When the Oscars come ’round, they’re going to have to make a special place for the greatest musician to work in Hollywood – John Barry – who has sadly thrown off his mortal coil and gone off toward heaven, presumably, with a really great fanfare arranged for himself. He was 77.
John Barry, a chap who spent his youth in Yorkshire and Lancashire and ended up living and breathing life into the silver screen, won five Oscars and an OBE in a career that saw him pretty much surpass everyone else who every wrote a note for a film. Along with Lalo Schifrin and John Williams, Barry was one of the golden three who could managed to find fame outside of the trivia books of movie buffs.
Working famously on a number of James Bond films, as well as Dances With Wolves, Ipcress File, Born Free, Midnight Cowboy and Out of Africa the lad born John Barry Prendergast, made some of the most enduring soundtracks in cinema’s long history. It’s here we celebrate him with his own music.
Before starting his career as a grand orchestrator for film, Barry found fame in the pop-charts with beat-jazz combo, the John Barry Seven.
It was his ear for a good pop melody and a background in jazz that saw his soundtracks elevated above many, making gloriously grand themes coupled with catchy, beat driven scores.
We’ve lost one of the most outrageously gifted musicians to ever tread foot in England, and here, we look at ten of his best pieces of work.
Of course, we have missed loads out – why not tell us your favourites in the comments? There’s a Spotify playlist for those that have it, here.
Midnight Cowboy
For our money, Midnight Cowboy is Barry’s greatest score. While he’ll forever be associated with Bond, the theme from Midnight Cowboy shows the depth of Barry’s range. That nod to the West with that lone, bittersweet harmonica and one of the most lush, beautiful orchestrated backings in cinematic history… this is tough to beat for greatest piece of music to be used by Hollywood.
Beat Girl (Main Theme)
Exploito 60s film, Beat Girl, was made to cash in on the beatnik craze that was rampant in Britain all those years ago. Not a problem for John Barry as his fondness for creating a mood, alongside his penchant for jazz made him the perfect man to create the music for a buncha degenerates.
Theme from The Persuaders
Another classic theme, this time, for cult TV favourite, the Persuaders. A galloping, shadowy theme was created to give the show an injection of intrigue and, above all, class.
Goldfinger
Perhaps Barry’s most famous piece of work, Goldfinger could well have been written about the man himself as he undoubtedly was the man with a Midas touch when it came to making music. We don’t need to say much more. Just listen to the damn thing.
Born Free
With Don Black, Barry has, quite possibly, made the soundtrack to the great outdoors and that spirit of adventure. Barry won numerous awards for his work on this score.
Game Of Death
One of Barry’s lesser-favoured works, mainly thanks to the fact that the film itself was a badly judged piece of work, designed to cash-in on the death of Bruce Lee. That doesn’t make John Barry’s music any worse though. Game of Death sees Barry in full pomp, making a dramatic piece of music filled with swelling strings, brash brass and synthesisers. One of his finest themes.
James Bond Theme
There’s been much quarrelling and speculation about John Barry’s involvement with the James Bond theme – did he write it? Did he only put (admittedly, incredible) flesh on the bones of Monty Norman’s brass melody? Either way, Barry’s involvement can’t be underestimated as this remains probably the most famous theme in the world. One argument for Barry’s contribution to the piece is…
Bee’s Knees
Bee’s Knees is often held up as a piece of work by Barry that shows just what he gave to the James Bond theme. A lot of the ideas in this great little beat-track can be found in the Bond theme, while Monty Norman’s score for Dr No, theme aside, sounds nothing like it. Barry’s part in the track made it magic, no question.
John Dunbar Theme (from Dances With Wolves)
While you may not like Kevin Coster or Dances With Wolves, the music contained in the film is one of John Barry’s greatest works.
We Have All The Time In The World
What else could we finish with? You’ll be missed John!
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Mister Fusty says
One of my favourite of John Barry’s is Sail the Summer Winds, from The Dove soundtrack. It’s one of his lesser known works but this version of it is lovely. If you can get hold of “John Barry: Lounge Legend”, it’s on that along with some other great more obscure stuff.
http://open.spotify.com/track/6TRvmaf39rlDlYICeulxlQ
Mark says
Very saddened by his passing. I was just thinking about him the other day. In a documentary which I hope they repeat he mentioned that he had written a score for a film with an Irish theme but had not released it because a film had not been made that suited it. I wonder will we ever hear it?
In any event he remains the greatest film composer of his age. He had written a piece to suit every mood. My favourite is Two Socks from Dances With Wolves. Its so beautiful and poignant.
God Bless John ‘Irish Barry.
Thirteen says
Oh God, “The Persuaders” theme was the most beautiful thing (together with “Twin Peaks” theme) for me when I was a kid… I adored that TV series… The music still gives me chills. Must rewatch it sometime.
Rest in peace, John Barry.
Si Sharp says
Absolute legend. One of the greats, without question or argument. My favourite has to be the On Her Majesty’s Secret Service theme.
Stu says
Don’t forget the marvelous “Stringbeat” LP from 1961, and the stuff he did as the John Barry Seven.
Shena says
The melody for “You Only Live Twice” is one of my favorite things ever
joe says
Owww! Could not believe, I missed seeing him conduct the LPO on Jarvis Cocker’s Meltdown years ago because I chose to see some minor bands instead. I thought that due to his frailty another conductor, Nicolas Dodd, will do his pieces with John just sitting in the Royal box. Turned out he performed a few of his compositions. Although there were other concerts that featured him in the last decade, that was the rare time he actually conducted.