Why The Batman's Theme is a Musical Masterpiece

🚨 Make sure to turn on captions to see the commentary! 🚨

We often forget how much effort and meaning musicians put into their work. Hours upon hours worth of passion and ideas — all condensed into a track that only lasts a few minutes at most. Here, I'll briefly try to appreciate some of that genius by examining Michael Giacchino's theme for The Batman.

All music and visuals used in this video are property of Warner Bros.

[artloverivy]

YouTube's compression really hit this video hard so be sure to watch on the highest possible settings!


*Oddly enough, one of the most important aspects of Micheal Giacchino's Batman theme, is when he chooses NOT to use it. The final time we hear it is when the caped crusader cuts the power line and falls into the water. This is the first time in the movie we seem him saving lives as Batman without punching somebody, and this is why Giacchino's music sounds so dramatic as he performs the act. His life isn't in danger, but he's symbolically killing his 'Vengeance' persona. The same persona that inspired the Riddler, and contributed to Gotham's perpetual problems.*

*Once he rises from the water (pretty obviously mirroring a baptism, ) we hear nothing that even resembles his motif. Instead the soundtrack becomes gentle and soft as we see him offering help to the people of Gotham. Vengeance is gone and we never hear his theme ever again. Instead, we're now hearing music for this new superhero that has learned to punish crime while also inspiring hope. We're finally hearing the music of The Batman.*

Apologies that I had to cut that segment out, but then again it really isn't my fault so... anyway if you want to see more content like this please be sure to like, comment and subscribe! I hope you all enjoyed the video, and I'll see you in the next one ❤

[waddo]

Had goosebumps after the "let me ask you a simple question:". Not just because what follows really did creep me out, but because you presented your point so perfectly, letting the scene and music speak for itself. You're not just knowledgeable, you know how to present that knowledge.

[jamesgammage]

"You might never run into him. But if you do, then god help you." I love this. Perfect description of Batman.

[rodrigofoli]

Michael Giacchino is a god. He made me hum batman's theme while walking for MONTHS. It fits so well to the character and vibe the film passes

[rexcelsior]

“Does this make you feel safe” is something I never thought to ask myself when listening to this theme, but now that you have asked and I’ve given the song another good listen I can tell you that I truly do feel the fear of vengeance. This theme is incredible for The Batman and fits his darker more revenge-centric approach to “heroism” perfectly. I’m hoping in The Batman 2 we get a theme more in the likes of Danny Elfman’s Batman theme, since that one is really similar to Giachinno’s just a lot more triumphant and heroic in tone.

Great video and analysis into an incredible piece of music.

[Randomturtletalk]

3:32 No one is talking about this seamless transition into the main theme. The whole video is edited and worded masterfully but that switch from Bat in the Rafters to The Batman gave me straight up chills

[Excyl_XP]

1:08
The moment you said "Does this make you feel safe?"
Gave me goosebumps along with the look of the criminal.

[i.d.]

Michael Giacchino never fails to deliver with superhero themes. Side note: I love how Moon Knight and Batman's new themes both revolve around sounding terrifying and grand all at once

[DripDrangonhead]

I just noticed that in 3:24 the music sounds like its chanting "Nananana BATMAN!"
Giacchino is a legend

[matthewapril]

Always love a good analysis of Micheal Giachino's work. If I were a teacher I'd give you an A+

[grey_nachos]

1:43 "You might never run into him. But if you do, then god help you." GOOSEBUMPS

[luciii]

This is seriously one of the best analysis I've ever seen. I got literal chills when you asked "Does this make you feel safe?" POINT PROVED IN 6 WORDS!

[alexr]

your choice of letting the music speak for itself, by just asking "does this make you feel safe?", makes it so much damn effective to appreciate the darkness and. just. how great the soundtrack is. epic job as always.

[dabaruknemuhar]

It's really just four notes, just a simple "dun dun dunn dun and Giacchino made it sound so freaking epic! Gawd Dayum I love this theme, it does make you feel like Batman when you hum it for no reason. Makes everything seem more important and dramatic.

[theJavix]

One of the things i find so beautiful with the actual theme for the film is that it introduces us to the track with the main vengeance notes for like a minute but then it stops, introducing us now to the bruce wayne or "hope" theme. It has more notes, more feelings, it grows, it tells a story, it tells us that he is a good person, that he wants to help and make things better. Surely enough that's the theme we end with at the finale of the movie, but in the track it diminishes and transitions back into the vengeance theme for nearly 3 minutes, growing each time, with more intensity and more fear. It tells us that with every blow he throws, deep down, he believes he's helping, he's honoring his parent's legacy, but on the outside we see the truth. We see the results. We see that he is not yet cleansing Gotham the way he wants to, and because of it, he's angry, just as the theme rises and rises until it can't anymore and ends, fading slowly back into the piano again, as if after a fight against some criminals, Bruce is exhaling after expelling all his anger. Giacchino truly gave us the best Batman theme to date.

[dhil.]

"you have committed evil. And your day of reckoning is here. Vengeance has arrived."


this part literally made me vibrate

[torreray]

“Does this make you feel safe?” Exactly! This is why I love the companion piece “sonata in darkness” because it’s the exact opposite instead of a menacing death march its a triumphant peaceful and heroic number that makes me not only feel safe but strong enough to get through the pain I love this entire score

[zenthenerdgamer]

Been waitin for this!! I love The Batman's theme and your analysis is the best description for it.
I can't wait to hear his theme for the sequel.
It has to sound more heroic and inspiring than this villainous and fearful tone.
Another thing- I also like in some parts of the movie, like the Penguin chase scene, his theme kicks in almost everytime they showed him on screen after switching view of Oz. As if they were, dramatizing his appearance.
I love the movie🤣

[roboshark]

Came straight here when I saw the notif, I will never get enough of your videos. Sometimes they even come through the random playlists YouTube makes when I'm listening to music!

[Me-hbws]

Wow!!!! I’m amazed!! Your understanding of how music conveys meaningful messages and stories is incredible! This analysis was so awesome!!!