While there are many reasons to tune into any show, the soundtrack is often one of the most frequently overlooked. However, it is also one of the most influential parts of the viewing experience. The music helps establish mood, characters, and other elements that an audience may not be immediately aware of. One show that does this well is The Flash.
While composer, Blake Neely writes and oversees music for all the Arrowverse shows, he gives each show and their respective characters a unique sound. His work for each show is memorable, but the music for The Flash is unique and just plain fun. Not only does Neely give the Flash a memorable theme, but he also creates a contrasting theme for his civilian identity, Barry Allen.
Every Character Has Their Own Music
The concept of music representing specific characters came from the German opera composer, Richard Wagner. The concept, known as leitmotif, assigned each character, setting, object, and emotion different themes that are heard throughout his operas. These leitmotifs would be distinguished by the instruments performing, the tempo (speed), and the themes themselves. In this way, the audience can think of certain characters or places just by listening to the music—even if they aren’t present on stage.
Leitmotif has become a huge part of TV and film scoring today. One of the most well-known examples in popular culture is John Williams’ Star Wars score. When you hear John Williams’ “The Imperial March”, it’s impossible not to think of Darth Vader. And this is exactly why leitmotif is a crucial element in the way a TV show comes together.
What Does The Flash Sound Like?
During the final credits, you hear a truncated version of the main theme for The Flash and different snippets also appear in each episode. The theme contains two parts: heroic chords in the brass, and a series of fast, constant notes in the strings. As a superhero whose powers revolve around speed, it makes sense his musical theme would move at a quick pace. It sounds like a constant sixteenth-note theme is passed around the string section, creating an endless sense of movement. What are sixteenth-notes? While it depends on the original tempo, they are notes that are commonly associated with fast sections of music, making them particularly fitting for The Flash.
The strings establish a rapid-pace feel with their sixteenth-notes, but Neely also wants to show that not only is the Flash fast, but he’s also strong. He creates this excitement and power through the brass section as they play full-sounding chords on top of the running string line. By combining both sections, the music provides an aural image of the Scarlet Speedster. You can hear these elements in full force on track one, “The Fastest Man Alive / Always Late,” from the Season 1 soundtrack.
Barry Allen’s Personal Sound
Every good superhero has a civilian identity, which is where Barry Allen enters the picture. When the Flash isn’t fighting crime, Barry Allen works as a forensic scientist in a crime lab. Barry actually first appeared on a season 2 episode of Arrow, “The Scientist.” Before he was struck by lightning and received his super speed, Barry traveled to Starling City to research metahumans. While he ended up helping Team Arrow, he was in Starling City to research who killed his mother.
While many viewers were already aware of who Barry Allen would become, the seeds of the superhero theme are a part of his civilian identity. Track 10 of the Season 2 soundtrack, “The Scientist,” displays one of the many variations of Barry’s civilian theme.
The beginning of the track features small, repeated groups of sixteenth-notes in the strings, separated by brief rests. Since Barry Allen has not yet become the Flash, it makes sense that these sixteenth-notes remain disconnected and separate from his alter ego. Here, Neely cleverly sets the stage for the hero he will become.
The sixteenth-note bursts transition into a calm, beautiful theme played on the piano, accompanied by sustained strings. While the brass signifies power and strength in The Flash theme, the soft strings represent peace. The oboe represents Barry’s fun, quirky personality as the music changes between the piano and oboe. Variations on this musical idea are often heard when Barry Allen is present. The music represents a calm, positive forensic scientist who brings humor to difficult situations.
When Hope Comes to Central City
Hope is a central theme in the Flash’s story. The Flash brings hope to Central City, and Barry brings hope to his friends and family. Occasionally, the characters need to find this same trait within themselves to continue fighting the good fight. For the Flash, hope is represented by a wordless choir.
The chorus is heard in the first notes of the Season 1 soundtrack, “The Fastest Man Alive.” This music immediately transitions into the superhero theme, which represents the hope that Flash will bring to Central City.
Climactic moments throughout the series are also met with a chorus. You hear this when Barry closes the wormhole at the end of Season 1, as well as when Iris and Barry discuss what decisions to make at the end of Season 2. The chorus also accompanies sentimental moments between Barry and his father. The music shows the hope that Henry Allen has in his son.
These are just a few musical ideas that represent the Flash. The Arrowverse is full of great characters and musical moments, so when these shows are in the hands of a master composer like Neely, the characters become more real and alive to the audience.
