[Film Music] Theme songs from Western movies: those unforgettable classics and popular tunes
Putting aside silent films and the like, one of the elements essential to movies is, of course, music.
Many film fans would probably say that the brilliance of the scores that play during iconic scenes becomes part of their memories and stays with them.
So in this article, we’ve gathered a selection of great pieces centered on main themes from foreign films that have colored the history of cinema!
Rather than theme songs by singers or bands, we focus on main themes composed by the film’s score composers.
We’ve included many famous works across eras and genres, making this an article that both movie lovers and music fans can enjoy.
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- The theme song of a romantic film that gives you a heart-fluttering, moving feeling.
- Popular songs and insert tracks from the Mission: Impossible series
- Theme and insert songs from Japanese films. Masterpieces and popular tracks of Japanese movie music.
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- Most popular songs from the Pirates of the Caribbean series
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[Film Music] Theme songs from Western movies. Those unforgettable masterpieces and popular tracks (41–50)
Start A FireJohn Legend
This uplifting, up-tempo track blends a variety of genres into a moving piece that enriches the film’s story.
Set to a melody where jazz and pop are beautifully harmonized, John Legend’s expressive vocals resonate deeply.
Released as part of the soundtrack for the December 2016 film La La Land, it is included on the album “La La Land: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack.” The song is featured in an impressive scene where John Legend’s character, Keith, performs it, further enhancing the film’s world.
It’s a perfect pick for those who want to revel in an exhilarating melody and refined vocals, or for anyone who wishes to relive their memories of La La Land through music.
[Film Music] Theme songs from foreign films. Unforgettable classics and popular tracks (51–60)
Hide And SeekImogen Heap
The dreamlike soundscape woven by the vocals and harmonizer gently stirs the listener’s heart.
Imogen Heap’s translucent voice delicately expresses feelings of parting and loss, blending with a unique, floating acoustic effect that seems to drift in midair.
Released in May 2005, the track captured many listeners as part of the album “Speak for Yourself.” Beginning with its striking use in the Season 2 finale of the hit drama The O.C., it has colored pivotal scenes in numerous visual works, including Normal People and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
It’s a resonant song that stays close to you during quiet nights spent alone or moments when you contemplate saying goodbye to someone dear.
Main TitleDanny Elfman
The first time director Tim Burton and Johnny Depp teamed up was for the 1990 film Edward Scissorhands.
Its theme, Main Title, was composed by American musician Danny Elfman.
It opens with a dreamy celesta melody, then grows grander as strings and harp layer in, drawing you in as you listen.
The female vocal harmonies that come in later heighten the sense of fantasy, resulting in a finish that feels quintessentially Tim Burton.
La Valse d’AmélieYann Tiersen
The piece whose accordion tone evokes the image of Paris, France is “La valse d’Amélie.” It is the theme song of the French film Amélie, which won the Grand Prix at the 2001 Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, and it was composed by Yann Tiersen.
Director Jean-Pierre Jeunet reportedly fell in love with his music and asked him to compose for the film.
The pieces he provided are all nostalgic and charming, characteristic works by Tiersen influenced by classical music and French folk music.
AtlasColdplay
This is a heartwarming Coldplay ballad, notable for its delicate piano melody that begins in silence.
Its grand melodic lines evoke images of the cosmos and constellations, while the moving lyrics about mutual support strike a deep chord.
Released in September 2013, the song was created for the soundtrack of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and earned high acclaim on European music charts.
It also won the Hollywood Song Award at the 17th Annual Hollywood Film Awards.
This gem of a mid-tempo ballad resonates deeply when you want to feel a bond with someone special or take a moment for self-reflection.
AngelSarah McLachlan
With deep emotion and a crystalline voice, Sarah McLachlan weaves melodies that resonate in the heart.
Created as a requiem and a gesture of comfort for musicians who lost their lives to drugs, this piece touched many people as a song of the soul that stays close to loneliness and suffering.
Included on the album Surfacing, released in July 1997, it reached No.
4 on the Billboard Hot 100.
It was also featured on the soundtrack of the film City of Angels, where its tranquil atmosphere and piano lines beautifully capture the film’s world.
Its gently enveloping vocals and healing, beautiful melody make it a recommended listen for those feeling worn out by daily life or seeking solace for the heart.
Around the World in 80 DaysVictor Young Orchestra (Vikutā Yangu)
The sound world woven by the grand orchestral melodies is filled with a charm that feels like an invitation to journey around the globe.
Under the masterful baton of Victor Young, this work—beautifully balancing adventure and romance—was composed as the main theme for a film released in 1956 and earned the Academy Award for Best Original Score.
Its elegant, expansive melodic line musically portrays the cultures and landscapes of various countries, painting vivid scenes in the listener’s mind.
It’s a recommended track for a gentle change of pace—perfect for a refreshing break during work or as a relaxing companion to leisurely reading.