Jedi, Pirates, and Sharks... Oh My!

We’ve all heard of “Movie Magic.” It’s the ability a certain scene or film has to significantly resonate with each and every one of us. It’s when cinema impacts our lives in such a way that it stimulates emotions we may not experience on a daily basis. But what is it that specifically makes a moment so “magical?” What is it that brings out our sense of adventure when we see Captain Jack Sparrow fighting with Barbossa? What takes us into the world of Harry Potter before the characters are even shown? What is it about Jaws that evokes our inner Olympian when we want to get out of the water?  The answer to all of those is the one thing that accents cinema and brings it to life… music.  There are hundreds of soundtracks that include the typical popular music, but then there’s classical cinematic music, orchestral music that’s composed specifically for films. These cinematic compositions have defined an era, making their way into mass culture, by embodying audiences into musical practitioners through the spectacle that’s produced.       

            Everyone has different reactions to classical cinematic music, some people will never be the same once they’ve experienced it, while others appreciate the duality the music and film produce but don’t care otherwise. My first encounter with this style happened when I was a little girl, galavanting through Walt Disney World with my family. We stopped outside the Star Wars simulation ride and that’s when it hit me. John Williams’, “Main Theme Song from Star Wars” blasted from hidden speakers, giving the vicinity a completely new atmosphere. The moment the trumpets carried the signature melody, numerous people began faux fighting with imaginary light sabers, running around, and embracing this music that had transformed them from ordinary civilians into Master Jedi. At that point, I had yet to see Star Wars, I hadn’t the faintest clue about Jedi, but I was in awe of the affect the music had on the people around me.

            It’s the transformation people have when listening to the music that places classical cinematic compositions on an invincible level. The songs alone are inspiring, but it’s the initial introduction to the spectacle when the song is united with the film that ensures the audience is taken to a new world every time they hear the composed piece. There’s a trigger the music sets off when watching a movie like Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest. The orchestra begins at once with staccato notes, trademarking the “He’s a Pirate” melody as the theme for the movies. Once that music is associated with the swash buckling ways of Jack Sparrow a sense of adventure and mystery is embedded into our minds every time we hear it. Wherever we are, we’re automatically teleported to a world where there are no rules, a world where we can live our most outrageous dreams. We’re able to become the fictional characters we’ve envied so much. For those few minutes, the music embodies the audience, allowing us to live in an alternate reality where anything is possible.

            It’s due to cinema that composers such as John Williams are able to reach a vast array of audiences and entrance them with their work. Not everyone is a fan of classical music, but when classical becomes cinematic, it reaches out to people who would have never listened to the compositions otherwise. When Williams’ wrote the “Indiana Jones Theme Song” his work presented itself to an entirely new audience. The movie was a box office hit and shown in numerous countries. By writing for specific films, the music is networked through countless types of media that help solidify it into cultural history. The theme songs from Jaws, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Lord of the Rings can be heard anywhere from the radio, to advertisements, to movie collages, to rides. The music not only defines the era in which it came but also continues to impact popular culture to this day. It’s timeless.

            This classical style demonstrates how music can truly touch people. It’s the reason I was eager to join concert band in middle school, and the reason I play these famous compositions to this day. The same sense of emotion and adventure are instilled whether you’re the artist or the audience. The music itself reminds us of the importance of classical cinematic productions. Every time someone hums the theme song from Jaws while we’re in the water, or we use the “Imperial March” as our parents ring tone, we iterate the impact these songs have fastened in our hearts and minds. Without the great musical cinematic works of Klaus Badelt (Pirates of the Caribbean), and John Williams (E.T., Star Wars, Jaws, Harry Potter), our culture would lack the epic-ness their compositions have contrived. 

That Island Feel

What makes a musical genre stand out? Is it the rhythm, the lyrics, or is it the way people react to it? It can be difficult to correctly identify what differentiates a style of music. Numerous factors need to be taken into consideration, and many times an artist or song can be categorized into multiple areas such as Taylor Swift balancing the line between country and contemporary pop. But there are certain varieties of music that produce a sound so unique it enables listeners to automatically recognize not only the genre, but where it originated as well. Raggae has always displayed this unique quality. As Bob Marley once said, “Many people know it, but can’t play it because it’s not a know, it’s a feel.” This feeling is created by Raggae’s use of traditional instruments and tactics that are altered in such a way, an authentic rhythm is produced that embodies the audience in associating the music with its origin.

   Arising in the 1960’s in Kingston, Jamaica, Reggae is known as a type of “ragged” dance music, established in the midst of poverty. It incorporates outside elements such as Ska, as well as African and Caribbean practices, and is often thought of as the forebear to American rap and hip-hop. It’s better recognized by the 4/4 timing, and unique assemblage of drums, bass, guitar, and vocals.

One of the most unique aspects of reggae is the use of the guitar and bass. From the moment a song begins, the prominent sound of the bass sets the rhythm. Typically musicians of other genres and musical communities rely on the guitar to produce a melody while the bass accompanies in the background. However, in reggae, the guitar is left to play simple chords while the bass takes over. In UB40’s song, “Red, Red Wine” the listener can hear the distinct difference between the two instruments. The bass dominates a deep melody while the guitar plays the same chords repeatedly throughout the entire song. It’s the melody created by reversing the roles of the guitar and bass that prevailingly give reggae that “island feel.”

However there are also additional distinguishing aesthetics. Another aspect of reggae is the use of drums in accentuating the third beat. There’s typically three common beats used to compose the rhythm, the one step, rockers, and steppers. In Bob Marley & The Wailers, “Roots, Rock, Reggae” the drums clearly enunciate the third beat, giving the song that reggae “feel” when combined with the bass and guitar.

Vocals also play a part in discerning reggae as well as associating it with Jamaica. It’s evident artists keep a sound natural. They don’t try to alter or strain their voice in any way. There’s a specific simple, rhythmic pattern to their tone when singing. The sound sometimes borders between talking and singing, but it’s strictly affiliated with the sound of reggae.

 When the reggae developed, artists such as Little Roy and Bob Marley would incorporate the traditions of the local religion into their lyrics to express their beliefs. Apart from religion, it’s evident that many reggae songs are notably associated with the ideas of love and peace. To this day, Bob Marley’s, “One Love” remains popular, with his powerful message of accepting each other and praying for those who do us wrong.

Yet, despite the message some artists try to send with the mellow, hypnotizing rhythms of reggae, not everyone will appreciate the originality and culture behind the genre. Some people are opposed to the fact that reggae isn’t the music they’ve grown up with, the sound is simply too different for their taste. However, part of the reason reggae is so incandescent is the fact that even if someone doesn’t necessarily like the style, it’s impossible not to identify the genre and associate it with Jamaica. It’s clearly signified with an image.

The greatest element of raggae is that reiterates that saying, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” The genre has remained true to its basic roots with the dominant bass, rhythmic drum beats and meaningful lyrics for decades. Many contemporary pop artists such as Colbie Calliat and Estelle have created reggae renditions of songs. But unlike most adaptions, these musicians didn’t alter reggae to fit their style; they altered their style to comply with reggae. It’s the defining characteristics of the genre that make it so captivating and different. It’s the fact that if anyone were driving down the road and a song like, “Could you be Loved” came on the radio, as listeners we’re automatically transferred to the islands, and reminded of the soothing feel Bob Marley so famously describes.