MovieChat Forums > Titanic (1997) Discussion > James Horner's score

James Horner's score

posted 8 years ago by alexjd_20
14 replies | jump to latest

I've been reading several articles about James Horner and his work on various films and whenever Titanic is mentioned, several writers would comment on how "outdated" the music sounds particularly the use of choral voices in the soundtrack. If there is one component of this film that still resonates with me it is the MUSIC. The new age sound combined with Sissel's haunting vocals brings Titanic to life. It sounds just as innovative and fresh as it did when it was released in 1997. How do most of you feel about Horner's contribution to Titanic?

[–] Jazzomaniac 8 years ago

One of the best music score in Hollywood film history. I'm just sorry I did not get to meet James Horner when he attended a screening of Titanic in London a few years ago which was accompanied with a full live orchestra and choir. He died a few months later in a plane crash. His music score for films like American Tail and the Land before time are some of the very best. Difficult not to cry when I hear the great music of James Horner on the radio.

[–] RJ1979 8 years ago

Still waiting for most of the music from the film to be officially released. The music on the soundtrack albums are mostly re recordings and not as heard in the film.

[–] Jrdmln 8 years ago

I like James Horner's score in the movie. He did a good job creating the music for the movie. I think that the music in the movie is nice.

[–] mcdemuth 8 years ago

I love most of the score to the movie...

My favorite segment is from the Iceberg Scene.

However... I used to enjoy the main "My Heart Will Go On" SONG, especially when the movie came out... but I don't enjoy listening to it much anymore. Some of the score features the medley in instrumental form, and those "scenes" too, I find I don't enjoy much anymore. Not sure why...Maybe I heard it too much?

I love hearing the use of choral voices in soundtracks. Do I want to hear it all the time... NO. But in a movie like this, that featured a moving city, that is supposed to the one of the biggest ships in the world, built with the accumulated knowledge of mankind. It works.

I am so tired of people saying that something is "dated"... "Dated" HOW? Because No one else is doing "choral voices"?

Well, I think hearing difference scores, and doing different genres is a Good Thing. I like variety! After All, who wants to see the same movie over and over again?

[–] peeaecee 8 years ago

Still hoping they release a full version someday. They probably won't, but you never know. Particularly the actual Southampton/Leaving Port music, which has never been on a commercial release.

[–] alexjd_20 8 years ago

There is a petition online at www.titanicscore.com in which the end goal would be to release ALL the music that was recorded for Titanic particularly the score that is heard in the film which was not featured in the official soundtrack. The 15th anniversary in 2012 was a huge letdown because it gave us the impression that they were going to release a special edition that would include unreleased music but alas it was only a remastered version of what was released before.

Anyway, if you're looking at this thread please sign the petition!

[–] peeaecee 8 years ago

The second album, titled "Back to Titanic" was considered a disappointment by some people, since it had promised to release music missing from the first album. It did deliver on a few pieces, but was mostly music inspired by the film, not from the film.

Even if the full score is released, it likely won't be arranged to match the film, which is what a lot of people want. Still, thanks to modern technology, a lot of savvy Internet users can (and have) do that from home.

[–] christineog11-1 7 years ago

The only music worth on "back to Titanic" is the suite and a building panic.

[–] peeaecee 7 years ago

Right. Also "The Portrait", which is actually in the film. The "Irish Party" music isn't bad either.

[–] ibrarules 8 years ago

several writers would comment on how "outdated" the music sounds particularly the use of choral voices in the soundtrack

several writers would comment on how "outdated" the music sounds particularly the use of choral voices in the soundtrack

Are you saying that several writers mean that it is outdated now but wasn't in 1997? Imo it wasn't innovative, just extremely well done, and that hasn't changed in 20 years. It hasn't gotten any more outdated. Just my personal opinion.

Overall - great score but to me Dion's song is atrocious (my own bias against that type of singing).

[–] alexjd_20 8 years ago

I'm referring to now. It was an introspective article detailing Horner's career after his passing. The album was innovated because there was nothing like it then unless you can point out several scores/music to back your opinion.

I, on the other hand, think the theme song is beautiful but to each his own I guess.

[–] ibrarules 8 years ago

I, on the other hand, think the theme song is beautiful

I just don't like the vocalization, the song itself (which is pretty much the theme of the movie) is fine, even very nice. And ye to each their own, glad you love it!

I'm referring to now

The album was innovated because there was nothing like it

No I get that you (and the writers) were talking about now. I am just saying that to me it wasn't particularly creative then, nor reductive or outdated now.

A lot of this was due to the enormous success of Enya, and some success of copycats of her, Sissel being one of the bigger ones, at least in Europe.

Enya had her most popular period in the 90s selling about 50M albums (an insane amount for vocalization Irish New Age type music). She even reached #1 in UK and many other countries and top-10 in the US. No wonder she was the first choice for Titanic over Sissel, but had turned it down. And no wonder Horner actively set out to create music that was similar to/inspired by/copied Enya and Irish New Age. Her music featured in a variety of films including time-period ones like Far and Away, Sweet November, Portrait of Island, Age of Innocence and heavily in some contemporary ones like LA Story. Heck just listen to the trailer to the movie Green Card. The resemblance to Titanic is stunning.

But again that doesn't mean Titanic soundtrack was reductive. That would be like calling every single pop song reductive. It just wasn't something completely new back then, and isn't something completely outdated now. Imo. Sure the success of Enya and Titanic led to there being a preponderance of this New Age Celtic/Irish folk-songy stuff from 97-2004 or so, but it did exist long before then.

[–] alexjd_20 8 years ago

Oh! Yes I completely understand your point now.

Cameron actually reached out to Horner and described to him how he would like the movie to sound mentioning Enya's name as a source of inspiration. Look up an early test trailer for Titanic which features Enya's song from Far and Away to see what I mean.

Additionally, we also have to take into consideration that the bagpipes and Irish New Age sound derives from the fact that Cameron wanted the music for the movie to emulate the origins of where Titanic was built as well as the 3rd class passengers. I got the sense that the soundtrack was an homage to the people who were lost hence why the movie was even made to begin with.

But anyway, I completely agree with your opinion on originality because Titanic's soundtrack IS heavily inspired by Enya's music which was taking off in the 90s. Heck, I think Cameron even asked Enya to help produce the soundtrack and she declined.

[–] BoultersCanary 8 years ago

Too Irish.

The church may shout but Darwin roars