Is A Superstar's Music Really Important?

[Any007]

As in, does it help make their character, or are the themes just for flashy sound and such?

A good example of one that is helped by their theme is Randy Orton.

-His new theme, Voices, captivates the Viper Gimmick. Granted, the gimmick is seeming to dissipate. The song is synonymous with him, and when it hit's the speakers, the crowd pops.

Now, an example of a theme NOT helping is Daniel Bryan.

Yes, he's only a mid-carder, but still. When he comes out, instrumentals hit. When he returned after the 7v7 match, he used generic rock music, that fit! But now that he uses what he does, I'm confused as to why he's here...

So, thoughts? Does it make or break a superstar? Does it even matter?

 

[klunderbunker]

Shawn Michaels is standing in the ring for the main event of Wrestlemania 26 in the most hyped match in a long time following a classic the previous year. Sexy Boy just finished playing and there's the gong. The lightning, the thunder, the smoke, the shadows, everything starts at once. The crowd begins to cheer, and then this is heard.....

Spoiler

[youtube]C-u5WLJ9Yk4[/youtube]

Think that might take things out of the moment a bit? Music is incredibly important and can make an aura around a superstar that can make or break them. Imagine if Ultimate Warrior came out to Waylon Jennings. Something tells me he wouldn't have been in the main event of Mania 6 with it. It's very important and sets the stage for a character completely.

 

[FightOwensFight]

While I think kluderbunker's examples are a bit in the extreme I do agree that it is important. That being said, it is just as important for the Superstar in question to do something with it. Two good examples are Drew McIntyre and Alex Riley. Both have, in my opinion, great entrance music (Riley's is the best new music in a long time if you ask me) but Drew hasn't really been able to capitalize on it (and as a fan of his it pains me to say that) for whatever reason but Riley seems to be getting a good reaction (laying out The Miz two weeks in a row will do that) and now there is a certain level of anticipation when his music hits.

 

[The Hardcore Kid]

Music, TitanTron videos, lighting, pyros, presentation in general have always been immensely important for me. It's a large part of how I identify with the character.

Stone Cold just wouldn't be so intimidating if he didn't come out to ear-piercing glass shattering followed by loud, aggressive riffs.
The Miz wouldn't seem quite as arrogant without a cocky "AWWWWEEESOMMEEE" before he enters.

etc..

 

[MMK]

In my opinion it's very very very important. Arguably one of those most underrated factors when it comes to what makes a star a star.

It's no coincidence that all of the biggest and best names in wrestlings past and present had or have kick-ass themes.

My biggest problem with todays themes, even the good ones like Miz's, is that most of them have absolutely nothing to do with the wrestlers who they're attributed to. Most, if not all, of todays themes are easily interchangable. Generic top 40 rock songs slapped onto some wrestler for his entrance theme.

Whereas most of the theme songs of yesteryear were specifically written and produced by WWE for specific superstars. Honkytonk Man, Million Dollar Man, Undertaker, Demolition, HBK, etc, all had songs specifically designed for them. Nobody else could come out to "Here comes the Ax and here comes the Smasher" or "Im just a Honkytonk man" except for the wrestlers who those songs were written for. Nowadays you could easily swap Miz and Swaggers themes and it wouldnt make a lick of difference. WWE needs to go back to writing their own music instead of licensing music from rock bands.

I hate to say it, but only John Cena has music that is written specifically for him. Sheamus' is pretty good as well, seeing as how it has that celtic irish feel to it. But other than that, the rest are all interchangable.

 

[gers09]

oh god yes it is. If it wasn't for the glass smash would you know stone cold was coming or if if you didn't here WHAT A RUSH that LOD was about to kick some ass or Orton's i hear voices or the rock IF YOU SMELL WHAT THE ROCK IS COOKING

Yes Daniel Bryan is a bit crap but it they first few seconds of there music that makes the crowd pop most we need it to make the biggest pops

 

[Highspeed]

The music used to increase my excitement ten fold during the attitude area. When the glass shattered you knew someone was about to get their ass handed to them, when the gong hit you knew shit was about to go down, you said "hell yeah I'm ready" when DX's music hit. More recently in the beginning of Orton's viper gimmick I got excited when his music hit, not as much anymore but it was fun while it lasted. I'm real into Riley's new theme, it just gets me pumped up for some reason and I hope he takes the ball and runs with it.

 

[S.J. Maximus]

Music has always been important - it shapes their identity and evokes feelings/reactions from the audience before the superstar is even seen. That's also why people change their songs as they evolve. Just imagine if the American Badass still came out to the Deadman theme, or vice versa? What about Triple H when he finally became the top heel switching to the The Game? Or more recently, John Cena dropping the Dr. of Thugonomics and letting everyone know that his time is now (then and now). Music is key

 

[radec]

its creates a wrestler. U define undertaker with his gong music, micheals with sexy boy, chris jericho with break the walls and rick flair with wooo. They had it for so much time that its part of them and if you change it, it would be the same. A music something even describes a wrestler like orton. In case of DB music then its something difrent from rock or rap and when u here it u know its DB, its original in this time for him so its a pass.

 

[muzz-rocks]

What annoys me about wrestlers music is when WWE annoucers use part of the song in there commentary. I've not herd it in awhile but when Randy Ortan is about to kick someone in the head, Cole pipes up with "I think Randy is going to that place where he hears voices in his head", I couldn't help myself but to put my boot through the TV and WWE wont pay for a new one

 

[ocekit]

Music is important, as it's the first impression fans get of a Superstar. It's supposed to act like a summary of the character before you see him/her in the ring, and it also captures the attention of the audience. You immediately get an idea of what the guy/girl's gonna be like. I tend to think of wrestlers' theme songs the same way I think of music in movies or TV shows. It often acts as a mood setter/enhancer as well as foreshadowing. You get a song that doesn't quite fit, and it can deviate from the intended outcome.

For example, Kane's music in his early days, essentially told his story for him. It was dark, sinister, and impactful, which perfectly describes him. That organ part in the beginning hooked you and even if you didn't know who Kane was you knew something bad was going to happen without having to see him.
If you have music that doesn't quite work, it can hinder a character. For example, if you have a generic jobber-style theme that doesn't stand out, you won't stand out as much as you should. Why? Because there's no story in the generic song, there's no real impression, and a Superstar needs to leave an impression in every aspect.

 

[jokernaut]

It definitely matters because the type of music can really catch a crowd just like if you were at a concert and if it adds to the character then it really does help. I think Stone Cold's is a perfect example because when that glass shattered the fans went nuts. It was because of what he did but it just a bad ass guitar riff and beat that just made him seem like the world's toughest son of a bitch. Same with Triple H's music. That heavy metal hits and you know its time for Triple H to whoop your ass. All the big name superstars have great entrance music and it does add because if they had boring music and that came on after a victory then it wouldn't seem as exciting.

 

[whoopin' ass]

Shawn Michaels is standing in the ring for the main event of Wrestlemania 26 in the most hyped match in a long time following a classic the previous year. Sexy Boy just finished playing and there's the gong. The lightning, the thunder, the smoke, the shadows, everything starts at once. The crowd begins to cheer, and then this is heard.....

Spoiler

[youtube]C-u5WLJ9Yk4[/youtube]

Think that might take things out of the moment a bit? Music is incredibly important and can make an aura around a superstar that can make or break them. Imagine if Ultimate Warrior came out to Waylon Jennings. Something tells me he wouldn't have been in the main event of Mania 6 with it. It's very important and sets the stage for a character completely.

the song has to fit the person. Warrior coming out to Waylon - probably not a good fit. but at the same time, you don't need a rock tune for every talent either. imagine Jake Roberts coming out to "Lonesome, Onry and Mean". might not be what you like but it does fit the character. is the song important? when they are starting off, yes. imagine the Blue Blood HHH coming out to Motorhead back in the 1990`s - wouldn`t have made him a main event guy. now imagine him facing Taker this past year with his original theme music. it would have seemed out of place but because of who he is, people would have gone ``whatever``. the song sets the mood for that person right away. once they are established however, the song is somewhat meaningless. sure, the glass hits and people go nuts because Austin is about to enter the arena but at the same time, if that glass what all you heard and no music, people would still cheer for Austin because he is Austin. it all depends on the person and where they are in their career.

 

[Shilon006]

Without question. When u hear IF YA SMELL, or the glass shatter, or the guitar hit for HHH. It's just nuts when it hits. U get amped right away. A bad song will just kill an entrance & possibly the superstar.

 

[Maddog Lionheart]

As in, does it help make their character, or are the themes just for flashy sound and such?

A good example of one that is helped by their theme is Randy Orton.

-His new theme, Voices, captivates the Viper Gimmick. Granted, the gimmick is seeming to dissipate. The song is synonymous with him, and when it hit's the speakers, the crowd pops.

Now, an example of a theme NOT helping is Daniel Bryan.

Yes, he's only a mid-carder, but still. When he comes out, instrumentals hit. When he returned after the 7v7 match, he used generic rock music, that fit! But now that he uses what he does, I'm confused as to why he's here...

So, thoughts? Does it make or break a superstar? Does it even matter?

Of course. In my opinion, you can tell who's going to be pushed or not. Such as Alex Riley, his new music is hardcore and original. You can tell he going somewhere. Everyone who's big has that attitude in their song. John Cena, Orton, Cara, Del Rio, Edge, Chrsitian, the list goes on.

Even The Miz. He wasn't going to go anywhere but when his new music kicked in, it was only matter of time.

 

[jm8]

I'd have to say yes, theme music is important. As much as in-ring ability and mic skills are obviously the key attributes, I reckon music goes a long way to creating a character as well as a particular atmosphere or mood.

I think one of the best theme songs I've heard in a long while is Drew McIntyre's "Broken Dreams". For me, and this is just personal opinion, find it fits his character and persona perfectly. His character is generally quite sinister, but at the same time fantasticly focused and down right brutal. To me, his music reflects that exact same persona.

So yeah, music is pretty important I'd say when it comes to defining an individual.

 

[Hazardous]

The music is one of the most important part of the character. If Chris Jericho came out to some generic music, would you get as amped up about it? The music has to fit who they are. People have used Steve Austin and The Rock as examples, but IMO the best entrance music has always gone to HHH. Motorhead has put out some great tunes for The Game. You know someone is about to get their ass kicked when his music hits. The Undertaker is another one with the luck or the draw when it comes to entrance themes. I even liked the Johnny Cash music he had in his last run. A superstar's entrance theme can also hold them back. Val Venis, Road Dogg, X-Pac, and Zack Ryder are all in this category. Their music wasn't the right "Fit" for the main event picture. The music then reflects on that character as well.

 

[TheNewStyle]

It definitely matters. It should at the very least fit their character. You can't have Randy Orton walk out to a goofy song. And Stone Cold would not have been half as cool had his theme music not been what it is. The glass shatter hits and it gets me amped up to jump up and punch someone's face. So perfect is it!

But I also think the wrestler should like their theme. Orton hated his them under the legend killer gimmick and felt he should be shown some respect and have it changed.

And has anyone thought of what song they would walk out to if they were a WWE superstar? I already have thought of one if I was to wrestle with the heelish, anti-everything personality that I think fits me. If I had been a successful superstar in the same way my fantasy character is, the words "you gotta let your nuts hang" would remain on everyone's mind.

 

[rge2010]

Very important. Jim Johnstone has done a fine job the last 20 years making wrestling music.

I believe liking a wrestlers themetune can play a big part in his popularity.

 

[HorsemenNo4]

Theme music is very important. The moment it starts up, you instantly get a crowd reaction whether it's cheers or boos.
On top of that, theme music can make a moment more exciting! I remember when Steve Austin's music would hit, the shattering of the glass, than he would drive a Zamboni into the ring. It wouldn't have been near as cool without that music.

 

[LilJimmy77]

YES!! In recent memory, 3 top stars have had great theme songs. Randy Orton, Edge, and Shawn Michaels. John Cena's is pretty good too. It's just another branch of charisma. I think the superstars with good theme music create a better atmosphere for matches.

 

[Good Golly It's Ollie]

My biggest problem with todays themes, even the good ones like Miz's, is that most of them have absolutely nothing to do with the wrestlers who they're attributed to. Most, if not all, of todays themes are easily interchangable. Generic top 40 rock songs slapped onto some wrestler for his entrance theme.

I hate to say it, but only John Cena has music that is written specifically for him. Sheamus' is pretty good as well, seeing as how it has that celtic irish feel to it. But other than that, the rest are all interchangable.

Entrance music is important, just like a guy's ring attire, his hair ... everything that adds up to create a particular look or feel or theme. Look at Undertaker, everything matches, from the theme to the ring attire. He's a very specialised example, but you get my point.

Now, I'd disagree with MMK on the subject of the Miz. The feel of the lyrics and all this 'I came to play' stuff reeks of school playground bully, and in many ways that's what Miz is. The kid who thinks he's it, when actually, he hasn't got a leg to stand on; that's the character that's been crafted out of the Miz for four years now.

Sheamus and Cena I'd definitely agree with MMK, but I disagree that they're the only ones. Sometimes you have to look further than 'These 30 wrestlers all come out to rock music'. Look at the lyrics, chords, feelings and atmosphere and you have 30 very different songs, even if they all exist within the same genre. Compare for example, Drew McIntyre's music with Dolph Ziggler's. They're both rock songs, but very different.

Also, sometimes it's not the genre so much as it is musical motifs. Why do you think most wrestler entrance songs start with their catchphrase, or a recognizable sequence? Glass shattering, 'If You Smell...', the Y2J countdown/'Break the walls down!'. The fact that Triple H's Motorhead theme still uses the riffs from his 'Higher Brain Pattern' and 'My Time' themes is very important, and remember that when Big Show and Undertaker teamed in '99, you basically had a 6/8 version of the Ministry theme, with a baseline similar to Show's normal theme. All of the Rock's themes have used a similar rhythm and every one of them from '98 onward uses the same riff, usually in F (but the latest one is in E). Look at Natalya. In recent years, the basic structure of Bret Hart's changed from being Bret Hart's theme to being a theme for anyone who trained in the dungeon.

However, I'd say one guy who seriously needs a theme replacement is Wade Barrett. The very first version of End of Days sounded like it fit him, it wasn't heavy sounding, but the newest one is quite grungy and heavy. Really, Wade needs a theme with more 'Brit-rock' feeling to it, but I wouldn't like them to just stick him with something classical-sounding. After all, he's not the same character as Regal.