Top 5 Definitive BATMAN Theme Songs

From Elfman to Zimmer, we've gotten many different Batman themes over the years. But how to they stack up against each other? Hit the jump to see my take on the Top 5 Definitive Batman Theme Songs. And sorry, The Batman and Brave and the Bold did not make the list.

Editorial Opinion
By SLEDGE - Sep 22, 2013 08:09 PM EST
Filed Under: Batman

If there's one thing I love, it's mythology. And in my opinion there's no greater mythology than the modern icons of today's superheroes. From Superman to Ironman and Spider-man, the technology of today has allowed us to join them on journeys via the big and small screen. The lights, costumes, story and visuals all come together to put these adventures into motion. One of the things that best helps pull an audience into the world they are watching is a good soundtrack. Tonight, we're going to look at the theme music of the Caped Crusader and I'm going to share my opinion of the Top 5 Definitive Batman Themes.

NUMBER 5: Batman Forever



While I wasn't particularly a fan of this movie (and certainly not the abomination that followed), I must admit that the theme was really good. It's exciting and very atmospheric in the way you would want and expect it to be. And if you absolutely have to include Robin in the mix, then this music does feel epic in a dynamic duo sort of way.

If you close your eyes while listening, you can see Batman and Robin preparing for a battle. Just don't open them or else you might see Jim Carrey prancing around in green spandex.



NUMBER 4: 60's Batman Theme



The 60s Batman theme is arguably, and rightfully so, the most famous song on this list. This show catapulted Batman into the mainstream world and defined the caped crusader for decades. This theme is unique in the sense that everyone has hummed it aloud at some point. It's a campy song perfectly suited for an over the top sitcom, and looking back it's a glimpse into an era where comics were more lighthearted and simplistic. But be careful when listening to this theme, once it gets stuck in your head it will never leave.

NA-NA-NA-NA-NA BATMAN!



NUMBER 3: Han's Zimmer's Dark Knight Theme



After Shumacher's theatrical Bat-Lobotomy, Christopher Nolan brought the Batman franchise back to life. With the idea of making his Batman “grounded in reality”, Nolan delved deep into the Batman mythos, expanding on an already intricate origin story and made it all seem believable. The Nolan Trilogy was connected by the musical workings of Hans Zimmer. What we got was a masterpiece that gets your blood pumping and lets you know that you are viewing something special.



NUMBER 2: Batman 1989: Danny Elfman



This is the theme that changed everything. When Tim Burton ditched the camp and color, he brought Batman back to his dark roots and showed a more serious/less kid-friendly tone than the General Audience was used to seeing. Charged with composing the Dark Knight's theme, Danny Elfman struck gold. The pace, the timing, the jumps and rhythm all work together to make sure every note is felt. This song was so good it was even used again for Batman: The Animated Series. I would almost argue though, that this theme is as much the Batmobile's as it is Batman's.



And the most definitive Batman theme ever composed.

...................................

NUMBER 1: Batman: Mask of the Phantasm



If any of these songs completely capture and engulf you into the life of the Dark Knight, it's the theme from Mask of the Phantasm by Shirley Walker. From it's slow lead in to it's epic finish, this music captures not only the heroic side of the Batman mythos, but also the tragedy and pain of a boy still haunted by the death of his parents. From A Death in the Family, to Knight Fall, this theme fits perfectly with any memorable Batman story arc from start to finish. There can only be one “Most Definitive Batman Theme” and this is the song that goes above greatness. It allows you to live through Batman and connect with him in a way that no other theme does.



So do you agree or disagree? How would you rank them? Sound off below!


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BlackIceJoe
BlackIceJoe - 9/22/2013, 9:48 PM
I am so happy to see Batman: The Animated Series movie being number 1. I love that score & it still brings a smile to my face. I so wish WB would take a chance & bring another animated movie to the big screen.

l know The Mask of The Phantasm did not do well at the box office. But I would say that was because it came out of nowhere. It could be a way to get different DC films on screen without having to pay a huge price for a live version. Then when it does well in the future a live version can happen.

I would be down for an animated movie of the Legion of Superheroes or any other DC film that WB wants to bring to the big screen.
SageMode
SageMode - 9/23/2013, 12:57 AM
Danny Elfman's Batman theme is THE DEFINITIVE Batman theme song.
staypuffed
staypuffed - 9/23/2013, 3:18 AM
I like Hans Zimmer's work on the Dark Knight Trilogy 1000000% more than Danny Elfman. And the scores for Batman Forever and Batman & Robin are pretty bad.
marvel72
marvel72 - 9/23/2013, 5:33 AM
danny elfman's batman theme is the best batman theme music.

also i can answer the superman theme as well john williams.
Minato
Minato - 9/23/2013, 6:46 AM
maninfinesuit
maninfinesuit - 9/23/2013, 7:37 AM
I would discredit your number one on the grounds that the choir thing is overplayed and, in my opinion, never succeeds in the slightest in making something sound 'epic.'
Minato
Minato - 9/23/2013, 9:22 AM
I just got finished watching TDK trilogy again and my opinion hasn’t changed. TDK is the best of the three movies. BB is the best origin story ever told for a CBM and centered on Bruces psyche perfectly. When I got to TDKR I couldn’t help but think how disappointing the movie is. They kept the same level of direction, cinematography, score and acting as the first two but the story just weighed the entire thing down. Ive read The Long Holloween, Year One, Dark Victory and The Dark Knight Returns several times so I know where the inspiration for the stories come from but it didn’t capture the same magic as the first two. Overall I give the trilogy a 9.0. Individually I give BB a 9.5 TDK 10 and TDKR 8.0. This is not to say that TDKR was a bad movie just not on par with its predecessors.
RobGrizzly
RobGrizzly - 9/23/2013, 11:17 AM
Good job on number one. ( I admit I was surprised, ,but there is no better choice). Shirley Walker should.get more credit for her contributions to the Batman legacy. Hearing that theme revamped, with the.choir sent chills through me.

The order is the.exact same I would put it. The reason Zimmer gets edged out is because his theme, while good, is not iconic. Its an orchestration that has been ripped off to no end, and now everything sounds like Batman. Videogames like Tomb Raider sound like Batman. Tv shows like Arrow sound like Batman. Zimmer's tense strings have influenced everything that sees itself as gritty. That's cool, but the downside is it lacks being identifiable.

Play one measure of Elfman's score and anyone will tell you, "yes,.that is Batman"

Good job.
mbooch12
mbooch12 - 9/23/2013, 8:45 PM
"A Watchful Gaurdian" At the end of TDK during Gordon's speech.... GOOSEBUMPS
relentless1
relentless1 - 9/25/2013, 12:13 AM
^yes, i always thought that the beginning of the agressive expansion track from the dark knight was batmans main theme from the dark knight trilogy, i use it in my workouts along with watchful guardian...gets me pumped lol...from 0:17 - 0:45

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oI_mDPIj4IA
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