Midnight Cowboy

Composed, arranged and conducted by John Barry for John Schlesinger's 1969 film Midnight Cowboy. Barry developed the harmonica-led orchestral theme while supervising the soundtrack with producer and engineer Phil Ramone. The instrumental served as the film's principal original theme and won the Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Theme. Its melancholy melody reinforced the film's portrayal of loneliness and dislocation in New York. The theme remains one of Barry's most recognisable film compositions and a defining element of the acclaimed Midnight Cowboy soundtrack. It inspired successful interpretations by Ferrante and Teicher and later covers by artists including Faith No More.