In an era of endless distractions, it can be challenging to laser in on a task at hand. Whether it’s homework, a personal budget, or a never-ending stream of emails, we could all use more motivation to keep our heads in the game.
The perfect compromise between work and pleasure can be as simple as tricking our brains into thinking we’re on the precipice of a scientific discovery or a mathematical genius who is struggling with the powers of their own mind. Whoever the protagonist, these soundtracks will lead the listener through their triumphs and setbacks, alike.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
Though Nicholas Hooper also did the soundtrack for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, a special ingredient in the fifth Harry Potter film’s soundtrack gives any work session much-needed inspiration.
The tracks start strong with “Fireworks,” which ushers the listener into the exciting world of Diagon Alley, walking them down the aisles of Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes to look for the perfect back-to-school charms. This soundtrack can jazz up any study session with a heart-skipping flute, then settle into moments like “The Room of Requirement,” where the soundtrack reflects the pensive, delicate quality of the characters’ inner work.
The Social Network (2010)
This soundtrack composed by Atticus Ross and Trent Reznor is perfectly in sync with The Social Network‘s exhilarating sensibility, matching director David Fincher’s fast pulse and modern aesthetic instinct. “Hands Covered in Bruises” was used as the movie’s central musical theme, and its stirring cello undertones create an unnerving vibration beneath each scene in which it appears.
This soundtrack’s electronic vibes could keep a coder going for hours or set the mood for a would-be tech genius sipping something expensive in the club. However, there are moments where the stress ramps up perhaps too much, and the listener might feel a bit anxious. When this happens, hitting the skip button is nothing to be ashamed of.
WALL-E (2008)
This collection of sparkling pieces was brought into being by Thomas Newman, the prolific composer responsible for the soundtracks of The Shawshank Redemption, Finding Nemo, Finding Dory, and Saving Mr. Banks, to name a few.
The WALL-E soundtrack feels nostalgic for a world its young viewers have never known, with old ditties like “Put on Your Sunday Clothes” from the musical Hello Dolly (written by Jerry Herman and first performed in 1964). Thomas Newman’s original compositions perk up the film’s heartbeat, as WALL-E’s love for fellow robot Eve. Eve’s own feelings come out in her self-titled main theme, and their passion soars through space in “Define Dancing.” Finally, the film’s end is signaled by an original song from Peter Gabriel, which brings us, literally, back “down to earth.” It’s a calm invitation to ground the listener in their current moment and a breath of relief from the toil of whatever task is at hand.
Up (2009)
Composed by Michael Giacchino, the Up soundtrack can make anyone ugly cry within minutes, and the song “Married Life” can emotionally wreck anyone familiar with this Pixar film since it scores the entirety of Carl Fredricksen’s marriage to his childhood sweetheart, Ellie. The song somehow travels from spirited horns with an old-school quirk to a sadder, slower rendering of the same melody. It becomes an empty echo of its former self, settling into a new quiet, aka Mr.Fredricksen’s life after Ellie’s death.
However, the rest of the upbeat score confirms that there is indeed a new life awaiting Carl and that “adventure is out there!” as his favorite explorer so often said. “Paradise Found” is the soundtrack’s truest moment of discovery; the strings swell, and the characters’ transformative adventure begins. What better encouragement to tackle an essay or a daunting assignment at work?
Her (2013)
This soundtrack was an incredible collaboration between Arcade Fire and Owen Platt, resulting in jarring synths and powerful rock and roll influences. One of Her’s signature tunes is “Song on the Beach,” an elegant, dreamy piano piece that ushers in stillness in the busy soundtrack. “Photograph” is its accelerated sister track and picks up the heartbeat of the simple piano established earlier, mimicking the quickened pulse of falling in love.
For a focused listener who is easily distracted by lyrics, the Original Score is the way to go. But to catch Scarlett Johansson’s rare musical endeavor, check out the full soundtrack, which includes “The Moon Song.” It rose to popularity after the film’s release, prompting covers and arrangements galore, and setting a new standard for the quirky, whispery love song.
Amelie (2001)
Yann Tiersen composed Amelie‘s fresh and bubbly score, a choice pick for the studier who wants reading books and writing essays to feel akin to a scavenger hunt.
The listener immediately feels a French café vibe due to the lilting piano, alternating between sweetly tentative and playfully energized. The accordion transports the listener onto a boat cruising down the Seine, freeing their mind to scribble thoughts in a notebook, drinking coffee, and enjoying the sunny morning. The excitement of leaving clues, secret photos, and hints for Amelie’s mystery man could also translate into writing clever footnotes for a research project or conducting an anthropological study.
Titanic (1997)
Just ignore the sadder connotations of the Titanic soundtrack, and the essay won’t go down with the ship. However, the musicians will, of course, play on either way.
The majority of the score—before its inevitable descent into despair—is wistful and beautiful. The ship’s Irish passengers infuse the score with joy and liveliness that crest in “An Irish Party in Third Class,” a raucous dance on the vessel’s lower decks. Depending on the project in progress, any of these vibes could do. Not to mention Celine Dion’s signature song for the film, “My Heart Will Go On,” which will inspire resilience and passion in the face of academic or work-related struggles.
The King’s Speech (2010)
The composer of The King’s Speech, Alexandre Desplat, also did the score for Benjamin Button, won an Academy Award for The Shape of Water‘s soundtrack, and scored Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1 and Part 2.
Few moments in cinematic history have a build as triumphant as that of the piece “Speaking Unto Nations,” during which Colin Firth as King George overcomes his stutter to deliver a vital wartime address to the people of England. As soundtrack listeners surmount their own mountainous challenges, they can recall the determination and perseverance required to speak to millions on a topic of global importance.
Dead Poets Society (1987)
The French composer Maurice Jarre uses a hopeful flute as the through-line of the Dead Poets Society soundtrack. He seems to lean into the vibe of the idyllic boarding school landscape, complete with mysterious woods, a beautiful lake, and stunning fall foliage, and Jarre finds a poetic balance in the score that reflects the film’s themes. There is also some funky harpsichord featured, plus some pretty spirited german opera music.
Like most soundtracks, it picks up midway through, gaining darker elements as the plot thickens. But even pieces like “To The Cave” have electronic contributions that are so very ‘80s and play a bit like a mad science experiment. This sensibility matches the high school characters’ anxious curiosity, as they attempt to unravel enormous questions on life and passion, while the stakes feel unimaginably high. This is, unfortunately, a familiar sensation within today’s culture, which prioritizes productivity over creativity.
A Beautiful Mind (2001)
James Horner’s soundtrack has a through-line of a single soprano voice, lulling listeners into its rhythmic strings and gorgeous chords. Symbols clash, the piano quickens, and discoveries feel just around the corner.
The soundtrack may become a bit intense for a run-of-the-mill night of homework, but it’s perfect for cosplaying code-cracking or international espionage. The singing voice eventually gains words in “All Love Can Be” and delivers a powerful message; “I will deliver you through the darkness.” Whether this “darkness” is a pile of arduous tasks, taxes and budgets, or a research paper, this voice can be a source of reassurance, as it’s most definitely rooting for the listener’s success.
