''Superman III: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack'', based on the film '' Superman III'', features contributions by Ken Thorne and various artists and was released in 1983. A CD of this album coupled with the ''Superman II'' album was released in Japan.

Background

As with the ''

Superman II ''Superman II'' is a 1980 superhero film directed by Richard Lester and written by Mario Puzo and David Newman (screenwriter), David and Leslie Newman from a story by Puzo based on the DC Comics character Superman. It is the second installment i ...

'', the musical score was composed and conducted by Ken Thorne. It makes use of the 'Superman theme' and most other themes from the first film composed by

John Williams John Towner Williams (born February 8, 1932)Nylund, Rob (November 15, 2022)Classic Connection review, ''WBOI'' ("For the second time this year, the Fort Wayne Philharmonic honored American composer, conductor, and arranger John Williams, who w ...

. Part of the score was ghost-written by Edward Gregson. To capitalize on the popularity of synthesizer pop,

Giorgio Moroder Giovanni Giorgio Moroder (, ; born 26 April 1940) is an Italian composer and music producer. Dubbed the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, Father of Disco", Moroder is credited with pioneering Euro disco and electronic dance music. His work ...

was hired to create songs for the film, though their use in the film is minimal.

Release

The score for the film was released in 1983. A 3-disc fully expanded limited edition of the film's score, along with the extended score for ''

'', was released in the expanded archival collection by La-La Land Records as part of Superman's 80th anniversary in October 2018.

Content

''Superman III'' was the first of the films to have a score and soundtrack on the same release. Side A was devoted to 20 minutes of Ken Thorne's score (including new material such as a comedic cue that corresponds with the opening slapstick sequence, a theme for

Richard Pryor Richard Franklin Lennox Thomas Pryor Sr. (December 1, 1940 – December 10, 2005) was an American stand-up comedian and actor. Known for reaching a broad audience with his trenchant observations and storytelling style, he is widely regarded ...

's character, Gus Gorman, and the climactic fight between

Clark Kent Superman is a superhero created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, which first appeared in the comic book ''Action Comics'' Action Comics 1, #1, published in the United States on April 18, 1938.The copyright date of ''Action Comics ...

and Evil Superman). Side B was devoted to music by

. He specifically contributed a synthesized version of the main title march from ''Superman II'', although it wasn't used in the film. He also created a new love theme for Clark and Lana Lang and contributed three other songs that appear mostly as instrumentals in the film, the most prominent being "They Won't Get Me" for Roger Miller, which is heard twice during Gus' presence in Smallville.

Track listing

The track listing on the soundtrack album is as follows: #"Main Title (The Streets of Metropolis)" (5:23) #"Saving the Factory—The Acid Test" (6:09) #"Gus Finds a Way" (0:58) #"The Two Faces of Superman" (2:50) #"The Struggle Within—Final Victory" (4:16) #"Rock On" – Marshall Crenshaw (3:35) #"No See, No Cry" –

Chaka Khan Yvette Marie Stevens (born March 23, 1953), better known by her stage name Chaka Khan ( ), is an American singer. Known as the " Queen of Funk", her career has spanned more than five decades beginning in the early 1970s as the lead vocalist of ...

(3:18) #"They Won't Get Me" – Roger Miller (3:20) #"Love Theme" – Helen St. John (3:14) #"Main Title March" –

(4:20)

Additional music

Roll Over Beethoven "Roll Over Beethoven" is a 1956 song written by Chuck Berry, originally released on Chess Records, with "Drifting Heart" as the A-side and B-side, B-side. The lyrics of the song mention rock and roll and the desire for rhythm and blues to be a ...

" by the

Beatles The Beatles were an English Rock music, rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. The core lineup of the band comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are widely regarded as the Cultural impact of the Beatle ...

1963 Events January * January 1 – Bogle–Chandler case: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation scientist Dr. Gilbert Bogle and Mrs. Margaret Chandler are found dead (presumed poisoned), in bushland near the Lane Cove ...

remake of

Chuck Berry Charles Edward Anderson Berry (October 18, 1926 – March 18, 2017) was an American singer, guitarist and songwriter who pioneered rock and roll. Nicknamed the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, Father of Rock and Roll", he refined and de ...

's hit) and " Earth Angel" by the Penguins can be heard at Clark's high school reunion. A rare instance of the Beatles granting use of their music in a non-Beatles film, the three surviving members granted permission due to their friendship with director Richard Lester, who had directed their first two films. Like the use of " Rock Around the Clock" in the first film, the use of the 1950s-era "Earth Angel" recording appears anachronistic for the "Class of 1965" reunion.

John Philip Sousa John Philip Sousa ( , ; November 6, 1854 – March 6, 1932) was an American composer and conductor of the late Romantic music, Romantic era known primarily for American military March (music), marches. He is known as "The March King" or th ...

's "King Cotton" military march and the traditional Italian standard "When Your Mama Made You" are heard later in the film.

References

{{Giorgio Moroder 1983 soundtrack albums Superman soundtracks Warner Records soundtracks Superhero film soundtracks Superman (1978 film series)