Christmas is just around the corner, and Ocarina invites you to listen to the soundtrack of a timeless film that has perfectly embodied the Christmas spirit for more than 30 years now: Home Alone.
In addition to the hilarious adventures of young Kevin McCallister, a key component of the film is the outstanding soundtrack, composed by John Williams, which earned an Oscar nomination in 1991.
The carrier theme Somewhere in my memory has also been nominated for best original song. It is heard at various times in the film and has become a Christmas anthem, associated with the image of Kevin immersed in Christmas celebrations.
We start with Chuck Berry’s Run Rudolph Run, which accompanies the McCallister family on their frantic airport run, a twelve-bar blues, (musically similar to Chuck Berry’s own hit “Johnny B. Goode”) dedicated to Rudolph the ninth reindeer of Santa Claus.Then follows the moment when Mom realizes at the airport that Kevin is missing, which has as its background Please come home for Christmas sung by Southside Johnny Lyon, another American Christmas classic, originally released in 1960 by blues singer and pianist Charles Brown.
Also not missing are the great classics such as White Christmas sung by Kevin while shaving in front of the mirror as well as the children’s choir singing first “O Holy Night” and then “Carol of the Bells” during the arrival of the bumbling thieves, Harry and Marv.One of the most engaging songs in the film is heard during the mock party Kevin puts on to fool the two thieves. At full volume is the song Rockin’ around the Christmas tree by Brenda Lee. The lyrics describe just such a Christmas party, with guests dancing merrily around the tree, amidst streamers of holly and sprigs of mistletoe to kiss under.
Toward the end of the film starts Have yourself a merry little Christmas by Mel Tormé: Kevin leaves a glass of milk and a bowl of cookies with carrots in the living room for Santa and his reindeer. As the song fades out, we hear Kate’s voice, “I’m a bad mother.” But the moment of reunion with Kevin is close and is accompanied by the orchestra conducted by John Williams playing Somewhere in my memory once again.
After the rediscovery of these timeless songs, we just have to fully immerse ourselves in this wonderful soundtrack, letting the melodies transport us into the magical Christmas spirit!
