Why Is This Music So Memorable? How to Train Your Dragon

What makes John Powell's soundtracks to the 'How to Train Your Dragon' series so memorable? This video looks at several reasons why the music might stick out, and find a place in our memory.
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Script by Rei Chin
Narrated by Oscar Osicki
0:00 - Introduction
0:51 - Unique Sound Palettes
3:35 - Repetition
5:30 - Pentatonicism

[@erwickdsouza]

HTTYD was one of the scores that got me into film music. I’m a graduate student of film music now!

[@reaganharder1480]

It's gotten me really really tempted to pursue film music. And also aerobatics, but that's a little less related to this video... I'm a musician already, but so far more of singer-songwriter/rock guitarist.

[@carmadme]

Good luck

[@victoriairias7703]

Amazing !!! Me too, if i persue music i want to study that too! A always loved the idea of being a conducture too, i play the piano, bit have been surounded with many instruments and quality music wich i am so greatfull, my sisters play string instruments too so that helps my ear .

[@technobladeneverdies8570]

Congrats on your graduation dude!

[@danielwhyatt3278]

Congratulations on graduating in film music. Good luck in your future career. Hope you can make it.

[@AudrieGreywind]

It brings me so much joy that society is in agreeance that the How To Train Your Dragon franchise has one of the best scores in filmic history.

[@sirspeedy9006]

Oh hey it's the girl who gets angry and dumb TV shows

[@rangerstedfast]

Whoa, good to see you here! Subscribed a while ago when I saw your excellent work on one of my favorite films of all time

[@jgesselberty]

The music for the meeting of Hiccup and Toothless is pure magic.

[@darthjarjar757]

We can’t agree on war but we can on this

[@masteryoda4583]

One of? I think you mean THE best.

[@leonieh5985]

I remember watching the first movie in the theatre when I was little and from all the movies I've watched as a child since then, HTTYD's score is still the one that stuck most. I wasn't even that interested in film scoring back then but it was just impossible for me to not fall in love with this score.

[@unliving_ball_of_gas]

Where are the replies?

[@starlightskywolf]

How to train your dragon is one of my favorite movies of all time

[@aminemarzouk6868]

@@starlightskywolf I watched it for the first time when I was 10 years old, now , I'm 17 and yesterday, I watched the last movie, it's just perfect, ending, music, story

[@starlightskywolf]

@@aminemarzouk6868 speaking of how to train your dragon I prefer the first movie and the tv show I haven't watched all of race to the edge I have only seen the first 3 and the mystery of the dragon's eye, I do not have Netflix

[@tomasopatrny7239]

Yeah. I saw it when I was 6 y.o but this song Test Drive stucked in my head forever. Its amazing

[@hebl47]

This video feels a bit like a love letter to How to Train Your Dragon and I'm completely on board with it!

[@corner559]

It deserves all the love letters it gets!

[@damienchapron8606]

all aboard ^^

[@mysticmagic8762]

Httyd deserve all the love that's given to it 💖

[@tqrrible]

@@mysticmagic8762 fr

[@coeurdemiel1070]

I swear, the how to train your dragon soudtrack is one of the only music that can bring me to tears every time I hear it, no matter how many times I listened to it. It's just too powerful

[@alexhodgson7254]

Same

[@Shadedemons]

same bro, ive seen it so many times and still love it, i actually nearly cry sometimes, idk how but it makes me so happy

[@returnoftheromans6726]

Right. Just sound alone swells within you, filling you with emotion. Music is a beautiful thing.

[@warlock_r]

For me it's Kung Fu Panda. And it's from the same composer so that makes sense.

[@BananaHammocks]

Yeah nothing makes me cry the way the music does when hiccup and toothless start really flying together for the first time

[@foxhoundslug]

the excitement I felt ever time a new httyd score came out was only rivaled by the sadness when I realized the series was over.

[@danielwhyatt3278]

I couldn’t agree more. It is so sad it is over, but at the same time, we know that it was ended probably in one of the greatest and best ways they could do it, and we wouldn’t wish for them to ruin that.

[@foxhoundslug]

@@danielwhyatt3278 totally agreed plus the slow releases of the deluxe editions helps recapture the magic quite a bit ;)

[@redbe11pepper49]

Agreed, im so sad its over, it will forever be my favorite movie series

[@sophisticateddoggy9410]

Sad that they had to ruin it by making the 7 realms

[@sofiamyraxx6694]

@@sophisticateddoggy9410 just pretend it doesn't exist, that's what i've beeng doing

[@TellYoutube]

7:55 I like the connection between the music and the plot a lot on this point, knowing that not only the characters we learned to love and grow up with mature but also their music by becoming more chromatic and in some sense more real to the outer world than the simple pentatonic “childhood” hyms from their teens. _Powell is just a bloody legend._

[@danielwhyatt3278]

That is definitely one of the top things, so many of us love about these films. The characters and the music mature and develop with time. Few other film franchises out there ever do this.

[@unliving_ball_of_gas]

@@danielwhyatt3278 I can only think of one other franchise - Harry Potter

[@abigailhubbard6345]

Idk why but at 8:58 I burst into tears, forbidden friendship has stuck with me for years- even more than any of the other songs

[@aidanthomas1469]

You're not the only one... What an outstanding film!

[@emmyh7631]

same... I love all of the songs from httyd but forbidden friendship has always stood out to me; it gets me emotional sometimes

[@cherylsue1042]

My favourite music piece ever ❤️

[@multifandomqueen]

Ahhh, I love them ALL. But I have a few stand-out favorites and Forbidden Friendship is *definitely* one of them! 😭

[@reece_rools8574]

I get literal chills whenever I watch any of these movies and the music starts playing

[@esmondgoh3112]

That explains why I love Kung Fu Panda and HTTYD, not only the plot, movie, characters, but also the soundtracks.

[@michaelamohr6729]

John Powell seriously nailed this soundtrack. He didn't have to go so hard but he did and by the gods do we appreciate it!! I love this soundtrack, it's one of my favorite scores of film, like, ever.

[@goldexperiencerequiem3059]

“Men didn’t cry at the Titanic, they have no feelings.” Out of all the movies, shows and cartoons The only ones that were able to make me cry were Ninjago, and How To Train Your Dragon.

[@kogmawgaming]

HTTYD literally was my childhood, I absolutely love videos like this this is so well put together.

[@njc8641]

My husband is one of the Supervising animators on all 3 HTTYD so it has been a massive part of our lives. I have never been able to not cry..

[@RG-zt4ox]

Every time you hear the opening to the theme you realize that something awesome and inspiring is happening

[@lucasrichardson3434]

I know it's not talked about much in this video but Jonsi has such an absolutely mind blowing voice, as someone who doesn't like showing strong emotions the track "where no one goes" almost makes me cry sometimes

[@multifandomqueen]

*Yessss! Thank you* for mentioning Jónsi!! One of my favorites of his work in HTTYD is when he sings in Scotts Gaelic in the scene when Hiccup, Astrid & Stormfly enter The Hidden World for the first time, it’s MAGICAL. He’s definitely *criminally* underrated! 🙌🏻

[@gnaeuscloudsleyclodiusrufu87]

I saw How to Train Your Dragon in the theatre, which was a rarity for my family at the time. I still have fond memories even though I never watched it again or seen any of the later films, but two things I always remembered. Firstly, it was one of the few movies I ever became teary-eyed at. Even now, a decade later, the number of films I have cried at is very low, probably less than 6. Secondly, I loved the score! I had been taking piano lessons for 6 or 7 years by the time I saw the movie, but it completely changed how I viewed music. I went from a dislike of my lessons to completely loving them! Had I not seen the film, I probably would have convinced my parents to stop my lessons and would have forgotten it all by now. Instead, piano has become my greatest hobby!

[@danielwhyatt3278]

You reeeeally need to watch the other 2 movies to complete your viewing experience. They’re beauuutiful.

[@gustavogirotto]

Man, the "test drive" track of the first movie is so thrilling and powerful. What a great score!

[@davasg96]

This video is the spiritual successor to the legendary video by sideways!

[@ariellachristensen5720]

The how to train your dragon music never fails to give me chills. It's just so good and you can hear the power in the powerful sings and the peace and sadness in the more soft songs,, just amazing

[@_XxXRUSTxXx_]

I love the inclusion of "New Tail". might only be me , but i feel not enough people talk about this gem . always manages to make me forget any trouble or sadness i might have

[@multifandomqueen]

I think it’s because it’s too short, perhaps. But same, New Tail is one of my FAVORITES!

[@amybradley2514]

I am a big fan of the HTTYD movies. And John Powell's sound track certainly has a lot to do with my love of these movies.

[@BrownABBY]

This HTTYD has my entire heart. Not just a segment…my entire heart ❤️

[@Ash.leighhh]

No matter how long its been, no matter what I watch, no matter what I listen to, I can never forget the very FIRST time I watched this movie. I was so enthralled by not only the the animation, the story, the dragons, but like you mentioned in the video, the music itself. I always find myself anywhere humming this theme, at every single age. I absolutely LOVED this series to death. It crushed me that it ends and we get to see hiccup as well as his companion toothless, grow together and even get to see the both of them have their own families.

[@kya4799]

the httyd soundtrack is my absolute favorite. it brings out feelings of nostalgia and makes me wish I was flying on a dragon too

[@Zyphlyx]

Sammee

[@apex_predator6078]

"Where no one goes" is still by far my favorite film score of all time

[@multifandomqueen]

It’s one of my FAVORITES, tooo!

[@nathaniellazo5912]

I see anything of How to Train your Dragon and I instantly start humming the themes... best animated trilogy and series ever!!

[@Mahamba]

fr

[@stinegregersen6553]

HTTYD is one of the only movie franchises that’s made me cry, the music is definitely part of why

[@Emily-br6bv]

The HTTYD soundtrack is one of those things that I could talk about forever (and do, much to the annoyance of my family). It is absolutely my favorite film score of all time. This video was such a wonderful tribute to it ! :)

[@Scoutski]

Finally glad the soundtrack for HTTYD is getting some praise! By far my favorite soundtrack from any series. Bit embarrassed to admit 2 years ago the HTTYD sound track was my most listened to album on Spotify.

[@multifandomqueen]

Don’t be embarrassed, you shouldn’t be!!

[@Demonshifter]

This makes so much sense on why it would be catchy, it repetitive and engraved to the bone not only because of the base music and melody but it's the feeling that makes you remember just how far it's come.

[@Squishy_Seal]

My favourite movie since 2010 and my absolute favourite score of all time.

[@paulthiebaut]

I’m a simple man : I see Inside The Score, I see How to train your dragon, I click.

[@reaganharder1480]

So, I watched How to Train Your Dragon for the first time several years ago with an ex I'd rather forget and then never bothered with it again for quite some time. A little over a year ago I was working with a friend and he had a playlist on of movie scores, and I'm pretty sure Test Drive came on, and despite only having watched the movie once several years prior, I was like "that's How to Train Your Dragon isn't it?" So I looked up the soundtrack, and was so enthralled by it that I simply HAD to buy the movie, and proceeded to watch it probably 10 times in the next 6 months. The rest of the movie is great, but MANY of those rewatches were driven by the awesome soundtrack.

[@nightfury66]

man, im hit with the feels again. this will forever be my favorite movie

[@FabbrizioPlays]

The first movie came out while I was in high school, so I was too old to "grow up with the movies". And by pure chance, I just never ended up seeing them until earlier this year, despite everyone telling me they were great for over a decade. But even without that nostalgia, these movies hit me like a truck. Some scenes are just so striking that they just live rent free in my brain now.

[@glazedsalmon]

You know a movie is good when you listen to its OST after 5+ years and still get chills from the music.

[@samueleide]

I'm quite convinced I've listened to the CD of the soundtrack to the first film a 3-digit number of times. Just a masterpiece!

[@jsytac]

Another EXCELLENT video. Are you also bringing back your podcasts? Your deep dives into specific pieces are so engaging and educational.

[@nicoledu]

I would love for the podcast to come back!!

[@InsidetheScore]

I'd really like to - freelance life just throws a lot of projects my way which need insanely fast turnaronuds - you get many days where you just have to pour everything into a single project, and so I find it hard to juggle all these extra projects, especially because things like the Podcast were passion projects that didn't really have an impact on income. It's not all about income at all, of course (though that is a factor at my age), but there are sadly only so many things I could juggle at one time, so I've really had to figure out how to prioritise the important ones. I wish KZbin and all that would earn me enough to have a team so we could expand a lot more, but alas the Classical Music niche doesn't give a lot of ad money at all, especially when videos like this one are copyright stricken! And I'm more a natural musician/teacher than a natural businessman...!

[@camtacher8858]

Loved the podcast aswell and it would be great if you would being it back, but that’s totally understandable

[@aquiamorgan2416]

Some days, I just put the first HTTYD soundtrack on repeat and it just makes me feel good.

[@excessivelyfangirlingbookw3339]

In the first movie, the musical beginning (opening of the film) introduces every single score (apart from Toothless, because he doesn’t exist yet) within the movie, like the Berk theme, the dragon theme, Hiccup’s theme, Astrid’s theme. It’s like musical foreshadowing and reminiscing at the same time. 😊

[@adityasen610]

i am a huge fan of hans zimmer, john powell, ludwig gorranson and john williams. music is my life, their music sends goosebumps.

[@narnia_eclipse389]

no joke, every time i listen to Test Drive i get goosebumps and tear up - this is one of my favourite movie soundtracks of all time

[@FilmScoreandMore]

This is an interesting approach to the topic, with some great editing! I know the score well, and this is a good overview, plus I appreciate the added focus on the music history and background. It should be noted that Powell's scoring approach was more to emphasize story themes rather than character themes, but the two are inherently linked.

[@canobeansyummers1667]

How to train your dragon has and always will stick with me because it is one of the first pieces I ever played with an ensemble. I had the chance to play a medley with my wind ensemble in 6th grade. It's still one of my favorite pieces to date.

[@danielherrin]

YES!!! More film music videos.

[@shototodoroki8524]

I was almost 9 when the 2nd movie came out. That's the first movie I saw actually. My father brought to the theater to see Maleficent but that was cancelled, so we watched HTTYD 2. That is the best memory wise thing he did for me since he isn't a good father at all. He was never there for me. Currently, 17 now and I haven't seen him in 8 years. The most grateful thing I thank him for memory-making-wise is taking me to HTTYD 2. I still listen to the soundtrack to this day and every so many months I rewatch one of the movies. I have seen many movies but this is still number one in my heart. I still listen to the soundtrack and I will never get tired of it. It moves me every time and makes me happy. I started learning Flying with Mother recently and I want to complete it to present it to my caring mom on Mother's Day. Thank you John Powell for being part in shaping my memories, my love for music and my childhood. I will only say this once, thank you father, for taking me to the movies that one time.

[@madmarble0601]

Simply put, John Powell’d soundtracks are awesome :)

[@acastillo251]

I've been saying these things since 2010 when the soundtrack came out, so it's nice to see it laid out in a professional format. Absolutely impeccable breakdown here, sir. I'm subbing for sure.

[@Gamer-gv7xn]

Bro this franchise was my childhood, every time I hear the themes I get a massive wave of nostalgia and it’s amazing

[@thesoundtracker201]

This made me to remember about myself in my deep loneliness in the end of 2018 and the year of 2019 that was the year that i listened a lot to the soundtrack from How To Train Your Dragon and made never to forget about this masterpiece of music!

[@TheMoonShepard]

He musical works in these movies are legendary

[@thadz2493]

You almost made me cry with that violin music at the start. That song was always a beautiful listen everytime it was played in the movie

[@PositiveImpaq]

I remember watching HTTYD 10x in one day as a child haha! I can't believe it was 13 years already! Everything was just so perfect in that movie. And i still get goosebumps up until now when listening to "Test Drive".. the music and the movie in general is still one of my moooost favorite animated movies of all!

[@kn1ighttt]

the music in HTTYD is epic and unforgettable. John Powell and Jónsi's collaboration blends orchestral and electronic elements to capture the film's adventurous spirit. From the soaring main theme to the haunting "Forbidden Friendship" track, the music evokes a range of emotions. The music also plays a key role in the storytelling, adding depth to the visuals on screen. Jónsi's vocals add an ethereal quality, emphasizing the film's themes of wonder and discovery. The music is a testament to the skill and talent of the composers and musicians, and has helped make the film a beloved classic.

[@JuanMarcosAlgeSoto]

art. I love 4:38 theme and i also love the second movie start music and when Hiccups mom and dad start singing. Whistling it its just satisfying lol

[@nium933]

i get sad listening to it and knowing that there might not be a 4th one. it is so nostalgic and it was my childhood

[@MrSmoke_]

How to train you dragon was a work of art and will always have a place in my heart. The and a silver wool lining of music.

[@kimmywimmy7305]

I absolutely love this score. I can’t even describe how moving it is, but I think you all know what I’m talking about.

[@neote2619]

Our of all songs on this soundtrack forbidden friendship is the one stuck with me the most, these movies has a special place in my heart :)

[@Reborener12]

HTTYD will remain in our hearts.

[@poycixyz4614]

I'm not someone who's particularly hard to make cry, but I usually only cry at peak empotional moments in movies that took a lot of buildup. But I literally just teared up from hearing like 3 seconds of some of these tracks at the beginning of the video. How can this much raw talent exist?

[@Naeemmahfuj]

ONE OF THE GREATEST MOVIE OUT THERE

[@MayorMaya]

i cried like a child with the ending and still makes me cry

[@RedCaio]

I hope Powell does something big soon, like another Star Wars, or Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings...

[@trinitygrau4978]

I always thought he had the talent and understanding of themes to score a Star Wars film. I think it could be absolutely epic

[@RedCaio]

​@@trinitygrau4978 Well, he _did_ already do "Solo: a Star Wars Story" but I'm greedy and i want even more. lol

[@raphaelborg8565]

I love his work on the Call of The Wild, I don't know if you heard it. Again, very original and memorable melodies in multiple tracks, and as a fan of the original novel, even if the movie didn't reach the expectations, the score can totally match with London's work.

[@isalovez]

The HTTYD franchise has one of the best soundtracks. Everything from the first to the third movie really brings out the magic and majesty the films bring.

[@soulz7209]

One of the most legendary music that exists.

[@alexius23]

Totally agree. From the very first time I watched the original film I was surprised & welcomed the delightful score

[@lottiee255]

The music has always and will always bring me back into a trance reminding me of my younger years and being fascinated with this fictional world of vikings and dragons

[@Meggimagine]

I saw the first one 5 times in the theater back then. It just blew me away how incredible and touching it was. The story did get darker and bigger with the other two, but the core, simple idea, that of a deep friendship between two beings from seemingly opposite worlds, was kept, respected and nurtured. Powell's music was the icing really cemented that by turning images and emotions into music

[@user-wu2my4fi3q]

finished every single movie and series, its amazing, watched the 2nd one more than 5 times and 3rd one was heartbreaking

[@psych2460]

The Music Gives me Tears and Nostalgia

[@lorainesimon4838]

I don’t know about other ans oh HTTYD but when I listen the main soundtrack in any songs I have a smile on my face like automatically. It’s more like a mix between freedom and happiness like go back somewhere you really belong. I wish one day listening in live 😊

[@jocelynemrich5731]

I just learned what a leitmotif was today. I’ve just been calling them something along the lines of “character themes” for the longest time.

[@jcynicalanimations6539]

GOOSEBUMPS THAT WHAT IT GIVES ME WHENEVER I HEAR HTTYD's SOUNDTRACKS

[@daniellamorten6230]

The music is so good that a lot of people including me use music from 'How To Train Your Dragon' in our music when marching bands commission us to use it for their show music. Me and my friends usually use 'This is Berk' if their show theme is something that requires the audience to feel hope, such as a schools theme where me and my friend's used 'This Is Berk' was a 'rising to the challenge' so this just further proves how much of a masterpiece the soundtrack was.

[@SleepingSpinet]

“Forbidden Friendship” is one of my all time favorite film tracks…. Absolutely gorgeous. Thank you for this great video!!

[@TheMexicanSuperman1]

You should talk about some memorable hero scores, specifically the Sam Raimi Spiderman Trilogy

[@katie7748]

Yes!

[@danieldubei]

Reminds me of Basil Pouledoris's Conan the Barbarian score. Good to see more of these epic scores in film!

[@idraote]

Note: Kung Fu Panda is set in China and Chinese traditional music is pentatonic only. Up to the modern era there were no alternative scales. The prevalence of pentatonic music in the soundtrack is therefore only logical to the point of obviousness.

[@NashGaddd]

This music will always stay in my heart.

[@alfonsusrenaldi9202]

There's lot of epic scores i've heard from many series i've been witness, but this, is number one

[@gabriela6216]

so this is why I cry whenever I listen to the soundtracks? the emotional attachment goes beyond just liking music

[@Cerran032]

“Test Drive” is incapable of *not* giving me chills

[@Trey_816]

The first one came out when I was four. The second one came out when I was eight. The last one came out when I was thirteen. You can definitely say I've grown up with the characters.

[@saffiyyagules5217]

I did my final thesis on this score. It has always been my absolute favorite.

[@FireChicken747]

The HTTRD Score is a top tier masterpiece and something that is not seen nowadays make rare and all the more amazing alongside the kung fu panda Oogway Ascends score as well both are legendary

[@dzalaiusplayz]

There is so much instrumentation of the themes in the HTTYD trilogies. I would love to see an orchestra performing all of the themes!

[@spontaneousadventurouskid]

I was feeling that good old nostalgia so i decided to finally watch this from my watch later list.

[@h1ll3634]

Dude, I needed this video, the music on this trilogy is truly something else

[@zqumbie8868]

this is the most beautiful soundtrack ever. Going to watch the movies again..

[@eradax8286]

Wow, what a great video. The perfect amount of background music to let you listen to it while not being distracted from your voice. What an absolute masterpiece!!

[@Floofgirl498]

I am NOT joking I got literal chills when he played the music at 1:55

[@TheDejjv]

Thanks .... Now I have to listen to it AGAIN!

[@Tze52]

This might be a stretch, but by chance could you do a video on the Violet Evergarden OST, the orchestral music created is BEAUTIFUL, and wondered if you could find a new angle or just an analysis. Either way, I just wish it was more appreciated!

[@crah3432]

This movie meant so much to me growing up. Thanks for taking a deep dive into what made it magical

[@ashwinnair8260]

i had waited 5 years to see httyd didnt have the tv channel or could go to a theatre at 13 i saw it fr the first time i had always want to see it and i was not disappointed and infact blown away

[@ChoosePhilippinesPeaceLove]

All the theme song 🎧 of How To Train Your Dragon 🐉 makes me remember and reminded that you have friends and remembering your childhood memories. When I watch this movie 🍿 I feel free from the sky 🌌 and away from troubles and pains! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@EvocadoTheEvoker]

The music always makes me incredibly emotional! I have loved everything about it.

[@LucasDehart]

I don't know how but two of the music played in the video instantly made me drop a tear when they came up. truely memorable music