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The Shape of Water (soundtrack)

The Shape of Water (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the soundtrack album to the Academy Award-winning film of the same name. It featured 26 tracks — most of the tracks were from the original score composed by Alexandre Desplat and some tracks are incorporated songs, being originated from the 1940s and 1960s as the film is set during the Cold War period. The film, directed by Guillermo del Toro, who also co-wrote the script with Vanessa Taylor, stars Sally Hawkins, Michael Shannon, Richard Jenkins, Doug Jones, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Octavia Spencer.

The Shape of Water (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Soundtrack album by
Alexandre Desplat
ReleasedDecember 1, 2017
Studio
GenreSoundtrack
Length76:23
LabelDecca
ProducerDominique Lemonnier
Alexandre Desplat chronology
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets
(2017) 		The Shape of Water
(2017) 		Suburbicon
(2017)

Desplat initially intended to collaborate with del Toro for the stop-motion animated film Pinocchio, based on The Adventures of Pinocchio (1883) by Carlo Collodi in late-2012, which went on development hell months after. The following year (or by early-2014), del Toro narrated the film's premise to Desplat and was shown a preview of the finished film, which left Desplat impressed and finding similar to a musical, he agreed to score for the film. Desplat took six weeks to write the film's music, which was a "tender, warm and fragile" score like love. Desplat extensively captured the sound of water for the film, and used piano and flutes, to create the "blurred underwater sound". Desplat, who thought the film as a "masterpiece", complimenting del Toro's filmmaking, said that "when the movie's that beautiful, it makes your life much easier. You just have to put your hands on it and it takes you anywhere you want."[1]

The album was released on December 1, 2017 by Decca Records in digital and physical formats, and was released on October 5, 2018 in vinyl.[2] The score received critical acclaim praising Desplat's minimalistic approach and melodious underscore. Desplat won the Academy Award for Best Original Score for his work in the film,[3] his second win after The Grand Budapest Hotel.[4] He further won the BAFTA Award, Critics Choice Award and Golden Globe Award for "Best Original Score", in addition to receiving numerous awards and nominations, including nominations for three Grammy Awards and a Satellite Award for Best Original Score.

Development

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The Shape of Water marked the first collaboration between Desplat and del Toro. Both the director and composer, initially wanted to collaborate on the "darker adaptation" of the 1883 Italian novel The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi, being planned as a stop-motion animated film, with American musician Nick Cave confirming Desplat's inclusion in the project.[5] But the film, went into development hell in late-2012.[a] By late-2013 or early-2014, del Toro met Desplat to talk about the film's premise. In January 2017, Desplat was shown a rough cut of the finished film, and finding it similar to a musical, he agreed to compose a score. Desplat felt "shocked by the beauty of the film" and appreciated del Toro's direction, which he felt that "the most difficult thing, interweaving reality and imagination and bringing the audience into that world with no effort. It effortlessly takes you into his world, and that’s very rare."[1]

Desplat tried to capture the sound of water extensively to have audiences experience a "warm feeling" that is also caused by love. He also opined that "love has no color and no texture" and just "goes everywhere" comparing love to water.[7] In an interview, he said the melody from the opening scene was "actually made of waves. I did not do that on purpose, but by being completely immersed in this love and these water elements, I wrote a melody that plays arpeggios like waves."[1] The score was not composed chronologically, but "finding the opening was the key to find the entry to the film. What is the soul of the film? It’s all there at the beginning. And actually it’s the same thing we hear at the end. Because we’re underwater, it’s a dream, everything’s floating in the room."[7] Desplat said that "the music is already giving us audience a touch of what the story is, which is warm, a bit fragile, a bit melancholy but not too much".[7] He took six weeks to write the film score.[1]

The score was purposely composed to create the sense of immersion and to give the "sense that you, yourself, are floating". The two melodies, one titled "Elisa's Theme", are heard at the beginning of the film and later merge into a single piece of music by the end of it. To emphasize this effect and its final result, Desplat changed the sounds of the accompanying flutes, accordions, and whistles to "something blurred". For the accordions, he chose the bandoneon, played most frequently in South American music, rather than playing the accordions in a more french manner, as the "amphibian man" (or sea creature), originated from south america and is musically represented with "flourishes and scales like a tango master would do".[1] Several instruments ranging from Fender piano, electric piano, and over 12 flutes, were played for the opening scene to create that "blurred underwater sound".[8] He did not approach for a big orchestral score for a "tender" film and created the sounds with bass flutes, alto flutes, along with strings and accordions.[8][9]

On composing the score overall, he said that it was "a matter of sculpting the music and making it take the shape of the storyline." As a result, Desplat opted out of giving Shannon's character a melody.[1] He also avoided giving an underscore for the "amphibian man" as a monster from any horror film, as he felt that "he was not a monster" and have to "keep the organic nature of these characters."[7]

Reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic      link

The score for The Shape of Water was met with critical acclaim, with Rogerebert.com's calling it as "wistful and bittersweet".[10] Ben Sachs of Chicago Reader called Desplat's score as "fanciful" and "maintains an ambience of wonderment".[11] Calling it as a "sumptuous" and "creative fantasy of music", James Southall of Movie Wave wrote "The Shape of Water is so impressive but actually not even the most impressive score the composer wrote during 2017 is further testament to his quality."[12] Filmtracks.com wrote "Desplat's music will delight his ardent enthusiasts with its intelligence, but others will remain unconvinced by his questionable choices when confronted by what they may perceive as oddly disconnected precision. The score will either melt your heart or make you scratch your head."[13] Marcy Donelson of AllMusic praised the instrumentation and his efforts in creating the "sound of water", while also adding that "Whether intentional or by unconscious influence, one may hear references to film composers from the era of the story's setting as well, including [Henry] Mancini and [Bernard] Herrmann."[14]

Track listing

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All tracks are written by Desplat, except where noted

No.TitleArtist(s)Length
1."The Shape of Water" 3:42
2."You'll Never Know"Renée Fleming4:38
3."The Creature" 1:47
4."Elisa's Theme" 2:36
5."Fingers" 2:09
6."Spy Meeting" 1:42
7."Elisa and Zelda" 1:10
8."Five Stars General" 1:31
9."The Silence of Love" 1:35
10."Egg" 2:13
11."That Isn't Good" 1:43
12."Underwater Kiss" 2:12
13."The Escape" 10:57
14."Watching Ruth" 2:18
15."Decency" 2:23
16."He's Coming for You" 1:39
17."Overflow of Love" 2:56
18."Without You" 2:30
19."Rainy Day" 3:12
20."A Princess Without a Voice" 1:50
21."La Javanaise"Madeleine Peyroux4:10
22."I Know Why (And So Do You)"Glenn Miller and His Orchestra2:58
23."Chica Chica Boom Chic"Carmen Miranda2:19
24."Babalú"Caterina Valente, Silvio Francesco2:51
25."A Summer Place"Andy Williams2:34
26."You'll Never Know (Alternative Version)"Renée Fleming6:49
Total length:76:23

For Your Consideration track list

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As with all award seasons, a For Your Consideration album was released by Fox Searchlight Pictures in late-2017. This album consists of 33 tracks which are varied from the general release album, including the exclusion of songs, alternate cues of the original underscores and cues that are not featured in the original album.[15]

  1. The Shape Of Water
  2. Elisa's Bath
  3. Going To Work
  4. Clock & Cleaning Pt. 1
  5. The Creature
  6. Blood Stains
  7. Fingers
  8. Corridor
  9. Egg
  10. Going Home
  11. Spy Meeting
  12. Clock & Cleaning Pt. 2
  13. Torture
  14. Bob Spots Elisa
  15. Count These Stars
  16. Now It's A He
  17. The Escape
  18. General Calls
  19. Going To Strickland's Office
  20. What Is She Saying?
  21. Watching Ruth
  22. A Lead
  23. Cake Knife
  24. No Bonanza For You
  25. Overflow Of Love
  26. The Rainy Day
  27. Decency
  28. Thet Isn't Good
  29. They Clean
  30. He's Coming For You
  31. Without You
  32. You're A God
  33. Underwater Kiss

Accolades

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Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
Academy Awards March 4, 2018 Best Original Score Alexandre Desplat Won [16]
Austin Film Critics Association January 8, 2018 Best Original Score Won [17]
[18]
Boston Society of Film Critics December 10, 2017 Best Use of Music in a Film Runner-up [17]
[19]
British Academy Film Awards February 18, 2018 Best Film Music Won [20]
Chicago Film Critics Association December 12, 2017 Best Original Score Nominated [21]
Critics' Choice Movie Awards January 11, 2018 Best Score Won [22]
[23]
Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association December 13, 2017 Best Musical Score Won [24]
Detroit Film Critics Society December 7, 2017 Best Use of Music The Shape of Water Nominated [25]
Florida Film Critics Circle December 23, 2017 Best Score Alexandre Desplat Nominated [26]
Georgia Film Critics Association January 12, 2018 Best Original Score Nominated [27]
Golden Globe Awards January 7, 2018 Best Original Score Won [28]
Grammy Awards February 10, 2019 Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media Nominated [29]
Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Capella Alexandre Desplat – "The Shape of Water" Nominated
Best Instrumental Composition Nominated
Hollywood Music in Media Awards November 16, 2017 Best Original Score – Fantasy/Horror/Sci-Fi Film Alexandre Desplat Won [30]
Houston Film Critics Society January 6, 2018 Best Original Score Won [31]
[32]
Los Angeles Film Critics Association January 13, 2018 Best Music Runner-up [33]
San Diego Film Critics Society December 11, 2017 Best Original Score Nominated [34]
[35]
San Francisco Film Critics Circle December 10, 2017 Best Original Score Nominated [36]
Satellite Awards February 10, 2018 Best Original Score Nominated [37]
Saturn Awards June 27, 2018 Best Music Nominated [38]
[39]
St. Louis Film Critics Association December 17, 2017 Best Score Nominated [40]
[41]
Venice Film Festival September 9, 2017 Soundtrack Stars Award – Best Soundtrack Won [42]
[43]
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association December 8, 2017 Best Score Nominated [44]
World Soundtrack Awards October 17, 2018 Soundtrack Composer of the Year Nominated [45]

Release history

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Region Date Format(s) Catalog Number Notes Ref.
United States December 1, 2017 CD B0027674-02 — [46]
United Kingdom December 8, 2017 6712461 — [47]
00602567124610 Digipak [48]
October 5, 2018 LP 0602567399476 — [47]
Unofficial Release
6739947 Test Pressing [49]
Poland February 25, 2018 CD 6743548 — [47]
Japan March 7, 2018 UCCL-1201 — [50]

Personnel

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Credits adapted from AllMusic[51]

Production
  • Alexandre Desplat – composer, arranger
  • Holly Adams – producer
  • Dominique Lemonnier – producer
  • Xavier Forcioli – executive producer, coordinator
  • Rebecca Morellato – music production supervisor
  • Joann Orgel – music coordinator
Management
  • Gavin Bayliss – marketing
  • Christine Bergren – music clearance
  • Ellen Ginsburg – music clearance
  • Tom Cavanaugh – music business affairs
  • Danielle Diego – executive in charge of music
  • David Hage – music preparation
  • John Houlihan – music consultant
  • Karyn Hughes – A&R
  • Fiona Pope – A&R
  • Trent Van Der Werf – design
  • Lana Hunter – product manager
Instrumentation
  • Frederic Gaillardet – piano
  • Dave Arch – piano
  • Jeff Boudreaux – drums
  • Alexandre Desplat – flute, bass flute
  • Paul Clarvis – percussion
  • Riccardo del Fra – double bass
  • Myriam Lafargue – accordion
Orchestration
  • London Symphony Orchestra – orchestra
  • Glenn Miller & His Orchestra – orchestra
  • Alexandre Desplat – orchestrator, conductor, liner notes
  • Dominique Lemonnier – conductor
  • Glenn Miller – conductor
  • Jean-Pascal Beintus – orchestrator
  • Nicolas Charron – orchestrator
  • Sylvain Morizet – orchestrator
  • Carmine Lauri – orchestra leader
  • Jake Parker – music preparation
  • Areli Quirarte – music preparation
  • Claude Romano – music preparation
  • Norbert Vergonjanne – music preparation
Technical
  • Romain Allender – music programming
  • Jonathan Allen – sound engineer, mixing
  • Peter Cobbin – sound engineer, mixing
  • Ludovick Tartavel – technical assistance
  • Kirsty Whalley – mixing

Notes

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  1. ^ The project was revived in 2022, with Desplat still being the composer of the film.[6]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Grobar, Matt (December 30, 2017). "'The Shape Of Water' Composer Alexandre Desplat On The Sounds Of Love & Water". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 24, 2019. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
  2. ^ "ALEXANDRE DESPLAT: The Shape Of Water (Soundtrack) LP". TWO HEADED DOG. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  3. ^ Phillips, Michael (March 5, 2018). "Oscars can still surprise us". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on March 5, 2018. Retrieved March 5, 2018.
  4. ^ Sharf, Zack (March 5, 2018). "'The Shape of Water' Wins Oscar for Best Score, Making Alexandre Desplat A Two-Time Winner". IndieWire. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  5. ^ Radish, Christina (August 23, 2012). "Screenwriter/Composer Nick Cave Talks LAWLESS, Transitioning into Screenwriting, Guillermo del Toro's PINOCCHIO, THE THREEPENNY OPERA, and More". Collider. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
  6. ^ "Alexandre Desplat to Reteam with Guillermo del Toro on Netflix Animated Movie 'Pinocchio'". Film Music Reporter. January 8, 2020. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  7. ^ a b c d Newman, Melinda (December 9, 2017). "Alexandre Desplat on Creating His Golden Globe-Nominated Score for Guillermo Del Toro's 'The Shape of Water'". Billboard. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  8. ^ a b "Interview: Alexandre Desplat on Creating the Music of Love in The Shape Of Water". Awardsdaily. November 26, 2017. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  9. ^ Gormley, Aedín (February 19, 2018). "Liner Notes: Scoring The Shape Of Water". Raidió Teilifís Éireann. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  10. ^ O'Malley, Sheila. "The Shape of Water movie review (2017)". RogerEbert.com. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  11. ^ "The Shape of Water is wondrous, but woefully narrow-minded". Chicago Reader. December 14, 2017. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  12. ^ "The Shape of Water soundtrack review". Movie Wave. January 6, 2018. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  13. ^ "Filmtracks: The Shape of Water (Alexandre Desplat)". www.filmtracks.com. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  14. ^ Alexandre Desplat - The Shape of Water [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic, retrieved July 11, 2022
  15. ^ Alexandre Desplat - The Shape Of The Water (For Your Consideration - Best Original Score), retrieved July 11, 2022
  16. ^ "The 90th Academy Awards (2018) Nominees and Winners". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). Archived from the original on March 5, 2018. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  17. ^ a b "Best of 2017: Film Awards & Nominations Scorecard". Metacritic. Archived from the original on January 6, 2018. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
  18. ^ Gross, Joe (January 8, 2018). "'Get Out' wins Best Film, Best Original Screenplay and Best First Film from Austin Film Critics Association". Austin American-Statesman. Archived from the original on September 22, 2021. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  19. ^ "'Phantom Thread' Named Best Film by Boston Society of Film Critics". The Hollywood Reporter. December 10, 2017. Archived from the original on December 14, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  20. ^ "Film in 2018". British Academy of Film and Television Arts. Archived from the original on February 12, 2018. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
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  22. ^ "'Shape of Water' Leads Critics' Choice Film Nominations". Variety. December 6, 2017. Archived from the original on January 20, 2018. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
  23. ^ "Critics' Choice Awards 2018 winners' list: 'Shape of Water' owns the night". USA Today. January 12, 2018. Archived from the original on January 12, 2018. Retrieved January 12, 2018.
  24. ^ Jorgenson, Todd (December 13, 2017). "DFW Film Critics Name 'The Shape of Water' Best Picture of 2017". Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association. Archived from the original on December 14, 2017. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  25. ^ "The 2017 Detroit Film Critics Society Awards". Detroit Film Critics Society. December 7, 2017. Archived from the original on December 7, 2017. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
  26. ^ "'The Shape of Water' Leads 2017 Florida Film Critics Awards Nominations". Florida Film Critics Circle. Archived from the original on December 23, 2017. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
  27. ^ "2017 Awards". Georgia Film Critics Association. January 8, 2018. Archived from the original on January 13, 2018. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
  28. ^ "The Shape of Water". Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
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  30. ^ "Hollywood Music in Media Awards: Full Winners List". The Hollywood Reporter. November 11, 2017. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved November 18, 2017.
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  39. ^ McNary, Dave. "'Black Panther' Reigns at Saturn Awards, 'Better Call Saul' and 'Twin Peaks' Top TV Field". Archived from the original on July 28, 2018. Retrieved September 22, 2021.
  40. ^ "2017 StLFCA Annual Award Winners". St. Louis Film Critics Association. Archived from the original on October 22, 2020. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  41. ^ Neglia, Matt (December 17, 2017). "The 2017 St. Louis Film Critics Association (StLFCA) Winners". NextBestPicture.com. Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
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  44. ^ "The 2017 WAFCA Awards". Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association. December 6, 2017. Archived from the original on January 27, 2013. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
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  46. ^ "The Shape of Water (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by Alexandre Desplat (CD, 2017) for sale online". eBay. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  47. ^ a b c "The Shape Of Water Soundtrack". Decca Records. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  48. ^ "The Shape of Water [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] [Digipak] (CD) NEW! 602567124610". eBay. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  49. ^ Alexandre Desplat - The Shape Of Water, October 5, 2018, retrieved July 11, 2022
  50. ^ "The Shape Of Water (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) Original Soundtrack (Music by Alexandre Desplat) CD Album". CDJapan. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  51. ^ The Shape of Water [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] - Alexandre Desplat | Credits | AllMusic, retrieved July 11, 2022
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