Music and the Fictive Dream: Twilight Season

 

                                   "Bella's Lullaby"

Context

Edward and Bella in the Trees.
This is the scene where we first hear "Bella's Lullaby."

In the year 2008, the first of a five-part movie series hit theaters. Twilight was not only an immensely popular movie series that still holds importance fifteen years later, but also a catalyst for a new wave of popular tropes and music. While the movie series itself has received a plethora of hatred, even by its stars, the soundtrack is undeniably gold. The soundtrack overall is a mix of pop rock, indie, and alternative rock. This movie served as an introduction for most young girls (the main demographic for this series) to these genres, and even a classic. "Clair De Lune" by Debussy was made in 1905 and serves as the introduction to Edward's interest in musical composition. Edward (the main lead) shows Bella (main female lead) his room where she turns on his music to play the last song he listened to being "Clair de Lune".  Following this scene, Edward and Bella go jump around in the trees while "Bella's Lullaby" plays, a song he wrote for her. There are cuts to Edward playing the song on the piano throughout the scene of them frolicking in the woods. This is the most memorable scene in pairing with this song in the movie for me as it sets the tone for the remainder of the series.

Background

Carter Burwell at Golden Globes
Super Sound: Carter Burwell has
        composed music for more than 80 films.
One of them being Where the Wild Things Are- 
the film that got him a Golden Globe nomination.

Carter Burwell composed the song "Bella's Lullaby" among many others like "Fargo, North Dakota" from the Fargo soundtrack and "Way Out There" from the No Country for Old Men soundtrack. He can be considered one of the most talented composers in the industry. Outside of its meaning in context to the tragic story of Twilight, Burwell's creation served a more personal purpose as well. 

"'Bella's Lullaby' as it appears in this film, was not written to be a lullaby, but to speak of love- ecstatic, tormented love" writes Burwell. "Years ago, I was in love with an amazing and challenging woman named Christine Sciulli. She left me, I was heartbroken, and I wrote a piece of music that tried to express the thrill and pain of having my heart pierced. She wouldn't talk to me, so I sent her the music to speak in my place."  Much like the film these Sciulli and Burwell's ending was sweet. They overcame their tragic past and were wed. Though the years have changed the meaning of the song for each individual who hears it, its meaning remains the same to Burwell. Because he had made the song before he was requested its importance and impact seems to be ingrained on Burwell's heart and I'd imaging Sciulli's as well. He says that of all the songs he composed he had never gotten the type of response he did with "Bella's Lullaby". Many fans of this particular work had emailed Burwell about the song and how they felt about it. Considering the soundtrack features only a handful of songs in this genre it was surprising, yet it seemed to be one of the most memorable pieces of the soundtrack. 

The Lion and Lamb

I will offer you all a chance to make your own opinion on this work after listening to it. While it was a song associated with the film, one could still listen and ponder over the emotions it passionately evokes. 

This song has a tempo of 175 beats per minute and is in the key E Minor. It is a song without need or use of words to relay the emotion put in. The piano starts off with an ominous tone using lower tones then a creeping sound that transitions into a beautiful yet tearjerking lighter sound. There have been many renditions to this song that add more or strip it to its main simple tune. It's a sound that would remain in the minds of any who hear it.  

Among fans, everyone loved this song. As I said previously, this song made a mark on all the young girls who listened to it. I do not think it was only because of how the song made people feel but how often it played. It sort of became a theme song throughout the series sometimes with other renditions such as "Love Death Birth"(click the link to be directed to this song!) which was also composed by Carter Burwell. That song also involves "Renesmee's Lullaby", this song is for the daughter of Bella and Edward which was sweet and also left a mark on fans of the series (although it was not as popular as its parent lullaby). 

Sources

~“The Secret Story behind ‘twilight’ Song ‘Bella’s Lullaby.’” Nylon, www.nylon.com/bellas-lullaby-twilight-anniversary. Accessed 27 Nov. 2023.

~Burwell, Carter. “Breaking Dawn Part 2.” Carter Burwell - Breaking Dawn Part 2, www.carterburwell.com/projects/Breaking_Dawn_2.shtml#:~:text=Carter%20Burwell%27s%20Notes,lullaby%20for%20his%20daughter%20Renesmee. Accessed 29 Nov. 2023.