The Sounds of Commerce

An analysis of music in American film, from the era of sheet music, to MTV-ready pop songs. It examines cross-promotion of film and music, combining musicology, film theory and social history, the interconnection of film and music industries and the relationship of chart and box-office success.

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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.