Lena Torres
The term soundtrack is still used today, but it now most commonly refers to instrumental background music used in media. Popular songs featured in a film or TV show are usually referenced in the credits, rather than being considered part of the soundtrack. Soundtracks are typically released on major record labels, and the songs can chart and win awards. The first commercially released soundtrack album was Walt Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Soundtracks were especially popular in the 1980s, with movies like Top Gun and Footloose dominating the pop charts. Today, while soundtracks may not be as prevalent or successful as they once were, they can still find strong audiences, especially when attached to well-known stars.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A soundtrack is a recorded audio signal accompanying and synchronised to the images of a book, drama, motion picture, radio program, television program, or video game. |
| Difference between a score and a soundtrack | Scoring refers to the original music that accompanies a film, whereas a soundtrack is generally used to refer to the selection of recorded songs that accompany a film. |
| Original Sound Track (OST) | OST is used to differentiate the original music heard and recorded versus a rerecording or cover version. |
| Popularity | Soundtracks are not as popular as they were in the 1980s, when they dominated the pop charts. |
| Examples | Examples of movies with great soundtracks include Forrest Gump, Wedding Singer, and Scream 3. |
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What You'll Learn
What is a soundtrack?
A soundtrack is a recorded audio signal that accompanies and synchronises with the images of a book, drama, motion picture, radio program, television program, or video game. The term "soundtrack" came into public consciousness with the advent of so-called soundtrack albums in the late 1940s. These were conceived by movie companies as promotional tools for new films. The first commercially released soundtrack album was Walt Disney's "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" in 1937.
In movie industry terminology, a soundtrack is an audio recording created or used in film production or post-production. Initially, the dialogue, sound effects, and music in a film each has its own separate track, and these are mixed together to make what is called the composite track, which is heard in the film. A dubbing track is often later created when films are dubbed into another language. This is also known as an M&E (music and effects) track, which contains all sound elements except dialogue, which is then supplied by the foreign distributor in the local language.
Soundtracks are usually released on major record labels, and the songs and the soundtrack itself can also chart on music charts and win musical awards. Soundtracks can also be released for video games, usually consisting of the theme and background music from the game's levels, menus, title screens, promo material, cut-screens, and occasionally sound effects.
Nowadays, the term "soundtrack" mostly refers to instrumental background music used in media. Popular songs featured in a film or television series are usually referenced in the credits, not considered part of a "soundtrack".
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Are soundtracks still popular?
The term "soundtrack" is still used today, but it now most commonly refers to instrumental background music used in media. Popular songs featured in a film or television series are usually referenced in the credits, rather than being considered part of the soundtrack.
That being said, soundtracks or scores continue to play an important role in modern media. While the market for purchasing soundtrack albums may have decreased, with people spending less on music overall, films and shows often feature well-thought-out scores that contribute significantly to their success. For example, the soundtracks of MI: Rogue Nation, Star Wars VII, and Mad Max: Fury Road have been praised by audiences.
In the past, before home video became widespread in the 1980s, soundtrack albums were one of the few ways to re-experience a film after its original release. These albums were typically released on major record labels and could chart on music charts and win musical awards. Some films with popular soundtracks include Forrest Gump, Wedding Singer, and Scream 3.
Today, the success of a soundtrack may be measured differently. In addition to traditional sales, streaming platforms and digital downloads provide alternative ways for audiences to access and engage with film music. Soundtracks can still gain popularity through these avenues, even if they are not purchased in physical form.
Soundtracks continue to be a relevant aspect of media consumption, even if the methods of distribution and engagement have evolved. They remain a powerful tool for enhancing the impact of films and shows and can even take on a life of their own, becoming a "soundtrack to your life," as described by Film Stories.
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Difference between a score and a soundtrack
While the terms "score" and "soundtrack" are often used interchangeably, they are quite different. A score is the original music that accompanies a film, TV show, video game, or any other form of media. It is usually written by a composer specifically for that project and is meant to augment the events, characters, and overall emotion of the story. The score includes background music, orchestral tracks, and any other musical elements within the project. It is designed to complement the narrative and be less noticeable, with the goal of combining and complementing the story and action seamlessly.
A soundtrack, on the other hand, is a broader term and refers to a selection of recorded songs that accompany a film or other media. A soundtrack can include original songs created specifically for the project, pre-existing songs that fit the mood and tone, or even songs that are inspired by but not featured in the media. Soundtracks may also contain vocal snippets of dialogue from the film or TV show. They are typically released on major record labels and can chart on music charts and win awards. Soundtracks are often used as a promotional tool, featuring popular artists or exclusive new music to generate interest.
To illustrate the difference, let's consider the film "Pulp Fiction". The score for this film includes the instrumental background music and any original compositions that were written specifically for the film. The soundtrack, on the other hand, would include songs like "Al Green" and "Neil Diamond" that were featured in the film, as well as dialogue snippets from memorable moments.
In recent years, the traditional soundtrack has evolved, and popular songs featured in films or TV series are often highlighted in the credits rather than being included in a soundtrack album. This shift is partly due to the changing music industry and the ease of purchasing individual songs instead of entire albums. Licensing and hiring bands to write exclusive songs can also be expensive, so filmmakers may opt to hire a single composer to create all the music for a film.
To conclude, while both scores and soundtracks play an important role in enhancing the viewer's experience, they serve different purposes. A score is the original music composed specifically for a project and is designed to complement the narrative, while a soundtrack is a broader term for the selection of songs, both original and pre-existing, that accompany the project and can be used for promotional purposes.
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Examples of iconic soundtracks
Film soundtracks are a broad church, encompassing classic orchestral scores and pop jukebox compilations, spoken word and sonic effects. Here are some examples of iconic soundtracks:
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
The Wizard of Oz features many recognisable hits, including "Follow the Yellow Brick Road", "Ding Dong the Witch is Dead", and "We're Off to See the Wizard". "Over the Rainbow", performed by Judy Garland, is considered one of the most memorable anthems of the century.
Psycho (1960)
Bernard Herrmann's cutting-edge work in Psycho established an iconic shrieking strings motif that has become internationally recognised as the quintessential sound of terror.
Star Wars (1977)
The Star Wars soundtrack by John Williams is considered one of the most recognisable and popular scores of all time, particularly for the "Theme" and the "Throne Room".
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Another popular soundtrack by John Williams, the Raiders of the Lost Ark theme plays a big role in the film, and the rest of the soundtrack is considered a masterpiece.
Saturday Night Fever (1977)
Saturday Night Fever produced several of the Bee Gees' biggest hits, including "Stayin' Alive" and "Night Fever".
The Bodyguard (1992)
Whitney Houston's smash cover of Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You" is a massive single that has become a recognisable classic, even for those who haven't seen the film.
Pulp Fiction (1994)
Pulp Fiction's freewheeling and culturally omnivorous musical universe includes Urge Overkill's cover of "Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon" and the Revels' "Comanche", which bring a dash of comic energy to the film.
Purple Rain (1984)
Prince's "Let's Go Crazy" serves as the perfect hyped-up yet uplifting opener to Purple Rain, topping the Hot 100, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, and Hot Dance Club Play charts.
Other Notable Mentions:
- "Chariots of Fire" by Vangelis
- "Jaws" by John Williams
- "Singin' in the Rain"
- "Shaft"
- "Superfly"
- "Romeo + Juliet"
- "The Dark Side of the Moon" by Pink Floyd
- "Straight Outta Compton"
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Why soundtracks are less iconic now
The term “soundtrack” has evolved to refer primarily to instrumental background music in films, TV shows, video games, or other media. Popular songs featured in a film or TV series are usually listed in the credits rather than being considered part of the soundtrack. While soundtracks were once a dominant force in the music industry, with hits from the 1980s like "Top Gun" and "Footloose" becoming synonymous with blockbuster movies, they are less prominent today.
There are several reasons why soundtracks may be less iconic now. Firstly, the nature of film composition has changed. Modern movies often feature more dialogue and complex storylines, leaving less space for grand, sweeping musical themes. Additionally, the digital sound sets used today may not complement lyrical, melodic writing as effectively as the punchy brass and rhythmic strings of the past. The integration of music into acting scenes, pioneered by composer Hans Zimmer, may also contribute to this shift, as the brain tends to distinguish the movie and the music as separate elements.
Another factor is the time constraint faced by film composers. The rush to meet predetermined release dates often results in composers having insufficient time to create truly memorable scores. This issue is exacerbated by potential delays in production or post-production, further compressing the time available for composition.
Despite these challenges, soundtracks with all-original songs can still find success, especially when attached to well-known stars. Additionally, certain genres, such as fantasy, with their large-scale universes and emphasis on sweeping visuals, continue to produce iconic scores, as exemplified by "The Lord of the Rings" and "Star Wars."
While the landscape of soundtracks has undoubtedly changed, their impact can still be felt when the right film, vibe, and idea come together.
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Frequently asked questions
A soundtrack is a recorded audio signal accompanying and synchronised to the images of a book, drama, motion picture, radio program, television program, or video game.
Soundtracks are still a thing, but they are less popular than they were in the 1980s, when they dominated the pop charts.
Scoring refers to the original music that accompanies a film, whereas a soundtrack generally refers to a selection of recorded songs that accompany a film.
Some examples of soundtracks include the albums for Forrest Gump, Wedding Singer, Scream 3, The Crow, Singles, and Empire Records.
