The One That Gave You Goosebumps
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We all rate music scores differently. Some are good, Some are bad and some are in a special category. What do you mean a special category? I think everyone of us has a category of tracks that just give you goosebumps. Tracks that have such an impact on an individual for different reasons. Tracks you can listen to over and over again without ever getting bored by it.
What is it? What makes this track so special that you just sit down and listen or get inspired by listening by just this one track. Is it the instruments or the pace or something else. It can go deeper than just what we see and what we hear.
Tracks can be special to us because we listened to them through some of the best and worst times of our lives. Because you listened to them on one of those defining moments in your life and every one has these moments, the moments that define your life.
Is this all? No. You can have tons of reasons why that particular track gives you goosebumps. Every one is unique. Every person has their own characteristiscs and their own life style. Their own norms and values. Their own way of listening to music and their own story.
If you would ask me which track inspires me or give me goosebumps it would be Rockets Away from the soundtrack of The Rock. Everytime I see that move and hear that tune it sends me chills down my spine. I can’t explain it why but when I first saw the movie I was 10 years old. I already liked it then and I still like it now. It’s just perfect. The action, The tension. One of the tracks that gives me goosebumps.
My question to you. What are the tracks that give you goosebumps and what are the reasons? What makes that track so special for you? I hope you are willing to share that and hopefully get some insights in why people love certain tracks.
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Comments
For me, the tracks that give me goosebumps are generally ones that are emotional, usually sad. The most recent one is “Torn Apart” from The Fourth Kind soundtrack (Surprisingly good score!), especially at 45 seconds in, when the song turns very sad. The only place I can find it online is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZ5LlTAi9aA “Torn Apart” starts at about 5:30 into the video.
Another one is the last two-thirds of “One Day,” from Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End.
One of my favorites has to be “A Watchful Gaurdian,” from The Dark Knight Collector’s Edition soundtrack. The whole build up from 2:10 to 4:00 is absolutely stunning. I can’t listen to it enough.
“Mass Winnings” from The Island, has a section from 53 seconds to 1:57 that gives me goosebumps, especially when the percussion comes in.
I could go on and list dozens more, but I’ll refrain from doing so.
Jeremiah Pena´s last blog ..Dreamscape Theme 
Jeremiah Pena Reply:
December 18th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
Also, almost anything from the Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End score gives me goosebumps. Especially “At Wit’s End.” The entire thing, from start to finish, is incredible.
Jeremiah Pena´s last blog ..Dreamscape Theme
Jorn Tillnes Reply:
December 18th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
Torn Apart is a very good track, but it didn’t give me goosebumps. Mass Winnings is a wonderful track and the part you mentioned is epic and is indeed goosebump-worthy. One Day and At Wit’s End are superb as well. A Watchful Guardian from 2:10 to 4:00, definitely goosebumps!
The Battle from Gladiator. I love how it is over ten minutes and in 3/4 time. I listened to this track over and over as I studied for my qualifying exam in graduate school. To this day, I do my best work when listening to it. I love certain tracks from certain scores and could also list a dozen more that I love.
Nice post!
H
Jorn Tillnes Reply:
December 18th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
The Battle is a great track. Especially from 5 and onwards. It’s one epic moment after another.
Gotta love Gladiator and Star Trek (2009) too, solid from end to end. I was kinda sad that this year’s Transformers was good, but it didn’t have that something that I felt when listening to the first transformers movie.
Jeremiah Pena Reply:
December 18th, 2009 at 3:01 am
Interestingly, I didn’t like the Star Trek score much. It seemed a very boring score to me for some reason.
I do agree with Transformers. The second seemed to lack something. I’m not sure exactly what. Maybe it’s a combination of different things. I did notice that the second had a lot less of a militaristic feel than the original.
Shawn Reply:
December 18th, 2009 at 3:37 am
To each his own. The redo of the Star Trek theme is nothing great, but maybe give a re-listen and to ‘Enterprising Young Men’ and a few others… the shared themes that most songs draw on are solid. Maybe I’m just a sucker for anything Giacchino in 2009.
Jorn Tillnes Reply:
December 18th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
I loved both Star Trek and Transformers 2 this year. I love Nero Sighted from Star Trek. Such a powerful bad guy track. Especially the theme from 0:45 to 0:57.
Matrix of Leadership from Transformers 2 has got me from the beginning with the ominous evil sounding voice which is as beautiful as it is sinister. Then from 1:35 to the end is all about thematic beauty.
“For Frodo” from The Return of the King Complete Recordings. Enough said. “The Battle of the Peleonnor Fields” and “The Crack of Doom” as well. They are inspiring.
Ge0rge Reply:
December 18th, 2009 at 7:44 am
agreed. I can even say that any track of all 12 hours of LOTR complete scores can blow me away for sure.
Jorn Tillnes Reply:
December 18th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
I love The Uruk-Hai and especially The Bridge of Khazad Dum, but almost everything in the LOTR series is great.
This a tough one, throwing up a couple that come to mind which got me started listening to scores. From Batman – Descent into Mystery, brief but powerful nonetheless. Also from Return of the Jedi – Light of the Force, still gives me chills to this day.
Jorn Tillnes Reply:
December 18th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
Two great tracks indeed. Been a while since I listened to those.
Well good candidates for me are
- All Of Them! from King Arthur: this track got me into scores. After that one I started downloading more Zimmer stuff and got me into scores
- Hanging + Escape from Plunkett & McLaine: this is one of the best soundtrackcues ever for me. So moving and emtional. This may sound bizarre but I want this played on my funeral someday
Other recent tracks that spring to mind are ‘Battle For Varden’ (Eragon), ‘Journey to the Cave’ (Harry Potter), ‘Shooting Star’ (Stardust), ‘Constitutional Crisis’ (Young Victoria), ‘Joanna Drives Off’ (Love Actually), ‘Now isn’t a good time’ (Potc3) and much more to name…
Jorn Tillnes Reply:
December 18th, 2009 at 4:25 pm
All of Them is glorious, as is most of the King Arthur score. Probably Zimmer’s best score to date.
I have Escape from Plunkett & MacLeane. Simply gorgeous, but so short.
Ooh, that reminds me of a cue that brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it. It’s World Trade Center Piano Theme. The part from 1:07 to 1:36 is simply stunning.
As with any music, this changes over time.
The all time winners are probably Evenstar and Eowyn theme from the LotR OST, followed closely by Leia’s theme from SWIV (and the Force theme as well, ofc), and last but not least Star of Bethlehem from Home Alone (BTW, I’d really like to see you review this score. Pretty please, with sugar on top 
)).
I’ll tell the story of the last one: I’ve known it subconsciously ever since I was a kid, because Home alone is on TV each Christmas and I really loved the movie. I’d been a soundtrack fan for years but this score was under my radar. Then I attended a Christmas concert at Brno filharmony, heard the song live (children choir + full orchestra) and the emotion was so strong I had a hard time sitting through the whole song (basicaly a musical orgasm). I’ve loved that song ever since.
However, reading through other comments, I have to note that I found ALL the mentioned tracks which I know really moving.
Jorn Tillnes Reply:
December 18th, 2009 at 4:27 pm
How could I forget Evenstar? One of the most beautiful tracks from the LOTR series.
Home Alone is the best Christmas soundtrack out there, but come to think of it, nothing gives me goosebumps. Hmm.. maybe I don’t like Christmas 
. Love it though, love it to death.
When some piece of music makes you wanna cry, does it enter in that category ? If so, here are some of them
“A small measure of peace” from the Last Samurai. All the soundtrack is moving, but best part begins at min 6:13, and at 7:25 when music and time are suspended for a slight moment, it turns to pure emotion…
“Hymn to the fallen” from Saving Private Ryan. I really am not a big fan of John Williams, but this cue is one of the best ever . When choirs give all their power at 3:56, whoaa …
And “Concerto de l’Adieu” by Georges Delerue. All the human suffering expressed by a violon solo…
Jorn Tillnes Reply:
December 18th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Oh my god I love The Last Samurai. A Small Measure of Peace from 6:12 to 7:25. Instant tears! Actually it extends to the end and it’s fantastic.
Hymn to the Fallen is indeed a fantastic track.
Thanks for bringing that Delerue piece to my attention. A good cue.
For a tear in the eye, Adventure on Earth from ET by John Williams. The last bit always brings a tear. Also Buckbeaks flight from Harry Potter, John Williams again.
For goosebumps, basically every 15 minutes while listening through the lord of the rings complete recordings
Jorn Tillnes Reply:
December 18th, 2009 at 4:46 pm
Agree with you on LOTR. What a wonderful collection of great music.
160 BPM from Angels and Daemons. That track is so amazingly powerful; gets me every time I hear it. And of course all the other tracks everyone else has suggested are good too. Such as “One Day” From POTC3, basically all of the Return of the King Soundtrack, “All of Them” from King Arthur, and just about all of the Batman Begins soundtrack.
Jeremiah Pena Reply:
December 18th, 2009 at 3:30 pm
For me, I liked “Science and Religion” in Angels and Demons more than 160 BPM. A lot of what you mentioned is by Hans Zimmer. It seems he is really good at stirring emotions in people.
Jeremiah Pena´s last blog ..Dreamscape Theme
Stephen Reply:
December 18th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
Well, I haven’t exactly listened to the A&D soundtrack very thoroughly (and I just realized I misspelled “demons” in the last comment…). But yes, Hans Zimmer is good at stirring emotions. I also think a lot of James Newton Howard’s music does that as well.
Jorn Tillnes Reply:
December 18th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
Funny, I liked Black Smoke a lot. Great score overall though.
Theres so many to choose from. I loved some of Badelt’s stuff from The Promise, a highly underrated score in my opinion. The track Snow Country is so powerful, as is The Robe, at around the 3:00 mark (if I remember correctly – it’s basically the bit it builds up to) Also on the Rescue Dawn soundtrack is It’s Him, which is quite a moving piece. I know Badelt isn’t very well liked as he does tend to take influence from a lot of other composers and his stuff is sometimes quite generic.
Other things I can remember off the top of my head – Virtuous Mission on the Metal Gear Solid 3 soundtrack, the first part of Optimus vs Megatron and Arrival to Earth on the original Transformers soundtrack, the first part of the last track on The Dark Knight soundtrack, a lot of stuff from the LOTR soundtracks…
There’s probably so many more that I can’t think of right now.
And sorry Jorn, The Rock track just dosn’t do it for me after the 2:00 mark, I do like up to that point though as it has that ‘build up/tension’ section that I love in scores (don’t know how to describe it but you know what I mean)
Jorn Tillnes Reply:
December 18th, 2009 at 9:18 pm
That’s true. The Promise is a very underrated and wonderful score. Snow Country and Love Theme are giving me serious goosebumps.
The Rock track is good, but doesn’t give me goosebumps 
John Reply:
December 19th, 2009 at 6:12 pm
Yeah, I remember where I recognised the ‘tension building’ bit that I talked about in the last paragraph, and you should know what i’m talking about as I know you listened to it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cc7XS4fCwDs
The 1:30 ish part of The Rock track, similar, no?
hello.
I agree with you. I am a big fan of movie soundtrack and several tracks give me some tingle when I listen to it.
for instance, like said Jorn Tillnes, Battle Adagio from Rambo 4 soundtrack (although I prefer the track 5 “aftermath”, quite the same but i prefer the end of this one)
Several zimmer/Newton Howard Batman tracks give me too this feeling… second part of Eptesicus,
“Apollo is Gone/Starbuck Return” and “reunited” from Battlestar Galactica pilot (Richard Gibbs)
From the last SAmurai, not the same of you : the two last minutes of the last track “A small measure of Peace”
and much more….
Like you said, it’s differnet for everyone and I think those tracks are specifics for me because of memories associated with it, or feeling that the music makes me remember, I don’t know…
A friendly hello from France !
GR
GR7 Reply:
December 18th, 2009 at 10:20 pm
sorry I commented before I read all the comments. Many things I said already have been said.
Jorn Tillnes Reply:
December 18th, 2009 at 11:42 pm
Welcome! We share similar taste I see. It’s so fun to discover these gems in film music that really gives you an emotional boost.
One of my favs must be “On Earth As It Is In Heaven” from The Mission by Ennio Morricone. Gives me goosebumps each time I listen to it. I must certainly say that Mr. Morricone knows how to make great movie tracks. 
Jorn Tillnes Reply:
December 19th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
The Mission is a great score and has many goosebumps moments. Same with The Last of the Mohicans.
The Wing Commander Overture by David Arnold always sends chills down my spine.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cohxgOVcK8E
And then there’s the Super X theme from Godzilla vs Biollante.
Jorn Tillnes Reply:
December 19th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
Didn’t give me goosebumps but they are very good cues.
There’s definitely a few. For me, The All Spark/Bumblebee from the first Transformers. The beginning of Bumblebee is just so beautiful, I about die. I’ve figured out how to play it on the piano, and even then it gives me chills.
Like a few people said: All of the Lord of the Rings. But particularly, The Breaking of the Fellowship from FOTR (to this day my favorite score track ever) and The Return of the King from ROTK (the 10 minute long song).
On smaller scales, I always get emotional listening to Nemo Egg from Finding Nemo and parts of A Series of Unfortunate Events by Thomas Newman. He seems to be extremely good at making me feel sad, just like
GIACCHINO. He made me cry in Star Trek. Also, any of his moving violin cues from Lost. I adore his work.
GR7 Reply:
December 19th, 2009 at 8:45 am
The beginning of Bumblebee reminds me the theme from the island, or one of the Batman begins theme.
I love Zimmer music but he and Media Ventures composers arn’t very original sometimes…
Jorn Tillnes Reply:
December 19th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
“Media Ventures composers arn’t very original sometimes…”
That’s the understatement of the year. I don’t think I will see the day when a Media Venture score is truly original, but they are still great (mostly).
Jorn Tillnes Reply:
December 19th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
Transformers has a few goosebumpy moments, as does LOTR.
Thomas Newman is a great composer, but he rarely gives me goosebumps. Last time must have been the theme from Revolutionary Road.
Giacchino impressed me in Star Trek. Lost is an entirely different beast, and like you I love his violin cues, the meotional cues. I don’t particularly like the messy percussion cues he loves to play. Star Trek always makes me emotional, especially when I listen to Goldsmith’s stuff.
“GIACCHINO. He made me cry in Star Trek. Also, any of his moving violin cues from Lost. I adore his work.”
Giacchino is my favorite composer. I could list dozens of his songs that have moved me like no other. But I always go back to his Frontline score. That entire soundtrack gives me “goosebumps”.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6Njj1IY8wI
Jorn Tillnes Reply:
December 19th, 2009 at 4:09 pm
Ah yes, Giacchino’s best work (apart from Star Trek) comes from the Medal of Honor series of game scores. Great stuff!
What a great topic – it’s nice to know I’m not the only person who listens to the same film tracks over and over.
Personal favourites? The entire LOTR score is a winner with me, though ‘The Breaking of the Fellowship’ (FOTR) is my favourite film track ever. ‘Twilight and Shadow’ and ‘The Lighting Of The Beacons’ (ROTK) are stunners too.
Other faves: ‘Tennessee’ from Pearl Harbor, ‘The Wings’ from Brokeback Mountain, ‘Central Park’ from King Kong, ‘All Of Them’ from King Arthur, ‘Eloi’ from The Time Machine (some of Klaus Badelt’s finest work – the score is the only redeeming feature of that film), ‘Glasgow Love Theme’ from Love Actually and ‘Chevaliers de Sangreal’ from The Da Vinci Code.
Jorn Tillnes Reply:
December 21st, 2009 at 4:25 am
Love Tennessee. It wakes the romantic in me. Brokeback Mountain has some great stuff as well, but not in the goosebump category (for me). Chevaliers de Sangreal is truly wonderful, one of the greatest score cues ever created.
Thanks for the great suggestions!
Totaly agree with those who proposed Chevaliers de Sangreal, All of Them, and some of the tracks from The Promise. I see that despite all criticism, Zimmer’s squad rules !!!
What about Journey to the Line ? I prefer the Pearl Harbor trailer version because the essential is there
Jorn Tillnes Reply:
December 21st, 2009 at 2:49 pm
Journey to the Line is very zen, a little too quiet. I too prefer the Pearl Harbor version. It works great with that and has a certain degree of goosebumpism.
You seems not really convinced by this one. The strenght of this cue is that from the very first moment, you’re wondering what is going on, and as tension is building on, you feel that something terrible is happening. And finally when brass blow, it is like you were actually in pain. That’s what I feel when listening to it, and I really like that.
Anyway , what about these ones :
Deep Blue from the same album, by George Fenton. It’s a impressive orchestral track, and it sounds so marvellous.
And also Ending Title from The Curse of the Golden Flower, it is a great cue full of emotion that makes me stop everything when hearing it. When male choirs begin their main effort one minute before the end, it is just great, but too short…
Jorn Tillnes Reply:
December 21st, 2009 at 4:19 pm
Great cues! Here’s a couple of my goosebump cues. Boone and Yoast or Virginia from Remember The Titans (Trevor Rabin). Two cues that gives me instant goosebumps. Such inspirational powercues. Then there’s Love Theme from Monster by BT. That is an amazing track if you ask me, very emotional and beautiful.
chancth Reply:
December 23rd, 2009 at 10:24 am
Great choice , especially Monster by BT. Very emotional as I like.
One that is very special to me is Nick & Masa from Black Rain. This cue haunted me for years, and finally when I got some opportunity to download something, it was this one. It is moving, intense and heroic at same time. Instant goosebumps when guitar plays. IMHO one masterpiece by HZ
if we’re talking goosebumps it has to be Ice Dance from Edward Scissorhands everytime for me.
Other faves are the Jurassic Park Theme-John Williams and one that I always forget to mention but love is the Forest Gump Theme-Alan Silvestri. Not necessarily the most famous, complicated or impressive but they are my faves!
Concerning goosebumps 2 tracks immediately sprang to my mind: “Storm” from Elisabeth-The Golden Age (starts ever so quietly and just evolves into full-blown dramatic score) – and Bear McCreary’s “Kara Remembers” from Battlestar Galactica Season 4: love the buildup from single piano key to real orchestral awesomeness. … and, of course, there’s always: Requiem for the Rings on the LOTR 2-OST!
Jorn Tillnes Reply:
December 23rd, 2009 at 8:55 am
Awesome! Have to check those out. Thanks for the suggestions!
Lisa Reply:
December 25th, 2009 at 5:19 am
Bear McCreary did an amazing job on BSG. Please don’t forget to check out “Gaeta’s Lament”, “The Cult of Baltar”, and my personal fav “Lords of Kobol”. Those are my top three out of many.
Once again, I can’t believe I just found this site.
Jorn Tillnes Reply:
December 25th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
BSG has had some wonderful music through the 4 seasons. In January I think there will be another BSG soundtrack. Can’t wait!
So happy you found us too
WhiteRabbit Reply:
December 25th, 2009 at 7:17 pm
Another BSG soundtrack? WOOT!! That sounds just GREAT!
@ Lisa: Totally agree – esp. “Gaetas Lament” is really one goosebumpy track – and “Lords of Kobol” is my fav from season 2.
“Bruce Broughton – Cody’s Flight”
from Rescuers Down Under
&
Clint Mansell – “Lux Aeterna”
ya know…the original?
Jorn Tillnes Reply:
December 23rd, 2009 at 8:50 am
Thanks for the great suggestions! Lux Aeterna is a classic.
Great to see a big discussion evolving out of my article.
I noticed how someone mentioned 160 bpm from the Angels and Demons Soundtrack. That’s one hell of a track.
I listen to it at least once a day and I always envision the part where it goes full force to be a trailer cue. Like one of the cues you hear at the end of the trailers for action epics underneath the visual mayhem.
Maybe something for the final The Expendables trailer. Just wanted to share that. Don’t know what you think of that?
In addition to almost everything everyone has posted…
“Remembering Childhood” by John Williams from Hook.
And I think I just found my new favorite website.
Jorn Tillnes Reply:
December 25th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
A great cue from Hook. Of course, I always though that Imperial March, Superman main theme and Star Wars main theme were goosebump-material (still does).
Soundtrack Seek
All Spark from Transformers for sure – i couldn’t believe how perfect this track was. Also Wolsey Commits Suicide from Tudors – this tune is just one of my life’s masterpiece. And Lasiurus from Batman Begins – i was listening to it a lot, when i was sad because of girl
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Jorn Tillnes Reply:
December 17th, 2009 at 11:26 pm
Awesome choices! There are many for me, but acouple that always gets me emotional is Battle Adagio from Rambo and Red Warrior from The Last Samurai.
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Jorn Tillnes Reply:
December 18th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
Oh I have to mention this since you like Wolsey Commits Suicide (Me too, big fan!). Promentory by Trevor Jones on The Last of the Mohicans is quite similar and another favorite of mine.
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Aidan Reply:
January 1st, 2010 at 7:31 pm
Chevaliers de Sangreal by Hans Zimmer from The Da Vinci Code is one of those tracks I can listen to anytime of the day or night. Hymn To The Fallen by John Williams from Saving Private Ryan is also very good. The brass chorale at about 1:40 into the song gives me goosebumps. One recording I recommend to everyone is Camille Saint-Saens Symphony No. 3 “Organ” as recorded by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The third movement is one of those pieces that I can feel the chills running down my back. The theme from the third movement was used in the film Babe. I believe the track on iTunes is called The Farmers Dance, for anyone interested. One that everyone must listen to is Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings. This was used in the film Platoon. The screaming major seventh chord at the climax of the piece seems to suck the air out of the room when it’s played. Fantastic.
-Aidan
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Jorn Tillnes Reply:
January 1st, 2010 at 8:38 pm
Awesome choices! You just ripped them out of my book of goosebumpiness didn’t you? Especially Chevaliers de Sangreal. Truly one of the best tracks ever created.
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