What Does OST Mean in Music?

OST means Original Soundtrack; these are the songs or tracks specifically composed for a movie, television show, video game, or any other type of multimedia project. They may be instrumental, vocal, or both.

OSTs often contain themes and melodies meant to evoke the feeling of the project they are accompanying. They are often used to create an emotional response in the viewer or listener.

Original Soundtracks may combine a variety of music genres. Some examples include rock, pop, hip-hop, and classical. They are particularly popular in movie trailers, as they can help create an exciting and suspenseful atmosphere. Let’s dive into a few specific examples of OSTs in music.

Examples of OST in Music

OSTs have been around since the early days of cinema. One of the earliest and most famous examples is the soundtrack to The Birth of a Nation, released in 1915. Over the years, OSTs have become increasingly popular, and there are now countless soundtracks available to listen to.

The Star Wars original soundtrack written by Jon Williams is popular and well-loved. The movie was released in 1977, and the soundtrack has been released in various formats over the years, selling millions of copies worldwide. 

Disney’s Lion King is a classic movie with an equally classic soundtrack. The songs were written by award-winning composers Elton John and Tim Rice. Some of the most popular tracks include “Circle of Life,” “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King,” and  “Hakuna Matata.”

Harry Potter is another movie franchise with a well-loved soundtrack. The music was written by John Williams, who also scored the Star Wars movies. One of the most popular tracks is “Hedwig’s Theme,” played in almost every Harry Potter movie.

Marvel movies are known for their epic soundtracks. The music for the first Avengers movie was written by Alan Silvestri, who also scored Back to the Future and Forrest Gump. Some of the most popular tracks from the movie include “The Avengers,” “Captain America,” and “Thor’s Hammer.”

Another fantastic soundtrack is that of the HBO series Game of Thrones. The show’s music was composed by Ramin Djawadi, who often uses traditional instruments like strings and flutes and modern synthesizers and electric guitars.   Some of the most popular tracks from the show include “Hold the Door” and “Arrival at Winterfell.”

Differences Between Score and Original Soundtrack

OST and Score are not always interchangeable terms. OST generally refers to the songs used in a movie or TV show, while Score refers to the instrumental music written specifically for the project.

OST stands for Original Soundtrack- which are the songs specifically written for the movie or tv show- as opposed to a score written for the movie by a composer. OSTs can be any genre of music but often contain themes and melodies unique to the project it accompanies. They are similar but they are not the same.

Are all soundtracks royalty-free?

If a composer writes a piece specifically for a film, they will likely own the copyright to that song. However, if a pre-existing song is used in a film, the copyright holder may differ.

In some cases, the filmmaker will have to get permission from the rights-holders to use the song in their movie.

OSTs are sometimes royalty-free, but it’s important to check with the specific track you’re interested in. Many online libraries, like YouTube and SoundCloud, allow you to see who holds the copyright for a particular song. 

How Do I Find an OST?

A good place to start is YouTube, which has a vast library of soundtracks for you to listen to. You can also search for specific soundtracks on dedicated websites like iTunes or Amazon.

If you’re looking for a soundtrack to a movie or TV show that you’ve seen, it’s best to check with the official website first, as many of them have online stores where you can buy the soundtrack.

Conclusion

An Original Soundtrack, or OST, is a collection of songs specifically written for a movie or TV show. They can be any genre of music and often contain themes and melodies that are unique to the project it accompanies. YouTube is a great place to search for OST as well as official websites and platforms for the specific movie or TV show.