This is another entry in my Complete Score Breakdown Series, focusing on the complete scores to films that have had abbreviated previous releases or have gone unreleased.
Today we are looking at Field of Dreams (1989) by James Horner.
James Horner’s score to Field of Dreams is definitely and easily one of my favorites by the composer, and I think one of his most unique. It does have many tracks that capture his methodology, like his old-school big band/jazz styles or his heartwarming piano-led drama, but there are some really interesting and creative synthesizer and thematic ideas going on that are really exclusive to this work, at least in combination and execution. He was clearly inspired by the film and it shows in full, the movie itself a masterful work of originality and creative expression, the score matching it artistically and completely. It really is a diverse score, featuring spacious, airy synth moments; fun jazzy moments; energetic rock/new age drive; soft and emotional dramatic moments; full-on orchestral power (at the end of the film) and a true sense of wonder and mystery.
I had read on the FSM boards some people wondering how much music was missing from the CD release (which runs 50 and ½ minutes) and as a huge fan of the film and score itself I wondered the same thing. In doing a CSB on this score, I learned that the complete score in the film runs 55 minutes, and the overall complete known score written for the film runs 60 and ½ minutes. This equals a total amount of unreleased material coming to 10 minutes.
Highlights from the unreleased material include a cue I call “Graham at Bat” which features more of the big band feel found in the CD track “Old Ball Players” which I totally get a kick out of and “First Hit”, where Moonlight Graham gets a solid hit during practice towards the end of the film and he shares a look of gratitude with Ray Kinsella in the stands afterwards – this cue softly scores Graham’s ability to have another chance to get his hit, and it’s a very delicate cue with breathy synth tones and barely-there piano chords. Another great cue is “The Vision” at the beginning of the film when Ray first sees the vision of what he is to build in the cornfield, as the voice intones its mantra. The best of the unreleased cues would have to be “People Will Come”, which scores James Earl Jones’ speech at the end of the film as the players gather around him – it is a very inspiring cue that employs a number of acoustic instruments – first light and sustained strings and synth, then horns, then quietly pounding percussion and high strings with fluttering flute as the music intensifies as Ray makes his decision, the cue culminating in a loud climax of energy.
Side note: the CD track “Field of Dreams” is unused in the film – sadly, as it is one of my favorite tracks.
I really do hope this score gets an expansion someday.
CURRENT CD RELEASE RUNTIME: 50min 30sec COMPLETE SCORE RUNTIME (AS HEARD IN FILM): 55min 00sec ALL KNOWN ORIGINAL MUSIC WRITTEN FOR THE FILM (INCLUDING UNEDITED CD TRACKS, UNUSED TRACKS, AND/OR ALTERNATE FILM VERSIONS, WITH NO IDENTICAL DUPLICATION REGARDING FILM TRACKS & CD TRACKS): 60min 30sec
UNRELEASED SCORE RUNTIME: 10min 00sec
Complete Score Cue Titles and Cue Times (unreleased cues named by me for the sake of identification):
+ – previously unreleased (or includes previously unreleased material)
1. The Cornfield (5:25) 2. Sleepless Night (0:40) + 3. The Vision (1:20) + 4. Deciding to Build the Field (5:45) 5. A Man on Your Lawn (0:12) + 6. Shoeless Joe (2:11) 7. Night Mists (3:07) – (edited from CD track; missing first 1:09) 8. Old Ball Players (2:04) 9. After Practice (1:25) + 10. The Library (2:25) 11. Twin Dreams (0:23) + 12. Moonlight Graham (2:02) 13. “Go the Distance” (0:56) + 14. The Timeless Street (2:36) 15. The Drive Home (2:10) 16. The Rookie (0:23) + 17. Graham at Bat (1:33) + 18. First Hit (1:03) + 19. People Will Come (2:33) + 20. Doc’s Memories (3:18) 21. The Place Where Dreams Come True (9:04) 22. End Credits (4:07)
Current CD Release Track Titles and Track Times:
1. The Cornfield (5:34) 2. Deciding to Build the Field (5:51) 3. Shoeless Joe (2:14) 4. The Timeless Street (2:38) 5. Old Ball Players (2:44) 6. The Drive Home (2:13) 7. Field of Dreams (3:30) – (unused in film) 8. The Library (2:29) 9. Moonlight Graham (2:03) 10. Night Mists (4:19) 11. Doc’s Memories (3:17) 12. The Place Where Dreams Come True (9:08) 13. End Credits (4:07)
I must admit I am surprised there hasn't been any response to this particular CSB because I know people are quite fond of this Horner score. Maybe there just isn't anything that needs to be said, and that's okay.
I will say this. I have had a lot of thoughts and feelings surrounding Horner's passing and I do plan on putting them into words soon and sharing them on this site, but for now I'll keep them Field of Dreams-specific. After first hearing of Horner's passing, it was difficult to listen to his music right away, but when I did, the first score I listened to was Field of Dreams, one of my favorite works by the maestro. In fact, I listened to it on the way to work later the day that I learned the news. I listened to it in the car and as I walked the sidewalks and streets on my way to work.
As I crossed an intersection I happened to be listening to "Deciding to Build the Field" at that very moment, and as the quieter opening gave way to the upbeat guitars and rock beat, the joyous and effusive energetic section hit me hard right in the middle of the intersection and it was the first time that it really hit me that Horner was gone, and it was a very emotional moment. It was joyous and wonderful, hearing that pure and lively music that makes up the energetic upbeat section of "Deciding to Build the Field", but it was also quite stunningly mournful and sorrowful at the same time as I realized that the music came from the heart, mind, and soul of a man who was now no longer with us. I was so lucky to have this music, and so much more that brings so much beauty to this world, and for that I'm grateful, but his absence is felt heavy in the heart and it's very hard to deny when you've grown up loving his music so passionately.
Well I guess I ended up sharing more than I thought I would...but this score means so much to me I had to keep this CSB alive just a little while longer, if only for myself.
Thanks for posting this Deputy. This and Glory are my two favorite scores by Horner when it comes to needing an emotional punch. I have fond memories of this score and really brings me back to when I was a kid in the late eighties. No one came close when scoring this type of film. I even have two cuts from this on a playlist I made for my kids to go to sleep too. Would love to hear the unreleased bits as short as they are one day. When I listen to this score nowadays it is funny.. It does not conjur up scenes from the film but rather moments from my own life. Serves as a reminder how fast life goes by.
I must admit I am surprised there hasn't been any response to this particular CSB because I know people are quite fond of this Horner score. Maybe there just isn't anything that needs to be said, and that's okay.
Oh, nope nope nope nope nope nope nope. You see, we got a bigger thread!
I will say this. I have had a lot of thoughts and feelings surrounding Horner's passing and I do plan on putting them into words soon and sharing them on this site, but for now I'll keep them Field of Dreams-specific. After first hearing of Horner's passing, it was difficult to listen to his music right away, but when I did, the first score I listened to was Field of Dreams, one of my favorite works by the maestro.
Really just a beautiful score all around. It's simple, but effective and you can tell it sets the mood for every scene of the movie.
A quick fun note on this. As many of you may know, the original novel to this film was called Shoeless Joe, well when it was turned into a movie they were afraid people would mistake the name for a homeless man. So, they changed the name to Field of Dreams. The director had every intention of keeping the movie title the same as the book's. He contacted the author to apologize to which the author had confessed that he originally wanted to name the book Field Dream, but the publishing company made him change it to Shoeless Joe.
Really been enjoying your COMPLETE score breakdowns. You really really are knowledgeable on scores, DR!
Thanks DMD! Doing 53 Complete Score Breakdowns will help one become knowledgeababble!
I'm sure when I posted my Gremlins 2: The New Batch CSB not too long ago you guys at Varese had a good laugh..."This silly Deputy...not even close my friend!"
Thanks for posting this Deputy. This and Glory are my two favorite scores by Horner when it comes to needing an emotional punch. I have fond memories of this score and really brings me back to when I was a kid in the late eighties. No one came close when scoring this type of film. I even have two cuts from this on a playlist I made for my kids to go to sleep too. Would love to hear the unreleased bits as short as they are one day. When I listen to this score nowadays it is funny.. It does not conjur up scenes from the film but rather moments from my own life. Serves as a reminder how fast life goes by.
Thanks for posting, jfallon, and for sharing your personal thoughts regarding this score in your life. I enjoyed reading this.
Thank you Deputy. Your breakdowns are most welcome and so informative. Not to mention you are a pretty good writer! Field of Dreams is a magnificent film and Horner's score is just so beautiful.
Interestingly, I recently placed the cues that appear on the album in film sequence, and they don't play as well in that order. While obviously a complete score release would be a completely different animal, the presentation of what music is included on the album seems ideal.
This score isn't my favorite brand of Horner tea, but I just want to chime in to applaud you for compiling and sharing this and all of the other CSBs that you've written so far. They are always interesting and enlightening. Your efforts are truly appreciated.
This score isn't my favorite brand of Horner tea, but I just want to chime in to applaud you for compiling and sharing this and all of the other CSBs that you've written so far. They are always interesting and enlightening. Your efforts are truly appreciated.
I love this sound track! Do you know where I might be able to find full score sheet music? For example for The Places Where Dreams Come True? I'd love to try some arranging of this music for handbells. Key word is try. If you don't know, it's okay. I saw this thread and figured I'd ask. Thanks!
The best of the unreleased cues would have to be “People Will Come”, which scores James Earl Jones’ speech at the end of the film as the players gather around him – it is a very inspiring cue that employs a number of acoustic instruments – first light and sustained strings and synth, then horns, then quietly pounding percussion and high strings with fluttering flute as the music intensifies as Ray makes his decision, the cue culminating in a loud climax of energy.
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