Olivia Rodrigo’s songs can make you believe your partner moved on without you ever having one; it’s no secret that Bruno Mars hits come with a sudden rush of dopamine and an urge to dance. Needless to say, music has the power to evoke emotions. Movies and shows leverage this power to elevate the intensity of scenes, signalling the audience to feel a certain way before the dialogues take over. But legends like Hans Zimmer and John Williams gave us background scores that immerse us into the cinematic or TV world without any lyrics, creating a unique genre that makes you nostalgic for your favourite series and films. These scores allow you to imagine yourself in your beloved fictional worlds, letting the stories live through thrilling crescendos, pensive compositions, cheerful melodies, and more. From the iconic Game of Thrones tune to the goosebumps-inducing Harry Potter melody, we bring you a list of delightful soundtracks that need an immediate place in your playlist.
‘Hedwig’s Theme’ by John Williams - Harry Potter
Content
This score will take all Potterheads to the film’s first glimpse of Hogwarts. From dinners in the Great Hall to all the adventures Harry, Ron, and Hermione embark on—the iconic song packs in the essence of the world of Harry Potter, and is sure to reignite your memories associated with reading the books and watching the saga on the silver screen.
‘The Suite’ by The Chamber Orchestra of London - Downton Abbey
Content
The remarkable world of the Crawleys in their magnificent home, Downton Abbey, is not only defined by nuanced characters, comprehensive plot lines, and clever writing, but also the soundtrack that transports you to the English countryside with grand estates and titles. As the show moves at a steady pace, diving deep into the lives of the lords, ladies, and the staff of the Crawley household, its background score slowly becomes its own character—integral in the depiction of this British period drama. For the best experience, we recommend a side of tea and cake to accompany your headphones.
‘The Avengers’ by Alan Silvestri - The Avengers
Content
Any fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe will agree that the inspiring film score of Avengers is one of the best things to come out of the franchise (apart from all the superheroes, gods, and villains, of course). The track follows through till the last movie in the series, Avengers: Endgame, and provides the background score for the film’s climactic scene, which begins with Captain America’s awe-inspiring “Avengers, assemble” line. In the course of normal lives devoid of alien invasions, infinity stones, and superhero teams, this score perfectly complements a caffeine rush and can be a motivating soundtrack to get you started on a passion project.
‘A Lannister Always Pays His Debts’ by Ramin Djawadi - Game of Thrones
Content
In the saga that enjoyed an epic fandom across the globe, the spectacular compositions enhance both the action sequences and the narrative. Titled after one of the most iconic lines from the show, this score will make you think about the many emotionally charged and intense scenes from the series. The sombre melody is as captivating as it is sentimental and moving.
‘Maestro’ by Hans Zimmer - The Holiday
Content
Nancy Meyers’s The Holiday stole many hearts in the early 2000s and till date remains one of the most wholesome romantic comedies out there. Not only did this movie cement the idea of finding love in unexpected places but also gave us playful film scores that we can continue using to fantasise our own “meet cutes”. Pro tip: listen to this score if you want to lift your spirits and envision yourself as the main character that you are!
‘Prepared To Do Anything’ by David Arnold & Michael Price - Sherlock
Content
BBC’s Sherlock made us privy to the acting prowess of Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman and gave us a modern interpretation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s consulting detective. It also introduced us to the gripping background score that escalates the nail-biting sequences as Sherlock and Watson solve mysteries together. This track is especially useful to listen to if you want to meet a deadline at work—it can elicit the emotions of a high-stakes scenario even against the backdrop of sending an email to your boss.
Also read:
12 Indian artists who led the way in indie music in 2020
Quarantunes: 4 playlists recommended by Vogue to keep you on your feet