Right off from the opening track of the soundtrack, you know what this movie is about. This is all going to be about Rocky Balboa. The idea that a lowly South Philly boxer can aspire to the top of the (boxing) world is the great American Dream; and he succeeds.

Bill Conti scored the soundtrack to Rocky. The music has a gritty “the streets are rough” flavor thanks to the use of bongos, funk guitar, and keyboard synthesizer. It also has that quintessential 1970’s feel to the music. The music was also perfectly matched to the film reflecting the many cues where a different mood is needed; and it was not one bit boring. At times the music is flashy, or outrageously sappy, but worked well because part of what Rocky was about was showmanship.

The recording quality of the soundtrack is OK, but not spectacular. Here are some selections from Rocky.

Track 1, Gonna Fly Now
Who can forget this theme? Rocky! Trumpet fanfare, followed by funky urban rhythms of bongos, trumpets, violins, guitar, chorus, “Trying hard now! It’s so hard now”. The music has a Vegas quality to it, flashy, high-energy, all the instruments trying to outshine one another.

Track 3, Going the Distance.
Rocky is gearing up, in training. The mood is tense, and guarded; reflected in the music by staccato notes from violin, trumpet; and a one note bass rhythm. The music continues suppressed, held back until it cannot be held back any longer. It then spills over and becomes upbeat, with an unrelenting tempo reflecting Rocky’s optimistism and will to succeed.

Track 4, Reflections.
This is a very relaxed, very mellow piece. The music is like elevator music, non-descript, the melody moving around, but not going anywhere. A seven note guitar rhythm overlaid with keyboard synthesizer keeps things semi-interesting. There are bongos in the background for urban flavor. The music sounds more like a tame porn groove.

Track 5, Marines’ Hymm – Yankee Doodle.
For the most part, the Marine hymn was played throughout the piece with sections of Yankee Doodle Dandee mixed in toward the end. The music had a happy/gay feel to it, kind of ironic, mixing in trumpets, cymbals – traditional military band – with pop synthesizers and electric bass substituting for tuba.

Track 8. You Take My Heart Away.
This is a very upbeat and dreamy song sung by DeEtta Little & Nelson Pigford. The snappy rocky melody is subdued in the background while DeEtta and Nelson convincingly sing a love ballad about first love and of dreams.

Track 9, Fanfare for Rocky.
Like the arrival of a Roman (underdog) gladiator, Rocky is treated to a hero’s welcome with trumpet fanfare. The music begins innocently enough, but gradually builds in complexity with more trumpets, then violins and piano. Multiple times at the end where one thought the piece would end, Sike! its keeps outliving its usefulness until the music finally dies out.

Track 11, Alone in the Ring.
Rocky is alone in the ring, this is his fight. Will he make it? A lone piano captures the sad reflective mood playing Rocky’s theme in ?? minor key.

Track 12, The Final Bell.
The piano is still there, slow, reflective, it only plays two bars. Suddenly the music explodes and becomes quite festive. Victory! Rocky wins! Rocky wins! Violins, trumpets, violin, piano and bongos go berserk capturing the euphoric mood as Rocky captures the title.

Track Listing:
01 Gonna Fly Now (2:48)
02 Philadelphia Morning (2:22)
03 Going The Distance (2:40)
04 Reflections (3:19)
05 Marines' Hymm-Yankee Doodle (1:45)
06 Take You Back (1:49)
07 First Date (1:54)
08 You Take My Heart Away (4:46)
09 Fanfare For Rocky (2:34)
10 Butkus (2:12)
11 Alone In The Ring (1:09)
12 The Final Bell (1:56)
13 Rocky's Reward (2:03)


Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Exercising