Attack

Remembering Childhood

Desert Chase

Final Duel / Into the Death Star

Adventure On Earth (the original album track)

Duel of the Fates

The Rebel Fleet/End Title

Well that was extremely difficult. I tried to be more diverse and cut down selections from one film for another. In the end I'm left with this, but it's not enough.

[Wojo 2,458]

So this guy's going to listen to 15 John Williams cues, and then go permanently deaf for the rest of his life?

Doesn't he have friends or family to talk to? No more "I love you"'s from his sweetheart. No more "Daddy, Daddy, come play with us" from his children. No more yips of the family dog as he comes home from a long day at the office.

Nope. His last few moments of audio will be spent listening to a super sampler of movie score bits, and then it's silence until he dies. How terrible.

[Ollie 1,375]

Actually he/she is deaf and gets a chance to listen to 15 Williams cues and before returning to silence.

[Wojo 2,458]

Oops. I misunderstood.

[Ollie 1,375]

So did I, didn't realize the person would go deaf again.

[Wojo 2,458]

Still, what a cruel joke to play on the person.

Here, you're trapped on a desert island with no food, water, or hope of rescue. I'll bring you to an American all you can eat buffet for one meal, and when you've eaten your fill, you go back to that island again. You also get your choice of one piece of inflatable ball from the sports store. Have a nice day.

[Maglorfin 219]

In no particular order:

- Harry's Wondrous World

- Prologue from JFK

- Look Down, Lord - Reprise and Finale

- Flight to Neverland

- The Throne Room/End Title

- Escape/Chase/Saying Goodbye

- The Olympic Spirit

- The Dance of the Witches

- Leaving Home

- Star Wars and the Revenge of the Sith

- Recollections (The Father's Theme)

- A Whirl Through Academe

- Fawkes the Phoenix

- Indy's Very First Adventure

- Main Title and First Victim

[Hlao-roo 390]

Deafness is a choice, not a biological condition.

[Wojo 2,458]

Thank you, Anne Sullivan.

[CharlieP98 1]

I gonna say number one is definitely Reys theme 👌

[Oomoog the Ecstatic 314]

Essentials:

- Star Wars Main Titles

- E.T. End Credits

 

Top 3-15:

It can vary, but there are a lot of prime choices, ie:

Escape From the Dursleys

Superman Love Theme

Hook "Main Themes"

[toothless 1,056]

I was 16 y/o in 2009 ! This is one old topic  

[Bespin Copilot 10,817]

“Don’t Take Your Guns To Town”

“One Piece At A Time”

“The One On The Right Is On The Left”

“Daddy Sang Bass”

"Understand Your Man" 

“Ballad of a Teenage Queen”

“Flesh and Blood” 

“A Boy Named Sue”

“I Walk The Line”

“Man In Black”

“Jackson”

“Hurt”

“Folsom Prison Blues”

“Sunday Morning Coming Down”

“Ring Of Fire”

[Naïve Old Fart 13,021]

On 8/16/2009 at 7:16 AM, Bowie said:

Is it Adventure on Earth or Adventures on Earth?

It is definitely ADVENTURES ON EARTH, and not, not, not ESCAPE/CHASE/GOODBYE.

Who does this John Williams person think he is, ruining a perfectly good cue title, like that?

[danbeck 142]

On 8/15/2009 at 11:23 AM, Hlao-roo said:

Unless the individual preferred being deaf, it would seem cruel to enumerate such a list. I would rather supply the person with John Williams' complete filmography so that he or she would know which movies to avoid and preserve his or her hearing as long as possible.

 

I agree with you guy from the past (10 yrs ago). I probably would not be able to recommend 15 tracks to the guy knowing that the 15th will make him deaf again forever.

Maybe I could recommend 14 tracks and ask the guy to stay away from Williams scores to maintain his hearing. The issue is if the guy likes it so much that he decides to listen to another one on his own and turns deaf again.

 

Here are the 14:

 

1- 1975: Man Against Beast -Jaws (starts with a bang! Maybe JW best cue ever - moves from suspense to wonderment to action to excitement and then to frustration, all in great style)

2- 1977: The Throne Room and End Titles-Star Wars (The score who made JW the JW we know, this track is essential, the force theme, the rebel fanfarre, Princess Leia theme)

3 - 1977: Appearance of the Visitors/Contact/End Credits - CETK (starts with dissonance then moves to the wonderful finale - I know this is two tracks in the latest release, but I count it as one based on the previous release)

4 - 1978: Epilogue - The Fury (album) - wonderful track

5 - 1978: The Fortress of Solitude - Superman 

6- 1981: The Miracle of the Ark - for me the ark theme is a highlight of the Inidiana Jones series

7 - 1982: Over The Moon - ET 

8 - 1984: End Credits - IJ and the Temple of Doom (one of the best End Credits suites ever assembled by Williams - wonderful bridges between the various themes)

9 - 1991: You Are The Pan - Hook

10 - 1993: Journey to the Island - Jurassic Park

11 - 1993: Schindler’s Working Force (not the most representative track of the soundtrack, but my favorite track - hypnotic)

12 - 2004: The Firebolt/End Credits - HP and the Prisoner of Azkaban (great summary of some of the best HP music from the best score in the series)

13 - 2005: Sayuri’s Theme - Memoirs of a Geisha

14 - 2015: Jedi Steps and Finale - SW The Force Awakens - not impressed with Rey’s theme at first but this one have grown on me and nowadays is one of my favorite in the series. This track has it and other excellent music being a good closure to the playlist.

[Xander Harris 9,674]

On 8/17/2009 at 7:15 AM, Dieter Stark said:

Indy's Very First Adventure

Love Theme From Superman

The Asteroid Field

Slave Children's Crusade

Short Round Helps

The Battle Of Hoth

Harry's Wondrous World

Sea Attack Number One

Ben Kenobi's Death/TIE Fighter Attack

Remembering Childhood

Desert Chase

Final Duel / Into the Death Star

Adventure On Earth (the original album track)

Duel of the Fates

The Rebel Fleet/End Title

 

Looks like this list needs updating.

[Oomoog the Ecstatic 314]

On 7/1/2019 at 3:26 AM, toothless said:

I was 16 y/o in 2009 !

 

Or so your memories make you think.