The Sounds of Commerce – Marketing Popular Film Music (Film and Culture Series) - Hardcover

Smith, Jeff

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0231108621 ISBN 13: 9780231108621

Publisher: Columbia University Press, 1998

Synopsis

This is a detailed historical analysis of popular music in American film, from the era of sheet music sales, to that of orchestrated pop records of the 60s and the MTV-ready pop songs from contemporary films. To investigate film and music cross-promotion, the book examines historical, economic and aesthetic factors that brought about the rise of popular music in the movies. Combining musicology, film theory and social history, the text examines the repeated refrain in the theme song of "Goldfinger", which developed massive cultural appeal, and goes on to look at how film and music industries have become so heavily intertwined, the progression of soundtrack music and the relationship, if any, between the chart success of the soundtrack and the box-office success of the associated film. The author challenges film music scholarship to recognize the significance of popular music in modern film.

About this title

Review:

"[A] fascinating exploration of Hollywood film music since the 1960s." -- "Choice"

About the Author:

Jeff Smith has written articles for publications such as Cinema Journal and Velvet Light Trap.

About this edition

• Publisher: Columbia University Press
• Publication date: 1998
• ISBN 10: 0231108621
• ISBN 13: 9780231108621
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 300