Frank Herbert’s Dune novel has been an inspiration for countless artists and musicians. The most recent album to take listeners on a musical journey across Arrakis and other worlds of the Imperium is Hans Zimmer’s awe-inspiring Dune: Part Two soundtrack, released on February 23, 2024. Let’s take a look back at previous soundtracks released across four decades that have accompanied Dune movies, TV series, and even a documentary.
To coincide with the premiere of David Lynch’s Dune movie on December 14, 1984, Polydor Records released the original soundtrack on CD, LP, and cassette. The majority of the tracks were written and produced by Toto, with the track “Prophecy Theme” written and performed by Brian Eno. The album, with a running time of around 41 minutes, features 17 tracks that captured the essence of the Dune universe.
Thirteen years after the film’s premiere, PEG released another CD of the Original Motion Picture Score for Dune on October 14, 1997. This version contained 30 tracks, all by Toto, some previously unreleased, and a demo version of the main title. Notably, the “Prophecy Theme” by Brian Eno is not included on this release. The PEG CD would later be re-released in 2001, correcting several production issues that affected the original release.
These soundtracks have played a significant role in enhancing the Dune experience for fans, capturing the essence of the beloved universe across different mediums. As the Dune saga continues to captivate audiences, the music that accompanies it remains an integral part of the overall experience.
