20 Iconic Musical Motifs in Film

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Important: This is my personal list. Obviously, such a list cannot be definitive. Maybe it will be useful, maybe not.

What is a musical motif?

I use the word motif because that’s the simplest word I can think of. Here’s a definition:

A motif is a short musical phrase, a salient recurring figure, musical fragment or succession of notes that has some special importance.

Wikipedia

You could also call it a musical leitmotif, which is a motif specifically for a person, place or idea.

For me, the motif evokes memories of the film itself, and not a particular character, action or scene. That’s why I use motifs instead of leitmotifs.

You could make it simpler and just call it a melody or tune.

What kind of music do I like?

I like melodies that stand out and don’t hide.

They’re the ones you can’t get out of your head, and are easy enough to hum on your own. As soon as you hear it, you are drawn into the world of that film.

That’s the power of an iconic motif.

20 The theme of Blade Runner, by Vangelis

You can’t separate synth from the 80s, and its ethereal tones were the future back then. I’m a sucker for synth, what can I say? Here it is (uploaded by others so can’t guarantee they will be available in the future):

19 Also sprach Zarathustra, by Richard Strauss

Also sprach Zarathustra plays during the opening shots of 2001: A Space Odyssey.

If you want to set up an opening scene of planetary proportions, trust Kubrick to find the music. This exact piece was performed by the The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra.

18 1492: Conquest of Paradise, by Vangelis

This is music that didn’t deserve the film. Vangelis made music for the gods, and Ridley Scott was a god – he just came down to take a dump this one time.

17 Promontory, by Trevor Jones and Randy Edelman

Promontory, from The Last of the Mohicans, composed by Trevor Jones and Randy Edelman is actually taken from “The Gael” by Scottish singer Dougie MacLean:

It’s one of the greatest pieces of music I’ve heard. If it’s at number 17, it’s because it’s not so easy to hum. But you’ll never forget it.

16 Man with a harmonica, by Ennio Morricone

For Once upon a time in the West. It starts with a harmonica and then escalates until it is the story of any western, period.

15 Kanbei & Katsushiro or Kikuchiyo’s Mambo, by Fumio Hayasaka

This anthem just ties it all together in Seven Samurai. Another perfect cog in a perfect film.

14 Marion Barfs, by Clint Mansell and the Kronos Quartet

After watching Requiem for a dream, I couldn’t get this music out of my head for weeks. It refuses to go like a bad tenant.

13 The theme of Suspiria, by Goblin

Everything about Suspiria is extreme, and none of it would work without this music:

A tip. If you can’t imagine a film without its music, praise the music.

12 The main theme of Chariots of Fire, by Vangelis

It’s not the best music to go jogging on the beach, but it’s the voice in your head that wishes you could run with such abandon. If there was a music for bliss, this is it:

11 The theme of The Exorcist, by Mike Oldfield

Mike Oldfield wasn’t too happy with the way the music was used. It, in no shape or form, goes with the movie. So this goes against what I said earlier. But I’m keeping the music.

10 Axel F, by Harold Faltermeyer

Beverly Hills Cop is pure nostalgia. A time when Eddie Murphy was funny, and remixes weren’t a thing.

9 Colonel Bogey March, by F. J. Ricketts

Malcolm Arnold’s counter-march, called “The River Kwai March” for The Bridge on the River Kwai, was based on The Colonel Bogey March, originally composed in 1914 by F. J. Ricketts.

8 The Terminator theme, by Brad Fiedel

I also like the opening title of Terminator 2. When they say “I’ll be back”, they also mean they’ll bring back the music.  Usually with more instruments.

7 The Pink Panther theme by Henry Mancini, played by The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra

I doubt the orchestra had a pink panther cartoon in their brief.

6 The theme of Deep Red (Profundo Rosso), by Goblin

Dario Argento wanted Pink Floyd. They wanted cash. He got Goblin instead, in the flesh.

5 Gonna Fly Now, by Bill Conti

One of those inspiring and iconic scores your soul needs as you run every morning. Those who don’t run, like me, listen to this music to lose weight (we also religiously watch Rocky):

4 The Halloween Theme, by John Carpenter

Carpenter credits Dan Wyman as co-producer because it couldn’t have been done  without his help.

Believe it or not, Carpenter channelled Bernard Herrmann and Ennio Morricone before he started this. Guess what?

3 The main theme of The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, by Ennio Morricone

The theme has three variations for the three main characters. A different instrument is used for each character. Flute for Blondie, Ocarina for Angel Eyes, and Human voices for Tuco:

2 The James Bond theme, by Monty Norman

Composed for Dr. No. Stayed for ever. Do I really have to say anything about this?

1 The Murder, by Bernard Herrmann

Hitchcock said this music was 33% of Psycho. He was lying. It’s more like 66%, because without it, Psycho is a badly edited shower scene. Watch it without the music, you’ll see.

I hope you liked my list. Let me know of your favorites in the comments below.