T3 Music, A complete retrospective

Contents

1. Intro

Many moviefans have their own special movie. They love it because they can relate to the character(s) or the theme, they like the story or many other reasons. In my case, this is the Terminator saga, which at this moment consists out of three movies and one attraction theme ride. Besides the great characters and the theme, another important part of the movie is the music and score. The great Terminator Theme created by Brad Ira Fiedel for the first two movies is absolutely fantastic. Marco Beltrami was his follower for the third movie and he too did a great job with his dramatic and emotional movie score. With the third installment being the youngest, and so fresh in our memory, this informal article will only deal with the T3 movie. It will expand your knowledge about the music related to Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines.

2. T3 Trailers

Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines was released in the US on July 2nd 2003. It would be released in the end of July in Europe and other countries/continents.

Before a movie is launched, it is heavily promoted by the moviecompanies that are going to release it. Of course, with more promotion and media attention, the movie will get more acquaintance by people. This raises the curiosity that finally leads into seeing the movie on the big screen, and so paying the moviecompanies and making profit for them. In most cases, fans already know about the upcoming movie before hand, and are fanaticly waiting for new pictures, clips and trailers (*1). Like their always growing 'greed' for more and more stuff related to their special movie(s), they also want to know almost everything about it. Including facts like which music was used in which trailer and who performed it.

2.1 - T3 Trailer Music

After much research I found out the complete list with music that was used in the Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines trailers.

US and International "Melting Logo" Teaser

Trailer 1 - "There's a new Terminator, the T-X."

International Trailer - "This is the day of reckoning."

Domestic Trailer - "Imagine a world of permanent darkness..."

Japanese Trailer #1

Japanese Trailer #2

Japanese Trailer #3

Superbowl Spot

NCAA Spot

T3: The Redemption VideoGame Trailer

Christopher Field (from X-Ray Dog Music) made at least two mixes of "Gothic Power". Both versions last 1:40. I believe "Mix #1" was used for T3. Mix #1 uses less drums than Mix #2.

Unfortunately I can't tell the duration of the two RipTide music songs, since these two songs are not yet released. After I send RipTide Music at least six emails for more information, I still haven't recieved any response, so my next part is just speculation. I believe RipTide made an arrangement with the T3 moviecompanies to create other songs for the trailers, and one of them is the unused "Rising Machines 2" (RTM008_RipTide_310-437-4380 WR-30). This great song features the epic Terminator Theme from Fiedel, and the song's duration is at least 32 seconds.

Magic Box Music made a version of the Terminator Theme specially for the NCAA Spot. Again, the duration of this music cue is unknown, since it has not been released.

An extra fact I want to add is that "The Host Of Seraphim" by Dead Can Dance is also remixed by Paul Oakenfold into a 9:54 minutes version. Fans of trance music will enjoy this remix.

(*1) - A trailer is a roughly two minutes promotional clip that has to achieve an increase of interest by the public for a certain movie.

3. T3 Soundtrack

Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines was a big summer blockbuster. It filled the pockets of the producers with enough money to start with a sequal.

Just prior to the release of T3, the official Original Motion Picture Soundtrack was released by Varèse Sarabande, the same musiccompany that release the soundtrack for Terminator 2: Judgment Day. Instead of Terminator music legend Brad Ira Fiedel, this soundtrack was composed, performed and produced by Marco Beltrami. Beltrami's previous work includes Scream 1-3, The Faculty, Dracula 2000 and Blade 2. Thus... not a beginner.

The T3 soundtrack consists of nineteen orchestral and two pop songs.

Tracklist:

Running time: 51:30 minutes.

Marco Beltrami delivered a fantastic soundtrack, with emotional and dramatic elements that reflected John Connor's battle against the machines and the weight of the world that he had to carry. Highlights of the soundtrack are the dark "A Day In The Life," the dramatic "JC Theme," the emotional "Radio," "T3," and Beltrami's version of Fiedel's "The Terminator" theme.

3.1 - T3 Songs

Remarkable enough, the song "Open To Me" by Dillon Dixon was nowhere to be found in the movie, but was featured on the official soundtrack. Fans guessed why this song was on the album but not in the movie. Speculation was that this song could be used in a scene that was cut in the editing process. However, after a short mail exchange with the folks of Varèse Sarabande Records (the music company that released the T2 and T3 soundtracks), they told me:

"The bonus song was written by Marco Beltrami and was based on a theme used in the Terminator 3 movie. The song was never used in the movie."

"I Told You," performed by Mia Julia could be heard in the scene where Kate Brewster and her fiancée Scott are shopping for their wedding.

Other songs that were in the movie, but not on the soundtrack are:

I can't say much about the last two songs, since I have never heard of them and I can't find them back in the movie. However they were listed in the end credits, so I wrote them down here too.

4. T3 Unreleased Score

A composer mostly writes more music compositions that do not end up in the movie. Some of his music is performed, but never used in the movie. Other parts appear in scenes that were cut from the final print. This is also the case with the T3 soundtrack. The song "T3" is nowhere to be found back in the movie. Other pieces of music that could be heard during the movie, were not on the official soundtrack.

When a composer starts to record his music, he practices it with the orchestra and records some versions ("takes"). Sometimes such a recording leaks out in the form of a bootleg (*2). These bootlegs are not sold in the usual stores, but mostly at (black) markets. It even happens that a fan buys such an illegal recording via online markets like Ebay. And sometimes, the music is spread via the internet where fans can download this unreleased score. There are two bootleg variations of Beltrami's T3 score.

4.1 - T3 Complete Soundtrack

The most common version is known as "Complete Soundtrack" (or "Complete Bootleg"). Since it has more songs than the official soundtrack, this bootleg has been given the title "Complete Soundtrack" (or "Complete Bootleg").

There is a weird thing with the bootlegs. The song "Blonde Behind The Wheel" on the official soundtrack is the same song as the song "Collision Course" on the bootlegs. The song "Blonde Behind The Wheel" on the bootlegs is a song that was not on the official soundtrack. Did Marco Beltrami change the title for this song at the last minute?

Tracklist:

Running time: 93:49 minutes.

Note that the song "Terminator Tango" (cd 2 - song 11) is a longer version of the song "Terminator Tangle," which appears on the official soundtrack. This version has a minute of unreleased music in the middle of the song.

The official Soundtrack has some songs (like Dual Terminator, Kicked In The Can, Magnetic Personality, Termina-Tricks and Flying Lessons) flowing into each other. However, the Complete Soundtrack has all tracks ending, not flowing into the next song.

There are various versions of this bootleg, all with the same tracks. However, some bootlegs have other titles for some tracks (the songs are still the same). The most common titles are written first, then followed by their alternate titles.

4.2 - T3 Recording Session Bootleg

The second version is a bootleg of the recording session. If you will find this bootleg yourself, be sure to get a copy, since it's extremely rare and the unreleased songs are awesome (and ofcourse it's a very nice addition to your Terminator collection).

Like mentioned before, there is a weird thing with the bootlegs. The song "Blonde Behind The Wheel" on the official soundtrack is the same song as the song "Collision Course" on the bootlegs. The song "Blonde Behind The Wheel" on the bootlegs is a song that was not on the official soundtrack. Did Marco Beltrami change the title for this song at the last minute?

Tracklist:

Running time: about 140 minutes.

Note that the song "Terminator Tango" (cd 2 - song 17) is a longer version of the song "Terminator Tangle," which appears on the official soundtrack. This version has a minute of unreleased music in the middle of the song.

Here are the differences between the normal versions and the alternate (and unused) songs.

CD 1

CD 2

(*2) - A bootleg is an unofficial release with, in this case, the music score for T3. Bootlegs are illegal, because they are released without the producer's or performer's permission.

5. The Current

Also remarkable with the official Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is the absence of "The Current," a song performed by Blue Man Group featuring Gavin Rossdale. This song was contributed to the movie, appeared in the end credits and a videoclip even aired on TV (of course also to promote the movie). Why this song is missing on the official soundtrack is hard to say for me. I guess it has to do with the rights and the different musiccompanies that are involved (although the "The Current" single is part of Warner Music Group).

The song comes from the album "The Complex" from Blue Man Group.

"The Current" is written by Goldman, Stanton, Wink, Dyas and Gleitsman. Released by Blue Man Group Publishing. Recorded at Blue Man 3rd Street Studio, N.Y. Mixed by Andrew Schneider at Chung King Studios. Produced by Todd Perlmutter & CMP. Additional production on "The Current" by Tom Elmhirst. Post production directed by Johnny "D" De Mairo. Executive producer is Jennie Willink. Mastered by Bob Ludwig at Gateway Studios, ME.

5.1 - The Current (Advanced Mix) (3:48)

The first version of "The Current" is performed by Blue Man Group and Avram Gleitsman. It even made it onto the Advanced Copy of Blue Man Group's album "The Complex." It was soon know to the Terminator fans as "Advanced Mix," simply because it only appeared on the Advanced Copy of "The Complex."

5.2 - The Current (Album Version) (3:51)

With the release of the "normal" version of Blue Man Group's album "The Complex" came the Album Version. This version features the appearance of Bush singer Gavin Rossdale instead of Avram Gleitsman. Unlike the Advanced Mix that started with the drumbeats, this version starts with a roaring guitar. Every single and promotional single has this version.

5.3 - The Current (Video Version) (3:57)

This is the version that aired on TV. It is similar to the Album Version except for the inclusion of an extended drumbeat intro from the Advanced Mix and not the roaring guitar intro from the Album Version. It is never released on any album or single.

5.4 - The Current (Todd Terry Tee's Freeze Mix) (6:44)

A remixed version of "The Current" by Todd Terry. It has a more dance-like approach. The rock feeling from the original version has disappeared. Additional production and remixes by Todd Terry.

5.5 - The Current (Blue Radio Mix) (3:51)

Like the title already says, this is something like a version for the radio. It is not so 'heavy' as the normal rock version, and has a little bit of dance-like approach. Still there is more rock present than in the Tee's Freeze Mix. Additional production and remixes by Todd Terry.

5.6 - The Current (Armand Van Helden Club Mix) (8:40)

One of the two remixed versions by Armand van Helden. It uses the same words from singer Gavin Rossdale, but repeats only a small section of these words many times, and mixes these in a dance-like beat. Also, the rock feeling is completely gone.

5.7 - The Current (Armand Van Helden Dub Mix) (7:58)

The second remixed version by Armand van Helden. I can't say much about this version because I have never heard it.

The last two versions are only released on VINYL. The video version can be heard in the music video clip. The other songs can be found on various CD and single releases.

6. Conclusion

I hope to have informed you in a detailed way about all the music related to Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines. I also hope I have provided you with some new facts that enlarge your Terminator 3 knowledge and that you've learned at a geometric rate (as to speak in Terminator terms). As you probably can see not everything is dealt with in a detailed way, simply because some music songs have not been released (yet) or some parts are just unknown territories for fans like you and me. I hope you have enjoyed this article as much as I enjoyed to research and write it all down for you.

7. Sources

Copyright © 2004 Maurice J.R. Huijs