Danny Elfman Breaks Down His Most Iconic Tim Burton Scores | GQ
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- Опубликовано: 14 июн 2023
- Danny Elfman breaks down his most iconic scores from all of his collaborations with Tim Burton, including 'Beetlejuice,' 'Batman,' 'Batman Returns,' 'The Nightmare Before Christmas,' 'Edward Scissorhands' and 'Wednesday.'
Director: Kristen DeVore
Director of Photography: Ricardo Pomares
Editor: Robby Massey
Guest: Danny Elfman
Producer: Sam Dennis
Creative Producer: Graham Corrigan
Line Producer: Jen Santos
Production Manager: Andressa Pelachi
Production Coordinator: Kevin Balash; Kariesha Kidd
Camera Operator: Nick Massey
Sound Mixer: Kari Barber
Production Assistant: Liza Antonova; Mike Kritzell
Post Production Supervisor: Rachael Knight
Post Production Coordinator: Ian Bryant
Supervising Editor: Rob Lombardi
Assistant Editor: Billy Ward
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Tim Burton would not be Tim Burton without Danny Elfman. His music was the key to bringing Tim's quirky worlds alive.
I thought you were dead!
Yeah, he'd be Zsa Zsa Gabor
Fact.
Ummm tim has more talent
Tim Burton would still be Tim Burton. Maybe not the successful Tim Burton we all know and love, but still Tim Burton. I think.
Think how fortunate we are to have grown up with Elfman, Zimmer, and John Williams. what a time to be alive.
the goats
Don't forget James Horner
@@equusheart3344 and howard shore
Except for the Zimmer part. Pointless ambient nonsense. All sound design, no structure. No memorable themes. Put Thomas Newman in that list instead.
@@gusandthetv True
I could listen to this guy talk about his craft for hours.
Calling him a musical genius would be a massive understatement...
So if he is not a genius what is he ?!!!!
I wanted this to go on for so much longer. There’s so many movies to cover: Pee we’d big adventure, Corpse Bride, Charlie and the chocolate factory, they have to do a part 2 at least.
@@nochistar He is simply a musical force of nature. Unmitigated creativity made flesh.
(Real talk, he's just a really talented musician. When I think of musical genius I think of jazz nerds.)
@@The_Cadaver Your favorite movie is Beetlejuice and don't deny it !!
@@nochistar ❤
Ive gone 33 years not knowing what Danny Elfman looked like.
dude looks likes he's 50.. he's 70
Feel like I’ve seen him in courage the cowardly dog
Me, too! That's hilarious! 🤣 Kind of interesting I never was curious about it for all that time.
Ha, exactly!! :))
@@facehuggerfrequency8603lmfao
Danny Elfman is one of the best composers ever
Couldnt agree more sir😊😌
Him, John Williams, and Hans Zimmer are Gods. They evoke human emotion like no one else.
Don’t forget John Barry with the Bond film scores .
@@Elfo_Scuro please enlighten me. I know that sounds sarcastic, it’s not. Like who?
@@Darkknight0777 three names are too few, you risk forgetting many other composers who have made history.
You haven't even mentioned the likes of Ennio Morricone, Pino Donaggio, Howard Shore, Nino Rota, Henry Mancini, Jerry Goldsmith, Bernard Herrmann, Basil Poledouris, Vangelis, Trevor Jones, Alan Silvestri. I could go on all night, your "gods" are only relative to your subjective cinematic tastes.
There are no gods, only great artists. Those who live by these absolutes lack of objectivity. Indeed, I think your holy trinity is just the result of your purely mainstream or "fashionable" cinematic tastes.
it fills me with joy seeing how much childlike excitement and passion Danny Elfman still has for creating even at the age of 70.
That's nuts. The dude seems like he's 50.
70?? Wow. He looks so young and he's full of energy.
No way.. I was thinking 50's.
70??!!! I thought this cool redhead was just a teen !!!!
I mean, look at John Williams
He has an absolutely distinct sound. No matter what film genre or franchise theme, you can always pick out Elfman elements of whimsy.
Like the track little girls he wrote when he was in Oingo Boingo.
Most composers do.
@@simonseis744 yeah
I remember re-watching spiderman years ago for the first time since i was a kid and when the menu page came up and the theme played i just went WAIT IS THAT DANNY ELFMAN!? iconic i don't think he has any score that i haven't enjoyed immensely
I didn't know that Eric Stoltz did composing
I've always found it impressive how close Jack's talking voice feels to his singing voice when it's two different people, feels like there's a really nice continuity there instead of breaking in to song and sounding wildly different.
I was so confused when I found out Jack's talking voice was not Danny, and yet Danny did the singing. Both voices really did sound like the same person. So Seamless and perfect
It confuses me even more when people say the two voices sounded nothing alike. I've heard people complain about it but I think it's pretty seamless.
I truly hope he realizes these scores/songs molded our childhoods. We love you Danny ❤ thank you for the beautiful nostalgia
Well put! Ditto!
Well said!❤
He knows. He referred to his Batman theme as the only true Batman theme. Which is why I have grown to be disappointed with him. That was way too cocky and disrespectful to everyone who has created a Batman theme.
Nightmare Before Christmas still is my favorite movie ever 💜
I know all the lyrics of the soundtrack 😅
@@TJUC123 I think he was probably meaning before they did the 89 movie. He probably wasn't meaning for all time.
He wrote the greatest Batman theme.
Yes and some of Danny Elfman score is also in Batman The Animated Series.
Chills every time I hear it
His Batman theme is musically what The Dark Knight Rises is to the characters. I feel like you can't find a piece of movies/tv/games of Batman and not hear his music influencing and guiding the new works.
Elfman's theme is TEH Batman theme, like Williams' Superman theme is TEH Superman theme.
And it has no na na na na nas
His voice is really like butter. So deep, smooth, captivating and yummy at the same time. Just him speaking alone is already music to my ears.
I totaloy agree.
I'm so happy there are people out there like Danny Elfman who have a sense of rebellion and continue to make their art even when at first people don't like it or understand it. He's such an icon ❤
I love him to death. His mind is the closest thing to actual magic.
And I love that as he aged, he slowly turned into a combination of Iggy Pop, Carrot Top and all DC villains combined.
Dude's got a killer Joker smile.
Iggy Pop + Carrot Top + Legion of Doom = Danny Elfman
Love how you so that love to "death" 😂
Kinda looks like an early Jack White aged.
Your comment cracked me up! 😆 But seriously speaking, his scores were iconic! I also loved him as the voice of Jack Skellington.
Elfman and Burton were a match made in weirdo heaven.
In my opinion, Danny Elfman will go down as one of the greatest composers of all time. He is up there with the likes of Mozart, Bach, Beethoven, etc. He's a genius and so humble.
Especially of our time ❤
He’s akin in modern day to Zimmerman
@@neondeer3396 he's goth john williams
hahaha
Danny Elfman has always seemed like this mythic character to me because of the magic he's able to formulate with his themes. It's so strange to watch this and see that he's human.
This needs a part 2 and a part 3... probably a part 4... you know what? Just make it a 10-part series.
It’s coming. That’s all I can say.
Agreed
Agreed!
I know, how about he talks about his least iconic? I'm here for it.
@@gunderalexsame, he's had so many credits it'd be cool to see what lesser known movies he's scored
Batman, Spiderman, Hulk.
Danny Elfman is one of the godfathers of superhero music.
Don't forget Doctor Strange, because he did the score to the second one.
Men in Black
Sorry but what do you guys mean score?
@@SallySkeleton scoring a film means making specific music for a film. For example Danny did all of the scoring for Batman while prince made a few original songs.
@@SallySkeleton Danny Elfman did the soundtrack for Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness. It just means he did the music for it.
I never realized these weird movies I loved growing up were all Tim Burton until I was older. But then later, I realized that pretty much every movie scored by Danny Elfman I love. Those Tim Burton movies without Danny Elfman would not be the same. His music is world building. Every opening song you feel like you are on a journey into this specific world. The syncopation, heavy low brass, the ethereal violins and choral additions. They don't follow the usual epic thematic rythyms and chord schemes. Each movie he puts a new thumbprint on it. I'm the biggest fan. I actually make it a point to watch movies he works on.
Yes!
0:27 Beetlejuice
4:52 Batman & Batman Returns
7:21 The Nightmare Before Christmas
11:09 Edwars Scissorhands
13:43 Wednesday
No Wanted?! Thank you for saving my time
Danny Elfman is the punk rock rebel of the composer world
Yesss! Well put!
Brian Tyler also
yes
More like prog rock rebel, but whatever.
I mean Oingo Boingo was basically a punk band when they made Only a Lad so it makes sense
Edward Scissorhands soundtrack is just about the best music ever made. Gives me goosebumps every time I hear the scores
It almost brings me to tears it is so beautiful. I agree
Agreed. Ice Dance is so beautiful
It's beautiful it brings tears to my eyes. The music fits the tragedy of Edward perefectly
It is beautiful
The music in that movie is absolutely my favorite. I didn’t even know who Danny Elfman was until about two years ago. Everything started making sense then, lol.
'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' has such an underrated score. The Main Title sequence was so incredibly well written.
I agree. I wish Danny Elfman talked about him scoring Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in this video
his quirky style is recognizable in nearly all his works, even Batman has a signature tinge to it I can't quite put my finger on, but is unmistakeably the Elfman sound. And for all the quirky off beat rythmic tunes he's produced, he also proved a masterful talent of "reading the atmosphere" so to speak, since his pieces always compliment the scenes they're used in. The Scissorhands score still chills my spine every time I hear it, makes me sad even.
I’m always so bummed people never ask him about Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. That’s one of his best scores! 😍
I don’t even think Danny Elfman liked that score
@@louiesoto7374 Nonsense! Danny himself said that it's one of the most fun projects he's been involved in.
I think they skipped it bc it didn't become really popular as the other movies he covered. Which is a bit sad, as I actually like it - it has that particular Tim Burton charm.
he did the Fable video game also that was really nice.
@@M311Y yeah, but this is a video focusing on Tim Burton scores
Elfman going for his gut instinct really shows his level of artistic prowess. I admire him not just accepting the Prince deal and him having a vision of what the score SHOULD be for the film rather than what it COULD be for him.
and of course the result is a timeless iconic masterpiece
There were a lot of people who didn't like his "one Batman Theme" comment back in 2017, but when you hear how hard he had to fight to get the Batman gig in the first place, it's no wonder he's so proprietorial about it. And I happen to "mostly" agree with Danny. There ARE other Batman themes; Neal Hefti, Shirley Walker, and Elliot Goldenthal spring to mind, but none of them match what Elfman achieved (Shirley came close though).
Let's hope everybody adores Danny elfman because he's part of a cult called Scientology that hurts other people. If you love Danny elfman so much look into him for real!!!
@@jeanetteemanuel1037I haven’t heard about Danny Elfman being a Scientologist but if he is, that’s incredibly disappointing and disturbing. Sad when bright and talented people lose themselves in a cult.
@@jeanetteemanuel1037 His Nephew and Niece-in-Law are scientologists, Danny is not.
There will never be another one like Danny Elfman. He is his own genre.
I'm confident to say that Danny Elfman has written the OST for roughly 65% - 75% of everything I've watched in my life. His scores are iconic, and they all live in my brain rent-free.
On IMDB he's credited as the composer on 139 projects, let's assume you've seen them all. If 139 is 75% of your total watched films, you've watched 183 films. Considering the Marvel Universe is 32 films how *confident* are you that you didn't just make up that percentage?
@@simonseis744 OK
@@ryujisama
My friend who's a diehard Simpsons fan like me , she had no idea he was the composer of the intro
She's also a diehard Danny Elfman fan and knew about him composing the nightmare before Christmas and other iconic pieces he did
It shows how much range and how talented he is
When you hear Danny's music you knows its his. When I heard the first few seconds of Wednesday I was like, thats Danny. His sound is so distinct and iconic. Love everything he does.
thats what i love about his music
It's mostly because he has a few tricks and has made an entire career out of reusing them. That's not necessarily a bad thing, it's just to say there's a reason you recognize his music.
How has Danny never won an Oscar? I’m genuinely baffled by it
He is such a visionary--- not everyone can keep rhythm or make up songs in their head and bring it to this matrix of life, he's totally one of my inspirations to stay crazy and wacky.
His Spiderman theme is beyond amazing
I've always loved Danny's music but when I saw him perform with the Colorado Symphony a few years ago I was absolutely blown away. You don't really notice all the intricacies woven through the music until you see it preformed live. He really is an incredible composer!
I sang on a lot of Danny Elfman’s soundtracks (Dark Shadows, Alice in Wonderland 1 and 2, Miss Peregrine, Mr Peabody, Dumbo) and he is so nice, a real hands in guy and really nerdy about music.
però Miss Peregrine non è di Danny Elfman
You’ve worked with the legend himself? Heck yeah!!!!
Danny Elfman and John Williams are national treasures, so much love for their legendary masterpieces. It blows my mind that we live among geniuses like this. Thank you so much Danny for your contributions thus far.
Would you say Little Girls by Oingo Boingo is one of your favourite contributions.
@@simonseis744 That song is doodoo.
@@simonseis744 best song
And Randy Newman
I think that the fact that Danny Elfman's roots are in performance art is an integral part of what gives his musical scores that magic we all remember for a lifetime. When the music is perfect it just tells the story so much better because it’s immersive and captivating
It's nice to see that someone as legendary as Danny Elfman who's been in the business for decades is still passionate about his craft. Such an inspiration!
Absolutely gutted and heartbroken he didn’t talk about Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure. It’s one of my favorite scores of ALL time. Breakfast Machine is a MASTERPIECE.
I can hear it in my head now. 😂
Absolutely love Pee Wee’s big adventure!!
Omg yes!
Not only that but Paul Reubens literally introduced him to Tim Burton
I just watched that last night!
I love how punk rock he still looks. Amazing talent, amazing guy.
2010 Alice in wonderland was phenomenal. He really knows how to write magic. You can here the Prokofiev influence on his darker music.
Agreed!!! I’ve always considered Alice in Wonderland to be among his best scores!!!
I once watched Edward Scissorhands with Danny Elfman’s commentary going and it was absolutely incredible listening to him describe his process for how he created the music for selected scenes! I wish this video here were longer.
OMG I didn't know this was a thing. I am going to find this and give it a listen; it sounds amazing!
I must go back and watch this! What a great idea
Is this an anniversary release or something?! I need that.
@@missdarkravyn I saw it years ago on my own dvd. Not sure of the edition.
He has a childlike energy that is so adorable!
Pure raw talent here…I’m blessed that I’ve seen him twice in concert 🥲 I love how Danny Elfman and Tim Burton proved everyone wrong 🖤
Tim Burton and Danny Elfman are the dynamic duo. I’m not even a big fan, but I still love seeing two immense talents compliment each other so well.
The anecdote about the Batman score and Prince prooved how professional he is.
Danny Elfman is so vibrant. Kind of lends to the forever young in mind sentiment. You are how you feel. He looks great. Sounds like a kid in a candy store at age 70.
A beautiful relationship Tim and Danny have together. They understand each other at a level that is beyond friendship. And at the end, magic is made!
edwards score is just heavenly... it transports me to another world whenever i hear it. i love Tim and Danny
He‘s 70! Such an icon.
danny elfman and hans zimmer are responsible for so much of our childhood. much thanks to them
Zimmer is a hack.
Nah replace zimmer with John williams
Zimmer is more a sound designer in the last movies…
Depends who's childhood you're talking about
What an absolute legend... And he's so enthusiastic about his craft to this day... He sounds like a kid in a candy store recalling his career highs...So much love for Tim and Danny.
Absolutely obsessed with him my entire life. What a gift we've all been given. He is a gem and a world treasure.
Not a Burton movie, but obviously the Simpsons theme is his most famous, but my favorite is The Batman 1989, and a very underrated Big Fish. He is a genius!
So happy to see Big Fish mentioned. It's my mission in life to get as many people to see that film as I can, everything about it is amazing and I feel like it's severely underrated as it's some of Burton and Elfman's most moving storytelling and composing
@@TheFinalFarewelly husband introduced me to the film big fish and I just love it, It's such a beautiful story
I love Big Fish. I was surprised when it made me cry.
@@TheFinalFarewelli loved big fish too!! 🎉
Danny + Tim + Johnny is such a perfect combination of people.
Dark and twisted in a way that they all compliment each other
Don't forget Winona.
Don't forget Helena
And now it's Danny + Tim + Jenna.
🤩
They have a thing for J actors/actresses, don't they? :)
@@sketchurtrash jenna
I didn't realize that Danny was the singing voice for Jack. I really thought it was Chris Sarndon because it sounds so much like him and being a more classically trained actor. And the score for Beetlejuice is legendary. I watched it recently and all the little flourishes it has throughout the movie are just phenomenal.
Love him. Oingo Boingo is always one of my favorite bands.
He is a genius. The Ice Dance is one of my favorite scores ever. Its so celestial and heartbreaking at the same time ❤
I love how you can go into a movie blind and 9/10 can tell if it’s a Danny Elfman score he is one of if not my favorite composers of modern film the way he voices his orchestrations is unique and in my eyes not able to be replicated… at least the way he does it
So he's a one track pony?
A master of his craft. He along with Henry Selick deserve much more credit for being the genius behind The Nightmare Before Christmas.
It's incredible to think of how many impactful movies were scored by Danny Elfman. He sounds like he's a fascinating, exciting and satisfying career and the balls he showed have clearly paid off.
Danny Elfman is honestly in my eyes one of the greatest composers ever his music has such a delicious fantasy theme it’s impossible to stop listening to them
I’m a huge oingo boingo fan and tbh the fact that Danny was truthful about his feelings and wanted out and ended on a high note, made the band and himself the huge icons they still are ❤
He’s doing rock concerts again now though but with a new band
@@nuclearcatbaby1131 oh I saw that! Sadly i can’t go cause they’re not coming here, but thanks for lmk
Almost every piece of music shown here is embedded in my heart and soul ! Thank you Mr. Elfman for composing the soundtrack to my childhood!
This guy is an absolute legend, my favorite film composer that ending score to Edward Scissor hands never fails to bring me to tears...
Danny is SO cool. What a legendary resume
This was a great interview. Danny seemed very giving here. His success, and the emotional resonance of his art and the timeless quality it possesses makes so much sense. I could listen to him talk about music and pick his brain all day.
he’s also so self aware! it was nice to hear him be vulnerable about his thought processes and methods
@@victoriapich9477 I agree, and his self awareness contributes to the emotional resonance of his Art. It renders him relatable, and accessible. He accepts his "weirdness" to some degree.
His music is what has made me love Tim Burton and why I’ve been a nightmare before Christmas fanatic for over 25 years!
Danny Elfman is one of the greatest ever! Used to play in a band, scored some of the best films ever made, married Bridget Fonda, hes had an awesome life and continues to do so as he loves his craft!
Danny & Tim were the dynamic duo I grew up loving. Both absolute legends with such gifts for their crafts.
*Are a......Wednesday Addams bro
@@IamGenoBlack yes but in that sentence "were" is grammatically correct being that they "were" the duo I grew up loving. Been grown a long time now. Still love the duo & saw Wednesday but it's wayyy past my childhood. 😂
Grew up as an Oingo Boingo fan. Have followed Danny all these years. He is an incredible composer!
Fascinating guy, you could listen to him talk about his craft and films for hours... a true original.
I've always thought of Danny Elfman as an abstract concept. Like I know most of his scores by heart and one of the first pieces I rebelled with against my violin professor was The Oogie-Boogie song.
Seeing this video is like seeing a mythical being. Like a musical unicorn or something.
The score for Batman is timeless and one that will forever be engrained in my mind. Thank you Danny for all you've done for film. Looking forward to Beetlejuice 2
This guy has written the scores of our childhoods. An absolute legend.
I love Danny Elfman. He is “music-made magic” for me. If a television in another room begins to play music and it’s Danny’s music, I immediately recognize it and that’s always a bit of a thrill for me. And, come on, he’s just so goddamned cool. The hair, the fashion sense, the personality, the insane talent…what’s not to love?
4:01 "check THIS out, mo-fo" I LOVE THIS ATTITUDE SO MUCH!! 🤣🤣
The EDWARD SCISSORHANDS soundtrack is one of the most fantastic, ground-breaking, track-switching scores ever written. You never heard anything like it before, but heard it everywhere after. I don't think there was anything that did the same until Zimmer's THE DARK KNIGHT score. And then he one-upped himself with DUNE.
His Batman soundtrack is still one of my all time faves. Dude is a absolute legend, despite essentially being an outsider composer.
Love hearing all about his creative process - he is so talented I could listen to his stories all day - please do a part 2
I’ve always LOVED the background music in these Tim burton films. I would even listen to Danny’s music on its own. He’s a genius and it’s amazing to learn abt him and his art.
I love how he casually drops that he has a collection of hands.
Bummed that Danny wasn't asked about Sleepy Hollow. In my opinion, it's one of his top best movie scores.
Much agreed!
Agreed! Sleepy Hollow is my favourite Tim Burton movie.
There are so many times in this interview I just want to reach out and give you a hug. Thank you for bringing all this music together & bringing us together.
Thank you, Big hugs
i graduated high school in 1993, my entire high school band practiced dannys music for MONTHS and nailed it for graduation. thanks danny
Well,me too, back in the 90s.I graduated in 94, and I was in the band also.
What did u play?
@Notturnoir I played the
Saxophone
One of the most Iconic composers that have ever existed 🎼🎶
One of the musical legends of all time
Mr. Elfman is so sweet, I'm glad you interviewed him🥳🥳🥳
I legit had so much fun watching this! Hearing Danny speak about his iconic films and scores just made me feel so happy. :)
I knew he was a wonderful composer, but now I see that he is a wonderful person 💕
The fortitude it takes to turn down the opportunity to collaborate with Prince is crazy. Mad respect 🙏🏾
Totally
"Nightmare Before Christmas" is as much Danny Elfman's movie as it is Tim Burton's and Henry Sellic's
More Sellic than Burton by all accounts
Danny practically wrote the script (his girlfriend Caroline Thompson actually wrote the script but I think he would’ve done a better job)
@@nuclearcatbaby1131 She did a great job.
I could listen to him talk for hours.
I love many of his scores, but the original Batman, Edward Scissorhands, and Sommersby soundtracks will always be among my favorites. Mad genius. LOVE HIM.
I’ve never seen Danny and I can see how him and Tim were great friends. It checks out and my dude is a glorious composer
Danny Elfman and Tim Burton make magic! What a great interview. I’m a huge admirer ❤
what a warm and wholesome interview. Now I love Danny Elfman EVEN more!!!
One of my favorite composers. His music brings out the best in every movie
Danny Elfman is the kind of dude that tells you he has a hand collection and it doesn't seem all that strange.
I love his story about the Batman theme. His score for Batman: The Animated Series is amazing.
I was 5 when Pee Wee's big adventure came out. I fell in love with the music, and I have loved Elfman ever since.
I absolutely love this guy, what a genius and he never let anyone else tell him what to do and look where that got him. Phenomenal artist and composer