Soundtrack Notes - The Curse of the Black Pearl
Has anyone else been frustrated by the fact that some of the track titles don't match what is going on in the film?
Here's how I see it. Let me know if you disagree.
Track 1: "Fog Bound "is correct. It's the track during the first scene of the film. However, the film music is still a little different. It includes the music when Will comes to give the sword to the Governor.
Track 2: "The Medallion Calls" is not an accurate name. It starts with the love theme, which finishes when Elizabeth and Will are talking at the Governor's mansion, then to the carriage leaving, but then flows into the music when we first see Jack Sparrow, through when he is stopped on the pier.
Track 3: "The Black Pearl" is when Jack throws his shackles chain around Elizabeth's throat and makes her put his belt and hat back on, through when he is escaping the troops. It end when he enters the blacksmith shop and taps on Mr. Brown's chest.
Track 4: "Will and Elizabeth" should be called "Will and Jack", since this is the music during the sword fight in the blacksmith shop. It starts when Will pulls the sword out of the fire and then finishes when Jack pulls the pistol on Will ("You cheated." "Pirate!").
Track 5: "Swords Crossed" is when Elizabeth is on the ship and realizes that the pirates are really half-dead. It leads right into the next track.
Track 6: "Walk the Plank" - This starts out when Elizabeth flees into the Captain's quarters at the end of the scene in "Swords Crossed" when Barbossa "drinks" the wine. Then the music changes to when Will and Jack steal the rowboat and walk underwater out to the Dauntless to commandeer (nautical term) it. "Avast!" says Will when they get onboard. This scene's music continues in the track "Blood Ritual." It has nothing to do when Elizabeth and Jack are made to walk the plank.
Track 7: "Barbossa is Hungry" - This is the music when the Black Pearl is chasing after the Interceptor. This is very exciting music, and it builds up the suspense until the Interceptor turns on its starboard anchor to battle the Black Pearl. I especially like the voices singing. Maybe it's called "Barbossa is Hungry" because Barbossa throws the apple overboard in frustration at the beginning.
Track 8: "Blood Ritual" starts with a slow version of the love theme. It is played during the scene when Pintel tells Will about his father while Will is in the Black Pearl's brig. "That's what you call ironic." Then this track goes into the music when Will and Jack finish commandeering (nautical term) the Interceptor. Jack says: "Thanks for helping us get underway, Commodore! We'd 've had a hard time of it by ourselves!"
Track 9: "Moonlight Serenade" - Soft and slow love song again, when Jack and Elizabeth are on the beach and he's telling her that the Black Pearl really means "freedom". Then it's into the pirate theme, when Will, Jack, Barbossa, and the other three pirates all start fighting in the pirate's cave.
Track 10: "To The Pirates' Cave!" Fighting music. Starts out when Elizabeth sneaks off the Dauntless, then onto the Black Pearl ("It's Elizabeth!"). I also think it's some of when the Governor is fighting the arm. Then it's during the during the last battle in the pirate's cave, when Jack runs Barbossa through, then Barbossa runs Jack through. It ends with the love theme, which sounds like when Elizabeth shows Will the medallion on the Interceptor.
Track 11: "Skull and Crossbones" has more fighting music, again in the pirate's cave. There's the part where Jack is running from Barbossa, then they cross swords again. "You could surrender," says Jack. It also goes with scenes on the Dauntless, when the pirates are sneaking onboard. Will and Elizabeth are fighting the cursed pirates in the cave.
Track 12: "Bootstrap's Bootstraps" is mostly the music for the battle on the Dauntless. It also is a continuation of the cave battle up to when Barbossa gets shot. The ending of this track is my favorite music in the movie: strong theme, loud, and beating drums. Very dramatic.
Track 13: "Underwater March" - This should be called "One Last Shot", since the beginning of the track is right after Barbossa gets shot. It's the death knell of Barbossa and then his troops on the Dauntless, as the curse is lifted and they become mortal again. Then the victory cheer (Hoo-zah! Hoo-zah!) of the sailers. Then there's the love theme, during the "opportune moment" when Will tells Elizabeth he needs to get her back to her fiance on the Dauntless. Then begins the underwater march when the pirates head out to the Dauntless. Why is the music presented out of order on this track?
Track 14: "One Last Shot" has nothing to do with Jack's last shot. It's right after Will rescues Jack from the gallows. The beginning is when Will says his place is between Norrington and Jack, and Elizabeth joins him. Jack tells the Governor that they've arrived at a very good place, etc. Then he says goodbye to Elizabeth and Will ("Nice hat"), jumps up on the ledge of the fort, then tumbles off as he starts to say his "This is the day you will always remember..." and he falls down into the water. "He's nowhere to go but back to the noose", then the Black Pearl sails into view. The middle is when Norrington says, "This is a beautiful sword", the Governor tells Elizabeth that, after all, Will is a blacksmith, Elizabeth kisses Will (big surge with the violins), then Jack reaches the Black Pearl and his crew hand it over to him. "The Black Pearl is yours." Jack strokes the wheel and mumbles, "And really bad eggs...drink up, me 'earties, yo ho!", as the music moves right into track 15, which I prefer to think of as "Jack's theme."
Track 15: "He's A Pirate" - This should be called "Jack's Theme", since it's always played when he's around. It's the music played as Jack fades into the early credits. Of course, in the film, the track is different, as it repeats more and changes in the end to fade into the next part of the credits music. Check out my lyrics to this theme!
I do like the music for this film, especially how the composer, Klaus Badelt, used 3/4 time for the pirate theme, making it a waltz. It fits the "dance" that Will and Jack do when they cross swords in the blacksmith shop. It also mimics the swaying of a ship at sea. Back and forth, back and forth. I also like the powerful drums in some tracks. They make the soundtrack sound a little primitive. This is music that's not afraid to make an emotional impression. The theme is strong and memorable, also. That's what caught my ear at first and got me to the store to find the soundtrack. So enjoy!
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