Jaws (soundtrack)
John Williams · 1992
34 min · 12 tracks · contemporary classical music
Tension-building orchestral swells contrast with haunting motifs, creating an unsettling atmosphere that perfectly encapsulates fear and suspense.
Top tracks — play these first
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Main Title — This track introduces the now-iconic two-note motif that symbolizes impending danger, setting the tone for suspense throughout the film.
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The Indianapolis Story — This piece features a poignant monologue underscored by Williams’ stirring orchestration, conveying deep emotional weight and character backstory.
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Sea Attack Number One — With its fast-paced rhythms and crescendos, this track captures the chaos and terror of a shark attack, showcasing Williams' mastery of action scoring.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe score's thematic development and orchestration create a powerful atmosphere that has influenced film music significantly.
What we noticed
- Tracks vary in intensity, with quieter pieces like 'Chrissie's Death' building tension before erupting into more aggressive sections like 'Sea Attack Number One'.
- Composition 25% of the score
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9/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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8/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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9/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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9/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Defined its genre or moment. 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
- suspenseful moments of tension
- eerie calm amidst chaos
- dynamic shifts in intensity
- for cinematic immersion
- engaging during focused listening
Maybe skip if you
- prefer upbeat, fast-paced music
- seek lyrics and vocal presence
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Established Williams' reputation in film music, showcasing thematic motifs.
- Career context
- By the time of this soundtrack's release in 1992, John Williams had already established himself as a leading composer in Hollywood, following his Academy Award-winning work on films like 'Star Wars' and 'E.T.'. 'Jaws' was originally released in 1975, but this version marked a reissue that renewed interest in his iconic score during the resurgence of blockbuster films in the early '90s.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Ennio Morricone· Howard Shore· James Horner
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Main Title 2:21
- 2 Chrissie’s Death 1:42
- 3 Promenade (Tourists on the Menu) 2:48
- 4 Out to Sea 2:29
- 5 The Indianapolis Story 2:26
- 6 Sea Attack Number One 5:25
- 7 One Barrel Chase 3:07
- 8 Preparing the Cage 3:27
- 9 Night Search 3:33
- 10 The Underwater Siege 2:34
- 11 Hand to Hand Combat 2:33
- 12 End Title 2:24
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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