John Williams - Superman - Making the score

[@MMZERO9]

"...there’s no more masterful composer than John Williams. Let’s just declare the truth here: there is nobody better than John." - Hans Zimmer

[@DonPedroPete]

It takes genius to spot genius!

[@dacechasinghawk3910]

Amen.

[@foxbodyblues6709]

By far the most popular compost in the world.

[@coolcat6303]

I remember the original Superman movie poster saying at the bottom "You'll believe a man can fly". Well if there was ever a theme that could make you believe that you could fly (or stop an earthquake or save a woman dangling from a crashed helicopter or even reverse time), it was this one. Such a powerful, uplifting & exciting score and it continues to be my all time fav theme to this day.

[@AlanCanon2222]

I left the theater (age 9) bounding up the aisles, believing I could fly.

[@manuelorozco7760]

Alan Canon As a 93 baby, I wish I could have born sooner to be like that.

[@MindMasterDan]

Me too!!!!!!

[@briansky10]

Without John's music I don't think SUPERMAN would of become the success it is. Along with E.T., JAWS, STAR WARS and so many others. He's a master musician. John Williams is the orchestra's best friend. My hero.

[@Anthony-zt1zs]

That score really did kick ass. Movie wouldn't have the same feel without it.

[@christopherterry4216]

This soundtrack was the first album I ever bought. I still consider it to be the greatest film score ever composed. It's positively brilliant, every note.

[@MrYoumitube]

John Williams the Master..Your Superman score will forever in grained into my life...wonderful!!!

[@JosiahFickinger]

Whenever you play the Lego Batman 2 Game, Superman's Theme always comes on when you start flying.

[@theempire00]

❤

[@GetToDaChoppa-k5r]

John Williams gave these movies more heart and soul. I can't imagine watching them without his wonderful and moving scores.

[@tiffsaver]

As a child who grew up with Superman, I expected much from the music of the film... and John Williams, as usual, exceeded my expectations. God bless you, sir.

[@thegood9]

Boy, I think that opening theme certainly took itself seriously. Those credits and music hit you in the face and heart with the power of a million tons of dynamite. Just incredible thematic imagery and composition.

[@Captain-Cosmo]

I was 12 years old when this movie came out And remember seeing it seeing it on the 1st show of opening night. When the opening fanfare played, the audience broke out into applause.

[@squashmallow2006]

1:31 is pretty much the reason why this theme is so awesome. It literally sings the word. The only other theme I know that sings the title/character is the classic TransFormers theme.

[@assignmentearth2899]

If you analyze every version of the Superman theme, starting with the Fleischer cartoons, to the 50's TV show,.....it seems every composer instinctively used a motif that spoke Su-per-Man.

[@kensstudio0806]

@@assignmentearth2899 except Man of Steel idk, the theme of MoS didn't say his name or the title...

[@AlexOjideagu2]

To me the second theme after the lois lane part says Superman even more............der da da der der..........SUPERMAN

[@MythicSuns]

Yeah except with the Transformers theme there's lyrics. Yeah they're vocoded during some parts (a vocoder being a type of voice synthesizer most commonly used to make the vocalist sound robotic) but for the most part nothing is really left up to the instrumentals. With the Superman theme there's a lot more left up to the imagination. Hell, the fact that there's a motif that seems to say "su-per-man" could just be a lucky coincidence; John Williams might not have intended to do that. Now, just to be clear I am saying this as someone who makes music and not as a critic; amazing things can happen by sheer accident when you're making music and it is such a wonderful experience when it does. Of course I could be wrong; John does have enough musical knowledge and creativity to _intentionally_ create a motif that says "su-per-man" but either way I still think he did an incredible job with this theme.

[@MythicSuns]

@@kensstudio0806I guess Hans Zimmer didn't get the memo.

[@kchishol1970]

John Williams, the composer who can take a good movie and create the kind of music that will make it a masterwork of the ages!

[@jaymilo8425]

John Williams is the Goat from superman to Indiana Jones to star wars and Harry Potter the guy is just ridiculous!

[@energybengt]

I find the power that a score adds to film ... that combination of visual and music ... it's so much more than the sum of it's parts. It is to me, miraculous. And seeing how a film comes alive by its music ... it never fails to take my breath away and give me shivers. What beautiful things we can create, eh?

[@Autostade67]

It's fascinating that Williams approached the score with a sense of fun & camp when what he ultimately wrote is a score that is quite noble and Romantic. I find his score actually elevates the themes & characters - especially Superman (as so cannily interpreted by Reeve who, despite the adulation, never truly receives the due for what he created) to something Classical. Sure, its all lighthearted on the surface, but the richness of the music adds up to something quite emotional and affecting.

[@AnthonyChildress]

Everything I ever hoped to hear in my childhood fantasies about Superman was perfectly realized in this magnificent score. Thank you, John Williams!!

[@roadkill_666]

Amazing score. Still listen to in my daily life to get through it. RIP Donner.

[@ChubbyDank]

Christopher Reeve + John Williams = Magic

[@JAYP.616]

John Williams, orchestral, melodic genius who's work will never be forgotten, ever! Hans Zimmer, master of painting the picture in music color giving it texture. Both are geniuses in their own right. However, the Man of Steel score can't be compared to John Williams unforgettable score. Simply because it's too engrained into the idea of Superman. Just hearing the first two measures, the dotted quarter eighth triplet to dotted half note hits from the trumpet, bah bahbahbah baaaaah, you instantly are filled with excitement. And, I don't think it's fair to compare the two. While the John Williams score is timeless and classic, the Zimmer Man of Steel score is Action, suspense drama power and written for a totally different picture, time and textured film. He unfolds the idea and emotion of each moment of the film. It tells the story. Zimmer is genius in his own, as well as Williams is in his own right. Both are my favorites.

[@xIegionx]

in short Zimmer couldn't touch John Williams

[@tjp1451]

xIegionx Not even with a 10 foot baton.

[@xIegionx]

ChooseReason We need to immortalize John, cause the world is going to seriously suck without his music

[@tjp1451]

xIegionx You make it sound like he's dead lol.

[@xIegionx]

ChooseReason No, but he's getting up there in age

[@RyugaChan]

It's an absolute masterpiece and this man is just not from this world. He created an anthem for hope, to remind us that there's still good in people, that no evil shall win if we have faith. Too bad that people with superpowers don't exist, but if they did, how hard it would be to have the mindset and the heart to do good and only use them when it's necessary. Just think about how evil ppl with political power or money can be and how far they can go. I can only hope that if it ever happens, it happens to the most good hearted and humble ppl on earth.

[@ElectoneGuy]

John Williams could re-write "chopsticks" and make it into a symphony. His genius is beyond words. I can't even think of one modern movie where I came out of the theater and remembered any of the music.

[@stephens9381]

I just cant understand how one man can be responsible for so much iconic music. So many movies would feel so very different if John Williams chose a different career path.

[@charleyzacharia9878]

It’s hard to top this off, the magic of this movie from the directing , the actor who played Superman and the composer of the score , it was magical and powerful impact , it has the heart

[@TheMightyCookieShow]

This music that that man made for this character could not ever be topped. This theme has been used for a few different versions of the character and it works every single time.

[@boybblue]

John Williams is a giant!!

[@JusticeRyan-n6d]

JOHN WILLIAMS is the greatest composer of all time. No one even comes close.😊❤🎉👍

[@kumar3108]

I grew up listening to John William's music. I still love all his compositions.

[@BrandonKohout]

John Williams has outdone himself throughout his career.

[@alexw.132]

John Towner Williams will always be the Christopher Reeve of Superman music! Let that sink in! Talk about two men that made a perfect pair!

[@jk-vo3hn]

An artist who is one of a kind.

[@therealKINDLE]

I was laughing my ARSE off to this all the way through! Listen to them all playin' it cool! They know it's one of the best most iconic theme in cinematic history! LIKE A BOSS!

[@tammie1078]

Superman music is my favorite hero to listen to for a theme, there are others, but Superman and Supergirl are my favorite. John knows how to take song and give it flight himself, it's powerful, it's uplifting, makes you feel like you can touch the sky.

[@manofsan]

the John Williams score really stands out from the crowd Hans Zimmer is nice, but there's no way it stands out like JW's

[@oscarjimenezgarrido7591]

Zimmer's theme is nice? It might be if there was an actual theme in there. Fact is, Hans Zimmer was abducted by aliens circa the the late 90s and early 2000s and replaced by a replicant - which is why the score for Pirates of the Caribbean from that time was nothing but a collage entirely comprised of rearranged musical phrases directly lifted mainly from Gladiator, but also from The Rock and Prince of Egypt - and the only actual composition from the true Zimmer we've gotten since then was probably Sherlock Holmes' main theme, which I suspect he was forced to work in by the same aliens that hold him prisoner in order to pass it as the replicant's in order to deflect the many suspicions that undoubtedly were piling up by then amongst melomaniacs from all around the world. We will know for sure whether he's ever rescued or returned back whenever he stops churning out those heaps of aural nothingness, entirely made out of bits and pieces taken from licensed sample libraries and completely devoid of anything vaguely resembling something worthy of the noun 'melody'.

[@assignmentearth2899]

I always love hearing Maurice Murphy hit that first g so sharp. D, D, G,....hits it so hard and powerfully it goes a bit sharp. It's extremely exciting to me the way it came out. The way they let it come out. They didn't redo it. It's a big exciting, muscular score and they let their players play it big, exciting and use a lot of muscle. Takes a lot of muscle to do that part and Murphy and London Symphony surely had it. Bravo to him and Williams! Every time a hear another pops group do it, Boston, Cleveland,...whoever,....good groups mind you,....but it takes me out of the moment when they try to do it so perfect and without the passion and energy this version had. Go for it men.

[@Hairysteed]

The greatest composer in the planet of Houston!

[@skywarp1]

Lol!!

[@skywarp1]

I see what you did there

[@jslasher1]

Certainly JTW's masterpiece, in my opinion. The score elevates the film, makes it come alive. Should have won the Oscar®,

[@brendandaly2493]

Wonder who beat it too the Oscar, what a travesty

[@scottstrang1583]

That “can you read my mind” is incredibly beautiful.

[@applepitz]

*to me... this is THE greatest movie theme I ever heard... bravo Mr. Williams... bravo*

[@الموسيقىالتصويرية-د7ش]

Absolutely. This theme is the greatest one ever.

[@Inatsikap]

John's score should have stayed across all Superman movies! I remember watching this as a 17 year old in the Big west end screen and the Music just blew me away when the credits started and the big S appeared!

[@yuljohnson6838]

John williams's Superman score is blazing 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥! So many great tracks from this score its almost impossible to name them all. Some of the most notable tracks from the score are "The planet Krypton " and "Sonic greeting " cues!! The whole score is a masterpiece that only John could've pulled off!!!

[@matthewakian2]

One of the best scores of all time.

[@guidosanchez5695]

Superb score. One of Williams' very best.

[@lexo30]

The Superman theme is so great that it's better than the film. I remember going to see it aged about 6, and I still remember the uncontrollable excitement of hearing that music over those titles. I saw Star Wars, when? The previous year? And I don't remember that at all.

[@Realmasterorder]

A Genious composer and probably the most Epic score of all time

[@anthonysaponaro6318]

I truly don;t know what kind of a movie we would have had , had it not been for John Williams playing his Huge huge role !

[@fleone372]

John Williams is the loving keeper of mankind music heritage

[@fabiocaetanofigueiredo1353]

To me it is the gold standard when it comes to movie scoring - against which all others should be measured

[@MarkPhillipsPadilla]

He's a master storyteller through his music.

[@lloydcountess2744]

The build up of the music,when I first went to see it in the seventies, really got to me.Yes, as an arranger myself,I noticed the slightly sharp trumpets on the main theme, but if you look back in music recorded history, there is a litany (though maybe not at first noticed,) of squeaks and pops and out of tune instruments. Carl Perkins club at the beginning of his blue suede shoes track,h kept because the rest was so good, the sharp trumpets in the middle of My Girl,etc It makes it human. Williams scores of Superman, Star Wars, and Indiana Jones have a signature lick also, usually a half not followed by a eight note hit( listen to the fifth bar if the main theme.) Also compare the slightly similar theme of the George Reeves tv theme, from which I think may have inspired Williams also.

[@hardlines4]

John Williams is a music genius!

[@rquader]

What a masterpiece

[@ChasDavis77]

@WarnerBrosPictures listen to this, Superman is not meant to be rooted in seriousness, He is a symbol for Truth and Justice and this is his theme.

[@kchishol1970]

Yes, to revive Superman, the very first thing that needs to be done is put back at the John Williams compositions. Sure, write new music for appropriate scenes, but for the main theme, or when Superman's full heroic majesty is called for, John Williams' themes are the only way to go.

[@daitran9068]

He wrote great great pieces but Superman stands by itself on top.

[@Rob_Shoot]

John Williams= ICON

[@Godzillamovie1]

There's only one God of all superheroes and his name is Superman!

[@sequoiawachtler5732]

YASSS

[@Realmasterorder]

Amazing Score just awesome !

[@obiwitchkenobixch]

The theme "saying" Superman is nothing new. Most Superman themes do this. Williams' is easily the most memorable though.

[@kensstudio0806]

Except Man of steel

[@leonardmosca6852]

That's why John Williams is an extraordinary musicianist it's not just this movie but all 7 Star Wars movies among other movies he's done the man is a genius when it comes to music

[@manuelorozco7760]

Don’t forget ET, Indiana Jones, Jaws, Harry Potter 1 and 2

[@billy1673]

There hasn’t been a single day since I first saw this movie in December of 1978 that I haven’t whistled or hummed this theme. Fact.

[@lennymosca7077]

Agreed absolute genius when it comes to music I wish I had that kind of town I'm just an idiot the saddest stories of the truest😪

[@axhegrat5109]

Are you kidding me? That theme was the greatest movie theme every written.

[@manuelorozco7760]

I was just watching the movie last night! The Superman March is one of the most beautiful themes John Williams ever composed. Ths first pop culture reference of I i have seen was Quest for Camelot. The scene where Devin and Cornwall are flying to save Aidan the Falcon from the Griffin!

[@tats_sacs]

I mean before the opening credits, we get to hear krypton which is another masterpiece. True genius.

[@RyderSpearmann]

Williams, true super hero.

[@RoodeMenon]

This seems to say that John Williams worked best when visuals were not perfect and that he had to be creative to lift them to an emotional connection. It makes a lot of sense because his recent work seems uninspired thanks to the evolved art of editing and visual effects. These days it is rare to find musical themes for movies that are catchy and stays in memory.

[@richardmccormick859]

Brilliant composer

[@jp3813]

Yet many DC fans nowadays tend to resent this lighthearted tone.

[@DirectorWestfield]

jp3813 I tend to notice that those who enjoyed Man Of Steel aren’t Superman fans at all. I once heard in rant about MOS from someone who’s name escapes me that it’s a film for Superman haters and I couldn’t agree more.

[@RobertK1993]

Iconic score

[@RaymondHarrisSamat]

The Music Speaks The Word !!!

[@cinemadeoutrora3308]

My God! This score is perfect!

[@Luke-cz9tm]

1:27 Does anyone know what the word is when music speaks the word? "Su-per-man!" Music semiotics wise? Edit: Found it. Called "Transcansion".

[@jeansecond]

i feel dumb because i cant hear it :(

[@dynaguy3]

I wouldn’t describe the theme as campy but rather epically heroic

[@bricago2302]

Thank you for posting this.

[@MarCuseus]

To hear this live, in person - wow

[@grantmalone]

Interesting what Williams says when Donner's whole mantra was that Superman needed to take itself seriously. He had the script rewritten to stop it being camp, knowing and theatrical. I've always thought that Williams music mostly echoes that. More Fanfare for the Common Man than vaudeville.

[@Autostade67]

More than any other theme which seems inseparable from its subject - even "Jaws" -"Superman" (along with "The Magnificent 7") seems 2B the most unassailable - it's so perfectly suited that like many great compositions, it seems to have always existed but merely been sleeping in our subconscious until a composer gives it voice. The first time we all heard it, a voice within probably said, not, "That seems so right", but "Ah, there it is, as I have always known it but forgot for just a moment."

[@Ben-wk4je]

In my opinion, great films are only great and memorable because of their great soundtracks and scores. Fair enough, the plot, acting and directing etc, all have their parts as well, but really, all great films have wonderful soundtracks, either by score or songs. Films like Forrest Gump, Back to the Future, Superman, Titanic, Star Wars, all great films, yet they wouldn't be half as great, or at least wouldn't be nearly as memorable without their scores. The two go hand in hand really.

[@robertjackson6056]

Out of all the superhero movie themes over the years I think John Williams Superman theme is still #1 with Danny Elfman’s 1989 Batman theme at #2 and Alan Silvestri’s Avenger Endgame Main on End at #3

[@brutthirtythree6706]

0:36 "No John No!" cries director Richard Donner! who spent his entire commentary track talking about how he tried to inject a sense of realism and seriousness into the film, posting "Verisimilitude!" on the wall of his office, rejecting everything campy, so that "you will believe a man can fly." Boy, did Williams contradict him! Still, he's a genius so all is forgiven. Amazed this comment made the DVD to be honest. Stay tuned for ANOTHER release where the Salkinds give Donner final cut on the special features! lol

[@tDarKnight]

I have to disagree - the idea that realism and seriousness is the same as joyless and not fun is the mistaken thinking that gives us Zack Snyder's crap. The other direction is of course the Superman films without Donner and Mankiewicz and the Schumacher Batman films. A great director knows how to strike the natural balance between emotional gravitas and true levity - *that* is the "real" meaning of verisimilitude and I don't think that one could seriously argue that Donner didn't do precisely that.

[@chewie211171]

The narrator comment is right: the music (namely the Superman 'march') add soul to the theme. It's such a pity that they didn't add it to Man of Steel.

[@MrEdwardsan]

John Willimas is a Genious!

[@davefox1857]

JOHN WILLIAMS IS HUMAN GOD!!!!!!!

[@gevans6988]

Such an iconic score. I think Pirates of the carribean is something that comes close to the perfect score.

[@AlanCanon2222]

I used to test my theater's sound system with the theme, and people working in the theater would leap into the air as they crossed the house or the stage. No one ever minded it.

[@kingkrypton2253]

Brilliant.

[@Dreama40]

If you look up the word genius in the dictionary you will see a photo of John Williams.

[@TheRubberStudiosASMR]

Williams really made some hits

[@jws1272]

As great of a movie composer that John Towner Williams is, I simply refer to him by one word: Among all the movie composers, he is "GOD".

[@94hawaiijedi]

I wish he had shown up at the AFI Tribute to John Williams.

[@micpar2]

I'm with you, sure Lex was a bit too campy & so was the Otis character. but I agree Reeve was Superman! Strong, confident, but kind hearted & had a sense of humor too. Everything these days is so damn dark, bleak, violent & depressing. Even the new costume looked like Spider-Man left overs!

[@LeeKeels]

You can hear "Superman", immediately followed by "The Man of Steel". I've always heard it that way.

[@dougn2350]

John Williams "the music should not take itself seriously" With this Superman theme? Who does he think he's fooling?

[@jessemoog5310]

What do you mean?

[@virgildantefrazier1]

Wow....a single dislike..... Mr Luthor I presume!!!🤣🤣🤣

[@chronoplex89]

Or ZOD!!!

[@skywarp1]

@@chronoplex89 Or Otis

[@BRGriffin]

"This composer"? That's John Williams to you, Mr.!

[@leftcoaster67]

I WILL FIND HIM AND MAKE HIM KNEEL BEFORE JOHN!!!!!!

[@martykeaton182]

They have the making of this up now.

[@GVZGQosqoruna]

SUPERMASTER!

[@027220]

I'm glad there's not '1' dislike.

[@micpar2]

ZZZOODD!!! Shake!!! CCRRUUNCCHH!!! Don't tug on Superman's cape or piss him off!

[@camwent1]

Just think, this is the guy that Steven Spielberg and George Lucas trust to score all of their movies. He's the only one they call on. This one is my favorite theme. It'll be interesting to see what Hans Zimmer's take will be when "Man Of Steel' comes out June 14.