TLDR;
This video explores a musical analysis and conspiracy theory about the finale of "The Nightmare Before Christmas." It examines the use of major and minor keys to represent Jack's feelings about Halloweentown and Christmas Town, and focuses on the Phrygian scale in Sally's song and its connection to Jack's feelings of alienation. The video concludes that the finale represents Jack's journey of self-discovery and finding someone who understands him.
- The video analyzes the use of major and minor keys in the film's score to represent happiness and sadness, respectively.
- It introduces the Phrygian scale and its significance in Sally's song and Jack's musical phrases.
- The video proposes that the finale's musical elements reflect Jack's journey of self-discovery and finding understanding with Sally.
Introduction [0:00]
The video begins with the author expressing their love for "The Nightmare Before Christmas," a tradition they uphold every year around Halloween. The author acknowledges the film's musical depth and mentions various trivia, such as Danny Elfman's role in the music and the use of the Dies Irae melody to symbolize the "killing" of Christmas by Halloweentown's residents. The author then introduces a conspiracy theory about the film's finale, warning viewers about the tenuous nature of the music theory involved.
Recap and Key Signatures [1:33]
The video recaps the ending of the movie, where Jack saves Sally and Santa, and then focuses on the music that plays as Jack returns to Halloweentown. The author explains the difference between major and minor key signatures, noting that major keys are often associated with happiness, while minor keys are associated with sadness. The video points out that most of the film, set in Halloweentown, is in a minor key, while the Christmas Town scenes feature major keys, reflecting Jack's feelings about each place.
The Phrygian Scale and Sally's Song [3:30]
The video introduces the Phrygian scale, a less common scale, and its presence in Sally's song, which is in E minor. The author emphasizes a specific note that gives the Phrygian scale its unique sound. This sound is also heard during the town meeting when Jack struggles to communicate his ideas, creating a contrast with the townspeople who sing in minor keys. Sally is the only other character who uses Phrygian harmonies, suggesting a musical connection between her and Jack.
Musical Connections and the Finale [6:38]
The video analyzes the musical elements of the finale, where Jack and Sally sing a duet. The author notes that the song incorporates Sally's Phrygian sounds, indicating that Jack acknowledges her understanding of him. The duet ends on a Picardy third, a major chord, which is significant in the context of Jack's journey.
Jack's Journey and Musical Representation [7:25]
The video explains that Jack's use of Phrygian harmonies reflects his feelings of alienation when the townspeople don't understand him. While Christmas initially makes him happy, it ultimately doesn't work out, leading him back to his passion for Halloween. The finale represents Jack's journey of self-discovery, where he finds someone who understands him.
Conclusion and Disclaimers [8:25]
The video acknowledges that the musical connections and interpretations presented may be subjective and that Danny Elfman's choices could have been based on what simply sounded good. However, the author argues that if the music fits the story, there is likely an analytical explanation for it. The video concludes by encouraging viewers to analyze music and find their own interpretations, while also warning that some music theorists may disagree with the presented analysis.