Okay, “pun” probably isn’t the right word, but listen to the first six seconds of “Can You Read My Mind” (the love song from Superman), and compare it to this phrase from “This Is It,” the theme from The Bugs Bunny Show. Is it me, or does the melody of the Superman love theme sound like a slowed down version of the Bugs Bunny tune? On the off chance that John Williams is referencing the Bugs Bunny tune on purpose, beginning a scene in which Superman and Lois Lane are taking off into the wild blue yonder* for the first time with a melody that, until then, had been associated with the phrase “Oh, what heights we’ll hit!” is ingenious.
*Okay, it was night. So maybe the “midnight blue yonder” would be more accurate.
PS: I believe Superman came out in 1978, and “This Is It” had been used as the Bugs Bunny theme since 1960. But I could be wrong.
6 responses to “John Williams – Musical Punster?”
I like how your mind works, but mine is tired! So, I’ll just nod and grin and go over into that corner over there and see what develops…. :-]
Thanks, Frank! I understand completely.
Yes! I hear it now; that is too funny or looney?
Definitely looney!
I do believe you’re on to something!
Thanks!