FX Does Theme Music Right!
|
Mar 9 2010, 7:03 AM
I was watching
FX
(the cable outlet/network, not the 1986 movie starring Bryan Brown and Brian
Dennehy). If you've spent anytime on that channel, you've seen the
ubiquitous commercial for their new series, JUSTIFIED, featuring dramatic music comprised of a driving hip hop beat, dark rapping, and slide guitar/bluegrass twanginess.
Outside of 30
Days, each FX show features characters who operate both in the dark and in the
light, which establishes a clear brand on their part, but most importantly,
makes for riveting storytelling and addictive television.
30 DAYS:
Unscripted
reality show chronicling Supersize Me's Morgan Spurlock and his exploration of
someone else's life over 30 Days.
Theme Song:
"The Messenger" by Iggy Pop off of the seminal record, Lust for Life
(1977)
Why it works:
Classic track. No explanation necessary, but this song has been also used in Jarhead, Up In The Air, The Weather Man, and CNN's Anderson Cooper 360.
Listen: iTunes
anyone?
Animated
(using real photos of cast + Adobe Illustrator) dysfunctional spy comedy
featuring voice talent of H. Jon Benjamin, Aisha Tyler, Chris Parnell, as well
as Arrested Development Alums, Jessica Walter, Judy Greer, and guest
appearances by Jeffrey Tambor.
Theme Song:
Opening/Closing instrumental theme by Scott Sims.
Why it works:
This Spacy, noiresque track sets up that this not your every day cartoon or spy
show. In this case, nothing is going to be normal.
Listen: http://www.zedge.net/ringtones/915729/archer-theme-ringtone/
DAMAGES:
Set at a law
firm in NYC, this series revolves around Patty Hewes (played by two-time
Emmy-winner Glenn Close) a clever, yet merciless lawyer and a young lawyer,
Ellen Parsons (Rose Byrne) who has lots of problems with stuff.
Theme Song:
"When I'm Through With You" by VLA.
Why it Works:
U2 (Edge-like guitars) meets Iggy Pop (Vox Croon).
The chorus
says it all, "When I'm through with you, there'll be nothing left."
Glenn Close epitomizes this sentiment in everything she does on the show,
leaving a wake of tragedy behind her.
Watch &
Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIOTeIix-2c
IT'S ALWAYS
SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA:
A group of
manic Philadelphia schemers will do anything to get ahead…of one another.
Theme Song:
"Temptation Sensation" by Heinz Kiessling from Coloured Strings,
Dream Concerto.
Why it works;
In contrast to the themes at FX, this theme uses irony as it's easy listening
tone replete with soaring strings and woodwind flourishes works is in direct
opposition to the shows extremely dark comic tone. Makes me laugh every
time.
Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmshV08kueo
JUSTIFIED:
Set in
Kentucky, show follows Marshal Raylan Givens (Elmore Leonard's creation), soft-spoken
federal lawman, enforcing his brand of justice that conflicts with both sides
of the law.
Commercial
only: "On The Run" by Gangstagrass featuring T.O.N.E-Z.
Why it works:
Give you an idea of setting, as well as the tone of the show…gritty, Southern,
violent.
*Rumor has it
that on March 16th there will be a different song for the theme. I hazard
to guess that the theme will be in the same style as the commercial track.
Listen: http://www.gangstagrass.com/
THE LEAGUE:
Set in
Chicago, a mix of scripted and improv comedy sitcom about a fantasy football
league. Cast comprised of several noted stand-up comedians and hot
comedic actresses.
Theme Song:
"Chelsea Dagger" by The Fratellis.
Why it works:
Garage rock meets Brit Pop anthems (they're Scottish). Fun!
Listen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ChoDZuRqdQ
Follows the
medical and mostly familial and sexual exploits of Sean McNamara and Christian
Troy, two morally opaque plastic surgeons. Set in both Miami and LA.
Song: "A
Perfect Lie" by The Engine Room.
Why it works:
The haunting female vocals mixed, the cool atmosphere, driving electronic beat,
and lyrics that ask to be made beautiful and reach perfection fit perfectly
with the show's theme of how far people are willing to go to be beautiful,
powerful, rich, and loved.
Watch &
Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwachX8lv4o
Denis Leary as
a firefighter with problems, either with booze, women, or dealing with post
9/11 NYC.
Theme Song:
"C'mon C'mon" by The Von Bondies.
Why it works:
Driving garage rock mixed with post punk drive and and plaintive male vocals.
"Things were good when we were young…" The song exemplifies the
bitterness and darkness of the show. Picked by Dennis Leary's son. You
can even download and play it on Rock Band
Watch &
Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ChoDZuRqdQ
Shakespearian
Sopranos on Harleys set in Charming, a not-so-charming town in Northern
California. Follows the activities of SAMCRO (Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club,
Redwood Original) and it's reluctant first son, Jax Teller.
Theme Song:
"This Life" by Curtis Stigers & The Forest Rangers
Why it works:
As a fellow jazz musician, I have been a fan of Curtis Stigers for years, so
this was a surprise to find out that he was the man behind the voice, music,
and lyrics. (Justified is treading in this territory very closely,
musically) "Riding through this world". The driving beat mixed with
the twangy guitars…references the word "crow" as well, alluding
to SAMCRO. Very tied into the show's tone.
Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHQMvhcj0EI
I was watching
FX
(the cable outlet/network, not the 1986 movie starring Bryan Brown and Brian
Dennehy). If you've spent anytime on that channel, you've seen the
ubiquitous commercial for their new series, JUSTIFIED, featuring dramatic music comprised of a driving hip hop beat, dark rapping, and slide guitar/bluegrass twanginess.
Outside of 30
Days, each FX show features characters who operate both in the dark and in the
light, which establishes a clear brand on their part, but most importantly,
makes for riveting storytelling and addictive television.
30 DAYS:
Unscripted
reality show chronicling Supersize Me's Morgan Spurlock and his exploration of
someone else's life over 30 Days.
Theme Song:
"The Messenger" by Iggy Pop off of the seminal record, Lust for Life
(1977)
Why it works:
Classic track. No explanation necessary, but this song has been also used in Jarhead, Up In The Air, The Weather Man, and CNN's Anderson Cooper 360.
Listen: iTunes
anyone?
Animated
(using real photos of cast + Adobe Illustrator) dysfunctional spy comedy
featuring voice talent of H. Jon Benjamin, Aisha Tyler, Chris Parnell, as well
as Arrested Development Alums, Jessica Walter, Judy Greer, and guest
appearances by Jeffrey Tambor.
Theme Song:
Opening/Closing instrumental theme by Scott Sims.
Why it works:
This Spacy, noiresque track sets up that this not your every day cartoon or spy
show. In this case, nothing is going to be normal.
Listen: http://www.zedge.net/ringtones/915729/archer-theme-ringtone/
DAMAGES:
Set at a law
firm in NYC, this series revolves around Patty Hewes (played by two-time
Emmy-winner Glenn Close) a clever, yet merciless lawyer and a young lawyer,
Ellen Parsons (Rose Byrne) who has lots of problems with stuff.
Theme Song:
"When I'm Through With You" by VLA.
Why it Works:
U2 (Edge-like guitars) meets Iggy Pop (Vox Croon).
The chorus
says it all, "When I'm through with you, there'll be nothing left."
Glenn Close epitomizes this sentiment in everything she does on the show,
leaving a wake of tragedy behind her.
Watch &
Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIOTeIix-2c
IT'S ALWAYS
SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA:
A group of
manic Philadelphia schemers will do anything to get ahead…of one another.
Theme Song:
"Temptation Sensation" by Heinz Kiessling from Coloured Strings,
Dream Concerto.
Why it works;
In contrast to the themes at FX, this theme uses irony as it's easy listening
tone replete with soaring strings and woodwind flourishes works is in direct
opposition to the shows extremely dark comic tone. Makes me laugh every
time.
Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmshV08kueo
JUSTIFIED:
Set in
Kentucky, show follows Marshal Raylan Givens (Elmore Leonard's creation), soft-spoken
federal lawman, enforcing his brand of justice that conflicts with both sides
of the law.
Commercial
only: "On The Run" by Gangstagrass featuring T.O.N.E-Z.
Why it works:
Give you an idea of setting, as well as the tone of the show…gritty, Southern,
violent.
*Rumor has it
that on March 16th there will be a different song for the theme. I hazard
to guess that the theme will be in the same style as the commercial track.
Listen: http://www.gangstagrass.com/
Set in
Chicago, a mix of scripted and improv comedy sitcom about a fantasy football
league. Cast comprised of several noted stand-up comedians and hot
comedic actresses.
Theme Song:
"Chelsea Dagger" by The Fratellis.
Why it works:
Garage rock meets Brit Pop anthems (they're Scottish). Fun!
Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ChoDZuRqdQ
Follows the
medical and mostly familial and sexual exploits of Sean McNamara and Christian
Troy, two morally opaque plastic surgeons. Set in both Miami and LA.
Song: "A
Perfect Lie" by The Engine Room.
Why it works:
The haunting female vocals mixed, the cool atmosphere, driving electronic beat,
and lyrics that ask to be made beautiful and reach perfection fit perfectly
with the show's theme of how far people are willing to go to be beautiful,
powerful, rich, and loved.
Watch & Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwachX8lv4o
Denis Leary as
a firefighter with problems, either with booze, women, or dealing with post
9/11 NYC.
Theme Song:
"C'mon C'mon" by The Von Bondies.
Why it works:
Driving garage rock mixed with post punk drive and and plaintive male vocals.
"Things were good when we were young…" The song exemplifies the
bitterness and darkness of the show. Picked by Dennis Leary's son. You
can even download and play it on Rock Band
Watch & Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ChoDZuRqdQ
Shakespearian
Sopranos on Harleys set in Charming, a not-so-charming town in Northern
California. Follows the activities of SAMCRO (Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club,
Redwood Original) and it's reluctant first son, Jax Teller.
Theme Song:
"This Life" by Curtis Stigers & The Forest Rangers
Why it works:
As a fellow jazz musician, I have been a fan of Curtis Stigers for years, so
this was a surprise to find out that he was the man behind the voice, music,
and lyrics. (Justified is treading in this territory very closely,
musically) "Riding through this world". The driving beat mixed with
the twangy guitars…references the word "crow" as well, alluding
to SAMCRO. Very tied into the show's tone.
Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHQMvhcj0EI
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