"Dune (Desert Theme)" by Toto, from the almost-eponymous soundtrack. I could get all James Lipton here and spew jazillions of lovely adjectives, but first, a 30-sec. teaser:
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Combining the optimistic strut of a Rocky montage, the dark neo-Baroque underpinnings of a sinister place across space (somewhat reminiscent of "Tubular Bells" + Phantasm), and even some lush guitar solos, by the end of the 5-odd minutes, I was left awestruck and clamored for more. Unraveling myself from this web of catchy melodies, I almost found myself time-traveling back to '84 in a bid to contact the Toto of the times to put together an extended version which could be used for a marriage procession. Or at the very leash, a mash-up between this and "Africa" known as "Arrakis".
Other highlights from the instrumental include windblown sweeps, distinctly reverbed snares with that 80s punch peppered all over them, the underrated propulsion of the steady 4/4 beat, AND LOTS OF OMGORGEOUS CHORD CHANGES! It's even got some piano and triumphant uplicks that remind me of Yanni pieces written some years later, and @ 'round 2:27 comes forth a motivational theme which THE WORLD HATH NEVER KNOWN THE LIKES OF BEFORE.
So yes, great workout tuneage.
Romantic, scary, jubilant, defiant, peaceful ALL AT THE SAME TIME.
That's what good music means to me.
And you can find more samples @ Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com, a guiltily chinzy cover version @ 7digital, and another tacky cover version which bears the same melodies but does the original no justice (the drums clunk, rather than roll). 'Course, when you're riding a Maker through the open deserts, law is the last thing on your mind.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
For me, that is one of the most memorable pieces of music in all Movie Scores. And a reminder to do a search on iTunes.
@Zoe: Glad ya feel the same way! What’s special ’bout it on iTunes? =)
My first thought upon hearing it was wow, that would make for a great extended version of ‘Africa’ – - so yes, Torley, I agree – someone/i> needs to do a mashup!! (hint hint?)
@Wrath: This is exactly the sort of request I’d like to find an oddball classifieds system for, and pitch it out there. I’ve never come across a “suggest a mash-up” directory, but I’d like to know if one exists.