Real Villains Don't Use Minor Keys
- Hunter Blain
- Oct 17, 2023
- 3 min read
One of the underrated powers of the entertainment industry is the ability to normalize behavior, even when things are completely made up. For example, are you familiar with the "reading of the will" trope commonly seen in movies? That's a bit of Hollywood fiction; there's no requirement for such an event in probate law. Even if you knew it was fake, there is still a sizable contingent of the population that does; even to the degree that it's an FAQ for many lawyers in this space.
Pictured: Movie magic.
It's easy to see where these inventions come from. The actual process of probate is extraordinarily boring (to most; if you love wills, trusts and estates, more power to you). Having a "will reading" instead of showing the actual process allows script writers to get the important facts across in a more interesting and dramatic setting.
In a similar vein, think of an iconic theme for a villain in a movie. One of the first that comes up for me is the Imperial March from Star Wars, which commonly plays when Darth Vader enters a room. In universe, it is akin to a national anthem for the oppressive Galactic Empire. It's a commanding song that cleverly increases Vader's already overwhelming authority/presence in a scene.
Pictured: Dun Dun Dun Dum Da Dum, Dum Da Dum.
Most villain themes (at least from my research) have something in common: they are played in a minor key. This is an overwhelmingly gross oversimplification, but if you missed that day in music class, think of songs that sound happy or sad. Typically, songs that sound "happy" are in a major key and songs that sound "sad" are in a minor key. If an example helps, Day Tripper by The Beatles is in a major key (E major, to be precise) and Elenor Rigby is in a minor key (E minor).
Aside from the aforementioned Imperial March, here are some other villain themes that are in a minor key.*
While it can add atmosphere and get across the emotions that the script writer wants to convey, the use of minor keys for villains is also a Hollywood invention. Don't believe me? Here are some tunes that are all in a major key (and are way too catchy):
One of the more chilling examples I have is that of Walk a Mile in My Shoes, which was written and performed by the People's Temple Choir (a/k/a, the infamous Jonestown group). Even up until the night before the Jonestown massacre, Jim Jones utilized happy and upbeat songs as a means of control over the group.
So remember, when the anthem for a tyrannical and oppressive regime is being composed, it's going to be in a major key. When a cult is trying to reach out for new members, their songs will be upbeat. Don't be fooled by happy sounding songs.
*Two notable exceptions to the rule are Keep Your Rifle by Your Side from Far Cry 5 and most of Gaston from Beauty and the Beast. Having these villain themes in a major key makes the underlying villains seem more realistic and insidious.