The Burning Train Title Music

The Burning Train Title Music

Here’s a quiz. How many title tracks of Hindi movies do you remember? Sholay? Shaan? Saagar? All were created by to RD Burman. He had this knack for creating outstanding title music that is remembered even after so many years. The title tracks of Sholay, Shaan, Saagar and The Great Gambler are regularly spoken about. The title track of “The Burning Train” belongs to this category.

I distinctly remember the reviews of the movie in 1979 had as usual trashed RD’s music especially the title track. Sholay too had to face the same fate. The simpletons who wrote those reviews failed to understand that RD had fantastically incorporated Jazz successfully in a Hindi film. RD’s sang the vocals in falsetto with Annette.

The awesomeness and richness of his sounds were such that in September 2014, BBC’s Classic 100 piece Philharmonic Orchestra decided to include this song in their show that was forecast LIVE on 12 global networks.
The main sounds in the song are of Trumpets, Bass, Acoustic & Electric guitars, Claves, Synthesizers, Harmonica, Violins, Cello and Drums. The sound from one electric guitar is flanged.

The song starts with a full throated blow from the trumpets signaling the arrival and passing of a train. The stereo recording actually creates the effect of the train going at speed from right to left! This is followed by the synths and bass guitar creating a rhythm along with claves.

Claves are 8 to 12 inch bamboo sticks primarily used as side percussion. These are identified by the typical “Tick Tick” sound. In this song, the entire rhythm is held together by these mini sticks. The sound is so predominant that we actually do not miss the Bongo’s and Tumba’s!
The music starts with tick tick sounds made by claves. Why is this sound used. The film is about a train that is going to be exploded by a time bomb. Among all the niceties of a new train being launched and bunch of happy passengers, there is this ticking sound that creates an ominous atmosphere. This ticking sound forms the main rhythm of the music. Other rhythm and percussion instruments keep on supporting and fading out.

 After the blast from the trumpets the song settles in a rhythm as the trains ambles along. The synthesizers add ominous and sinister sounds giving indications of the expectant dangers. The Harmonica adds a temporary relief to the tension when the Violins pitch in with their dark melody accentuated yet complemented with bass from Cello. You won’t miss it if you hear on headphones!

This music is a learner’s delight. It’s an education into how music can be created simply by adding sounds. (Seriously, that's the toughest part, I tell myself!) As we go into the "song" notice how each instrument is "added".

The sound of the trains horn moves from the left to right channels indicating the direction of the train
0:14 Claves and Synthesizer in the center channel
0:19 Bass guitar
0:27 Roto drums
0:32 Khanjiri
0:38 Flanged Guitar on the left channel and the Wah (Effect) guitar on the right channel
0:46 Flanged Vocals center channel
0:53 Brass section (Trumpets, horns)
0:58 Synthesizer
1:02 Pickup on snares
Note that the ticking never stops
1:20 Harmonica
1:37 Violins
1:41 Cello
1:55 Brass and Synthesizer's
2:11 Change of scale
2:20 Vocals

 Plug in your headphones and play the song as you read along.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7hwUYeU3HY

 Below is the version of BBC’s majestic 100 piece Philharmonic orchestra.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJDvi78pP1s