Every now and then, a haunting little harmonica solo creeps back into my mind. It starts out as a simple sequence of double notes, then changes gear and turns into a beautiful melody. That haunting solo is the theme song from Midnight Cowboy. It's arrangement - and indeed the melody itself - are reminiscent of early Bond movies. Which makes sense, as it was composed by John Barry. But what makes it into such a heartbreakingly beautiful song is the inimitable style of harmonica virtuoso Toots Thielemans.
There have been greater movie scores, but never a theme song which captured a movie's atmosphere better than this one. Midnight Cowboy tells the story of a country boy who sets out to conquer the big city, only to discover he is no match for his opponent. A theme that has been told before and since, but never as well as in this movie. Sad and funny moments are mixed with just the right amount of irony and realism. Outstanding performances by Hoffman and Voight and great direction by Schlesinger make this movie a true classic. And Toots will never let me forget it.
There have been greater movie scores, but never a theme song which captured a movie's atmosphere better than this one. Midnight Cowboy tells the story of a country boy who sets out to conquer the big city, only to discover he is no match for his opponent. A theme that has been told before and since, but never as well as in this movie. Sad and funny moments are mixed with just the right amount of irony and realism. Outstanding performances by Hoffman and Voight and great direction by Schlesinger make this movie a true classic. And Toots will never let me forget it.