Robert Redford's Soundtracks
And why they're a fitting obituary
First of all, the shameless plug:
With that done, let me say Robert Redford’s death made me sad. To me, he was one of the last of the classical cinema’s men of principle, who made more of his life off-screen than on. But being who I am, I found myself thinking about the music in his films, much of which is incredibly iconic. So, I’m going to say goodbye in my special way and point out some of the incredible music that accompanied his films and had an impact on me.
“Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on my Head” - Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
This song by B.J. Thomas is one of those songs that sits in the pit of my stomach uncomfortably. The movie came out in 1967, and Redford played the Sundance Kid to Paul Newman’s Butch Cassidy, but it lived on as a radio favorite for at least a decade, so who knows what uncomfortable childhood trauma causes its triggering effect in me. But I’ve grown up enough to look beyond my reaction and recognize both a cool song and an amazing film.
“The Entertainer” - The Sting
Ahh Marvin Hamlisch. What a genius this fella was. And if you haven’t watched “The Sting,” go do that soon, or rewatch it because it holds up. Cast again with Paul Newman and with Robert Shaw as the bad guy who got the wool pulled over his eyes. You wanna know what made “Ocean’s Eleven” possible? This movie!
“The Way we Were” - The Way we Were
Jeez Louise, I dislike this song. From the 1973 film with Barbara Streisand, it just seemed overly sappy and morose. Like the movie. But this is my PERSONAL OPINION. Plus, I’ve grown up enough to move beyond my personal feelings and recognize it hits. Barbara Streisand is at the height of her power, and it feels like some of the more famous Bond songs of the era. Still… ugh… I hate the ’70s (until ‘77, but that’s another story.)
4. “The Natural Main Theme” - The Natural
Triumphant and visceral, this is still on all my running playlists. The whole album, written by Randy Newman is like this. It’s from the 1984 film that has a dreamlike quality that encapsulates the power of natural talent, the American love affair with baseball as the nation’s purest sport. Full of themes of redemption, light, and darkness. Thankfully, it changed Bernard Malamud’s original ending (thank you, screenwriters!). But this song almost always makes me tear up. I don’t know why I can’t explain, but there you go. It’s innocence, perfection, and evocation of an American that never was but could be? Sure, I’ll go with that.
I’m going to stop there because these were the ones that infiltrated my consciousness. But there were so many more. “The Legend of Bagger Vance,” “The Horse Whisperer,” “Jeremiah Johnson,” “Out of Africa,” I mean, C’mon!
I’m just gonna stop because I’m sad again.
So long, Mr. Redford.