History AwesomeMusic / JohnWilliams

Music/JohnWilliams is responsible for many, many memorable film soundtracks. Among them are the soundtracks to ''Franchise/StarWars'' and almost every Creator/StevenSpielberg film (the exceptions being his {{Made for TV Movie}}s, ''Literature/TheColorPurple'',''Film/TwilightZoneTheMovie'' and ''/Film/ReadyPlayerOne2018''.). In short, John Williams has made a career out of writing Awesome Music.

Music/JohnWilliams is responsible for many, many memorable film soundtracks. Among them are the soundtracks to ''Franchise/StarWars'' and almost every Creator/StevenSpielberg film (the exceptions being his {{Made for TV Movie}}s, ''Literature/TheColorPurple'' and ''Film/TwilightZoneTheMovie''). In short, John Williams has made a career out of writing Awesome Music.

* On a related note, just watch [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lk5_OSsawz4 this John Williams tribute]]. Corey Vidal combines lip-synching, video magic and a genius arrangement by four-man comedy/''a cappella'' band [[http://moosebutter.com/ Moosebutter]] for instant fame. (When Moosebutter [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGYAPr6UKhs released their own video version]], they did it via Corey's Website/{{Youtube}} account. AscendedFanboy indeed!) Note that, despite the lyrics being about Star Wars, the song uses music from every film ''but'' ''Star Wars''!

** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBzVyh5LKi0 "Holiday Flight"]] perfectly captures the frantic of the family trying to catch their plane.

%%* ''Film/HomeAlone'':
%%** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUeCvidbhd8 "Somewhere in my Memory"]].
%%** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBzVyh5LKi0 "Holiday Flight"]] from ''Home Alone 2: Lost in New York''.
%%** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XNpnnu0EPA "Setting the Trap"]], which makes it sound like Kevin is setting up for a Christmas-themed war.

* The ''Film/JurassicPark'' [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEZh88vz8b8 Suite]]. Cue childhood nostalgia kicking in.
** ''Film/TheLostWorldJurassicPark'''s [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEbWXnkZVJg theme]] is just as epic and twice as badass.
** And [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTMtNly-A-M "Journey to the Island"]] from the first film--probably just as recognizable as the main theme itself, and a lot more ''awesome''.

The following Williams' contributions have their own page:

Williams' contributions to the ''AwesomeMusic/HarryPotter'', ''AwesomeMusic/StarWars'', ''AwesomeMusic/{{Superman}}'', and ''AwesomeMusic/IndianaJones'' films each have their own pages.

Music/JohnWilliams is responsible for many, many memorable film soundtracks. Among them are the soundtracks to every single ''Franchise/StarWars'' movie and almost every Creator/StevenSpielberg film (the exceptions being his {{Made for TV Movie}}s, ''Literature/TheColorPurple'' and ''Film/TwilightZoneTheMovie''). In short, John Williams has made a career out of writing Awesome Music.

* John Williams also played session piano for composer Music/HenryMancini and played the piano part to Mancini's [[http://www.televisiontunes.com/Peter_Gunn_(LP_ver).html famous theme]] from ''Peter Gunn''. And here's the [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAW7Qbn4d9Q solid evidence.]]

%%Administrivia/ZeroContextExample entries are not allowed on wiki pages. All such entries have been commented out. Do not uncomment them without expanding them to explain what makes these tracks awesome. WeblinksAreNotExamples; why should anyone who has never heard of, never mind heard, that track click on that link? WHY is it awesome?

%%ZeroContextExample entries are not allowed on wiki pages. All such entries have been commented out. Do not uncomment them without expanding them to explain what makes these tracks awesome. WeblinksAreNotExamples; why should anyone who has never heard of, never mind heard, that track click on that link? WHY is it awesome?

JohnWilliams is responsible for many, many memorable film soundtracks. Among them are the soundtracks to every single ''Franchise/StarWars'' movie and almost every Creator/StevenSpielberg film (the exceptions being his {{Made for TV Movie}}s, ''Literature/TheColorPurple'' and ''Film/TwilightZoneTheMovie''). In short, John Williams has made a career out of writing Awesome Music.

* A lesser-known score but one that Williams reportedly considers some of his best work: The haunting [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoJcGiML6oo love theme]] from ''Film/JaneEyre'' (the 1970 TV film starring George C. Scott and Susannah York). The theme simultaneously evokes a LonelyPianoPiece and a soaringly beautiful romantic melody.

* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIjUyiG5qKA ''The Sugarland Express'',]] the first ever collaboration between Williams and Spielberg.

* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAI3N61zY9k The Flying Theme]]) from ''E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial''. It's particularly neat in how it times up with the bicycle flying "against" the moon; it's like you can hear the wheels turning. Spielberg stated himself that technical wizardry and special effects can get those bicycles to fly, but only upon John Williams' strings do the characters become truly airborne.
** As well as [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKxK7IdiwKM "Adventure on Earth"]].

* Christian Bale (at a very young age) singing "Suo Gan" (a Welsh lullaby) in ''Film/EmpireOfTheSun'', just as the Japanese Kamikaze pilots are about to take off for their mission. You'll cry at about the same moment the Japanese characters in the film start crying because of the sheer gallantry of it all.

** [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OD4Xyb2LJsA "Cadillac of the Skies"]] is also amazing.

* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-0wghH4OL8 "The Flight to Neverland"]] from ''Film/{{Hook}}''. The adventurous and majestic [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ip-ubq5HwpY "Prologue"]].

* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFCXrbvPxF4 "Dry Your Tears, Afrika"]] from ''Film/{{Amistad}}''.
* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ytFrqhOCuU "Hymn to the Fallen"]] from ''Film/SavingPrivateRyan''.

* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kE7iNxQO6Y "Anderton's Great Escape"]] as well as [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yjmd0ifC2c "Minority Report"]] from ''Film/MinorityReport''.
* John Williams returned to his jazz-influenced roots when he scored the [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W47lXqmZ6z0 music]] for ''Film/CatchMeIfYouCan''. Here's the [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkXp1JB11hM main theme]] of ''Catch Me If You Can''. Jazz at its finest.
* John Williams also played session piano for composer Music/HenryMancini and played the piano part to Mancini's [[http://www.televisiontunes.com/Peter_Gunn_(LP_ver).html famous theme]] from ''Peter Gunn''.
** And here's the [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAW7Qbn4d9Q solid evidence.]]
* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZWRlNQJCcE "The Tale of Victor Naborski"]] from ''Film/TheTerminal''.

* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B27ex5N-qSQ "Where Dreams Are Born"]] as well as the [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exK6P-N8sB4 theme song, "For Always"]] from ''Film/AIArtificialIntelligence''. Here's another (and arguably, better) [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7H0Pgm0Ya4 version of "For Always"]].

* The [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0jc_qCcQmQ music]] from ''Film/{{JFK}}''.
* Much less well known, but just as awesome as all of the above, is the nine-minute piece from ''Film/TheToweringInferno'' that accompanies Paul Newman and Steve [=McQueen=] rigging explosive charges to the burning skyscraper's water tanks. One of the greatest examples of music used for a rising tension/countdown effect.
** The [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D84hNvh0zSw main title music]] from ''The Towering Inferno''.

* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cD6jrJKUXqY "Sayuri's Theme"]] from ''Film/MemoirsOfAGeisha''.
* The [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELKzmZK5Dec main theme]] from ''Film/BornOnTheFourthOfJuly''.

* Almost no-one knows that Williams has composed a score for {{Dracula}} [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEDN0sMgrCM himself]].

* The [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tp1bEpmmGMs season 3 theme]] for ''Series/LostInSpace'' (although he did the one for seasons 1 and 2 as well).

* Both theme songs for ''Series/KraftSuspenseTheatre'', but especially the second one.

* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-0wghH4OL8 "The Flight to Neverland"]] from ''Film/{{Hook}}''.
** The adventurous and majestic [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ip-ubq5HwpY "Prologue"]].

* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WWA3-2NtsM The entire soundtrack]] from ''{{Film/Lincoln}}''.
** Special mention must go to his variation of Lincoln's campaign song: [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DJR6yUulro "The Battle Cry of Freedom".]]

* John Williams returned to his jazz-influenced roots when he scored the [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W47lXqmZ6z0 music]] for ''Film/CatchMeIfYouCan''.
** Here's the [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkXp1JB11hM main theme]] of ''Catch Me If You Can''. Jazz at its finest.

* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQJadmOaHvE Music]] from ''Film/CloseEncountersOfTheThirdKind''.
** One notable example would be the majestic and beautiful score that plays during the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-jdkM2q5t0 finale of the film.]]

* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B27ex5N-qSQ "Where Dreams Are Born"]] as well as the [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exK6P-N8sB4 theme song, "For Always"]] from ''Film/AIArtificialIntelligence''.
** Here's another (and arguably, better) [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7H0Pgm0Ya4 version of "For Always"]].
* The [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7ageRRxKw0 main theme]] of ''Film/TheWarOfTheWorlds''.
** [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOZpbnZxu0g "The Intersection Scene"]] is far more epic than it sounds.

* ''Film/HomeAlone'':
** [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUeCvidbhd8 "Somewhere in my Memory"]].
** [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBzVyh5LKi0 "Holiday Flight"]] from ''Home Alone 2: Lost in New York''.
** [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XNpnnu0EPA "Setting the Trap"]], which makes it sound like Kevin is setting up for a Christmas-themed war.
** [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xgrJAwR49c "Follow That Kid!"]].

* On a related note, just watch [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lk5_OSsawz4 this John Williams tribute]]. Corey Vidal combines lip-synching, video magic and a genius arrangement by four-man comedy/''a cappella'' band [[http://moosebutter.com/ Moosebutter]] for instant fame. (When Moosebutter [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGYAPr6UKhs released their own video version]], they did it via Corey's Website/{{Youtube}} account. AscendedFanboy indeed!)
** Note that, despite the lyrics being about Star Wars, the song uses music from every film ''but'' ''Star Wars''!

%%* ''Film/HomeAlone'':
%%** [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUeCvidbhd8 "Somewhere in my Memory"]].
%%** [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBzVyh5LKi0 "Holiday Flight"]] from ''Home Alone 2: Lost in New York''.
%%** [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XNpnnu0EPA "Setting the Trap"]].
%%** [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xgrJAwR49c "Follow That Kid!"]].

** [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btW3u3TuRGg Hook's theme]].
** [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-F9pW5Ndm3o "Hook-Napped"]].

** [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adsfPvIYNx0 "Escape from the City"]].

* ''Film/HomeAlone'':
** [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUeCvidbhd8 "Somewhere in my Memory"]].
** [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBzVyh5LKi0 "Holiday Flight"]] from ''Home Alone 2: Lost in New York''.
** [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XNpnnu0EPA "Setting the Trap"]].
** [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xgrJAwR49c "Follow That Kid!"]].

Williams' contributions to the ''AwesomeMusic/HarryPotter'', ''AwesomeMusic/StarWars'', ''AwesomeMusic/{{Superman}}'', ''AwesomeMusic/IndianaJones'' films each have their own pages.

Williams' contributions to the ''AwesomeMusic/HarryPotter'', ''AwesomeMusic/StarWars'', and ''AwesomeMusic/IndianaJones'' films each have their own pages.

* The ''Film/{{Superman}}'' [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIljr9dkGlM March]]. Best {{Fanfare}} ever.
** Very effectively used in the helicopter scene that begins with a growing sense of urgency as Lois faces greater and greater peril until Clark Kent appears. When he realizes he has to change, the growing musical swell that climaxes when he rips open his shirt to reveal his chest symbol is a classic of the superhero film genre.
** Not to mention John Ottman's use of said theme, as well as his own music, to create a soundtrack that is pretty much non-stop SugarWiki/{{Heartwarming|Moments}} and [[TearJerker tearjerking]] for ''Film/SupermanReturns''.
*** A leading example is when Lois Lane's family is trapped in Luthor's sinking ship. The music begins with a mournful dirge as the trio are pulled under to their seemingly-inescapable doom. Just when the tragedy becomes too much, two red boots appear on the door window and the March blasts out with full thunder as Superman saves the day!
** ''Series/{{Smallville}}'' ends with Clark Kent running out onto the Daily Planet's roof, ripping open his shirt to reveal the S-shield beneath as he prepares to take flight, the camera focusing on that iconic symbol all while that classic ''Superman'' theme song plays ever so magnificently in the background and into the end credits.
** Oh hey, since we're on the topic of Superman, may we present his [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJWQ528zYBY love theme.]]
** In addition to the main fanfare and "Can You Read My Mind?", there is a really moving musical moment after young Clark Kent tells his mother Martha that he's leaving Smallville to pursue his destiny up north. It's called [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ge-8LWd2lds "Leaving Home"]], and starts a minute-and-a-half into that track.
** [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8Rs7170gyU "The Planet Krypton"]] anyone?
** The mysterious and graceful [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2SMVnVaX9c "Fortress of Solitude"]]. It exemplifies John Williams' specialty with the {{Leitmotif}}, since it takes cues from "The Planet Krypton," but uses them in a subdued, haunting manner, musically indicating the Fortess is basically literally the ghost of Krypton.

** The mysterious and graceful [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2SMVnVaX9c "Fortress of Solitude"]]. It exemplifies John Williams' specialty with the {{Lietmotiff}}, since it takes cues from "The Planet Krypton," but uses them in a subdued, haunting manner, musically indicating the Fortess is basically literally the ghost of Krypton.

** The mysterious and graceful [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2SMVnVaX9c "Fortress of Solitude"]]. It exemplifies John Williams' specialty with the {{Leitmotiff}}, since it takes cues from "The Planet Krypton," but uses them in a subdued, haunting manner, musically indicating the Fortess is basically literally the ghost of Krypton.

** The mysterious and graceful [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2SMVnVaX9c "Fortress of Solitude"]].

* ''The Accidental Tourist'' features the rare Williams score that isn't derivative of other composers like Ligeti, Stravinsky, or Copland.

** Especially the majestic and beautiful score that plays during the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-jdkM2q5t0 finale of the film.]]

JohnWilliams is responsible for many, many memorable film soundtracks. Among them are the soundtracks to every single ''Franchise/StarWars'' movie and almost every Creator/StevenSpielberg film (the exceptions being his {{Made for TV Movie}}s, ''TheColorPurple'' and ''Film/TwilightZoneTheMovie''). In short, John Williams has made a career out of writing Awesome Music.

Williams' contributions to the [[AwesomeMusic/HarryPotter Harry Potter]], [[AwesomeMusic/StarWars Star Wars]], and [[AwesomeMusic/IndianaJones Indiana Jones]] films each have their own pages.