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The Help (soundtrack)

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The Help (Music from the Motion Picture)
Soundtrack album by
Various artists
ReleasedAugust 4, 2011
Genre
Length36:04
Label
Producer
CompilerJennifer Hawks
The Help (Original Motion Picture Score)
Film score by
Thomas Newman
ReleasedSeptember 6, 2011
Recorded2011
StudioNewman Scoring Stage
GenreFilm score
Length59:34
LabelVarèse Sarabande
Producer

The Help is a 2011 period comedy-drama film written and directed by Tate Taylor and based on Kathryn Stockett's 2009 novel of the same name. The film features an ensemble cast, including Jessica Chastain, Viola Davis, Bryce Dallas Howard, Allison Janney, Octavia Spencer, and Emma Stone. Two soundtrack albums were released for the film: an original soundtrack and an original score. Music producer Thomas Newman, music supervisor Jennifer Hawks, director Tate Taylor, worked on both the soundtracks as the executive producer, while Newman also composed the film score. The soundtrack album was released by Geffen Records (a subsidiary of Universal Music Group) and DreamWorks Records on August 4, 2011, while Varèse Sarabande released the score album on September 6.

Both the soundtracks and score were announced, months earlier before the release. The album and the score were heavily inspired on the music of 1960s and features songs from the likes of Johnny Cash, Frankie Valli and Ray Charles. An original song for the film "The Living Proof" performed by Mary J. Blige was released as a single on July 5, 2011, and was nominated for Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song.[1]

Background

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Thomas Newman began composing the film score in March 2011, following his involvement in the project.[2] Owing to the setting and storyline, music supervisor Jennifer Hawks, who worked as an executive producer in DreamWorks Pictures, had selected songs that had resonated to 1960s. The tracks were rendered by prominent artists such as Johnny Cash and June Carter, Dorothy Norwood, Bo Diddley, Ray Charles, The Orlons, Bob Dylan, Mavis Staples, Frankie Valli from the Four Seasons band and Chubby Checker.[3] As a collective, the songs spotlight the peak of the fight for equality in the United States during the civil rights movement.

The only original song written for the film, was "The Living Proof",[4] which was written and sung by Mary J. Blige and composed by Thomas Newman. The song was created after Blige watched the film twice at a private theatre and felt impressed, and emotional after watching. She stated "I cried really hard, I laughed really hard, I got angry, and I went through all kinds of different things. I typed all those things into my phone, and by the time I got to the studio to write the song, it was almost basically written."[5] She called the song in honor of the characters’ resilience and ability to forgive.[6]

Track listing

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Soundtrack

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The Help (Music from the Motion Picture)
No.TitlePerformersLength
1."The Living Proof"Mary J. Blige5:57
2."Jackson"Johnny Cash and June Carter5:28
3."Sherry"Frankie Valli5:35
4."I Ain't Never"Webb Pierce1:56
5."Victory Is Mine"Dorothy Norwood3:47
6."Road Runner"Bo Diddley2:48
7."Hallelujah I Love Her So"Ray Charles2:35
8."The Wah-Watusi"The Orlons2:32
9."Personality"Lloyd Price10:29
10."Don't Think Twice, It's All Right"Bob Dylan3:38
11."Let's Twist Again"Chubby Checker2:19
12."Don't Knock"Mavis Staples2:30

Score

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The Help (Original Motion Picture Score)
No.TitleLength
1."Aibilene"3:07
2."Them Fools"2:50
3."Upside-Down Cake"1:22
4."Mississippi"3:50
5."Heart Palpitations"1:43
6."The Help"2:19
7."Jim Crow"1:45
8."Skeeter"1:03
9."Miss Hilly"1:14
10."Write That Down"1:38
11."Bottom Of The List"3:23
12."Deviled Eggs"2:03
13."First White Baby"2:00
14."Celia Digs"2:06
15."November 22"1:12
16."Not To Die"1:28
17."My Son"2:51
18."Trash On The Road"1:37
19."The Terrible Awful"2:57
20."Constantine"4:09
21."Gripping Testimonials"1:32
22."Sugar"1:50
23."Amen"3:06
24."Mile High Meringue"2:00
25."Ain't You Tired (End Title)"6:29
The Help (For Your Consideration)[7]
  1. Opening / Abie & Skeeter
  2. Toilet Paper
  3. Constantine's Advice
  4. Book Approved
  5. Storm / Minnie Fired
  6. You My Real Mam
  7. Minnie Phone Call
  8. It Fee
  9. First White Baby
  10. Sugar
  11. Celia Meets Minnie
  12. Eula May Ring / Abie & Skeeter
  13. Minnie Joins Up
  14. Skeeter Truck To Date
  15. Kill My Son / Shower
  16. Kitchen Standoff / Coats
  17. Spank / Evers / Bus
  18. Celia Digs / Arrest
  19. Lots Of Maids / Stories
  20. Funeral / Love You
  21. Terrible Awful
  22. Celia & Minnie Talk
  23. Firing Constantine / Braid Bookstore
  24. Skeeter & Mom Make Up
  25. Celia Food For Minnie
  26. Church Applause / Can't Leave
  27. Ain't You Tired

Reception

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Reviewing for both the musical score and soundtrack, James Christopher Monger of AllMusic wrote for the former, saying: "the soundtrack, a 12-track collection of oldies, classic country and R&B dutifully mirrors the heydays of the civil rights movement",[8] and for the score: "Newman's sweet/sad and pastoral score stands up perfectly well on its own, brandishing its own distinct shade of Americana that manages to incorporate the whole melting pot, rather than just skim off the top."[9] The Joy of Movies wrote "Like a lot of Thomas Newman’s other works, the score for The Help runs on the slightly more minimalist side.  The simple melodies are memorable throughout and pleasant to listen to. The recurring themes are quite nicely developed and there are interesting wind instrument elements throughout, along with the likes of piano, guitar, and strings.  Ultimately, with an appropriate mix between more serious and lighter tones, it works."[10]

Filmtracks.com wrote "The Help is an effectively competent score that once again proves Newman a master of expressing convincing tones for America's Deep South. It doesn't have the infectious personality or melodic exposition of an enduring benchmark like Fried Green Tomatoes, but its respectful sense of restraint is admirable. The hour-long album presentation is absent source material and is a mostly tonal, effortless listening experience that will be a pleasure to appreciate for those seeking to hear Newman return to his early 1990s sensibilities, even if it does manifest itself in the form of somber, atmospheric grace."[11] Collider's Natasha McMeekin wrote "The Help catches us off guard at times: it often switches from moments of humor and light-heartedness to moments of utter dejection, despair, and complete discomfort. Unsurprisingly, Newman understands this and works in tandem with the film's ever-changing shift in tone. The feel-good moments possess an upbeat cadence and whimsy that make us laugh along when our beloved characters experience precious moments of mirth. However, Newman shines in moments where performances and emotions become raw and thought-provoking. His suspension of gorgeous strings, and slow but poignant melodies, never outshine the characters in these moments."[12]

Release history

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Region Date Label Catalog Code Ref.
The Help (Music from the Motion Picture)
United States August 4, 2011 Geffen
DreamWorks 		B001585402 [13]
Canada August 10, 2011 Universal Music Canada
Europe August 15, 2011 Universal Music Group 0602527872155
The Help (Original Motion Picture Score)
United States September 6, 2011 Varèse Sarabande 3020671142 [14]
Germany September 13, 2011 VSD-7114

Accolades

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Award Date Category Recipients and nominees Result
BMI Film & TV Awards[15] May 17, 2012 Film Music Award Thomas Newman Won
Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards[16] January 12, 2012 Best Song "The Living Proof" Nominated
Golden Globe Awards[17] January 15, 2012 Best Original Song "The Living Proof" (Thomas Newman, Mary J. Blige, Harvey Mason, Jr. and Damon Thomas) Nominated
Houston Film Critics Society Awards[18] December 13, 2011 Best Song "The Living Proof" Nominated

References

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  1. ^ Kyle; July 05, erson Updated; EDT, 2011 at 09:09 PM. "New Mary J. Blige single 'The Living Proof,' from the soundtrack to 'The Help': Hear it here". EW.com. Retrieved July 5, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ "BREAKING NEWS: Thomas Newman Scoring 'The Help' | Film Music Reporter". Retrieved July 5, 2022.
  3. ^ Jagernauth, Kevin (June 22, 2011). "'The Help' Soundtrack Features Ray Charles, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Mary J. Blige & More". IndieWire. Retrieved July 5, 2022.
  4. ^ "The Songs: A little 'Help' from Mary J. Blige". Los Angeles Times. July 9, 2012. Retrieved July 5, 2022.
  5. ^ Radish, Christina (August 10, 2011). "Mary J. Blige THE HELP Interview". Collider. Retrieved July 5, 2022.
  6. ^ "MJB Gets Emotional About 'The Help'". Essence. Retrieved July 5, 2022.
  7. ^ Thomas Newman - The Help (For Your Consideration), retrieved July 5, 2022
  8. ^ Original Motion Picture Soundtrack - The Help [Music from the Motion Picture] Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic, retrieved July 5, 2022
  9. ^ Thomas Newman - The Help [Original Score] Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic, retrieved July 5, 2022
  10. ^ "Score Soundtrack Review: The Help". The Joy of Movies. September 29, 2011. Retrieved July 5, 2022.
  11. ^ "Filmtracks: The Help (Thomas Newman)". www.filmtracks.com. Retrieved July 5, 2022.
  12. ^ McMeekin, Natasha (May 9, 2022). "9 Best Thomas Newman Movie Soundtracks, From 'Finding Nemo' to 'American Beauty'". Collider. Retrieved July 5, 2022.
  13. ^ VARIOUS ARTISTS, The Help, retrieved July 5, 2022
  14. ^ Thomas Newman, The Help, retrieved July 5, 2022
  15. ^ Gallo, Phil (May 17, 2012). "Backbeat: Rolfe Kent Receives Career Achievement Honor at BMI Film and TV Awards". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved December 9, 2012.
  16. ^ Grosz, Christy (December 13, 2011). "'Hugo,' 'Artist' Lead Critics Choice Noms". Variety. Retrieved January 6, 2012.
  17. ^ "The 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards Nominations". Hollywood Foreign Press Association. December 15, 2011. Archived from the original on October 29, 2012. Retrieved January 6, 2012.
  18. ^ Adams, Ryan (December 10, 2011). "Houston Film Critics Society Nominees". Awards Daily. Retrieved January 6, 2012.
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