Splash

Composer: Lee Holdridge
Lable (Release Year): Promotional Release (1999)
Availability: ***
Rating: ****

Splash is probably the best known Lee Holdridge score among score fans. In 1984, still in the early stage of his career, Ron Howard directed this classic romantic comedy. If you have seen the movie, even if you are not a film music fan, you will definitely remember the music for the unforgettable last scene: when Allen Bauer (Tom Hanks) dives into the sea and swims away with Madison (Daryl Hannah). For many years, the exquisite love theme can only be found in the compilation CDs "Film Music of Lee Holdridge" and "Ron Howard: Passions & Achievements" as a short concert version. Now, the original score is finally available to us. Lee Holdridge was a natural choice for Ron Howard at that time since he scored his Skyward previously.

The score is developed around the extremely touching and lyrical love theme ("Main Title"). Most cues are different arrangements and versions of the theme. Soft piano and lush strings are usually the instruments that plays the melody. The two "Underwater" cues are also very lovely. The first one actually reminds me of Little Mermaid. The soft and daydreaming mood remains until "Madison At Bloomingdale's", which is a slight pop cue. "In The Bar" and "Watching TV" are two other tracks that have independent melodies. The former one is a smooth jazz tune and the latter one is a guitar solo tune. "All Wet" is the first track that suddenly changes away from the soft tone. It is slightly unsettling as it reminds us that there are a lot of troubles that Allen and Madison have to go though in the movie. "Sneak Attack" then brings out the sadder version of the theme. The militaristic cue "Raid On A Museum" marks the beginning of the music for the final sequences. Follow by another rendition of the love theme ("Reunion"), serious action music starts for the first time ("Escape and Chase"). The full orchestral sound carries to the slightly larger than life cue "The Leap For Freedom." The score concludes with a more concert version of the love theme ("Return Home") before the song version (performed by Rita Coolidge) of the theme begins. Unfortunately, the sound quality of the song is not as good as the score. This CD also includes 5 bonus tracks. The two film version tracks are slight pop versions of the orchestral tracks as heard before. Since the theme is so beautiful, it does not hurt to give the audiences two extra versions!

Splash is definitely a classic romance score. Yes, the score actually sounds more like a score for a straight romance film. If you are a fan of the film, there is no doubt that you should pick the score up. Score fans, if you would buy only one Lee Holdridge score, this will be it!

  • On-line Purchasing Option: Super Collector


    1. Track Listing:
    2. Main Title (1:51)
    3. First Meeting (1:33)
    4. The Boat/Mermaid On the Beach (2:34)
    5. Underwater - Version #1 (1:29)
    6. Underwater - Version #2 (1:25)
    7. Daydream (0:57)
    8. Madison At Bloomingdale's (1:09)
    9. In The Bar (2:12)
    10. Late At Night (2:34)
    11. Watching TV (1:25)
    12. "I Love You" (1:41)
    13. Rainy Night (2:38)
    14. All Wet (1:07)
    15. Sneak Attack (1:03)
    16. Raid On A Museum (0:44)
    17. Reunion (1:21)
    18. Escape And Chase (2:55)
    19. The Leap For Freedom (2:20)
    20. Return Home (2:14)
    21. "Love Came For Me" (Love Theme) (4:30)
      Performed by Rita Coolidge. Music: Lee Holdridge, Lyrics: Will Jennings
    22. End Titles (3:07)

      Bonus Tracks:

    23. Rainy Night - Version #2 (2:38)
    24. Escape and Chase - Film Version (2:54)
    25. The Leap For Freedom - Film Version (2:20)
    26. "Love Came For Me" - Solo Sax Version (2:36)
    27. "Love Came For Me" - Solo Guitar Version (3:48)
      Total Time: 55:05
    Review Date: 3/6/00

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