How Danny Elfman Wrote the "Batman" Score | Composer Toolbox: Episode 10 

Thank you David. His “Scissorhands” score is what got me into filmmusic in the first place many decades ago. Has a special place in my heart for him over that. Without that I wouldn’t know who John Williams or Goldsmith were

I can relate to that first anecdote so much; I only ever receive good musical ideas when I'm extremely far away from a keyboard and I have to hum into my phone like a crazy person.

I have to admit, I thought it was possible that Elfman perhaps composed the melodies, themes, & groundwork for "Batman", but the actual work was done by Bartek & (in large part adapted by) Shirley Walker. I carried that assumption because the Batman score that Walker conducted had a very unique sound that carried over to Warren Beatty's"Dick Tracy" & Elfman's theme for "The Flash" TV series. Shirley's own score for "Batman: Mask of the Phantasm" sounds peculiarly & uncannily similar to the Elfman music. When Shirley died, Elfman's subsequent projects have little resemblance to those earlier works. In fact, Elfman's later scores for "Spider-man" & recently "Justice League" also lack the flavor of the superhero music Walker conducted. Logically, I felt that if his scores in the same genre didn't have the same gravitas as the ones Walker contributed to, they must have been the result of her efforts more than his. I was convinced after I saw a TV interview prior to the release of "Batman Returns" where Elfman point-blank says that he has no formal musical training. & admittedly suffers guilt from "imposter syndrome". I strongly felt that was what happened...until the expanded soundtracks were released. Here, one could hear the workprints Elfman composed 100% by his own hand prior to orchestration or session recording. All of the inflections, flourishes, & zingers are there. This is the proof beyond a shadow of a doubt that he was the true & ONLY composer for those early scores. But why does his later comic book scores sound so different from his earlier ones? He explains that he NEVER listens to his previous works because he wants to move forward as an artist, not look back. He also is vehemently opposed to temp-tracks (temporary music editors & directors place on a work-in-progress). This means that Elfman rejects out of principle if a director tells him that he/she wants the movie music to sound like "Edward Scissorhands", "Beetlejuice", etc. and places those old music cues to the working cut. He will intentionally avoid repeating himself. Bartek & Walker's contributions are important elements, but the credit for this classic movie score is entirely Elfman's.

Danny Elfman is such an incredible anomaly among the great film composers. His works are so unique and inspired, I'm grateful that I get to live in the same time as him

His score for Sleepy Hollow is what really got me into scores and creating music.

Danny's Batman score was HUGE for me in 89. Especially the 'Descent Into Mystery' cue. That is what inspired me to pursue film composing.

I agree with you - Danny Elfman's Batman scores are masterpieces and they are what made me fall for the superhero movies and they remain two of some of my favourite musical scores that I ever heard composed.

It’s common for trained professionals to be offended by someone who learned on the job. Suck it up. Elfman has proved himself through the years.

Very interesting! In 1993 I wrote a thesis about the function of this score in this film. And it´s very interesting to hear that Elfman said he just "lets the music carry itself", and still it’s so consistent through the film. The main theme is never used unless Batman, Bruce Wayne or the batman logo is in the picture. It links the three of them together. That strong symbolic use of the theme was unfortunately ruined in the "sequel".

It's funny how composers went after Danny for working with one orchestrator but nobody goes for Hans for having a corporation of talent behind him

This is awesome thanks!

Very nice video, big fan of your work. Thank you

He listened to Bernard Herrmann's Journey to the Center of the Earth...that's how.

IMO best Batman film hands down, and excellent score. (Def one of the top 3 superhero film scores of all time!) Thanks for the informational break-down & history. Looking forward to more! :D

Thanks

Elfman made this film so much bigger than it is

Elfman often sites Bernard Herrmann as his greatest film music influence, but he needs to confess to lifting the opening of the Batman score from Herrmann's "Sunrise" cue from Journey to the Center of the Earth. I have no problem with composers borrowing or modeling their idols, but come on!

Tim Burton + Danny Elfman.. what a wonderful combination. They really complement each other

Do you have a Patreon? I would love to contribute.

Great composer. I want him to score my movie...

0:59 Ghostbusters

In an airplane bathroom? What a spot to be doing it in lol 😆

This just reinforces why Elfman always seems like a hack of a composer.

We got the same film score taste🤌