Rocky: Original Motion Picture Score [SOUNDTRACK]

Bill Conti, Rocky (Related Recordings)

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Original Release Date: December 3, 1976
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Capitol
• ASIN: B000002U8Y
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #52,633 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > Soundtracks > By Decade > 1970s

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
For better or worse, when then-journeyman actor-writer Sylvester Stallone created the character of punchy pugilist Rocky Balboa, he did more than offer all the ne'er-do-wells in the world the hope of someday being a contender; he created a cinematic sensibility--perverse optimism in the face of insane odds--that's infected Hollywood films ever since. And if Bill Conti's horn-fanfare theme has become an instantly evocative cliché, it's only because it fit the proceedings so damned well, like a clenched fist in a boxing glove--or a slice of Velveeta on a Ritz cracker. Conti may be no Morricone, but then, when was the last time you heard the theme to Cinema Paradiso played at a wrestling match? --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Music with Heart!, September 2, 2006

By	Thor (Netherlands) - See all my reviews

Rocky - The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack - is a fantastic musical adventure with all the music of the film included on this stunning cd!
--->(WARNING, the explanation of the songs include SPOILERS of the movie!!)<---

1. Gonna Fly Now - A reason to buy the soundtrack starts with this heartbeating music. The well known theme of all the Rocky movies, simply fantastic music. Includes singing which power it up even more. After this song, you're sold. Length: (2:48)

2.Philadelphia Morning - After agreeing with Mick to manage Rocky, Rocky trains for the first time and gets up at 4 o'clock in the morning. The training goes harder than he expected, and that is heard in the music. The music really descripes a dark cold winter morning in Phiadelphia, which is absolutely fantastic. You can truely feel how Rocky felt in that moment through the music. He felt like: My mind wants to, but my body can't. Length: (2:21)

3. Going the Distance - The true opposite of track 2. Rocky is now full of life and spirit, ready to do it, to go that distace (15 complete rounds in the boxing ring with the heavywait champion of the world)The music on this track is also used during the Battlescenes in the movie. Rocky gets hit and falls down to the floor, struggling to get up again, while Adrian, his true love, walks in and sees him get up and keep going! Length: (2:39)

4. Reflections - Rocky comes into his appartment after a fight. Looking in the mirror and at an old photograph of himself he feels regret. Again, the music goes deep into Rocky's mind, feeling that frustration of a struggling mind. This track which also appears in "Rocky II", is not on the Rocky II soundtrack, but it is on this one. So if you are looking for that track music, it is right here. Length: (3:18)

5. Marines' Hymn/Yankee Doodle - Rocky is waiting in the ring for the champion to show himself. And there he comes, Apollo Creed, dressed as President George Washington. The crowd goes wild and the commentators have the time of their life explaing to listeners and viewers what is there to see.
The music really gives that feeling. Length: (1:44)

6. Take it Back (Street Corner Song from "Rocky") - The song which is sung by Sylvester Stallone's brother Frank Stallone, who is a streetcornor singer in the movie. A simple but fantastic song which captures the positive feeling on the streets of Philadelphia. Length: (1:47)

7. First Date - This is basically the Love theme from the Rocky movies. The music really captures the love and heart of the Rocky movies, the emotion. Truely fantastic music that captures your heart and shows Rocky's love for Adrain. And her's for him.
Length: (1:52)

8. You take my Heart away - Another song, which is played on the radio when Adrian and Rocky kiss for the first time in his appartment. A true seventies song sung by DeEtta Little and Nelson Pigford. A powerfull love song. Length: (4:44)

9. Fanfare for Rocky - Contains the music which is played at the very start of the movie, when the title "Rocky" floats over the screen from right to left. After that piece, the music goes over to a bit of a mix of different themes in the Rocky music. You can here a bit of "Going the Distance" in it. After that you hear music which isn't heard in the movie. Trumpets making a kind of dual. Fantastic to listen to. Length: (2:33)

10. Butkus - Rocky's dog is in the picture. Adrain has surprised Rocky with the beloved dog. Now Rocky has, like Adrain says in the movie: "Somebody to keep you compangy when you run." The spirits of Rocky are now high up by the compangy of Butkus and he feels great. You can hear that in the music. And you feel the happiness of the dog too. Only about twenty seconds of this music is used in the film. Length: (2:10)

11. Alone in the Ring - Rocky is not so sure anymore if he can go that distance and the night before the fight he goes to the empty stadium. Affraid he might lose and becomes the bum he was before it all again. The music shows Rocky's doubts.
Length: (1:08)

12. The final Bell - Music that starts softly (In the movie it's heard when Rocky leaves Adrian in the dressingroom, saying: "Don't leave town") After that, the music explodes: Rocky has gone the distance. Now, reporters are crowding him, people are yelling, screaming. Rocky yells for his girlfriend Adrain, who is struggling to get up to the ring.
Then they meet and "I love you" is said to each other and the music is buidling up to this absolute maximum. Length: (1:54)

13. Rocky's Reward - This music is heard at the end credits of the movie. Rocky's Reward is sweeping, beautiful music that shows the feeling of sadisfaction and love. Fantastic music. And gives a bit of "Going the distance" only with higher notes.
Length: (2:03)

So bassically the Rocky Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is a journey through the soul, the mind of a human being that has a maqnificent journey with love, pain, struggles, happiness and fear. And the music guides you through that soul.

A fatastic musical experience that gives the feeling of a human spirit coming to life!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply the Best - Brilliant!, January 5, 2007

By	James Koenig "konedog" (Minnesota) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)

The movie "Rocky" was released in 1976. It was a major hit, and won the Academy Award for Best Movie. One of the major reasons for for the success of Rocky, is the brilliant musical score by Bill Conti. Conti was nominated for best Musical Score, and Best Song (Gonna Fly Now).

When people think of "Rocky", they think of Sylvester Stallone and the trumpets introducing the classic hit, "Gonna Fly Now". The music brings soul and heart to the movie. Without the music, Rocky is still a good picture, but with the music, Rocky is a great movie! The music of Bill Conti energizes this movie and brands it with a unique persona and character. In a word - Billiant!

There is not a weak track on the entire album. "Gonna Fly Now" became a #1 top-40 hit in 1976, and has inspired countless millions with its upbeat thrilling souhd. But it does not end there. "Going the Distance" is another solid composition that grabs your soul with its gritty determination and tension. "First Date" and "You Take My Heart Away" show the tender side of the Rocky soundtrack, being the love themes of the Rocky movie.

In the top-20 of all-time musical scores, this has to rank solidly in this group. It is music that stands the test of time. I still listen to the album 30 years after its release, and find great enjoyment in it. I treasure it, and it occupies a special place in my music collection.

Buy it to inspire you, buy it as music to exercise to, buy it to remember the movie - just buy it. You will love this album, guaranteed.

Thank you Bill Conti for creating a masterpiece.

Jim "Konedog" Koenig

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational and stimulating, October 5, 2004

By	goING_96815 (Notting Hill, London, UNITED KINGDOM) - See all my reviews

I have all the soundtracks for Rocky 1-4 (as a Rocky fan I don't reckon that a fifth movie was made and I don't even know if they released a soundtrack?) and they're all great. Some people might think it's a little bit too pompous and pretentious...but I think it's just inspirational and stimulating!

If you're doing sport, out running or lifting weights, it might be a good idea to put on Rocky! The music makes you fly, and even if you're not climbing the Rocky Steps in Philly, you know that you could do that if you had them in front of you. This music inspires...