Gentle readers, here’s another post on amazing combination of music and film. This time it’s about how characters (mostly, lead characters) are introduced to the audience and songs that helped making them emblematic and enduring in our collective memory. The following is a top 5 of my favorite intros.
1. Jake and Elwood, The Blues Brothers – She Caught the Katy, The Blues Brothers (1980)
From a cult movie, this intro to both the film and the characters is iconic. It was James Belushi’s favorite blues song.
2. Harmonica – Man with a Harmonica, Ennio Morricone (1968)
Charlie Bronson shows who’s boss from the get-go on the unforgettable notes of Morricone’s music.
Did you bring a horse for me?
Looks like we are shy one horse.
You brought two too many.
Absolute badass!
3. Jesus Quintana, The Big Lebowski – Hotel California, The Gipsy Kings (1988)
Nobody fucks with the Jesus!
Do I really need to add any word to this?
4. John Connor, Terminator 2 – You Could Be Mine, Guns ‘N’ Roses (1991)
Sulking teen with a penchant for motorcycles… and future legendary leader of the human resistance against the machines… What can I say? It works very well with the energy and grit of Guns ‘n’ Roses.
5. James Bond, Dr. No – James Bond theme, Monty Norman (1962)
That’s how it all began! Suave and wordly Mr. Bond’s first appearance is both charming and intriguing. The memorable theme plays softly in the background. Sean Connery will always be my favorite incarnation of 007.
Ennio Moricone kills this one! Also, The Blues Brothers scene is awesome
The Blues Brothers is an epic movie as a whole but the intro is a masterpiece.
Morricone is a music genius! He wrote the score of Once Upon a Time in the West before Leone started shooting it. The music was played on set to help the actors getting into the right mood/mindset.
I’m going to have to brush up on my Morricone before The Hateful Eight
I can’t wait for that one!