Jump to content

Did Williams deliberately use musical syllables in superman?


Quintus
 Share

Recommended Posts

"SUP-ER---MAN, ITS SUP-ER-MAN"

Did he write his fanfare theme consciously this way? Or is it coincidence? The same can be said of Star Wars: STAAAR- WAAARS etc. Even Bill Murray parodied this particular theme years ago on Saturday Night Live via song.

Is this the way Williams writes a lot of his themes, or am I just finding happy coincidences?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 21
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

I don't think the Star Wars one is really that intentional, but I'm always very, very tempted to yell out "SU-PERMAN!" along with the music.

Also, I remember someone posting lyrics to the Raiders march that started with something like

Indiana, that's his name

Hunting treasures, is his favorite game

etc.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The best instance of this is the score to the original Hammer film of Dracula (1958), which was released as Horror of Dracula in the States. The main theme is three syllables, the first is a long note on a high pitch, then the next two the same pitch but an octave lower. The rhythm (in 2/4 meter) is a dotted quarter, then an eighth and a half note both an octave lower. "Draaaaaa cu laaaaaaaaaa" It's blatant, but very effective and memorable. Music score by James Bernard.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

People have suggested that the 3-note stone motif from SS/PS refers to the three syllables of Vol-de-mort.

Ray Barnsbury

Wow, I never even thought of that one!

I had heard about the Superman syllables thing, but I don't know if he meant for it to be that way or not.

I like those lyrics for Indiana Jones! lol

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've never heard of that. Seems a bit odd, seeing how it is quite clearly the stone motif in PS. I guess it's... possible.

A lot of people mistake it for Voldemort's theme, though. Especially with its very qestionable use in CoS.

As for Williams' themes in general, I recall Michael Matessino commenting on the "lyrical" nature of the themes in Superman on the Rhino complete score release.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

OK now, what about Jaws ?

Jaws - jaws - jaws - jaws - jaws - jaws - jaws - jaws - jaws - jaws - jaws - jaws - jaws - jaws - jaws - jaws

Jaws - jaws - jaws - jaws - jaws - jaws - jaws - jaws - jaws - jaws - jaws - jaws - jaws - jaws - jaws - jaws

Seriously, I really can't believe that John Williams wrote any theme in that way. If he wanted to do that, then he could write directly a song instead...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Reminds me of Goldenthal's Batman Forever. There's this repeated two-note brass blast, which just screams Bat-maaaaan.

Like in the Adam West series?

- Marc, who thinks that is one of the greatest opening themes ever, if only for its camp value.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Is Voldemort's that 15-note motif played throughout the Face of Lord Voldemort?

yeah, and its also played during the Quidditch match, and when Tom riddle scrambles his name into "I am lord Voldemort" in Cos

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Didn't the lines notes of the Rhino Superman discs say that the SU-PER-MAN thing was done intentional?

Michael Matessino, in the liner notes says the notes are.."melodically arranged in such a way that the listener is almost compelled to sing the word Superman as if it were a lyric."

Richard Donner, on the DVD featurette, said "The day we went into a recording and we ran the opening credits, and as "Superman" came on the screen, I swear to God, if you listen carefully, it literally, the music speaks the word..." and then they play the Ba-Ba-BAAAA! of the theme.

So, it seems everyone gets the same idea of the music, but it doesn't say it was intentional, and Williams, to the best of my knowledge, has never come forward and solidified this argument.

Tim

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Reminds me of Goldenthal's Batman Forever. There's this repeated two-note brass blast, which just screams Bat-maaaaan.

Like in the Adam West series?

Kinda, but even weirder.

Is Voldemort's that 15-note motif played throughout the Face of Lord Voldemort?

yeah, and its also played during the Quidditch match, and when Tom riddle scrambles his name into "I am lord Voldemort" in Cos

Face of Voldemort, and, iirc, also the CoS bit, actually feature both the You-Know-Who and the Voldemort themes.

Marian - who keeps saying that... :|

Link to comment
Share on other sites

And how about The Imperial March?

Dath Va-der, DathVader, DarthVader

Intentional, semi-intentional, consciously or subconsciously, however it was written, it does fit.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share


×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Guidelines.