The Soundtrack Show

The Soundtrack Show

Author: iHeartPodcasts Language: English Episodes: 100
Ever wondered why a particular melody from a movie sticks in your head for decades, or how a composer uses silence to build unbearable tension? The Soundtrack Show, from iHeartPodcasts, digs into these questions with the curiosity of a film buff and the technical ear of a musician. This isn't just a playlist discussion; it's a deep exploration of the music behind iconic scenes across cinema, television, video games, and theater. Each episode focuses on a specific work, dissecting the themes, leitmotifs, and historical context that make a score memorable. You'll hear how a simple two-note motif can define a shark, or how a sweeping orchestral piece elevates a fantasy epic from good to legendary. The podcast moves beyond simple appreciation to explain the compositional choices and storytelling techniques used by masters like John Williams, Ennio Morricone, and contemporary artists. It connects the dots between the history of music and the narrative needs of visual media, offering listeners a richer understanding of what they're hearing-and feeling. Whether you're a casual viewer who gets chills when the music swells or an aspiring composer looking for insight, this series provides a compelling audio journey into the unseen, yet deeply felt, layer of our favorite stories. Tune in to develop a new way of listening.
Episodes
Star Trek the Original Series - the Music (Part III) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:23
Music production on a full season of Star Trek begins! Our first two composers get to work, as Alexander Courage and Fred Steiner start writing and recording music at a frantic pace. We'll hear the rest of Courage's work…
Star Trek the Original Series - the Music (Part II) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:11
Before making it to air, Star Trek had not one, but two pilots scored by Alexander Courage. Once the first season finally went into production, it took five composers to pull it off. This episode explores the musical, fi…
Star Trek the Original Series - the Music (Part I) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:20
The history of television and the origins of Star Trek are explored through the life and career of composer/orchestrator Alexander Courage, television star Lucille Ball, and Desilu music director Wilbur Hatch. The main t…
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial - the Music (Part III) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:33
In our final episode on the music of E.T. we listen to the second half of the movie's incredible music, cue by cue. We also discuss the work of film editor Carol Littleton, and vocal sound designer Ben Burtt. Learn more…
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial - the Music (Part II) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:58
In Part II we take it from the top, and listen to how the film score for E.T. is constructed in the first half of the movie. We examine multiple themes, and discuss the movie's emotional honesty. Learn more about your ad…
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial - the Music (Part I) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:26
The film score to E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial is widely considered to be one of the most important film scores of all time. We discuss what makes the music so great as a whole, and we discuss the evolution of the score's…
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time - the Music (Part III) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:43
In Part III of our series on Ocarina of Time, we tackle our main quest to save Hyrule by learning more complex melodies, mastering new musical dungeons, and ultimately facing off against our bongo-playing, pipe organ-pou…
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time - the Music (Part II) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:13
In Part II of our series on The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, we look at the first act of the game and discuss all of its musical diversity: the dungeons, the distant lands, and the melodic fragments we learn to play…
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time - the Music (Part I) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:25
The groundbreaking interactive music of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is both diegetic and non-diegetic music, as it plays a central role in both the story and gameplay. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit meg…
The Legend of Zelda: the Music [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:02
The music to original NES title The Legend of Zelda is discussed. We break down the main overworld theme, talk about its impact, and share memories of the original Zelda experience. Learn more about your ad choices. Visi…