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The first Poseidon Adventure film (1972) had a soundtrack by John Williams. “The Morning After" (by Al Kasha and Joel Hirshhorn) was sung by Carol Lynley in that film, but made famous by Maureen McGovern. It seems as though every disaster film must have a title song. Who knows why? Well, the second Poseidon (2006) film has a soundtrack by Klaus Badelt and a title song sung by Fergie. Unfortunately, this may not have been a good idea. 

The soundtrack for Poseidon (2006) has three vocals, two by Fergie and one by Federico Aubele. “Won’t Let You Fall” would be considered the disaster film title song and I could understand about a third of the lyrics. The singer keeps the lyrics in the back of her throat, so the listener could get “never let you go,” but not why. In the second song, the rhythmic “Bailamos,” the singer lands on the last word of a phrase and strings the word out, time after time. Thus, we have “move your (body) b­o­d­y” or “hips and (sway) s---w---a---y.” Then, in Federico Aubele’s song, “Postales,” there is a great instrumental background that unfortunately, partially covers the singer’s voice. 

However, beginning on track four and going to the end of the soundtrack, Klaus Badelt does a monumental job of scoring music for this disaster film. The composer uses a rhythmic, pounding percussion background with the urgency of those massive cruise liner engines just trying to make it. You get caught up in this, and Badelt utilizes strings and horn over percussion to good effect. 

We begin in Track Four with the title, “The Poseidon.” The rhythmic background is reminiscent of Hawaiian music, which is befitting a cruise ship. Then, there is “The Wave” that tips the ship upside-down. Badelt has urgency here and you know that something BIG is coming. 

“A Map and a Plan” has a different rhythmic background and the selection has an abrupt ending like selections from the soundtrack to Giorgio Moroder's “Cat People” (1982). It is prowling like the people trying to escape the waterlogged behemoth. Track seven, “Fire Dive” is similar in contour to Danny Elfman’s soundtrack to the first “Batman” film, and it is fitting to the danger of this scene in the film.

Tracks 9-11, “Drowning,” “Don’t Look Down” and “Escape” show the progress of a small group of people as they maneuver their way through the upside-down ship.You don’t have to have seen the film to know that something is happening. There is purpose here, danger and a finish. Klaus Badelt alternates peaceful sequences with pounding percussion and sound effects of something upsettingly heavy so you know what has to be done must be done in a hurry. Klaus Badelt’s orchestral music on the soundtrack CD does tell a dramatic story.

Copyright 2006 Marie Asner
Submitted 5/31/06