Movie Music Monday – Batman

It was on this day in 1989 that Michael Keaton hit the big screen as Batman.  Jack Nicholson was chosen to play the Joker.

Growing up, my only knowledge of Batman was from cartoons and the 1966 series.  When the previews came out for this, I was very apprehensive.  It was darker than any previous incarnation of the character I had seen.

I remember being one of the “hold outs” who didn’t really want to see the movie.  My girlfriend at the time wanted to see it, so I eventually caved (pun intended) and went to see it

I truly loved the movie.  Keaton was actually pretty good as the title character.  Nicholson was, of course, fantastic as the Joker. He kind of stole the show, as they say.

The opening theme from Danny Elfman perfectly fits the movie. His music throughout the film seemed to enhance the scenes they accompanied.  Then there was the “other” soundtrack.

From Songfacts.com:

Because of the abundance of music available for the movie (Danny Elfman of Oingo Boingo created the instrumental score), there were two soundtrack albums: Elfman’s and Prince’s. Everything that Prince composed for the movie, whether it was used in the film or not, went onto his album, including “Batdance.”

Director Tim Burton asked Prince to contribute songs for his Batman movie (at the time, he was using “1999” and “Baby I’m a Star” on a temporary soundtrack). Prince accepted while watching a rough cut of the movie and noticed four places in the film that would be “natural” locations for his songs.

Prince canceled a scheduled Paris vacation to write and produce songs for the movie. A month after the meeting with Burton, he played the director eight songs, all of them synchronized to the film. Burton rejected some of them (including “Rave the Joy Fantastic,” and “200 Balloons”), but liked most of what he heard and asked for two additional songs. “Trust” and “Partyman” were quickly offered by the Purple One. In the end, six Prince songs were used in the film.

“Batdance” was not used in the movie, and Prince never offered it up. Comprised of bits Prince pieced together overnight from music, sounds and dialogue from the movie, it served as a companion piece for the film and was essentially promotional vehicle for Batman.

Batdance was Prince’s first #1 hit since “Kiss” in early 1986. It seemed to be on every radio station around this time and did help boost the popularity of the movie.  Personally, it didn’t do much for me.

Elfman’s theme, however, was a cut that I just loved! That entire build up until the opening chord (:40 seconds in) builds so much suspense.  When that chord ceases and the theme continues it foreshadows the action that the film will present.  It’s so good.

Happy 36th Anniversary, Batman!