Listen to those first four notes. You know exactly what they are. It’s brassy. It’s loud. It’s unapologetically retro. When Michael Giacchino sat down to write The Incredibles theme song, he wasn't just trying to make a catchy tune for a Pixar movie. He was trying to save a lost art form.
Most people don't realize how close we came to a completely different sound for this movie. Brad Bird, the director, originally wanted John Barry—the legend behind the classic James Bond sound—to score the film. But Barry reportedly didn't want to just repeat his past work. Enter Giacchino. At the time, he was mostly known for video games like Medal of Honor and the TV show Alias. He was a gamble.
But it worked.
The main theme, officially titled "The Glory Days," captures something that modern orchestral scores usually miss. It’s fast. It’s frantic. It feels like 1960s spy cinema mixed with a Saturday morning cartoon, but with the technical precision of a world-class jazz orchestra.
The Secret Sauce of The Incredibles Theme Song
If you strip away the animation, what are you left with? You have a piece of music that functions more like a character than a background track. Giacchino used "The Glory Days" to bridge the gap between two eras.
The 1960s were the peak of the "Big Band" spy sound. Think Henry Mancini. Think Lalo Schifrin. These guys used horns to create tension. In The Incredibles theme song, the trumpets aren't just playing notes; they’re screaming. Giacchino actually insisted on using analog recording equipment and having the musicians play together in the same room. That’s why it sounds so "alive." Most modern scores are recorded in sections—strings one day, brass the next—and then layered in a computer. This score has that raw, slightly imperfect bleed that makes it feel human.
It’s about the "stingers."
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In classic animation, a "stinger" is a sharp musical cue that matches a physical action on screen. When Mr. Incredible throws a punch or Elastigirl stretches, the music reacts. It’s a technique called "Mickey Mousing," but Giacchino does it with such jazz-infused sophistication that it never feels cheesy. It feels cool.
Why the Brass Sounds So Different
Ever notice how some movie music feels like a giant wall of sound, but you can't really hum the melody? That’s the "Hans Zimmer effect." It’s great for atmosphere, but it lacks a distinct "hook." The Incredibles theme song is all about the hook.
The brass section in this recording was pushed to its absolute limit. During the recording sessions, the trumpet players were reportedly exhausted because the range required for those high notes is physically demanding. You can hear the effort. You can hear the air moving through the instruments. This isn't a digital synthesizer. It’s lung power.
The specific style is often called "Jazz-Orchestral." It uses a lot of dissonant chords—notes that clash slightly to create a sense of unease or excitement—before resolving into a triumphant major key. This mirrors the life of Bob Parr. He’s a guy who is out of place in a boring, beige world, trying to find his way back to a vibrant, "super" reality.
Breaking Down "The Glory Days"
The structure isn't your standard pop song A-B-A. It’s more of a suite.
- The Opening Blast: Those immediate, heavy brass hits that announce the movie is starting. No preamble. Just energy.
- The Walking Bassline: This is the "detective" part. It’s sneaky. It represents the "undercover" nature of being a hero in a world where supers are illegal.
- The Crescendo: This is where the full orchestra joins in.
It’s interesting to look at the track "Kronos Unveiled" later in the film. It uses the same DNA as The Incredibles theme song but slows it down, making it dark and mechanical. This is thematic storytelling at its best. The music evolves as the stakes get higher.
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Honestly, it’s kind of a miracle this score exists in the form it does. In 2004, the trend was moving toward electronic textures. Pixar could have easily gone with a trendy pop soundtrack. Instead, they went backwards to go forwards.
The Influence of 1960s Spy Cinema
You can't talk about this music without mentioning On Her Majesty's Secret Service. The 1969 Bond film has a theme that is remarkably similar in spirit. It uses a Moog synthesizer mixed with heavy brass. Giacchino took that vibe and cranked it up to eleven.
He also leaned into the "Space Age Pop" aesthetic. This was music for the jet set. It was sophisticated, slightly dangerous, and very fast-paced. By applying this to a family of superheroes, it elevated the movie from a "kids' flick" to a piece of stylized cinema.
The Technical Difficulty of Playing the Theme
If you ask any high school or college jazz band about playing the Incredibles arrangement, they’ll probably groan and then smile. It is notoriously difficult.
The rhythmic syncopation—where the accents fall on the "off-beats"—is a nightmare to get right at high speeds. The lead trumpet parts go way above the staff. It requires a level of precision that most "family movie" scores just don't demand.
But that difficulty is exactly why it sticks in your head. Our brains love patterns that are slightly complex but ultimately resolve. The theme keeps you on your toes.
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How to Truly Appreciate the Score
If you want to hear the genius of The Incredibles theme song, don't just watch the movie. Listen to the soundtrack with a good pair of headphones.
- Listen for the Flutes: Behind the wall of brass, there are some incredible, rapid-fire flute runs that add a layer of "shimmer" to the action.
- Focus on the Percussion: It’s not just a drum kit. There are bongos, vibraphones, and timpani all working together to create a rhythmic texture that feels like a 60s heist movie.
- Identify the Leitmotifs: Notice how Elastigirl has her own slightly more "sleek" version of the theme, while Dash’s music is frantic and high-pitched.
The legacy of this music is massive. It basically defined the "Pixar Sound" for a decade and turned Michael Giacchino into one of the most sought-after composers in Hollywood. He went on to do Star Trek, Up, and The Batman, but you can still hear the DNA of those 2004 brass sessions in almost everything he does.
The Wrap-Up on The Incredibles Theme Song
The reason The Incredibles theme song works isn't just nostalgia. It works because it’s a masterclass in tension and release. It respects the audience’s intelligence by providing a complex, multi-layered composition that feels as heroic as the characters on screen.
It’s a reminder that film music doesn't have to be "background." It can be the heartbeat of the entire project.
Actionable Ways to Explore This Sound Further
- Compare the Eras: Listen to the 2004 theme and then listen to the Incredibles 2 (2018) score. Giacchino used more "low-fi" woodwinds in the sequel to give it a slightly different flavor while keeping the core themes intact.
- Check Out "The Incredibles Project": There are various fan-led jazz ensembles that have broken down the sheet music online if you're a musician.
- Watch 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service': If you want to see exactly where the inspiration came from, the opening credits of this Bond film are the blueprint.
- Listen to 'The Glory Days' on Vinyl: If you can find the Mondo vinyl release, the analog warmth makes the brass section sound even more visceral than the digital stream.
Understanding the craft behind the music changes how you view the movie. It’s not just a cartoon; it’s a symphony of mid-century modern style that happens to have capes.