The Magnificent Seven - Score

Score

The film's score is by Elmer Bernstein. Along with the iconic main theme and effective support of the story line, the score also contains allusions to twentieth-century symphonic works, such as the reference to Bartok's Concerto for Orchestra, second movement, in the tense quiet scene just before the shoot out. (This is a common practice among film score composers.) The original soundtrack was not released at the time until reused and rerecorded by Bernstein for the soundtrack of Return of the Seven. Electric guitar cover versions by Al Caiola in the US and John Barry in the UK were successful on the popular charts. A vocal theme not written by Bernstein was used in a trailer.

In 1994 James Sedares conducted a re-recording of the score performed by The Phoenix Symphony Orchestra (which also included a suite from Bernstein's score for The Hallelujah Trail, issued by Koch Records; Bernstein himself conducted the Royal Scottish National Orchestra for a performance released by RCA in 1997, but the original film soundtrack was not released until the following year by Rykodisc (Varèse Sarabande reissued this album in 2004).

1. Main Title and Calvera (3:56)
2. Council (3:14)
3. Quest (1:00)
4. Strange Funeral/After The Brawl (6:48)
5. Vin’s Luck (2:03)
6. And Then There Were Two (1:45)
7. Fiesta (1:11)
8. Stalking (1:20)
9. Worst Shot (3:02)
10. The Journey (4:39)
11. Toro (3:24)
12. Training (1:27)
13. Calvera's Return (2:37)
14. Calvera Routed (1:49)
15. Ambush (3:10)
16. Bernardo (3:33)
17. Surprise (2:08)
18. Defeat (3:26)
19. Crossroads (4:47)
20. Harry's Mistake (2:48)
21. Calvera Killed (3:33)
22. Finale (3:27)

Elmer Bernstein's score has frequently been quoted in the media and popular culture. Starting in 1963, the theme was used in commercials in the USA for Marlboro cigarettes. A similar-sounding (but different) tune was used for Victoria Bitter beer in Australia. The theme was included in the James Bond film Moonraker.

Other uses include in the 2004 documentary film Fahrenheit 9/11; in the 2005 film The Ringer; as entrance music for the British band James, as well as episodes of The Simpsons that had a "western" theme (mainly in the episode titled "Dude, Where's My Ranch?"). The opening horn riff in Arthur Conley's 1967 hit "Sweet Soul Music" is borrowed from the theme. Canadian band Kon Kan use the opening bars of the theme in their single "I Beg Your Pardon." Celtic football club (Glasgow Scotland) used the theme music whenever Henrik Larsson scored a goal.

The Mick Jones 1980s band Big Audio Dynamite covered the song, as Keep off the Grass. In 1995 The KLF also did a drum and bass cover of the main title as The Magnificent: it was released under the group alias One World Orchestra on the charity compilation The Help Album.

In 1992, the main theme of The Magnificent Seven came into use on a section of the Euro Disneyland Railroad at Disneyland Paris. Portions of the theme play as the train exits the Grand Canyon diorama tunnel behind Phantom Manor, enters Frontierland, and travels along the bank of the Rivers of the Far West.

The Main Title was used as an intro tune on many nights of Bruce Springsteen's 2012 "Wrecking Ball" tour. The theme was played as the E-Street Band entered the stage, adding to the dramatic atmosphere in the stadium.