Göransson’s Mixtape for 'Turning Red'

The most recent Pixar film Turning Red (2022), has created quite a buzz, receiving mixed reviews and attention. While I would not consider it as a top favorite Pixar film, it was still a great one, with a unique take on music. While most are aware of Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell’s involvement in the film for the boyband 4*Town’s music, the rest of the film was brought to life due to the work of Ludwig Göransson.

Creedence Clearwater Revival’s Ironic “Fortunate Son"

For many of the pieces and songs that we have touched on before, regardless of them being classic or cliché, have either been used heavily in visual media as intended, or not even remotely close. There are various serious songs that now have a new life in comedy, and some bright and happy songs being used ironically in terrible or dark scenes. That is how some film-makers create contrast. However, there are some contrasts musically, that may not be quite are obvious. One example of this, is Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Fortunate Son”.

Bridgerton’s Mixed Use of Classical Music

With a new season coming out very soon, the Emmy-nominated Netflix series Bridgerton (2020) will once again be the talk of the town. Not only for its dramatic portrayals of love and romance in a 18^th century London show, but also for its use of new and old music alike.  

Vangelis’ Dramatic “Chariots of Fire”

When talking about overused music in visual media, we often think of those songs or pieces that we have seen being used several times in films and tv. However, there are songs that are not only used for film and tv, but also for commercials and large promoted events. Some have even become the unofficial theme song of a specific event, just as Vangelis’ “Chariots of Fire” did.

Queen & Bowie’s Impromptu Hit “Under Pressure”

There is a good amount of songs that have a certain genre of film and tv that they are often associated with. Often to the point of the song itself becoming a sort of running gag in the visual media industry. This is also often a case with the comedy genre, with the reuse of songs such as MC Hammer’s “U Can’t Touch This”, which has also become a sort of running gag. Another of these running gag songs, has to be Queen’s “Under Pressure” featuring David Bowie.

Satie’s Minimalist “Gymnopédie No. 1”

People associate music with an ongoing sound. There always has to be something playing in order for it to qualify as music. However, the is a power in silence and resonant tones that can make all the difference in your experience. This minimalistic technique is often viewed as inferior to other music; but has the adaptability and power to evoke certain emotions that may be considered difficult to achieve. This form of ambience music, is unique and memorable, such as Erik Satie’s “Gymnopédie No. 1”.

Kamakawiwo'ole’s Spontaneous Hit “Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World”

There are quite a few hit songs that have been wildly used in the visual media industry, that are not originals. Be it a cover, a mix, or a rendition, it may be more widely known or used than it’s original. While this may be impressive on its own, it is all the more impressive if the song was also a spur-of-the-moment one-take. This is exactly what happened with Hawaiian singer Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s “Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World”.

Piaf’s French Anthem “La Vie en Rose”

Location-based songs for visual media has been an ongoing thing for quite some time. Such as Lynyrd Skynyrd’s song of the south “Sweet Home Alabama”, these songs have become the unofficial anthem of the setting or location in which the theme is taking place. Some have also been used to represent a whole country or particular city, such as Édith Piaf’s signature song “La Vie en Rose”.  

The Crown’s Royal Use of Classical Music

Four seasons in, and we still don’t have enough of the award-winning show, The Crown. The Netflix original show has garnered a huge audience of period and historical drama fans everywhere. However, they are not the only group of fans that the show has caught the attention of. Classical music fans have also jumped on this show due to its smooth blend of originally-written soundtrack music, early pop music, and as well-known classical pieces by famous musicians of history.

Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Controversial “Sweet Home Alabama”

Every now and then, we get a song that becomes visual media’s theme for a certain setting or location. “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole for Hawaii or tropical locations, “LaVie en Rose” by Edith Piaf for many scenes in France, or even “Sprach Zarathustra” by Richard Strauss for space settings. But none of them have been used as much as representing the south with Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama”.

Boccherini’s Elegant “Minuet”

Classical music is often used in film and tv, as the theme for the upper-class. What says money more than strings, right? Well that is what many directors think so too, and so does much of the audience due its constant use in this context. However, while there are classical pieces used to evoke rather different themes, there are certain classical pieces that are purposely and especially chosen to portray a sense of higher class. One great example of this is Luigi Boccherini’s “Minuet” from his String Quintet Op.11 No.5. 

Squid Game's Brilliant Use of Classical Music

Netflix’s new hit show Squid Game has taken the world by storm, quickly becoming the service’s biggest and most watched show ever. Program creator and director Hwang Dong-hyuk kept millions of viewers on the edge of their seats, by not only the brutal and violent visuals, but also the bleak reality the narrative represents. 

Three Original Netflix Shows to Watch or Re-watch for Their Use of Classical Music

Netflix has always been at the forefront of the streaming game, especially when they first started releasing their original shows in 2012. Since then, some of their original shows have become critically acclaimed award winners. Being original content, many of them have their own incredible soundtracks to use, but often times we need other music to complement that soundtrack or the narrative. One genre of music that is often used to fill in that empty space is classical music.

Hammer's Comedic "U Can't Touch This"

There are countless musical hits that have often found new life on the big screen, or a television screen. Especially when talking about hits from the 90s. However, according to a recent study, none have been used as often as MC Hammer’s 1990 hit song, “U Can’t Touch This”. The song has become a sort of pop-culture reference classic, often finding new life in film, tv, and advertisements. To this day, we find references to not only the song itself but also the iconic music video of Hammer, the dance, and the parachute pants. 

Wagner's Heroic "Ride of the Valkyries"

For decades, we have been using classical pieces to enhance scenes in film and television, but none has been used as much as Richard Wagner’s, “Ride of the Valkyries”. This triumphant battle song is one of the most recognized orchestral pieces of all time due to its association with a large amount of visual media. 

The piece is best known from Francis Ford Coppola’s 1979 film Apocalypse Now, in the iconic scene where the American helicopters are on their way to bombard a Vietnamese village. A scene so iconic, that it has been referred to in other forms of media, such as the 2005 film Jarhead by Sam Mendes, as well as a flashback scene in 2009 film Watchmen by Zach Snyder. The piece evokes a sense of confidence and power leading into a one-sided battle, which is along the lines or what Richard Wagner intended.