# When Music and Film Complement Each Other **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 5, 2014, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-music-and-film-complement-each-other/690117 "2014-06-05T14:03:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![pnkflyd11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a3d4f5/32.png) [@pnkflyd11](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pnkflyd11)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2014, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-music-and-film-complement-each-other/690117/1 "2014-06-05T14:03:41Z")
I was watching Reservoir Dogs (again), The scene in which Mr. Blonde is about to torture Officer Nash is done with Stealers Wheel’s Stuck In The Middle With You playing. With Mr. Blonde dancing to the song, yet so violent, is classic. The song made a good scene a GREAT scene. Another of my favorites, near the end of Napolean Dynamite, as he walks around, the movie shows and summarizes the characters. The song playing is Patrick Street’s, Music For a Sound Harmonium. Wonderful match. Thoughts on this or other examples or suggestions? ---
**Author:** ![Alma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecd19e/32.png) [@Alma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alma)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2014, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-music-and-film-complement-each-other/690117/2 "2014-06-05T14:41:22Z")
Kubrick’s great at this. At the end of Dr. Strangelove, the nuclear explosion is coupled with [We’ll Meet Again](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gb0mxcpPOU&feature=kp). Clockwork Orange’s rape scene to [Singin’ in the Rain](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnSx7q89y1g). The opening scene of 2001 is accompanied by [Thus Spoke Zarathustra](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XyS7uCtnq0), although you might say the opening scene is accompanying the music. ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2014, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-music-and-film-complement-each-other/690117/3 "2014-06-05T14:45:24Z")
I assume you’d include TV shows too? Les Revenants wouldn’t have worked nearly as well without the soundtrack written for the show (but without much info about what was going to happen) by Mogwai. ---
**Author:** ![Nonsuch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nonsuch/32/2922_2.png) [@Nonsuch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nonsuch)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2014, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-music-and-film-complement-each-other/690117/4 "2014-06-05T15:09:11Z")
**Dazed and Confused** , when Wooderson, Mitch and Pink walk into the Emporium and Dylan’s “Hurricane” is playing. Tons of great music in that film, but that moment is my favorite. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2014, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-music-and-film-complement-each-other/690117/5 "2014-06-05T15:10:39Z")
I hear the Wizard of Oz and Pink Floyd do this really well 😛 ---
**Author:** ![pnkflyd11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a3d4f5/32.png) [@pnkflyd11](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pnkflyd11)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2014, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-music-and-film-complement-each-other/690117/6 "2014-06-05T15:21:34Z")
> [@Alma](#): > > Kubrick’s great at this. At the end of Dr. Strangelove, the nuclear explosion is coupled with [We’ll Meet Again](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gb0mxcpPOU&feature=kp). Clockwork Orange’s rape scene to [Singin’ in the Rain](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnSx7q89y1g). The opening scene of 2001 is accompanied by [Thus Spoke Zarathustra](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XyS7uCtnq0), although you might say the opening scene is accompanying the music. The latter works so well, I have always referred to that piece of music as “2001 A Space Odyssey”. Shame on me! ---
**Author:** ![pnkflyd11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a3d4f5/32.png) [@pnkflyd11](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pnkflyd11)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2014, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-music-and-film-complement-each-other/690117/7 "2014-06-05T15:33:27Z")
> [@Sir\_T-Cups](#): > > I hear the Wizard of Oz and Pink Floyd do this really well 😛 Of course one of my all time favorite albums, and also one of my favorite movies. Still, I have yet to try it. ---
**Author:** ![Alma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecd19e/32.png) [@Alma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alma)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2014, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-music-and-film-complement-each-other/690117/8 "2014-06-05T15:54:48Z")
> [@pnkflyd11](#): > > The latter works so well, I have always referred to that piece of music as “2001 A Space Odyssey”. Shame on me! I think most people do, that’s how I refer to it too. People don’t necessarily know what you’re talking about when you say Thus Spoke Zarathustra, and almost always know the 2001 music (even if they haven’t seen it!). ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2014, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-music-and-film-complement-each-other/690117/9 "2014-06-05T15:57:17Z")
William Tell Overture and the Lone Ranger? ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2014, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-music-and-film-complement-each-other/690117/10 "2014-06-05T16:00:24Z")
> [@Alma](#): > > I think most people do, that’s how I refer to it too. People don’t necessarily know what you’re talking about when you say Thus Spoke Zarathustra, and almost always know the 2001 music (even if they haven’t seen it!). If you play Charades and use “Thus Spoke Zarathustra” (or the German “Also Sprach Zarathustra”) you’re guaranteed to win that round. And then get the snot kicked out of you for being a smart-ass. Voice of experience. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2014, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-music-and-film-complement-each-other/690117/11 "2014-06-05T16:09:37Z")
> [@Alma](#): > > Kubrick’s great at this. At the end of Dr. Strangelove, the nuclear explosion is coupled with [We’ll Meet Again](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gb0mxcpPOU&feature=kp). Clockwork Orange’s rape scene to [Singin’ in the Rain](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnSx7q89y1g). The opening scene of 2001 is accompanied by [Thus Spoke Zarathustra](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XyS7uCtnq0), although you might say the opening scene is accompanying the music. Yes, Kubrick is the Rembrant of this. [Surfin’ Bird](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxgF2cx7gyk) in Full Metal Jacket is another. > [@Sir\_T-Cups](#): > > I hear the Wizard of Oz and Pink Floyd do this really well 😛 I think [Echoes](http://vimeo.com/5255919) paired with the third act of 2001 is a lot closer, it’s downright eerie. ---
**Author:** ![RobDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f07891/32.png) [@RobDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RobDog)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2014, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-music-and-film-complement-each-other/690117/12 "2014-06-05T16:24:55Z")
Apocalypse Now. Ride of the Valkyries. /thread ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2014, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-music-and-film-complement-each-other/690117/13 "2014-06-05T17:11:51Z")
Just about every silent film that was ever made . . . even if the music was added somewhat post-production. ---
**Author:** ![Nonsuch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nonsuch/32/2922_2.png) [@Nonsuch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nonsuch)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2014, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-music-and-film-complement-each-other/690117/14 "2014-06-05T17:17:21Z")
> [@RobDog](#): > > Apocalypse Now. > > Ride of the Valkyries. > > /thread In a similar vein, **Excalibur** and the Carmina Burana. ---
**Author:** ![buddha\_david](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee7513/32.png) [@buddha\_david](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buddha_david)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2014, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-music-and-film-complement-each-other/690117/15 "2014-06-05T17:27:55Z")
Martin Scorsese’s _Goodfellas_ is the Gold Standard for this. Every time I hear the piano coda to “Layla” it makes me think of the montage of bodies Jimmy left in the wake of the Lufthansa heist. Also, the medley of songs on the day of Henry’s final drug bust (which includes “Jump Into the Fire”, “Monkey Man”, “What is Life?” and “The Magic Bus”) perfectly evokes the mania and confusion of his life at that point. _Run Lola Run_ is another example of the movie and the music working perfectly together – which is no surprise, since Tykwer’s filming and editing was done in sync with Klimek & Heil developing the score. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2014, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-music-and-film-complement-each-other/690117/16 "2014-06-05T19:10:13Z")
Some people think the musical choices were heavy-handed, but, dammit, I _liked_ the music used in **Watchmen** “Times they are a-changin’” for the opening credits, illustrating that the sequence of events IS different in the world of the Watchmen “Sound of Silence” for the Comedian’s funeral. I didn’t even mind when Rorschach actually “turns his collar to the Cold and Damp” at that point in the song. “99 Luftballoons” when Silk Spectre and Night Owl go out to eat, especially considering the point of the song “Ride of the Valkyrie” for the Vietnam scenes was practically dictated by its use in _apocalypse Now_ The Philip Glass music, almost identical to the stuff from _Koyaanitqatsi_, world beautifully for the Dr. Manhattan flashback “All along the Watchtower” as they approach Ozymandias’ Antarctic HQ. ---
**Author:** ![lost4life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c4cdca/32.png) [@lost4life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lost4life)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2014, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-music-and-film-complement-each-other/690117/17 "2014-06-05T19:28:07Z")
> [@pnkflyd11](#): > > … The song playing is Patrick Street’s, Music For a Sound Harmonium. Wonderful match. Thoughts on this or other examples or suggestions?.. Nitpick. It’s Music for a Found Harmonium, originally done by Penguin Cafe Orchestra, and yes, it fits the scene wonderfully. How about most of Cat Stevens’ songs in Harold & Maude. ---
**Author:** ![pnkflyd11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a3d4f5/32.png) [@pnkflyd11](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pnkflyd11)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2014, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-music-and-film-complement-each-other/690117/18 "2014-06-06T15:17:05Z")
Thanks, I nearly made 2 mistakes. Just before submitting, I realized I had typed Patrick “Stewart”. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2014, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-music-and-film-complement-each-other/690117/19 "2014-06-06T15:33:22Z")
Some good choices. Mine is far more simplistic: The movie **Layer Cake** is a British crime movie. Directed by Matthew Vaughn who has gone on to big movies, and featuring Daniel Craig in a role that made the case for him to be James Bond. At the very beginning, Craig offers some narrative about being in a life of high-class crime (I think). He makes some point and starts driving a high-end sports car through the windy roads above Monaco and BOOM, \*\*She Sells Sanctuary by the Cult \*\*kicks into full gear as the opening credits start. So freakin’ cool. I tried to find a Youtube link, but none I found work on mobile… ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2014, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-music-and-film-complement-each-other/690117/20 "2014-06-06T16:22:38Z")
I love that song, and that scene, and that car. I can’t find the monologue and the song together, but here’s the beginning of the [monologue](http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=C_0D8F_X7us) and (after a brief jump in the monologue), the [song](http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4thL6DPmA_g).\* ETA: And I second the [_Goodfellas_](http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LGFLLEudiRQ) and _Excalibur_ mentions. - I tried to make the links mobile, the mobile site redirects to the standard site when appropriate now. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-music-and-film-complement-each-other/690117.md?page=2)