Strong Songs

Strong TV Songs: HBO Edition [Recast]

· Summarized

Share this episode
Anyone with this link can open it.
Share Link
Start at 0:00

Key takeaways

  • Many successful TV series, especially HBO shows, use simple yet powerful musical motifs to define their identity and influence viewer perception.
  • Composers like Ramin Djawadi, Thomas Newman, and Trent Reznor have significantly contributed to the development of iconic TV themes through innovative motif development and orchestration.
  • The choice of key, such as C minor, and specific compositional techniques like motif shifts and orchestral layering play crucial roles in creating memorable and thematically appropriate television music.
  • Motif-driven compositions are prevalent in modern TV, helping to establish genre expectations and emotional tone, ultimately enriching the storytelling experience.
  • Supporting the podcast via Patreon and sharing with friends are valuable ways to help continue producing content.

Summary

Introduction and Upcoming Content

Kirk introduces the episode as part of a series of inter-season interviews, teasing an upcoming discussion on TV theme songs with a special guest, focusing on HBO shows. He emphasizes that Patreon supporters get early access and invites listeners to join to access exclusive content and participate in artist voting for Season 8.

Theme Music Focus and HBO's Influence

The episode centers on HBO's notable influence on TV music. Kirk highlights several iconic HBO show themes, such as those from 'Six Feet Under,' 'Deadwood,' 'The Wire,' and 'Game of Thrones,' analyzing their musical compositions, motifs, and their role in shaping the identity and prestige of these series. He discusses how HBO often uses simple, memorable motifs, and the influence of mainstream and classical composers like Thomas Newman and Ramin Djawadi.

Deep Dive into Specific HBO Show Themes

Kirk provides a detailed breakdown of several HBO themes, including 'Game of Thrones,' 'Westworld,' 'His Dark Materials,' and 'Succession,' exploring their musical motifs, orchestration choices, and thematic significance. He highlights the clever use of motif development, key choices (notably C minor), and innovative techniques like motif shifts and orchestral layering that contribute to each show's unique musical identity. He also discusses how these themes affect viewer perception and reinforce the show's themes.

Additional Notable Themes & Trends in TV Music

The discussion touches upon other influential themes like 'Doom Patrol' and 'The Leftovers,' emphasizing their compositional approaches, motif transformation, and use in storytelling. Kirk notes a trend of minimalistic, motif-driven composition that has become prevalent in modern HBO series, shaping genre expectations and aesthetic standards across television.

Conclusion and Personal Reflections

Kirk reflects on how these themes have become integral to the series' identities, often elevating the shows' prestige and emotional impact. He mentions supporting the podcast via Patreon and encourages word-of-mouth promotion. The episode closes with a note about the outro soloist, Luke Price, and upcoming content.

Sponsors

  • Patreon · Support the show to get early access to episodes and vote for upcoming artists.

Show notes

Originally Aired October 20, 2020

The Wildlings are south of the wall, the robots are rising up, Seventh Kavalry's on the move, and two percent of the world's population has vanished. Time for another edition of Strong TV Songs!

This time around the focus is on HBO, a network that has defined much of the broader TV landscape over the past couple of decades. So let's dig into a bunch of great music from a bunch of good shows, with themes for Dothraki raiders, Alethiometers, robot farmgirls, nuns with guns, monstrous moguls, and lost souls.

Special thanks to the key of C minor for making this episode possible.

REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:

  • “Woke Up This Morning” by Alabama 3 from Exile on Coldharbour Lane, 1997
  • “Six Feet Under” by Thomas Newman, 2001
  • “Deadwood” by David Schwartz, 2004
  • “Way Down In The Hole” by Tom Waits from Franks Wild Years, 1987. Performed by Waits, The Blind Boys of Alabama, The Neville Brothers, DoMaJe, and Steve Earle
  • “Game of Thrones” by Ramin Djawadi, 2011
  • "Game of F***in' Thrones" by Anamanaguchi, 2012
  • “Pacific Rim” by Ramin Djawadi feat. Tom Morello from Pacific Rim, 2013
  • “Doom Patrol” by Clint Mansell and Kevin Kiner, 2019
  • “His Dark Materials” by Lorne Balfe, 2019
  • “Westworld” and “Sweetwater” by Ramin Djawadi, 2016
  • “Ezio’s Family” by Jesper Kyd from Assassin’s Creed II, 2009
  • "How The West Was Really Won,” “Nun With a Motherf***ing Gun,” and “Children of Krypton” by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, 2019
  • “Succession” by Nicholas Britell, 2018
  • "Kiss from Daddy" by Demi Adejuyigbe, 2019
  • “The Departure” and “Dona Nobis Pacem” by Max Richter from The Leftovers, 2014

OUTRO SOLOIST: Luke Price

This episode's outro soloist is Portland fiddle player Luke Price. When he's not working as a side man in a variety of killer bands, Luke joins his wife Rachael to form the excellent songwriting duo DEAN!. You can follow them on Instagram and listen to some of their stuff on their website, wearedean.com.

--------------------

SEPTEMBER 2025 WHOLE-NOTE PATRONS

AccessViolation – Andy – Ben Barron – Catherine Warner – Cesar – Christopher McConnell – Christopher Miller – Corpus Frisky – Damon White – Daniel Hannon-Barry – Dave Florey – David Mascetti – Elizabeth Culver – Jamie White – Jay Swartz – Jenness Gardner – Jeremy Dawson – Joe Laska – Ken Hirsh – Lisa Crotty – Melanie Andrich – Melissa Lucas – Nathaniel Bauernfeind – Paul Delaney – Rick Keeler – Robyn Metcalfe – Rush – Sami Samhuri – Thomas McIlheran

SEPTEMBER 2025 HALF-NOTE PATRONS

Aaron Cain – Aaron Wade – Aaron Wilson – Abbie Berg – Abraham Benrubi – Achint Srivastava – Adam Clark – Adam Stofsky – Adam W – Ailie Fraser – AJ Schuster – Alan Maass – Alex Miller – Alexander – Alexander Polson – Alison Dugan – Amanda Furlotti – Andrew Baker – Andrew Fair – Andrew Hofer – Angela Livingstone – Anthony Mentz – Arjun Sharma – Aruni Jayatilleke – Ashley – Bea – Ben Stein – Bernard Khoo – Betsy Barre – Bill Thornton – Bonnie Prinsen – Brad Callahan – Brendan McLeod – Brett Douville – Brian Amoebas – Brian Rinckenberger – Brian John Peter – Bruno Gaeta – Carlos Lerner – Caro Field – Catherine Clause – Cbalmain – Charles McGee – Cheryl Wilke – Chris K – Chris Remo – Christian Hessmann – Christopher Selby Spink – Clare Holberton – Claudia Carty – Clint McElroy – Colin Hodo – Dallas Hockley – Dan Cutter – Dan Elias – Dani – Daniel Kaberon – Daniel Markoff – Daniel Nervo – Dave Douglass – Dave Kolas – Dave Malloy – Dave Sharpe – David – David – David – David Futter – David Joske – David Noah – David Stroud – Deebs – Dent Earl – Dermot Crowley – Dhu Wik – Diane Hughes – Diane Turner – Dick Morgan – Donald Mackie – Doreen Carlson – Doug Belew – Douglas H. Frazer – Dr. Arthur A. Gray – E. Margaret Warton – Edward Steen – Eoin de Burca – Eric Helm – Eric Prestemon – Eric Sp – Erik – Ethan Bauman – Ethan Laser – Freddy Freeman – Gary Pierce – Gavin Doig – Geraldine Butler – Glenn Jackson – Grettir Asmundarson – Henry Mindlin – Hidden Jester – Ian Karmel – Ian Pidd – Ian Steding – Inmar Givoni – Irritable – James – James Johnson – James McMurry – Jamie – Janice Berry – Jason Gerry – Jason Pratt – Jeff – Jeff Ulm – Jeffrey Bean – Jeffrey Olson – Jennifer Bush – Jez – Joe Gallo – John Bauman – John Berry – John Halpin – Jonathan Daniels – Jordan Gatenby – Joseph Romero – Josh Singer – Joshua Hill – JRRJ – Julie Kellman – Justin McElroy – Kaya Woodall – Kayla Russell – Kellen Steffen – Kelli Brockington – KenIsWearingAHat – Kenneth Jung – Kevin Marcelo – Kevin Potter – Kevin Stafford – Kym Griffith – Lauren Knotts – Lauren Reay – Lawrence – Lee R. – LG – Linda Duffy – Lisa Turner – Lottie Aron – Lowell Meyer – Luigi Boccia – M. Shane Borders – Margaret McReynolds – Martín Salías – Mathias Schmidt – Matt Baxter – Matt Betzel – Matthew Jones – Max – Melanie Stivers – Melissa Kuhns – Melmaniac – Merv Adrian – Meryl Allison – Michael – Michael Berman – Michael Casner – Michael Singer – Michael Wisnosky – Mino Capossela – Misty Haisfield – Monica St. Angelo – Mordok’s Vape Pen – Naomi Watson – Nathan Gouwens – Nell Morse – Ol Parker – Pascal Rueger – Paul Wayper – Peter Harding – PhantomMare – Philip Kelly – Portland Eye Care – Princess of Whales – Rachel – Rand LeShay – Randal Vegter – Randy Souza – Richard Sneddon – Richard Toller – Rishi Sahay – Rob Tsuk – Robert Granat – Robert Heuer – RsP – Ryan Rairigh – Sarah Vetters – Sean Murphy – Seattle Trans and Nonbinary Choral Ensemble – Simon Hellman – Stephen – Stephen Tsoneff – Stephen Wolkwitz – Steve B – Steve Martino – Steve Paquin – Stu Baker – Suzanne Crawford – Sy Jacobs – Tanner Morton – TB – Thomas – Tim Sheehan – Tom Coleman – Tucker Ped – Wendy Gilchrist – Whit Sidener – Wiggy Hash – Zach Putnam – Zak Remer

----LINKS-----

💰 SUPPORT STRONG SONGS!
Patreon  |  One-Time Donation

🏠 HOMEPAGE

👚 MERCH

💬 DISCORD SERVER

📬 KIRK'S NEWSLETTER

🎸 KIRK'S GEAR & INSTRUMENTS

🎶 KIRK'S MUSIC

📷 KIRK’S SOCIAL MEDIA:
Instagram  |  YouTube  |  Bluesky

🎙️ KIRK’S OTHER PODCASTS:
Triple Click  |  Definitely Fiction

🎧 EVERY STRONG SONG:
Spotify  |  Apple Music  |  YouTube Music

🎨 SHOW ART:
Tom Deja, Bossman Graphics

Follow this show on AudioBrevity and new episodes get summarized for you. Create a free account

Couldn't load the audio. A blocker may be stopping the show's tracking links. Open the file