Danny Elfman's epiphanies

What do Tim Burton’s films, the Men in Black franchise, and The Simpsons theme all have in common? They’ve all been scored by Danny Elfman.

Danny is a Hollywood legend, and his compositions have likely soundtracked your life. That score for Good Will Hunting? That was him too, not to mention the Fifty Shades films, and Sam Raimi’s Spiderman. For me, Danny Elfman is the sound of my formative years. I swooned to the beautiful Ice Dance from Edward Scissorhands and his incredible work on Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas remains an all time fave. So having the chance to speak with Danny, is a dream come true.

The story of Danny’s life is pretty remarkable, and I was curious to get inside his history and find out the epiphanies he’d experienced in song. The music and the makers that had created this compositional genius. From the Beatles to Bowie to Kurt Weill, this conversation traces a lineage of music and creativity that has helped craft some of cinema’s most magical moments.

The Beatles - “I am the Walrus”

Duke Ellington - “Black and Tan Fantasy”

Kurt Weill - “Pirate Jenny”

Madness - “One Step Beyond” 

David Bowie - “It’s No Game (Part 1)"