What is John Williams' most famous theme?

[Sandor 459]

Whatyathink?

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,251]

Dum dum...dum dum...dum dum...

[John McClane 1]

Dum dum...dum dum...dum dum...

Jaws.

That's true. But you can't mention a really #1, because you really must mention the Star Wars Main Title and the Raiders March too.

[JoeinAR 1,759]

you play any of John's theme at a beach, and people go huh, what, you play the Jaws theme, and you've got a panic on the 4th of July.

[Lurker 5]

Dum dum...dum dum...dum dum...

Steef, please stop calling Roald names.

Neil

[Ray Barnsbury 8]

Jaws, without a doubt!

Ray Barnsbury

[John McClane 1]

However, every single theme available on the poll's choices is a classic, althought I think the presence of Harry Potter is a bit inappropriate.

Sure it's a great theme, but talking about "most famous", nothing compare to Jaws, Star Wars, Indiana Jones or Superman.

[Jeshopk 8]

Star Wars hands down. People only know 2 notes of the JAWS theme. Other than that, they're quite ignorant about it.

[Justin 2]

The waters of Lake Eerie can be a deadly place with that theme.....

buuuuu dum......buuuuuu dum......

Justin -

[Justin 2]

Star Wars hands down. People only know 2 notes of the JAWS theme. Other than that, they're quite ignorant about it.

If the Star Wars theme was 2 notes that's all they'd know of it too.

Justin

[JoeinAR 1,759]

Star Wars hands down. People only know 2 notes of the JAWS theme. Other than that, they're quite ignorant about it.

see you disprove you own statement, People only have to know 2 notes of the Jaws theme, and they know it, better than Star Wars will ever be known.

[John McClane 1]

Star Wars hands down. People only know 2 notes of the JAWS theme. Other than that, they're quite ignorant about it.

But the Jaws theme is mainly those two notes. The rest is a scary score, but here we're talking about single themes, I think.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,251]

The Star wars Theme signifies a famous series of films.

The Jaws theme signifies a primordial fear of something lurking out of sight...out to get you.

[robthehand 3]

Jaws or Star Wars (main title).

[Jeshopk 8]

But the Jaws theme is mainly those two notes. The rest is a scary score, but here we're talking about single themes, I think.

The 2 notes are the ostinato that go beneath the main theme's melodies. Nobody knows the rising 3 note shark motif which is featured prominently in the main theme cue. I am just talking about the main theme cue. It has way more than the 2 note theme and that's all people can remember. And they don't even remember the 2 note theme correctly. It is actually a 3 note theme. So the main theme is comprised of two different 3-note themes and the sea shanty. I am not talking about the rest of the score at all.

And which version of the theme is in question. Film version or album version? The album version includes the sea shanty.

But either way, they miss the shark melody and one of the notes of the ostinato every time.

dum-dum is all they can muster

[Jeshopk 8]

If the Star Wars theme was 2 notes that's all they'd know of it too.  

The Jaws theme has way more than 2 notes. People can hum all the way through the star wars title theme, but they don't know anything about jaws but 2 notes of the 3 note ostinato which is the under-current for the other melodies in the cue.

[John McClane 1]

Yes, but just mentioning "dum dum...dum dum...", as Stefan did, you know you're talking aboutJaws.

So it those 2 notes (as Spielberg says in the booklet of the 25th Anniversary Edition) that made that one of the most recognizable theme in the film music history.

Then, of course, I think all the theme it's famous (since the movie itself is very popular).

[Jeshopk 8]

People can only hum along with 2 out of 18 notes in the Jaws theme and then they're completely lost. They can hum all the way through the Star Wars theme though.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,251]

You are clearly missing the point.

[nightscape94 965]

Jesse is right in saying that even the undercurrent is not a two note theme, it's three. If you're in E-, then the low D hardly gets remembered. However, I must admit that I still consider the 3 note undercurrent a theme on its own, which represents the presence of the shark or danger.

It can then be used to layer other themes, like the sea, or the Orca. But Williams does that all the time, that doesn't necessarily mean that it's not a theme on its own terms.

Tim

[Jeshopk 8]

On the one hand, people can't hum Jaws correctly, but on the other hand, at least they don't mistake it for Superman. But the question isn't which theme is most correctly identifyable to the movie. It is which one is most famous. And to that, I say star wars because the more people know the notes.

[Jeshopk 8]

It can then be used to layer other themes, like the sea, or the Orca. But Williams does that all the time, that doesn't necessarily mean that it's not a theme on its own terms.

I never said it isn't a theme, but it isn't the WHOLE theme. It is PART of the theme cue. People remember ALL of the Star Wars theme cue.

[nightscape94 965]

But to that end, even if someone hums it incorrectly, they still understand what they're trying to hum, so that shouldn't disqualify Jaws. Should it?

Tim

[John McClane 1]

Man, it's not a matter of hum or recognize one note more than another theme...

[Indiana_Fett 0]

I'm surprised I'm the only one who voted Imperial March. It plays at FOOTBALL. And people cheer along with it, too.

[MrAsterisk 0]

On pure average-guy-whistleability, I voted for "The Imperial March".

[Ollie 859]

Jaws.

[jamesie 1]

Most people recognize the majority of those up there... But... Jaws is by far the most parodied... and the most widely known.

[Romão 1,931]

Actually in Portugal, I would bet the most recongnizable theme is Raiders March. Plus, the Island Fanfare from Jurassic Park is also very well known. People recognize it everytime.

Jurassic Park is actually one of the very few scores that has two instantly recognizable themes.

[scissorhands 16]

Same here, Raiders March.

[SturgisPodmore 0]

Jaws for sure.

~Sturgis

[Greg1138 2]

I think all but one of these would be instantly recognisable to 90% of the population.....they are all instantly recognisable.......but I went for Star Wars in the end.......Jaws a very close second.......

[Justin 2]

You are clearly missing the point.

Indeed.

Justin

[nightscape94 965]

I think that Romão brought up an interesting point, which is to say, things are different culturally. What is the most famous in a particular country might be different for the one next to it, or across the ocean, based on one circumstance or another. Whether it's TV or sporting events, etc...

The only time I heard the Jurassic Park music outside of the movie was during the US Open tennis tournament about 10 years ago (only a couple of years after the movie came out). I would even say that the Hook music is used more often then JP here in the States. Hook is also "stolen" more for commercials, as in background music sounding suspiciously similar, but just different enough to get away with it 8O

Though, like I said, it still interesting to acknowledge the fact that other countries have separate JW influences based on certain factors that just ended up being different then the US.

Tim

[Romão 1,931]

Even though they were worldwide phenomenons, you cannot compare the impact Star Wars and Jaws had in the US with Portugal. It was a particulary troublesome time for my country, as we had just come out of a 40 year dictatorship. Sure, all these themes are recognizable. Most people can hum all of them. But I think around here people imediatly associate the Raiders March with Indiana Jones. They do get more confused about the others. This could be explained by its use on TV. or simply because Indiana Jones is more popular around here. Anyway, it's amazing the amount of people that already can connect Hedwig's theme with Harry Potter. And besides Doyle's best efforts, they are groing by the day.

[pixie_twinkle 44]

I think that Romão brought up an interesting point, which is to say, things are different culturally.  What is the most famous in a particular country might be different for the one next to it, or across the ocean, based on one circumstance or another.  Whether it's TV or sporting events, etc...

The only time I heard the Jurassic Park music outside of the movie was during the US Open tennis tournament about 10 years ago (only a couple of years after the movie came out).  I would even say that the Hook music is used more often then JP here in the States.  Hook is also "stolen" more for commercials, as in background music sounding suspiciously similar, but just different enough to get away with it

Though, like I said, it still interesting to acknowledge the fact that other countries have separate JW influences based on certain factors that just ended up being different then the US.

Tim

Very true. The Jaws theme by it's very simplicity is the exception to this. I would bet that the Jaws theme is instantly recognisable in almost every country. People don't associate it with their country's cultural activities, or football, or TV, or even with the movie Jaws (to some degree) anymore. It's become a universal symbol representing all terrors lurking beneath the water. It's funny to think that back in 1974 those notes wouldn't have ever been heard yet! What did people sing when they wanted to impersonate a shark before Jaws came out????

[John McClane 1]

Jurassic Park is actually one of the very few scores that has two instantly recognizable themes.

I think we can at least put Star Wars in this list, with the Main Title and The Imperial March.

As for Indy, I don't know which other theme apart The Raiders March may be famous outside the fans. Maybe the Ark Theme? Or maybe the Slave Children Crusade?

[Justin 2]

Very true. The Jaws theme by it's very simplicity is the exception to this. I would bet that the Jaws theme is instantly recognisable in almost every country. People don't associate it with their country's cultural activities, or football, or TV, or even with the movie Jaws (to some degree) anymore. It's become a universal symbol representing all terrors lurking beneath the water.

This is why it's the most famous.

Justin

[Elmo Lewis 6]

It was a particulary troublesome time for my country, as we had just come out of a 40 year dictatorship.

You too, huh?

Must've been something in the water in the peninsula.

[Mr. Breathmask 480]

Jurassic Park is actually one of the very few scores that has two instantly recognizable themes.

I think we can at least put Star Wars in this list, with the Main Title and The Imperial March.

The Imperial March wasn't in Star Wars.

As for Indy, I don't know which other theme apart The Raiders March may be famous outside the fans. Maybe the Ark Theme? Or maybe the Slave Children Crusade?

None.

[John McClane 1]

The Imperial March wasn't in Star Wars.

I obviously meant the saga, you jokin' bastard!

And I agree on that "none" about Indy. I don't think there's another theme which is famous to the non-fans. If only they know what they're missing.

[Romão 1,931]

It was a particulary troublesome time for my country, as we had just come out of a 40 year dictatorship.

You too, huh?

Must've been something in the water in the peninsula.

Very sad times...

[Luke Skywalker 1,285]

Indeed

Dum dum...dum dum...dum dum...

ROTS' film version of 'Boys into Battle'????

[Sandor 459]

I find it somewhat awkward that Hedwig's Theme was never chosen. Last year I did a test among 52 children in my school. I let them listen to the above 10 John Williams pieces. Most of them were not recognized, but Hedwig's Theme was the BIG winner. 49 children could write down where the music was from. "Only" 35 recognized the Star Wars Theme and 31 the theme from Jaws.

I guess it's a generational thing here. Had I convinced 52 adults crazy enough to submnit themselves to my test, than the results would have been very different I guess.

Or not?

[Luke Skywalker 1,285]

Jurassic Park is actually one of the very few scores that has two instantly recognizable themes.

I think we can at least put Star Wars in this list, with the Main Title and The Imperial March.

The Imperial March wasn't in Star Wars.

Dunno why, but i think i just heard the echo of creepy laugher from an evil you-know-which-director-

[pete 520]

I find it somewhat awkward that Hedwig's Theme was never chosen. Last year I did a test among 52 children in my school.

Yeah I was just thinking of mentioning something similiar.

When I've played music to my students...the kids identified both Hedwig's Theme and Harry's Wondrous World immediately, like in a second. Not that I played them Williams' othe famous themes...but I think for the under 15 or so age group "Harry Potter" would, by a long shot be Williams' most famous theme.

[Sandor 459]

the kids identified both Hedwig's Theme and Harry's Wondrous World immediately, like in a second.

They only have to hear a second of Hedwig's Theme (the celesta opening) and they recognize it. This is no overstatement or a superlative, but I have actually observed that this is the case.

"G C ....."

"HARRY POTTER!"

[Luke Skywalker 1,285]

they are quick

And have potential for new members

[Romão 1,931]

Hedwig's theme will still be recognized 50 years from now. Lightning does strike twice. And trice...and lots of times. JW is amazing.

[John McClane 1]

I find it somewhat awkward that Hedwig's Theme was never chosen. Last year I did a test among 52 children in my school. I let them listen to the above 10 John Williams pieces. Most of them were not recognized, but Hedwig's Theme was the BIG winner. 49 children could write down where the music was from. "Only" 35 recognized the Star Wars Theme and 31 the theme from Jaws.  

I guess it's a generational thing here. Had I convinced 52 adults crazy enough to submnit themselves to my test, than the results would have been very different I guess.

Or not?

Simple.

You said "children", and Harry Potter is something for children. Of course not everyone knows the music of a thriller, or sci-fi, or adventure movie...

Also, Harry Potter is new, and Jaws, Star Wars or Indiana Jones aren't.

It's like let them listening to the Happy Days theme and a theme of a cartoon they usually watch. Guess who'll win...

You should repeat the same experiment with 52 adults. I don't know how many adults non-JW fans could be interested in anything Harry Potter related. I'm sure that most of you adults JW fans are interested in Harry Potter exclusevely because of the music.