Harbinger of random waffle

[louiselux]

Here's something I discovered yesterday. The theme tune from Jaws, written by John Williams, is an obvious rip-off of the Harbingers of Spring from Stravinky's Rite of Spring. And, in another John Williams shock, in the Darth Vader theme from Star Wars, there's a bit that sounds exactly like 'A Spoonful of Sugar Makes the Medicine Go Down', or whatever that particular song is called, from Mary Poppins

And talking of Mary Poppins, has anyone ever done a Mary Poppins/Good Omens cross over, or am I dreaming it? I know the film's mentioned in the book...

And isn't harbinger a great word? I may have to use it in conversation tomorrow.

I am sorry for the randomness, just can't seem to concentrate on anything today. Going now.

Comments

[ellen-fremedon.livejournal.com]

The Jaws theme also sounds an awful like the beginning of the fourth movement to Dvorak's New World Symphony. And there's another tune in the score that's basically a fugue on the All Things Considered theme music, though I'm not actually sure how long ATC has been on the air; Jaws might have come first.

And don't get me started on all the bits of Holst that ended up in Star Wars. Just listen to Mars, the Bringer of War and mentally shift it from five to four and you'll recognize a lot of riffs.

None of which actually stops me from liking much of John Williams's music-- Jaws and the original Star Wars trilogy are some of my favorite scores. They are rather, um, eclectic, but Williams only steals from the best.

[louiselux.livejournal.com]

Just listen to Mars, the Bringer of War and mentally shift it from five to four and you'll recognize a lot of riffs.

Huh. That hadn't occurred to me but now you mention it I can hear that right now in my head, without even having to put the record on!

I do generally like his scores very much, and I love some, like Jaws. I think he's clever, and his borrowing habit makes his music very entertaining, the way he drops in little bits and pieces.