Cinema’s Soundtrack  

Clementine Lawless 

Journalist 

Ever since silent films, every film has had some sort of music present. Whether orchestral and classical, electronic, world music, jazz, etc., something would be played in hopes of invoking certain emotions from the audience or creating long-lasting memories. This is my mini analysis on how a director’s choice for music can really make or break their work. 

Music in film can reveal so much by lyrics, note pitches, tempo, harmony, and more as it can actually give the audience a physical and emotional reaction, even in some cases changing their beliefs and attitudes. All these aspects tied with the viewer’s own music taste or genre awareness can influence their experience with the film, potentially allowing them to build a greater and more intimate connection. 

The director usually holds the most authority and responsibility on set when it comes to creative decisions, but while music itself is intentional, it also has the power to guide the story’s narrative in any way likely due to its already personally sporadic and organic nature. 

Putting it simply, music in cinema is a common tool for emotional invocation as well as a structure for the audience to build on as the film progresses. 

A crucial moment in a film’s narrative where the story changes direction or the protagonist’s goal shifts; this is when the audience starts feeling as if their emotions have heightened and swayed for certain characters or parts of the story, as well as shaping and tailoring the overall mood and atmosphere of the film. Suspenseful and unsynchronized music can build tension in horror movies; somber melodies can evoke sadness or concern; pop-sounding and mainstream music can be used to create relatability or excitement—the list goes on. In these ways, music not only guides our emotional response but also helps deepen our engagement with the film’s reality.  

A few movies come to mind when I think about spectacular, and in my humble opinion, perfectly hand-picked song choices. Howard Deutch’s 1986 film, Pretty in Pink, put together a set of musicians like The Psychedelic Furs, New Order, and The Smiths, which solely focused on creating a relatable and nostalgic atmosphere to show a simple yet complex teenage love story. Highlighted by the emergence of New Wave music, signaling the end of the 80s and capturing the rollercoaster of teenage romance—longing, heartbreak, and the excitement of first love. This soundtrack was able to shape a uniquely authentic look into teenage life, using music to mimic the highs and lows of growing up. 

Another honorable mention would be David Lynch’s 1992 film, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me, with its soundtrack composed by Angelo Badalamenti, featuring vocals from Badalamenti, Julee Cruise and Jimmy Scott, as well as music by Thought Gang. All of these musicians worked together to create a truly dark and unsettling atmosphere to follow the story of a young girl forced to juggle a double life and continue to desperately hide her rotten secret. The film highlights its use of blended music elements of smooth jazz to create a sense of danger and anticipation, , and 50s-80s fusion for the clash of past and present as well as innocence and darkness. No matter what element is used, an unsettling quality always follows to underline the many complexities of someone feeling trapped within their own trauma. 

I know for me music has always been a big part of my life, but it wasn’t until later in high school that I grew a deeper appreciation to see just how influential it can be in all types of media.  

So, after reading my analysis of a few of my own favorite movies and the musical elements they chose to focus on, I would encourage you to rewatch some of your favorite films and keep an ear out for particular sounds or songs that you feel a reaction to, and think back on how it may have influenced your opinion on the film previously without you even realizing it. The more willing you are to become aware of different types of music, the more you can broaden your perspective and deepen your connection to storytelling.