Weekend Self-Care: The Wild, Wacky Songs of Danny Elfman
For this weekend's self-care, we're off to the world of cinematic scores.
Music sets the mood for film today. A background track can heighten tension. A montage can provide motivation. Heck, even karaoke (good or bad) can help build characters in a way that is hard to do solely with conversation. Music becomes an omniscient narrator in a way that dialogue simply cannot do. That is why we've become so acquainted with today's most popular film composers: John Williams, Hans Zimmer, James Horner, Howard Shore, Alan Silvestri, Thomas Newman, Rachel Portman, Alexandre Desplat, and John Barry among others. While you might not know the names of their songs, their distinct styles are always recognizable. Hardly can you watch a movie preview without hearing their magical music soaring in the background.
For today's self-care, allow me to share a personal favorite: Danny Elfman. Previously known for his work as frontman for the 80s new wave band Oingo Boingo, Elfman has gone on to fame and fortune as a composer, widely known for his work with director Tim Burton. Elfman's sound is distinctive in a way that it is often quirky, thereby creating the perfect background for so many of Burton's films. He never takes himself too seriously and this is a perfect way to score the kind of films that he is so often asked to compose. Yet, he is a true artist as you will see from the selected clips below. From Batman to The Simpsons and everything in between, Danny Elfman has provided the soundtrack for so much we love about film and television over the past 40 years. Not too bad for a new wave lead singer from a band that many critics consider a one-hit wonder.
Stay weird, everyone. And be sure to love and cherish those around you this weekend. This is your Danny Elfman-approved self-care open thread.
Music sets the mood for film today. A background track can heighten tension. A montage can provide motivation. Heck, even karaoke (good or bad) can help build characters in a way that is hard to do solely with conversation. Music becomes an omniscient narrator in a way that dialogue simply cannot do. That is why we've become so acquainted with today's most popular film composers: John Williams, Hans Zimmer, James Horner, Howard Shore, Alan Silvestri, Thomas Newman, Rachel Portman, Alexandre Desplat, and John Barry among others. While you might not know the names of their songs, their distinct styles are always recognizable. Hardly can you watch a movie preview without hearing their magical music soaring in the background.
For today's self-care, allow me to share a personal favorite: Danny Elfman. Previously known for his work as frontman for the 80s new wave band Oingo Boingo, Elfman has gone on to fame and fortune as a composer, widely known for his work with director Tim Burton. Elfman's sound is distinctive in a way that it is often quirky, thereby creating the perfect background for so many of Burton's films. He never takes himself too seriously and this is a perfect way to score the kind of films that he is so often asked to compose. Yet, he is a true artist as you will see from the selected clips below. From Batman to The Simpsons and everything in between, Danny Elfman has provided the soundtrack for so much we love about film and television over the past 40 years. Not too bad for a new wave lead singer from a band that many critics consider a one-hit wonder.
Stay weird, everyone. And be sure to love and cherish those around you this weekend. This is your Danny Elfman-approved self-care open thread.