Independence Day (soundtrack)

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Independence Day
Independence Day (soundtrack).webp
2010 limited edition cover art
Film score by
ReleasedJuly 2, 1996 (original)
April 27, 2010 (limited edition)
Recorded1996
Genre Film score
Length50:23 (original)
128:38 (limited edition)
Label RCA Victor (original)
La-La Land Records (limited edition)
Fox Music (limited edition)
David Arnold chronology
Last of the Dogmen
(1995)
Independence Day
(1996)
A Life Less Ordinary
(1997)

The soundtrack to the 1996 science fiction action film Independence Day features musical score composed by David Arnold. It was first issued by RCA Victor in conjunction with the film's release consisted over fourteen tracks. An expanded score was released by La-La Land Records and Fox Music in April 2010, in a limited edition two-disc set that contains the film's score in its entirety in addition to 12 alternate cues. The score was acclaimed by critics and won the Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition Written for Motion Picture or Television. [1]

Contents

Background

The film marked Arnold's second collaboration with Roland Emmerich and Dean Devlin after working on the duo with Stargate (1994). [2] He received the script for Independence Day and started sent to Emmerich and Devlin, before the film's shooting began. He also visited the film's set and wrote some music there and simultaneously wrote music at an hotel in Los Angeles, where Devlin would come there and listen to few key scenes, though neither Devlin and Emmerich listened the whole score (or nearly 70 percent of it) until the scoring sessions. He spent nearly four to five months writing the film's score. [3] [4]

At that point, he used several synthesizers: Atari video game console with Pro 24 audio, 16 MIDI channels, Korg M1, and samplers from Akai and Proteus Design Suite to record the score, although he might use real instruments to do the same. He did not mockup the score apart from key sequences, especially the president's speech and aliens' visit to United States. The former was considered as an important part of the film, and Arnold being keen on completing the score before recording. He wrote the basic sketches and sent the sketches to Nicholas Dodd, who orchestrated the score from the initial sketches derived. [3]

Reception

Filmtracks.com summarised "Independence Day is a highlight of film music in the 1990's, a carefree expression of popcorn-ready bombast not equaled in its ferocity during the early years of CGI-dominated pictures. At a time when blockbuster scores were headed in the direction of Hans Zimmer's synthetic and simplistic constructs, Arnold's score was a blazing continuation of a previous generation of orchestral force." [5] Zanobard Reviews rated 9/10 to the score and wrote "David Arnold created a masterpiece with Independence Day, and it was a shame that he did not return for the sequel. Nevertheless, what we have here for the first film is a score for the ages, and one that definitely will not go quietly into the night." [6]

James Southall of Movie Wave wrote "It's blissfully unsubtle, breathlessly exciting from start to end, and the orchestration is bright enough that it avoids the headache-inducing stupour that can be caused by scores like this. Fifty minutes is the perfect length – any more, and it would surely outstay its welcome – and Arnold is unlikely to ever top this one." [7] Calling it as "nothing short of brilliance", Andrew Overfield, writing for The Sound Architect summarised: "The music brings to the ears a blend of chaos, frenzy and patriotism without relying heavily on digital elements and hits to emphasise the power and beast that encompasses this critically acclaimed disaster movie." [8]

Track listing

Original release

No.TitleLength
1."1969 – We Came In Peace"2:04
2."S.E.T.I. – Radio Signal"1:52
3."The Darkest Day"4:13
4."Canceled Leave"1:45
5."Evacuation"5:47
6."Fire Storm"1:23
7."Aftermath"3:35
8."Base Attack"6:11
9."El Toro Destroyed"1:30
10."International Code"1:32
11."The President's Speech"3:10
12."The Day We Fight Back"4:58
13."Jolly Roger"3:15
14."End Titles"9:08
Total length:50:23

La-La Land Records re-issue

Disc 1
No.TitleLength
1."1969 – We Came In Peace"2:01
2."S.E.T.I. – Radio Signal"1:52
3."Mysto Bridge / Satellite Collision / Destroyers Disengage / Russell Casse – Pilot"2:16
4."First Sighting / AWAC Attack"2:18
5."The Darkest Day"4:13
6."Moving Day / Countdown"2:11
7."Cancelled Leave"1:46
8."Commence Lift-off / Parabolic Indenwhat?"1:17
9."Evacuation"5:47
10."Firestorm"1:24
11."Aftermath"3:36
12."Base Attack"6:12
13."Marilyn Found"1:30
14."Area 51 / The Big Tamale / Formaldehyde Freak Show"4:11
15."El Toro Destroyed"1:31
16."Slimey Wakes Up"5:23
17."Target Remains / Rescue"5:56
18."The Death Of Marilyn / Dad's A Genius"3:33
19."Alien Ship Powers Up"1:46
20."International Code"1:33
21."Wedding"1:50
22."The President's Speech"3:11
Total length:65:17
Disc 2
No.TitleLength
1."Just In Case / Attacker Fires Up"3:11
2."The Launch Tunnel / Mutha Ship / Virus Uploaded"8:27
3."Hide! / Russell's Packin' (The Day We Fight Back)"4:44
4."He Did It"1:34
5."Jolly Roger"3:17
6."Victory"3:41
7."End Credits"9:12
8."1969: We Came In Peace – Alternative"2:06
9."Destroyers Disengage (No Choir)"0:34
10."Cancelled Leave – Alternative"1:44
11."Commence Lift-Off – Alternative"0:55
12."Base Attack (Segment – Film Version)"2:27
13."Marilyn Found (No Choir)"1:29
14."Target Remains / Rescue – Alternative"2:41
15."Dad's A Genius – Alternative"0:45
16."Attacker Fires Up (Original Version)"2:01
17."Virus Uploaded – Alternative"2:35
18."The Day We Fight Back (Original Version)"5:49
19."Jolly Roger – Alternative"3:22
20."End Credits (Segment – No Choir)"2:47
Total length:63:21

Personnel

Credits adapted from CD liner notes. [9]

Production
Management
Cover artwork
Performers

Accolades

AwardSubjectNomineeResult
Saturn Awards [10] Best Music David Arnold Nominated
Grammy Awards [11] Best Instrumental Composition Written for a Motion Picture or for Television David ArnoldWon
International Film Music Critics Association [12] Best Archival Release of an Existing Score – Re-Release or Re-Recording David Arnold, Didier C. Deutsch, MV Gerhard, Mike Matessino, Nick Redman, Matt Verboys, Mark Banning, Dan GoldwasserNominated
Universe Reader's Choice AwardsBest ScoreDavid ArnoldWon

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References

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  3. 1 2 Interviews:
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Further reading