JAWS: Better Music Than Movie

As I was preparing the commentary on my music project, I had an epiphany: The music of Jaws tells a better story than the film itself does. So, I went on YouTube and I watched a clip once with sound and once without sound. Try it; you'll see. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucMLFO6TsFM

Speilberg's adaption of Benchley's novel would be nothing without William's accompanying score. There are two plot lines running in the music; in fact, I could complete an entire plot chart on the theme song. There is an exposition, where the hook is established. Rising actions as the prey plot is introduced and elaborated as the predatory hook beats in the background, getting louder and louder. Finally, the battling tunes climax in a loud beat, but the only surviving notes are the two tell-tale notes of the hook: DAH-DAH, that calmly swim/fade away.

And the winner is....

It's very interesting how a song can truly have a plot, how notes alone can tell a story based on the emotions they create.

The Jaws theme song uses flat/sharp notes alternated with natural notes to create the suspenseful hook, which clearly is the basis to this song, as well as the underlying current of panic during the movie.

Compelling? Hell, yes! Almost any person in the world could identify this song just from the feeling it creates. That's powerful!