Favorite Film Tunes of '73
To me 1973 seemed the last year (for some time to come) that provided enough original film songs to fill a decent list of favorites.
1974 brought a fast falling-off with little to choose from besides EW&F's THAT'S THE WAY OF THE WORLD soundtrack hits, Harry Nilsson's "Daybreak" from SON OF DRACULA & Paul Williams' PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE score--and none of these were nominated for Best Song. "We May Never Love Like This Again" proved the first of many default winners: even with no particular excellence to celebrate, apparently SOMETHING had to win the Oscar. In the 30-some years since then, some 'Best Song' winners were no better, some were worse, few seemed worthy of honorary gold. Often you'll look at an up-to-the-minute list of Best Song nominees & think "w'udder some udder tunes?"
To me 1964-73 was a kind of Golden Decade (particular kudos to 1964, 1967 & 1968), and TOM SAWYER gracefully capped the Sherman Brothers' golden era as well, it was their last great work. HUCKLEBERRY FINN proved to be a most unequal sequel.
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Favorite Film Songs of '73:
Top Pick: "A Man's Gotta' Be What He's Born To Be," TOM SAWYER
Other Favorites:
TOM SAWYER:
"River Song"
"Hannibal, Mo-zouree!"
"Gratifaction"
"Freebootin'"
LIVE & LET DIE
"Knockin' On Heaven's Door," PAT GARRETT & BILLY THE KID
THE HARDER THEY COME
Title Song
"You Can Get It If You Really Want"
"Sitting in Limbo"
"Many Rivers to Cross"
"Beautiful City," GODSPELL
"I Got a Name," THE LAST AMERICAN HERO
THE WAY WE WERE
"Skybird," JONATHAN LIVINGSTON SEAGULL
Instrumental: "Whistle Stop," ROBIN HOOD
Musical #: "All for the Best," GODSPELL
Interpolated Music:
The various Joplin rags, THE STING
"Tubular Bells," THE EXORCIST