# Music used a lot in movies **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 10, 2006, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/music-used-a-lot-in-movies/368167 "2006-08-10T16:02:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Kizarvexius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/da6949/32.png) [@Kizarvexius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kizarvexius)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2006, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/music-used-a-lot-in-movies/368167/21 "2006-08-11T16:49:02Z")
[QUOTE=Earl Snake-Hips Tucker] That haunted house “tiptoe” music, whatever it’s called. [/QUOTE] \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_[sup]dum [/sup]duuuuuuum [sub]dum[/sub] dum [sup]dum[/sup] My beginning trumpet book in sixth grade called that _Spookville_. Can’t find any confirmation of that, though. ---
**Author:** ![Improvisor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/50afbb/32.png) [@Improvisor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Improvisor)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2006, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/music-used-a-lot-in-movies/368167/22 "2006-08-11T19:27:22Z")
There is a piece of music that was featured prominently in the movie [True Romance](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108399/maindetails) that I hear alot in other movies and commercials… and I’ve always wondered what it was. It is a light-hearted, tropical-ish marimba piece. Anyone know the name? Also, as to the original OP… the Hawaiian ukelele cover of “Over the Rainbow”/“Wonderful World” by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole. ---
**Author:** ![brianjedi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@brianjedi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brianjedi)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2006, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/music-used-a-lot-in-movies/368167/23 "2006-08-11T19:28:39Z")
[QUOTE=Improvisor] Also, as to the original OP… the Hawaiian ukelele cover of “Over the Rainbow”/“Wonderful World” by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole. [/QUOTE] Otherwise known as the “dying of a terminal disease” music. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2006, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/music-used-a-lot-in-movies/368167/24 "2006-08-11T20:17:54Z")
The instrumental intro to _What’s This?_ from Nightmare Before Christmas is used in lots of trailers, but not in the actual films. And the industrial music is actually the 2nd movement of _Powerhouse_ by Raymond Scott. The first movement is quite different, but also familiar to any WB cartoon watcher. ---
**Author:** ![Kizarvexius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/da6949/32.png) [@Kizarvexius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kizarvexius)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2006, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/music-used-a-lot-in-movies/368167/25 "2006-08-11T21:15:13Z")
There are a couple of movies whose main themes have been used in a great many film trailers, and all are by the same composer, Randy Edelman. - _Dragonheart_ - _The Last of the Mohicans_ - _Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story_ For establishment shots, we also have: - The Mexican Hat Dance, to show that you’re south of the border. - The whistle and harmonica theme (I think it’s from _The Good, the Bad, & the Ugly_) for any one-to-one showdown or to set the mood in a ghost town. - _Mr. Sandman_, by the Chordettes, for the “we’re back in the 50s” cue. Syrupy romance: - Tchaikovsky’s _Theme from Romeo & Juliet_ Victory: - Tchaikovsky’s _1812 Overture_ - _We Are the Champions_ by Queen - Beethoven’s _Symphony No 9_ ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2006, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/music-used-a-lot-in-movies/368167/26 "2006-08-13T15:33:28Z")
The whiny violin, tear-inspiring “Hearts and Flowers,” usually played when some little old lady is about to be thrown out into the cold. “The Girl I left Behind,” when the subject is the American Revolution. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2006, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/music-used-a-lot-in-movies/368167/27 "2006-08-15T13:46:14Z")
[QUOTE=CalMeacham] They usually use **Rule Brittania** for England and **Le Marseilleaise** (sp?) for France. Although outdoor bistro scenes get accordian music of some kind. [/QUOTE] I think I’ve nailed the cafe music – “Reine de Musette” composed by Jean Peyronnin. I haven’t yet found a sample that can be linked. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2006, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/music-used-a-lot-in-movies/368167/28 "2006-08-22T19:59:26Z")
I think I found another one – College football games are set to the tune of the “[Washington and Lee Swing](http://alumni.wlu.edu/web/page/normal/484.html).” ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2006, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/music-used-a-lot-in-movies/368167/29 "2006-08-22T20:22:25Z")
Rob Dougan’s “Clubbed to Death” was first popularized in “the Matrix” and has since showed up in several trailers. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/music-used-a-lot-in-movies/368167.md?page=1)