Background scores in films: When music speaks louder than words

Scrolling through Instagram or Facebook Shorts, it's common to stumble upon popular movie clips that have been overlaid with different music. Sometimes, a romantic tune plays over a tragic goodbye, or upbeat pop syncs with a suspenseful chase. It changes everything. The emotional weight and the message feel different. 

It serves as a reminder that in cinema, regardless of how gripping the performances are, the background score acts as the quiet puppeteer, shaping the viewer's emotional journey. This rings true not only for thrillers filled with suspense but for every genre imaginable. 

A scene can shift from heartbreak to euphoria or menace, depending on the score that breathes beneath it, and it requires the composer to be emotionally in tune with the story's mood.

"Background score isn't about just adding music—it requires a real understanding of music and the story to use it effectively. Even instrumental music can heighten the emotional impact," said Masud Hasan Ujjal, director and composer of 'Unoponchash Batash', widely praised for its remarkable background score.

Background scores are active storytellers, often doing more than the dialogue itself. When used well, they don't just complement the visuals—they elevate them.

'Monpura' (2009) became a major hit largely because of its unforgettable music. Though it was first promoted as a quiet love story, the soundtrack—featuring songs like 'Nithua Pathare', 'Shonar Moyna Pakhi', and 'Jao Pakhi Bolo Tare'—quickly caught on with listeners. 

Director Giasuddin Selim even delayed the release to add extra scenes and focused on building interest through the music. 

The strong connection people felt with the music gave the film new momentum, helping it grow from a small release into one of the biggest box office successes in Bangladesh.

Films that can be used as a masterclass on background score include Christopher Nolan's 'Interstellar'. Hans Zimmer's score wasn't an afterthought; it was built into the script's DNA. The organ-heavy, celestial soundscape didn't just support the film's themes of time and space—it became them. 

That ticking clock in the 'Miller's Planet' sequence was timed to reflect the passage of time on Earth. Each tick isn't just sound—it's a gut punch. Without Zimmer's music, 'Interstellar' would still be impressive, but his score turns it into a spiritual experience.

In the Bangladeshi industry, the 2025 release 'Daagi' has drawn attention for its standout theme music, which appears at key moments and returns poignantly at the end. The overall sound leans toward orchestral tones, which elevates the film's storyline.

"I see background score as something that complements a film—it amplifies the emotions in key scenes without ever distracting the viewer. With 'Daagi', I was careful to maintain that balance. My goal was always to enhance the film's overall experience, not overshadow it," shared Sajid Sarker, music director of 'Daagi'.

Sarker also shares that the director has an equally important role in the background score. In his experience, directors such as Shihab Shaheen can use details such as music to a story's advantage, using it to add emotional depth. 

Background scores can transport audiences to another world. When executed perfectly, they play a crucial role in elevating fantasy and sci-fi films, heightening the overall movie experience for the viewers.

For example, in 'X-Men: Days of Future Past' (2014) set to Jim Croce's 'Time in a Bottle', this scene isn't just a visual treat—it's a masterstroke in how music and editing work together to present super-speed in a grounded, poetic way.

As the character Quicksilver zooms around the room, casually redirecting bullets and rearranging the battlefield mid-air, the soft, reflective tune slows time down for the audience. 

Instead of the typical adrenaline-pumping track one might expect in an action scene, the mellow music injects humour, elegance, and surreal beauty. The background score doesn't just accompany the action—it defines it. Without it, the scene would lose its unique charm and emotional punch.

In another scene of the film, Quicksilver saves the students of Xavier's school from an explosion, all to the backdrop of 'Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)' by Eurythmics. The song turns a moment of chaos into a whimsical rescue operation. Every movement is timed to the beat—grabbing goldfish mid-air, dodging fire, and saving lives with effortless flair.

The music transforms what could've been a tense, tragic scene into something exhilarating and lighthearted. It reinforces Quicksilver's personality while also giving audiences an unforgettable cinematic moment.

In many cases, the score becomes a character itself. 'Inception' (2010) is another Zimmer-Nolan collaboration where the music acts like a compass in a world where time folds in on itself. That blaring 'BRAMMM' sound, now almost cliché, was fresh and groundbreaking during its time. It mirrored the collapse of reality within the film. Strip it away, and you have a film that's clever but emotionally cold. 

Sometimes, music also tells you what isn't being said. The soundtrack 'Sunflower' by Post Malone and Swae Lee in 'Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse' (2018) isn't just a catchy opener—it becomes a recurring emotional element tied to Miles Morales' character. It plays early on when Miles is in his own world, struggling with identity, and reappears subtly throughout, echoing his personal growth.

The song's laid-back, lo-fi feel mirrors Miles' persona perfectly. It doesn't try too hard to be heroic or dramatic—instead, it's warm, mellow, and a little unsure of itself. Later, it becomes a nostalgic reminder of where he started. It's not a background score in the traditional sense, but its placement and repetition give it that same narrative weight.

Today's blockbuster cinema often leans heavily on digital effects and fast-paced editing. But the scores that endure are those that do more than accompany—they challenge, amplify, and speak. Films like 'Gladiator' (1992), 'Cinema Paradiso' (1988), and 'The Bladerunner' (1982) stay with us because of what we felt, which was deeply tied to what we heard.

The most iconic scenes in film history—the kiss in the rain, the final farewell, the slow-motion hero walk—would fall flat without the right music. When it's done right, it lingers. Not just in our ears, but in memory.