The work of Danny Elfman

[Maya]

Danny Elfman has to be one of the most prolific score writers. I remember watching "The Nightmare Before Christmas" and wondering who was singing as the main character "Jack".

I had a look at the credits and found that Danny Elfman had written the score and sang too.

He has done many other scores including those for :

Batman and Batman Returns;
Edward Scissorhands;
The Corpse Bride.

He seems to work on Tim Burton films and I like the darkness that he injects into the themes for the Batman films.

Do you like his work?

 

[Pompey]

Hey, I've just bought the Corpse Bride on DVD, so presumably he is the same guy who did 'The Nightmare Before Christmas'. That's great stuff and works so well with the cartoon, didn't know he did all that Gothic stuff as well - cool.

 

[StuckOnBandaid]

I love Danny Elfman. I think he is one of the most underrated composers/artists out there today. His music is haunting, but beautiful and I think many people don't realize that he has done a lot of tunes that they could hum. My all time favorite movie score has to be 'Beetlejuice'.

 

[Debbie]

Who is Danny Elfman? Only joking and that is the problem for this guy. Yes he has an amazing portfolio of work but outwith the business he is rarely heard of. Maybe this is the way he prefers to work though and if it continues to produce such results then good luck to him.
Batman scores are ace!

 

[Museo]

I think you have a point there Debbie. Perhaps he likes to let the music do the talking rather than himself. I admire his work too and it is the sort of work that sends shivers down me. On a separate note isn't his daughter an actress? Gemma? or perhaps Jenna?

 

[AeroScore]

Actually, I read in FilmScore Magazine that's he prefers to take a break from features for while, and work mostly in scoring TV commercials; he only has to come up with one minute of music, no worries about "theme," collect the paycheck, and spend time with his wife. If you pay attention to American television, his music has almost become the "voice" of American product endorsement, so often do I catch a snatch of "Elfman-ism." :clap:

And yes, I like his work very much. He definitely has his own "sound," immediatley identifiable. I've been a fan of his since "Pee Wee's Big Adventure" in the early eighties.

And I do believe he has scored every one of Tim Burton's movies. It's hard to imagine Mr. Burton making a movie without Danny Elfman! If anyone can correct me on this, please don't hesitate...

Dean

 

[Leigh]

I can't believe I haven't heard of this man as I am a great fan of Tim Burton's movies. I have always found the movie scores really good and definately have added to my enjoyment but never thought to look up who composed them.
It sounds like he has a very good setup though in working rarely, making his cash and then disappearing to spend time with his family. Sounds like a perfect setup to me.

 

[cuckoo77]

The only Burton movies Elfman hasn't scored are Ed Wood (Howard Shore scored) and Sweeney Todd (the music was all ready written by Stephen Sondheim as it was based on a stage musical).
I've been a fan of his ever since I first heard the main titles of Beetlejuice in the 80's....let's not forget to mention Oingo Boingo

 

[methodistgirl]

Hello Cuckoo! Welcome to the forum. Feel free to visit any of these
threads.
judy tooley

 

[Corno Dolce]

Aloha cuckoo77,

Welcome aboard! Please do make yourself feel right at home and stay for a spell.

Cheerio,

Corno Dolce

 

[sunwaiter]

the simpsons theme!

beetlejuice and all burton's movies.

Danny Elfman is the MAN

 

[anne1987]

i love Danny Elfmans work i think he is fantastic. i have been playing the flute for 10yrs now and i got the nightmare before christmas music score. i was wondering if anyone knows where i could get the scores for edward scissorhands, the corpse bride and beetlejuice, i've hunted but i can't seem to find them? any help appreciated xx

 

[sunwaiter]

i'd like to hear beetlejuice's overture on flute. flute is my favourite instrument.


www.myspace.com/olivortex

 

[Violinschlüssel]

If my memory serves me correctly, Elfman has also scored Big Fish and Charlie And The Chocolate Factory. Awesome scores.

 

[Taiska]

Piece on Tim Burtons website?

Does anyone know what that piece is on www.timburton.com? It kills me because its so familiar and I just can't remember what or from which movie is that. I assume its something composed by Elfman.

I Love everything they have ever done by the way!

 

[lukey1988]

Danny Elfman

I love Danny Elfman's work. I really liked the score to Standard Operating Procedure. It was so different to his usual work. And The Kingdom was great too. It's a shame they're both so underrated. Really sad. Both such great pieces of music that will never be remembered.

 

[PianoKeys4]

I love the music for The Nightmare Before Christmas; it's one of my favourite film scores.

 

[Holmberg]

I like Danny Elfman, but I'm not updated with his latest work (in the latest decade or so).

The two Batman flicks along with Edward Scissorhands are really good.

Trivia: Elfman's main Batman theme is somewhat "stolen" from the "Wolf Man" (1941) score. Ironically, Elfman was chosen to score the remake of Wolf Man, but for some reason (unknown to me) he declined.