radio with its background noise, then lurches toward the fridge. In the opening scene of the “Philadelphia Morning” film segment, a ringing alarm clock in a dark room rouses the sleeping “Italian Stallion,” who makes his way out of a rumpled bed. And the “Philadelphia Morning” music helps set the stage. For Rocky, however, it’s the chance of a lifetime a chance to prove himself and be somebody. Creed expects to dispense with Rocky at will – three rounds at most. It’s all hype and no worries for the Muhammad Ali-like champ, Apollo Creed, who comes up with the idea. It’s a special prize fight and publicity stunt, designed to give some unknown boxer “a shot at the title.” It will be staged in Philadelphia on New Year’s day 1976, the year of the U.S. But in an amazing turn of the fates, Rocky is plucked from obscurity to spar with the world’s undefeated heavyweight champion, Apollo Creed, played by Carl Weathers. Rocky Balboa, played by Sylvester Stallone, is a down–and-out boxer who uses the moniker “The Italian Stallion.” His boxing career hasn’t exactly been lucrative, or even sustaining, so he is also a part-time “break-your-thumbs” debt collector - though the empathetic Rocky breaks few thumbs.
In the film, Rocky Balboa and Apollo Creed at press conference announcing the special fight. But before delving into that, some context and set up for the scene and the music. Yet for some, as the feedback on this film over the years suggests, this particular bit of soundtrack has left its mark.
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“Philadelphia Morning” is nearly perfect for its task, although it may be the kind of music passed over and forgotten as the movie rolls on to other scenes. It is arguably one of those perfect little pieces of film music that captures the essence of an on-screen moment, providing weight and poignancy to scene and story so the viewer/listener not only gets the message, but feels the moment, and in this case, the challenge too. In the film, it gives depth and emotional underpinning to a particular scene, and it tells a bit of a story in itself.
“Philadelphia Morning” runs about two-and-a-half minutes or so. Give this piece of music a chance, and consider its artistry and what it did in the film (the music is provided below). Now, if you happen to abhor the Rocky franchise and/or boxing, don’t head for the exits just yet. It’s not a long piece of music, but in its own way it’s something of a masterpiece for what it helps to set up and convey in the film. In the very first Rocky film of 1976 – the Academy Award winner for “Best Picture” that year – there is a key film segment backed by an understated but powerful piece of music titled “Philadelphia Morning.” “Rocky” film score/soundtrack by Bill Conti.
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