The Music of Batman - Danny Elfman

Interview to Danny Elfman about his original soundtrack of Batman movie.

[@marcelofaviodesigner]

"It´s like a level of intensity I never could comprehend in my life." - Danny Elfman (totally agree!)

[@AlexxUnstable]

Oingo Boingo was before my time, but when my father introduced me to it, I LOVED IT!!! Then I found out that Danny Elfman did all of the music for Tim Burton's movies and I was astounded that he had such a wide variety of style!

[@JakeSandersonMusic]

Absolute genius this man is.

[@MelancoliaI]

Seven years later and nothing else to add. Genius.

[@Johny40Se7en]

The first two batman films are my favourites from these two great people, Just how well the dark look of Tim Burton mixes with the dark sound / feel of Danny Elfman is just amazing. I hope they keep making films together.

[@TANKTREAD]

I agree 100%! Love Elfman's scores to both "Batman" and "Batman Returns".

[@Jerry4050]

If it wasnt for this movie score I would of loved it even more, hell I play Danny Elfman score while playing Batman Arkham city which gives it more the 1989 batman vibe that I love

[@jmm1233]

john williams level achieved Batman

[@SirAwesumness]

this guy, Martin O' Donnell (Halo soundtrack) , Howard Shore (Lord of the Rings sndtrk) , John Williams (Star Wars sndtrk) , Hans Zimmerman (Inception Score, Pirates of the Carribean, The Pacific, Modern Warfare 2) , Michael Giannacio (Star Trek) should team up to make the awesomest soundtrack of all time

[@unscripted3209]

Well it wouldn't get much better than Elfman's Spiderman Theme

[@FilmScoreLynx]

Soooo much was right about this film & the soundtrack just makes it a homerun BRILLIANT !!

[@beatlecost]

I mean, what can you say about the music in this film? The Batman theme, the scene with Descent into Mystery, the finale? He caught the essence of Batman and transformed it into notes. Same goes for the second one and for the inspiration to the Animated Series.

[@Emilywolf96]

Danny is my favorite composer of all time!!!! His music can be really dark OR really happy. I love his music.

[@josematiasdavilasegovia2708]

Danny elfman made unforgettable music

[@MADKapo10]

For me, Danny Elfman = Spider-man

[@captain_black32]

I studied this movie and the music for my University project and got a 2:1. The score is amazing :)

[@prrrrecious]

Batman theme is awesome.

[@danpatterson7108]

Absolutely incredible

[@ComradeQ]

His themes for Spiderman and Darkman are also incredible. Even though they share that unique Elfman style, they remain unique to their respective films.

[@ZekeTheDCCat]

Danny Elfman is the hidden secret in the music world! His music is amazing and so emotional! I have a Pandora radio station dedicated to him. I just found out the other day that he did the singing voice for Jack Skeleton for Nightmare Before Christmas...man he has talent!

[@sartbimpson4519]

Best Batman Themes ever

[@MelancoliaI]

Music is better because this man exists.

[@JenniferM13]

Elfman is awesome... SImple as that.

[@chrysio7]

best soundtrack ever.

[@DannyWrigley]

You can really see how he's progressed listening to this versus his later stuff

[@kamdan2011]

He fell off the rails when everyone found out how much he took from Bernard Herrmann.

[@Batman1989King]

2:45 Batman Shot First!!!!!!!!!

[@daniellovesgabeebingspider7589]

the true batman theme song hans zimmer fit superman more than he did batman

[@alexanderdelacruz9249]

I agree.

[@col.nathanr.jessup5700]

The score is 50% of the movies success, bravo Danny.

[@FunkFungus]

He is my idol

[@neoone5942]

Well, listen to the Waltz of flowers by Tchaikovsky and You will hear clearly the 5 tunes hook (almost) and lots of inspirations for Elfmann. Plus, remember the waltz at Almost the end of the film. The soundtrack, by the way, is fantastic.

[@fmilktoast]

what a fucking genius

[@MrMusicman488]

Film Scoring, my dream job!!

[@TheBreadman904]

it unfortunate that this was the only movie he won best score for

[@kamdan2011]

It's a goddamn crime this wasn't even nominated for Best Score.

[@jalenjohnson1662]

That's one of the worst snubs in Academy Award history.

[@buddbasset]

oingo boingo. this man is the best. danny elfman >:D

[@southoreast]

Oh God. Elfman really captured the essence of this score. I don't even think John Williams could've did a better job. I believe that when it comes to movie scores, fate determines which composer ets the job. Specific movies are meant for specific composers. That's my theory.

[@narutojoestar]

creativity needs time. if only they knew that for jl

[@P.Cherrie]

@HentaiMan18 He actually only did the singing voice, but yeah ur basically right.

[@MortalBane]

Actually the original movie was written by Klaus Badelt, Zimmer just produced it.

[@elizabeth112k7]

Batman & Batman Returns, are the BEST in the series!!!! If Burtons not directing, its just a bit off the OG!!!

[@mrwest15]

@HentaiMan18 Actually he was the sinning voice not the actor, but I'm sure he would have been great as both.

[@TheManWithThePsychoGun]

Is this interview in the DVD?

[@alvarostockle]

John Williams = Star Wars

[@alvarostockle]

Watch the Chris Nolan trilogy and figure it :/ I was almost crying for the music in the three... Jet the movies are great!

[@tdreff]

@bhead88 What a great thought!

[@Keira13]

@Christknight1990 two words: Mark Hamill

[@ehcmier]

@HentaiMan18 He performed Jack's singing voice.

[@reka0822]

Hans Zimmer = Pirate of the Caribbean

[@Demaker222]

@SlapaTV Jupp hur visste du? //D2//

[@ElVlogdeBob]

And yet he didnt win an oscar..just proves how useless the oscars they are.

[@Skull10]

@webeffect Film music doesn't get any more simplistic and formulaic than Hans Zimmer, and that hack has won at least one Academy Award, I believe. Elfman has never won an AA because the Academy has poor taste.

[@balrog13571]

@legorocks3 Yep.

[@markoos88]

What makes Batman a cultural phenomenon? Uh...he's batman!

[@Demaker222]

you must be happy now hole my school in sweden watch this :D Homeworks D: //D2//

[@flakelorenz02]

@johnnnyboyz100 Yeah, jaws Indiana joens star was harry potter ET... the list goes on and on the guys a genuis... But I still prefer Elfman.

[@corza008]

Danny Elfmans batman score became a phenomenon, and im telling ya now it is waaay more popular then The recent batman score. I mean, yeah different directions for the particular new dark knight films. But out of Christopher Nolan's batman films, the score was only the shit thing about it, and fucking boring! Danny Elfmans composing will always be the REAL batman soundtrack. Wether the new generation batman fans like it or hate it, too bad!

[@FreakyBarberStuff]

@DaSupermanOf1990 Way to belittle and label their workings. They're much much more than those films.

[@IGotta3SecondMemory]

i'm listening to farty pants

[@mestnaomi]

tack kunskap tack

[@bulletproofKevlar]

@HentaiMan18 oingo boingo ftw

[@BROKENHOUSEFILMS]

jack Nicholson is the best joker

[@Zabu7buster]

His music for Batman, is so iconic, what I always remember as Batman theme, by the way also in spiderman trilogy, I knew it was him, something in common with the style

[@chibiprussia5574]

Danny Elfman, you're a genius

[@richardgrosskopf1681]

You're right Prussian kid

[@AaronLauper]

We are so lucky for having him scoring the movies of our era. He will be still very appreciated in the future, when he's gone. As a gifted composer. We will be the ones who would say "I was there, at the moment Batman came out, I remember the impact of the music, I was there when he "Wanted" came out, and I heard his song in the soundtrack, so groovy!!. Movies wouldn't be the same without his amazing music. Danny Elfman, you are pure talent.

[@hawksfan8870]

The Joker’s waltz in Batman 1989 is just a masterpiece of its own and really sets the tone of the Joker’s fun chaos.

[@DiedrichKnickerbocker1783]

Hero themes should always have some sort of march going on. Superman (1978), Batman (1989), Captain America (2011) and Wonder Woman (2017) are my favorite theme songs.

[@TickNation]

Wow amazing.. at the end Batman standing at the end of the building cape whipping in the wind Danny Elfmans theme blarring.... Now THAT IS BATMAN! Thank you so much Michael Keaton,Danny Elfman and Tim Burton for 3 Amazing Batman films :,)

[@gtorresval]

There were only 2 movies: Batman y Batman Returns

[@MigT87]

His batman theme gives me goosebumps. I dont listen. I FEEL IT.

[@MarciCow]

The "Batman Returns" soundtrack is arguably the zenith of Gothic instrumental.

[@RobMiddleton72]

Danny Elfman has produced some amazing movie scores... Legend

[@EchoBoomer1987]

"i don't understand what makes Batman popular." He's the God damned Batman thats why!

[@wadejesen7963]

Elfman’s Batman soundtrack is so iconic and unforgettable, that it’s no wonder the LEGO Batman trilogy used the same soundtrack!

[@rocknrolllives]

the part where the guy tries to jump on batman and falls through the floor will always be my favorite part coz baman is so oblivious to him being there

[@PTSmash]

The first time I heard Elfman's Batman theme I felt shivers run through my spine. Now several years later, I have listened to the soundtrack and watched the movie several times over and I still love it just as much. The man's a genius.

[@redram5150]

It's the perfect theme music. This is why everyone uses it as the leitmotif for Batman in every movie since

[@mattwardpictures]

By the time I was through watching Dark Knight, I thought "Burton, Keaton, Nicholson, you are so sacked." But Danny Elfman's first score is an immortal work. He and Bartek have, in that one album, reached and surpassed the technical virtuosity of even John Williams. It's fantastically orchestrated, performed and recorded.

[@hyper_bastard]

I actually thought that his score for Spider-Man was amazing.

[@colourfulwithaU]

"What makes them a cultural phenomenon, I haven't a clue." Maybe it's the awesome music, Danny.

[@Joe_Kerr_9797]

Elfman Batman theme>Zimmer Batman theme

[@VFXCommander]

Totally!

[@TANKTREAD]

Yes, Zimmer and Newton Howard did a great job, but Elfman's theme is just perfect.

[@MrHEC381991]

...and zimmer goes: DUNNNNNNNNNNNNBOOMDUNDUNDUNDUUUNNDUNBOOMBOOMMMDUNDUUUDUNDUNDUUUDUNDUN *yawn*

[@SRMakedonija]

no comment... perfect composer in a perfect crew... perfect movie!

[@GalazRoberto]

movies this days don't pay to much attention to music, they should know thats whats captures and gives the essence to the movie, no just only good actors, they need to come back this kind of theatrical themes, i can't even remember a single theme song from any super hero, not even batman, superman, etc...

[@chrisjensen9634]

imagine if danny elfman never did the batman movie, he would have never done the masterpiece spiderman

[@TheThievingBeggars]

Thank you so much for uploading this! I'd read something about it before but hadn't been able to find it! It's even got Steve Bartek being interviewed, this truly is a gem! What a score!

[@User56538]

I wonder if he still loves little girls??

[@swilkins1984]

Elfman, Williams, and Horner. That is all.

[@JasonRossChannel]

you for got Jerry Goldsmith

[@TANKTREAD]

Jason Ross Hell yeah, you can't forget Goldsmith. Also, John Barry and Basil Poledouris.

[@swilkins1984]

TANKTREAD I know. I love all those guys music, but the three I listed were are my favorites. Many people don't like Zimmer for his use of electronic instrumentation and repetitiveness, but I like him, too.

[@TANKTREAD]

swilkins1984 Yes, Zimmer is great too! I remember one of my first scores I got from him which was "Point of No Return". His scores for the Nolan Batman movies was very good. I just think Elfman was spot on.

[@kobipbip1448]

james newton howard. listen to "dying young" soundtrack, then listen to "snow falling on cedars", then listen to "maleficent". the guy is a genius.

[@giorbatz]

Danny Elfman nailed it

[@narutofan9tf]

If Hans Zimmer, James Newton Howard and Danny Elfman were to conjoin and become a mutated thing, that would just be awesome!

[@rollogic2988]

Elfman's music was so fitting and worked perfectly. The only thing about the movie that seemed out of place was Prince's music.

[@MagnumStellarz]

oh god if i was aware he was within a mile radius of me im pretty sure i would explode

[@WolfySnackrib666]

@DaSupermanOf1990 Hans Zimmer Inception? Are you fucking kidding me? He is more like GLADIATOR!

[@brownrevolution]

What's this? What's this? There's color everywhere What's this? There's white things in the air What's this? I can't believe my eyes I must be dreaming Wake up, jack, this isn't fair What's this? ----> ( I can so hear him singing as Danny speaks)

[@navylaks2]

There are to many melodies in Spider-man i like the intro part and the midle part, very good stuff, but the rest not so good. The Terminator Salvation especially the intro is way more simple so it works

[@MiguelRomooficial]

@DaSupermanOf1990 im so fucking agree...one miss....DANNY ELFMAN SPIDERMAN!!!!

[@hyper_bastard]

What do u mean by confusing? And his Terminator was okay, definently not his best, it wasn't as memorable as his score to Batman or Spider-Man imo

[@navylaks2]

there were some parts witch were good, but it realy is very confusing, i was surpriced that his take on Terminator Salvation was pretty okay.

[@DrCash7]

To my true OG Batman fans, The Joker's Waltz by Danny Elfman: 3:49 Then think back to Batman TAS and the joker's theme there. Danny Elfman music to influence not only Batman but Mark Hamill's joke.

[@twentydashone]

do you think danny elfman hears it in his head and then sits down and thinks about what instruments and notes work best??

[@luposcorro95]

he ripped off the joker's waltz from Tchaikovsky..

[@allaboutdmagic]

So Danny Elfman was influenced by Miller's Dark Knight in his thinking about the first film? That's pretty intriguing.

[@carlcurran4740]

Its the last scene when the camera is raising up through the buildings, to a finale with batman staring up at the bat signal.. the music burning the image into your mind. Amazing

[@womblewandering]

The truth is, batman came in and scared the crap out of elfman. Thats how he composed the music ;)

[@womblewandering]

@DaSupermanOf1990 Brad fiedel should have been called back for t3 and t4. Hes the genius :(

[@SherlockHoles2012]

Don't forget it was Shirley Walker who conducted the score. You can tell cause it sounds similar to the animated series.