Famous film stars and pop singers often get the credit for introducing us to new musical tastes. But, as it turns out, it’s not that simple. As it turns out, they sometimes get the credit for introducing us to new musical tastes, but they sometimes don’t. Take Robert Pattinson, for example. When he was a teenager, he became enamored with punk rock and, eventually, formed a band with his musician friends. They practiced for hours every day, determined to one day land a record deal. They eventually did, and the result was 2013’s Twilight Soundtrack, an album that features songs by the celebrated indie bands of the time. Among them were the Breeders, the Cramps, and the Ramones. Even today, Pattinson continues to champion alternative music and has brought several of his indie pals into the Blink team, including guitarist Alana Patridge and drummer Dan Weller. Take a listen to the music mogul discuss his musical discovery and how he’s integrated it into his career.
The Ramones Are An Influence
As previously mentioned, the Ramones had a big impact on several of Robert Pattinson’s bandmates. Frontman Joey Ramone even appeared in an ad for the Twilight star’s upcoming movie. In the commercial, he plays a small role alongside Robert. The two sing a duet of “Hey Little Girl,” with Joey providing the harmony. According to the soundtrack’s producer, Mark Batson, the commercial was inspired by a scene from the film where Bella and Edward (Pattinson and Taylor Lautner) perform a duet of the same song. Batson also credits one of the film’s producers, Mike Meraz, with discovering the band and helping to bring their music to life onscreen. One of Meraz’s favorite songs is the Ramones’ “Blitzkrieg Bop,” and he asked Batson to arrange a performance of it for the soundtrack’s closing credits. To this day, Meraz remains a diehard Ramones fan and has attended numerous of their shows in New York City.
Twilight Soundtrack Is A Hybrid Of Popular And Classical Music
As previously stated, Twilight Soundtrack was inspired by the films that Pattinson and Twilighters watch and enjoy. One of the most prominent film theme songs on the album is “Handsome Devil,” which was inspired by the 1974 James Bond film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. The song features a heavy influence from that film’s iconic theme song, “Live And Let Die.” It’s a classic case of borrowing and recycling. Another stand-out track is “Carry On My Spirit,” which was inspired by Walt Disney’s 1938 classic, Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs. The classic fairy tale serves as the backdrop for an exuberant song that sounds like it could have been lifted straight from one of Disney’s animated films. As the title suggests, the album’s producers were going for a more traditional sound, and they did their best to infuse the album with as much popular and classical music as they could. “The Great Gatsby” and “Shine” are other prominent tracks on the album, both of which are inspired by F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. “Shine” was written by Jay-Z and Bono and featured the legendary rock band U2 on the song’s official soundtrack. (For what it’s worth, the song is actually a reworking of a Bob Dylan tune from his 1966 album, Highway 61 Revisited.)
Robert Pattinson’s Favorite Bands And Their Influences
It’s not just the music of famous bands that influences the musician. Often, it’s the bands that he admires, whether they’re famous or not, that end up inspiring him. Take the band Godspeed You! Black Emperor, for example. The Montreal-based, post-rock band is known for their complex layerings of classical music and ambient, industrial drums. The resulting soundscapes are often dark and foreboding, yet beautiful and otherworldly. Godspeed You! Black Emperor’s 2016 album, Raison D’être, was among the year’s best and most prominent examples of heavy metal influenced by indie rock and post-rock. One of Raison D’être’s most exciting and innovative songs is “Roots,” a track that incorporates samples from a variety of classic films, including It Could Happen To You, Frank Capra’s 1932 classic, Circus, and Orson Welles’ 1936 masterpiece, Mr. Smith Goes To Washington. Another standout track is the 10-minute long opus, “The Black Swan.” If you ask me, Raison D’être is a band that everyone should hear, especially if they’re a fan of experimental rock or heavy metal. (Incidentally, both of these genres are on the rise, especially among Gen Z and millennials. One of the most prominent figures in the heavy metal scene is Mr. Hyde, who tours internationally and is best known for his intricate, hybrid riffs and theatrical performances.)
For a while, music fans had to make do with a couple of Twilight movie soundtracks a year, but thanks to an expanded sound library and album art that evokes the films’ imagery, they’re available to listen to and enjoy at any time. With Twilight, Marvel, and now Bankrupt! around the corner, it’s time to dust off the old iPod and enjoy some old-school entertainment.