I figured the soundtrack deserves its own post - in case anyone is looking for a specific song. So far, the featured songs aren't listed on IMDb.

"The Heat" by The Bones Of J.R. Jones was featured in the Pilot Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8eUpBq5ap0

I like it. Sadly, you can only hear it for like 10 seconds (as it usually happens in modern TV shows). It's playing when MacGyver picks up the missile and brings it inside to meet Bozer.

Are they using songs? That's like the biggest turn-off for me. Soundtracks don't interest me, I just want instrumental musical scores. Call Ken, Randy, Dennis or William than.

Yes, they do, but very rarely on mostly only for a few seconds. I only realize it when I know the song already (e.g. the one by Bruce Springsteen in Episode 9); otherwise I sometimes think it was also done by Keith Power.

I also prefer musical scores and personal themes for certain characters. For me, it's also a big turn off in modern TV shows that don't use scores (or only when something dangerous happens; e.g. "Vampire Diaries" or "Revenge"). I don't like it in movies, either. In the Twilight movies, it was too many songs for only a few seconds. It's a nice way to discover new artists and songs, but it's sometimes really distracting.

I didn't quite realize how much I prefer shows with scores until I started watching "Stargate SG-1" and rewatching "MacGyver" last year. The soundtrack on the original show is so great; I really think it shaped my preferences for soundtracks. Even when I can't quite remember the story (as it was with the MacGyver Movies that I haven't seen for years because they're still not available on DVD in Germany), I remember the score.

It all started with Mark Mancina and Speed for me. I prefer scores over songs. I know it's a fine line between the music industry and the movie industry but I take filmmusic as something serious because despite it's probably the last phase in making movies and shows it's what's done to finish the product. Of course there are exceptions (Rocky, The Fast and the Furious) and when it fits it's fine but when it comes to action scenes I rather hear a self composed piece than simply the use of known song. With all the songs lately in movie trailers, I get easily turned off than I really have to be interested in what I see. Than I sometimes miss Don LaFontaine.

But yeah Dennis McCarthy's work really put a stamp on the show. Some of his work was used far into the show up until Black Rhino even. Though I think Randy Edelman, Ken Harrison and William Ross did their work as well as Dennis did.

A cover of "Taking Care of Business" was used in the opening gambit of Episode 2 (Metal Saw). This is the original by Bachmann Turner Overdrive: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxXne70dg60

One of my major complaints about this reboot is the score.

The soundtrack (meaning the instrumental background pieces, not the songs) really doesn't have any memorable themes so far. In the original show, there were certain music cues that were used for certain types of situations, and that gave the show a lot of its personality. When the reboot was announced, I was very optimistic about the music because even though the music was good in the original, there have been newer shows (Lost, Game Of Thrones, etc) that did an even better job with their music themes, and I had hoped this reboot would do something similar. Instead, we end up with a bunch of generic, highly forgettable music, and it's often used in places that feel completely inappropriate.

One thing about this show it wants to keep everything fast paced, as if the director (or editor?) is afraid the audience will walk away if there's a moment of quiet. So, even during exposition scenes, there will often be some sort of synth/techno beat going on in the background. For me, it's distracting and it cheapens the feel of the show.

I thought I heard lynyrd skynyrd in one of the episodes ... sorry I can't remember the names of the episodes with regards to the plot .... it all blends together with their preferred format. Some of the music is not too bad, some not well thought out and more trying to appease the target demographic than setting a proper MacGyver ambience that was so well done and painstakingly thought out in the original series.

I absolutely can't remember when that song was being played... but yes, there is a Lynrd Skynrd song listed on the same YT-Account: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35ILEviAf_Y

Yes, that's it, Call me the Breeze. Guess it was in the repeated episode.

Huh? These videos have been up for weeks and months - I post them in here and they all get deleted within two days? Who ran out of here directly to YouTube to complain about copyrights?

No idea Dash. But I was wondering the same thing.

It is possible that our site is being monitored as it has happened before.

I kinda feel spied upon

Yup.

THE APPLE BROS. "Good Ol' Boys" in Episode 10 during the police car chase via https://www.facebook.com/TheAppleBros?hc_ref=SEARCH&fref=nf

Music from Episode 10 via http://www.tunefind.com/show/macgyver/season-1/38991#songs

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Music used in the Pilot Episode: http://www.tunefind.com/show/macgyver/season-1/37604

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One thing I really hope they improve in season 2 is the background score. I couldn't stand the dopey/whimsical music that they had throughout so much of season 1. It was incessant. There were exposition scenes when no music was needed at all, and yet there would still be some dopey little beat going on in the background. It really ruined the tone of the show for me.
If they felt they really NEEDED to have music during the exposition scenes, then at least have music that builds some excitement for what they're talking about, not some generic synth beat.

Ideally, they would come up with some dramatic themes for the big moments that deserve them, and keep relatively quiet the rest of the time.
The composer is a talented guy, so I don't blame him. Clearly he's been doing what they asked him to do, but I just hope they ask him to do something different in Season 2.

Yes, me too.

I thought it got better towards the end of the season, but since constant background score is the usual MO in modern TV shows, I doubt it will ever get the way I prefer.

Personally, I think it's unfair towards the actors to "drown" them out. Because I think all of the cast is able to pull off emotional and dramatic scenes without having constant music or background action going on.

That's also why I don't like the constant "team scenes" in team shows. You rarely have two actors facing each other without the camera panning onto the faces of others to show their reaction. Personally, I don't need to see the other's reactions because I know they're angry/hurt/devastated about some revelation and feel with the main characters.

"Hawaii Five-0" does a lot of "carversations" between McGarrett and Danno, but they're either in the middle of a car chase or there's music/people/cars in the background that takes your focus away. Also, one of the two is driving and needs to concentrate on the road, so they never really look at each other.

Don't know if you've seen Stargate SG-1 and the Episode "Abyss" of Season 6. It's Daniel and Jack (RDA) in a closed off (and boring) room; having a discussion about a topic they don't agree on. Acting-wise and writing-wise, these are the best scenes of the whole series; showing off their acting chops. There's no need for interesting background or even an overly interesting set. Even the colors are washed out and "boring" in a mutual tone.

Seeing some of their other work, I believe that George Eads and Lucas Till could do stuff like this - if they got the chance.

Although - I just realized Keith Power actually won the BMI Award this year

source: http://www.imdb.com/event/ev0000106/

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Hm. I kinda lost track of this post after all videos got deleted as soon as I posted them in here

Anyway.

Just stumbled over a post covering Episode 2x16 that is set in France. This is the song used in the beginning of the mission:

If you're looking for songs used in Season 2, you can check out on TuneFind: https://www.tunefind.com/show/macgyver/season-2

guess there's new trailer music:

via Kristin Diable - check the original Link to see the video: https://www.instagram.com/p/BojpBcGBghk/

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for tonight's episode 3x03: https://twitter.com/defendmusic/status/1050882322050895872

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so this thread doesn't feel too neglected