The Musical Score

[jim ...]

Having had the Soundtrack since my second viewing...it's been interesting to see how the score and songs were placed in the film.
No One's Gonna Love you like Me........Jack and Lureen's dance song. (Where Jack is seeing looking off in the distance)
A Love That WIll Never Grow Old.......Jack driving away crying
I Will Never Let You Go........Done as an intsrumental, another dance scene

I was delighted and amazed that Ang Lee listened to the music BEFORE filming scenes! They are so connected!

AND.....that the original King Of the Road (Roger Miller) was used. Why was the duet recorded??? I think it's great.....it gets me over crying after A Love that will never grow old.....but , why?
And if Willie Nelson doesn't keep me in the theater crying with He Was A Friend of Mine.....the last time I sat through Rufus Wainwright singing Maker Makes.......a song I'm just beginning to get.

hmmm ... are you sure about Ang listening to the music before he started filming?  Somehow I don't think it could have been completely composed before the filming started ... I could be wrong ... wouldn't be the first time!

[peteinportland]

Gnash was kind enought to post these lyrics in the Ennis and Cassie thread, and I think they belong here as well. They are the lyrics to the song "Melissa" by the Allman Brothers. This is the song Ennis plays on the jukebox in the scene with him, Cassie, and Alma Jr. The lyrics spooked the hell out of me (still do) as they speak to the entire movie. I pointed out in the other thread that you can get Melissa with the letters of Ennis Del Mar (save one s) and that Annie mentions the "plain" where Jack is to be buried (Twist family plot). BBM was a crossroads for these two characters, and if you substitute BBM for crossroads, it is as if this song was written specifically for the movie (or the story specifically for the song). Its inclusion really moves me (enough to cross post it). I think it speaks volumes that Ennis chooses to play this song, and it might serve as some foreshadowing for Jack's death.

"Melissa"

Crossroads seem to come and go.... yeah
The gypsy flies from coast to coast,
Knowin' many lovin' none,
Bearin' sorrow havin fun,

But back home He'll always run....
..to sweet Melissa. mmmhmmm...

Freight train, each car looks the same.... all the same
And no one knows the gypsy's name,
No one hears his lonely sigh,
There are no blankets where he lies,

In all his deepests dreams the gypsy flies.....
..to sweet Melissa.

Again the mornin's come,
Again he's on the run,
Sunbeams shinin' through his hair,
Appearin' not to have a care.
Pick up your gear n' gypsy roll along...
..roll along.

Crossroads, would you ever let him go? ...no, no.
Oh will you hide the dead man's ghost?
Or will he lie beneath the plain?
Will his spirit roll away?

But I know that he wont stay...
..without Melissa.

Yes I know that he wont stay...
..without Melissa.

 

[David]

I had posted this elsewhere, so my apologies to the folks who have already read this. Has "The Devil's Right Hand" been discussed anywhere on the boards? I grin when I hear that song because it was undoubtedly chosen and used to echo Jack's right hand (the first night in the tent) which grabbed Ennis' right hand (it was Ennis' left hand in the short story) and started the whole conflagration which consumed them the rest of their lives.

[huntinbuddy]

Last week when I seen BBM for the first time, (and I had not read the short story or had anyone give me any hints on the movie), and the song Melissa was playing in the background of the dance scene betweem Ennis & and the bar maid; I quickly ran the lyrics through my head (even into the next scene as I had to think what they were).  I remember getting down to "Crossroads, would you ever let him go, Oh will you hide the dead mans ghost, Or will he lie beneath the plain" it hit me like a 2x4 in the head that someone was going to die.

It caused me to conjure up that both Jack and Ennis would be murdered on Brokeback Mtn.   Then came the scene with the postcard, and I was just a basket case until the lights came up.

[peteinportland]

Here are the words to the Mexican song we hear as Jack meets the hustler in the alley (thanks to many who have posted these words in various places including Jack and In Tears). This song is also brilliantly selected and placed.

"Quizas, Quizas, Quizas"

English lyrics:

"Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps"
You won't admit you love me and so
How am I ever to know
You only tell me
Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps

A million times I ask you and then
I ask you over again
You only answer
Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps

If you can't make your mind up
We'll never get started
And I don't want to wind up
Being parted, broken hearted

So if you really love me say, "yes"
But if you don't, dear, confess
And please don't tell me
Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps

If you can't make your mind up
We'll never get started
And I don't want to wind up
Being parted, broken hearted

So if you really love me say, "yes"
But if you don't, dear, confess
And please don't tell me
Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps
Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps
Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps

En Espanol:

Siempre que te pregunto
que cuando,como y donde
tu siempre me respondes

Quizas, Quizas, Quizas

Y asi pasan los dias
y yo desesperado,y Tu,Tu contestando

Quizas,Quizas,Quizas,

Estas perdiendo el tiempo,pensando,pensando
Por lo que Tu mas quieras
hasta cuando, hasta cuando
Y asi pasan los dias, y yo desesperado
y Tu,Tu contestando

Quizas, Quizas, Quizas.

Siempre que te pregunto
que cuando,como y donde
Tu siempre me respondes

Quizas,Quizas,Quizas

Estas perdiendo el tiempo,pensando,pensando
Por lo que Tu mas quieras
hasta cuando, hasta cuando

Estas perdiendo el tiempo,pensando,pensando
Por lo que Tu mas quieras
hasta cuando, hasta cuando
Y asi pasan los dias, y yo desesperado
y Tu,Tu contestando

Quizas, Quizas, Quizas.

Siempre que te pregunto
que cuando,como y donde
Tu siempre me respondes

Quizas, Quizas, Quizas.
Quizas, Quizas, Quizas.
Quizas, Quizas, Quizas.

[kumari]

Way back in the olden days (before CDs were the dominant format), didn't the "score" and the "soundtrack" used to be two separate things?
The BBM CD seems to combine the two, because there are musical compositions used in the scenes of the film, in addition to recorded songs with lyrics.
I was a huge Prince fan when I was growing up in New York where I had access to hard-to-find music from the music Mecca, Tower Records. I seem to remember that my father found me a copy of the score to Purple Rain, which consisted of the music Prince composed as the background to the scenes. The soundtrack was, of course, the successful album, Purple Rain.
But they were not the same thing.
When did this change?

[Ross:Broken]

Way back in the olden days (before CDs were the dominant format), didn't the "score" and the "soundtrack" used to be two separate things?
The BBM CD seems to combine the two, because there are musical compositions used in the scenes of the film, in addition to recorded songs with lyrics.
I was a huge Prince fan when I was growing up in New York where I had access to hard-to-find music from the music Mecca, Tower Records. I seem to remember that my father found me a copy of the score to Purple Rain, which consisted of the music Prince composed as the background to the scenes. The soundtrack was, of course, the successful album, Purple Rain.
But they were not the same thing.
When did this change?

I think there has always been a mix.  In my experience, usually, a "soundtrack" combines part of the score along with recorded songs with lyrics.  Sometimes, it may only be an opening and/or closing song, and score rounds out the rest of the album, but I think they're usually a mix.  Often, you get a soundtrack that is exclusively or almost exclusively songs...maybe with the "Love Theme from [Movie Name]" thrown in for good measure.  Occasionally, you get an all-score album.  And sometimes, you get two releases, one of songs and one of the score.  I may be mistaken, but, speaking of Prince, I believe this is what they did for the "Batman" soundtrack: the pop album of songs used in and inspired by the movie and then the "soundtrack." 

Did this make any sense?

[Lucee]

Just downloaded the soundtrack last night and of course almost burst out into tears hearing the first 2 notes of the Opening.  For me good music in a movie is one that you only notice when you're really supposed to, otherwise it just helps things along without you really even knowing it (as in the case of the case of when Ennis found the shirts).    I've only seen the movie once so far, so I'm really interested to know see how the music will effect me differently the second go round.

I too noticed that the song on the jukebox was "Melissa" (one of my favorites) and thought how fitting it was given it's theme.

The other song that stuck out for me was when Jack was driving up to see Ennis after the divorce and was singing "King of the Road".  The look on his face was as if he was shouting he was the king of the world because he was so damn elated.  It's another scene that just pulls me in so completely seeing that wonderful smile on his face....that smile we all long to see because it's just filled with love (but I digress! )

After seeing the movie though some other songs that have moved me came to my mind, and ironcially with similar themes.  Both by James Taylor....Fire and Rain and Something in the Way She Moves.  Fire and Rain tells of such loss, heartache and struggling that I've been moved to tears listening to it.  Something in the Way She Moves has always pulled at my heart strings as well.  I've always looked beyond the gender and have thought is such a touching song because it describes so perfectly that contentment and peace someone feels when their loved one is near them.  Something I have always strived to acheive and have hoped I could provide for someone else. 

[PetterG]

I have also downloaded the soundtrack and my comments are:

1) how many romantic 'last dance' will we see to 'noone gonna love you...' (specially on gay places) ?

2) my  are always coming when I hear 'Wings'

[crcj]

I downloaded the soundtrack when I returned from the movie.  It is pretty darned perfect for the whole story.  I love most of it, and have my moments.  My two favorites (I do love all the BBM non-vocal pieces as well) are "A Love That Will Never Grow Old" which gets me everytime EmmyLou sings about having a suspicion this one may be the love of his life.  Then the "I Don't Want to Say Goodbye" lyrics are amazing as well.  It is all about "all I want to do is live with you."  It is so easy to picture Jack saying those exact words.  I share the romantic nature portrayed by the character.

I do think the score fits beautifully with the whole movie.  And interesting to read that Gustavo has scored 99% of the movie without even being in production.  All based on the story and screenplay.

[gnash]

I had posted this elsewhere, so my apologies to the folks who have already read this. Has "The Devil's Right Hand" been discussed anywhere on the boards? I grin when I hear that song because it was undoubtedly chosen and used to echo Jack's right hand (the first night in the tent) which grabbed Ennis' right hand (it was Ennis' left hand in the short story) and started the whole conflagration which consumed them the rest of their lives.

david, i love this song, it's upbeat and i always turn it up in my car when it comes on. got some strange looks from some kids in a car today, guess they don't hear country music much in downtown LA... i never thought about the right hand bit tho, so now the song won't be the same (shhhhhhh, i sometimes sing it like this: "mamma says a penis is a devil's right hand"  LOL)

which hand did ennis spit into? wasn't it his right? and also the hand that rubs his face in the tent the morning after? hmmm,, he was jack's right hand man!

pete, have you downloaded or bought a copy of the Melissa song? i'd love to compile all of the music from the movie, including melissa and the perhaps perhaps song. i have no allman brothers, or nat king cole (at least not perhaps perhaps), or the spanish singing artist. definite MUST HAVES!!!

we also need to find out where we can get our (right) hands on the music that is played during certain key scenes. michaelflanaganSF described it well, as "eno-esque" music. you hear it when jack encounters the half-eaten sheep after the first night in the tent, and also when he's looking in the closet and finds the shirts. i thought i heard it too, for a second or two, during the last scene of the movie, before they broke into "wings" but i may be wrong.

perhaps we can compile a list of all the songs in the movie that weren't on the original sountrack for brokeback mountain. i'd be inclined to spend a few bucks on iTunes or another site, heck, even buy the cds, just to have the essence of the our movie in song.

EDIT: just found this -- savadi, a guest, had posted the lyrics to "melissa" back in december on the "songs related" thread with his comment: This is one of my favorite songs, I highlighted the parts I especially love, it makes me think of Jack's love for Ennis and his ashes interred in the mean little cemetary instead of Brokeback.    http://davecullen.com/forum/index.php?topic=104.msg1110#msg1110

[ImEnnisShesJack]

OK, one more thing, then I have GOT TO return to my normal life and get something done!! "The Wings" seems to be a motif for their established relationship and its subsequent struggles. I'm such a sucker, when that music washes over me, it gets me every time.

The obsession will NOT let go of you! lol!

I found "The Wings" on the BBM official site before I'd seen anything more than the trailer.  I bought the soundtrack asap.  That song touched me deeply.  (It's currently what I wake up to every morning on my alarm clock.  )  That song touched me deeply and I didn't know why at the time.

Then when I went to see BBM, and I realized that "The Wings" was kind of used as Jack & Ennis' Theme Song, I TOTALLY BROKE DOWN AND SOBBED in the theatre.  It is my favorite cut on the soundtrack.  There is magic in the way it ws orchestrated and arranged.  Perfection.

[petetown]

Opening notes......minor second...........A to A flat.

The closest two notes can be to one another.

An echo across a lonely span....

"Two deuces going nowhere."

Final resolution in a majestic major chord.
 

[ImEnnisShesJack]

Opening notes......minor second...........A to A flat.

The closest two notes can be to one another.

An echo across a lonely span....

"Two deuces going nowhere."

Final resolution in a majestic major chord.
 

Oh great. Now I'm crying again.

"two deuces going nowhere"
*sob*


this movie has got hold a me good.

[billaboi21]

The Wings touched me before I went to see the movie. I had just seen the trailer and this magical music kind of like drove me away. Everytime I heard it during the movie, I could not keep myself from feeling moody or crying... The music just perfectly goes with the movie. Everytime I hear a piece of it, i reminisce the scenes of the movie.

My favorite song is "I dont want to say goodbye". I was a little disappointed because it only played for like 5 seconds in the movie while they were dancing... Anyway the 3 Brokeback mountain scores and The Wings are simply beautiful. they deeply touched me.