Top 10 John Williams Tracks that Don't End Up on Compilations
There are a plethora of John Williams compilations out there on various formats highlighting his best music from his career. The only downside to those albums is they frequently select the main themes to include in those compilations and leave out some stellar tracks. Also those compilation albums may leave out certain films entirely just because the lengths of those albums don’t allow for more obscure material.
In this list we look at the best tracks that are often left out of compilation albums.
10. Minority Report - Anderton's Great Escape
Another incredible partnership with Williams and Spielberg, Minority Report offers a great world for John Williams to play with. The score moves between science fiction, horror and straight up action. This track is a tremendously vigorous and action packed track that will get you moving. Loaded with suspense and tension, this is John Williams action scoring at his finest.
#9 The Patriot - The Patriot Reprise
This track does fall into main theme territory, however this soundtrack in general is not the first to mind when people think of Williams’ career best. It’s a rousing theme that feels… well… patriotic. Overall it’s a beautiful score for this period piece.
#8 The Lost World - To the Island, The Trek, The Hunt
The Lost World doesn’t get as much attention for its score as much as its predecessor. Overall The Lost World score is moodier, more junglier and at times flat out more frightening. It’s a brilliant score and has a few really stand out pieces. We’ll cheat a bit here and include several great tracks from the expanded release. All the selected tracks feature great jungle inspired percussion.
#7 Catch Me If You Can - The Float
It’s quite shocking that there aren’t more jazz oriented scores in Williams’ filmography considering his musical background. Catch Me If You Can is an emotional rollercoaster of a score mixing various styles including some very fun jazz elements. The score is constantly going up and down emotionally between light and fun, and morose and sullen. The Float is a bit of a catch all for the different beats throughout the film.
#6 The Last Crusade - Scherzo For Motorcycle and Orchestra
It is frankly difficult to choose a track from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade as there are so many fun ones. The choice of Scherzo For Motorcyle and Orchestra might actually be the typical option but it is such a stand out track from the film. It has a light and lyrical feel to it. In addition to the Raiders March, there is a plethora of exquisite adventure music in the Indiana Jones series.
#5 Hook - The Lost Boys Chase
Another film where it is difficult to choose a track. The Lost Boys Chase features a child-like innocence and sense of adventurous play. The perfect background track to hijinks and childhood fantasy.
#4 Attack of the Clones - Return to Tatooine
There is a lot of incredible Star Wars music to choose from. Despite critical reception to the films, the prequel scores are still lauded as the highlight of that trilogy. Even within the trilogy the main themes such as Duel of the Fates or Battle of the Heroes take center stage. If you go past those there are a lot of incredible moments. Return to Tatooine is a critical track for the transformation of Anakin. Accented by a nice punch of Duel of the Fates, Return to Tatooine gives us the emotional framework for Anakin’s dancing with the dark side. This track accomplishes what cheeseball dialogue cannot.
#3 Return of the Jedi - The Battle of Endor II
For a long time Return of the Jedi represented the emotional conclusion to the Star Wars saga. Opening with the Rebellion’s struggle against the Empire on the Forest Moon of Endor we slowly transition to Luke’s temptation with the darks side. Luke fights hard against it but gives into his hate, when his sister is threatened by the emperor. Even if only briefly, where we are treated to a haunting cue as Luke battles to save his family and redeem his father as he is giving into his dark feelings. The stakes have never been higher and Luke eventually comes back to us, and rejects the dark path that his father succumbed to.
#2 Raiders of the Lost Ark - Ride To The Nazi Hideout, The Map Room: Dawn
Cheating again here by giving more than one selection. The first track is the Ride To The Nazi Hideout. This answer also goes against the spirit of the list because the main Raiders theme is specifically the best part of this track. The reason this is here is because the main Indiana Jones theme is so great, but this track is the absolute best arrangement of it. After a brief moment of tension wondering where our hero has disappeared to, the main theme explodes in a triumphant crescendo of the heroic Raiders March.
Since this list is supposed to focus on other tracks, the other standout theme from Raiders of the Lost. Ark is the Well of the Souls cue. Depending on the version you listen to the track may have a different name such as the example below with; The Map Room: Dawn. The track really emphasizes the mystical elements of the film.
#1 Jurassic Park - Journey to the Island
With so many stand out tracks on the Jurassic Park score it can be challenging to pick the best of the best. Most best of lists or compilations would feature the main theme as featured in “Welcome to Jurassic Park”. While the main theme is an incredible piece, Journey to the Island is the most rousing piece in the score. It encapsulates the sheer majesty of the film. All of the magic of dinosaurs, a lush tropical island, larger than life adventures is captured in that track.