Dances with Wolves
John Barry · 1990
53 min · 18 tracks · film score
Evocative orchestral arrangements sweep across expansive landscapes, capturing the emotional breadth of a transformative journey.
Top tracks — play these first
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Main Title - Looks Like a Suicide — This opening track sets the tone for the entire score, blending haunting themes that foreshadow the protagonist's emotional struggles against a backdrop of lush orchestration.
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The John Dunbar Theme — This piece encapsulates the essence of John Dunbar’s character through its melodic simplicity, evoking both his isolation and connection to nature in a poignant manner.
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The Buffalo Hunt — Dynamic and rhythmic, this track captures the urgency and excitement of the buffalo hunt scene, showcasing Barry's ability to depict action through music.
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Farewell and End Title — The concluding piece ties together themes from throughout the score while delivering an emotional farewell, leaving listeners with a sense of resolution and reflection.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe score effectively blends thematic development with rich orchestration, enhancing its emotional resonance.
What we noticed
- The album includes both expansive, sweeping pieces and more intimate, reflective moments, allowing for dynamic shifts in mood.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- sweeping soundscapes for reflection
- dynamic emotional crescendos throughout
- evocative themes for storytelling
- immersive listening during quiet moments
Maybe skip if you
- prefer upbeat, fast-paced music
- seek lyrics and vocal performances
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time 'Dances with Wolves' was released in 1990, John Barry was already an established composer known for his scores in iconic films like 'Goldfinger' and 'Out of Africa'. This album marked a significant moment as it further solidified his reputation within the film industry, earning him an Academy Award for Best Original Score.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Ennio Morricone· Henry Mancini· Bernard Herrmann
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Main Title - Looks Like a Suicide 3:59
- 2 The John Dunbar Theme 2:17
- 3 Journey to Fort Sedgewick 3:25
- 4 Ride to Fort Hays 2:00
- 5 The Death of Timmons 2:25
- 6 Two Socks - The Wolf Theme 1:30
- 7 Pawnee Attack 3:49
- 8 Kicking Bird's Gift 2:10
- 9 Journey to the Buffalo Killing Ground 3:42
- 10 The Buffalo Hunt 2:43
- 11 Stands With a Fist Remembers 2:08
- 12 The Love Theme 3:54
- 13 The John Dunbar Theme 1:55
- 14 Two Socks at Play 1:59
- 15 The Death of Cisco 2:14
- 16 Rescue of Dances With Wolves 2:09
- 17 The Loss of the Journal and the Return to Winter Camp 2:09
- 18 Farewell and End Title 8:48
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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