Based on the discussion in this thread, especially the discussion beginning at reply #28, I am proposing the following change to the definition of “Soundtrack” on Release Group /Type page documentation page.
In the “…does not generally consider…” section, I basically followed the format of the preceding section regarding compilations. Just trying for a consistent style.
Please review and comment.
Current:
A soundtrack is the musical score to a movie, TV series, stage show, video game, or other medium. Video game CDs with audio tracks should be classified as soundtracks because the musical properties of the CDs are more interesting to MusicBrainz than their data properties.
Proposed:
A soundtrack is the musical score, or the collection of recordings, included in a movie, TV series, stage show, video game, or other medium. Video game CDs with audio tracks should be classified as soundtracks because the musical properties of the CDs are more interesting to [[MusicBrainz]] than their data properties.
The MusicBrainz project does not generally consider the following to be soundtracks:
a single or EP taken from a complete soundtrack release.
re-recordings, or cover performances of music from a soundtrack release.
a compilation of individual recordings from various soundtrack releases.
The association of a Single/EP with its originating soundtrack should be established using the “single/EP which was taken from…” relationship.
I’m not sure about the first point - if a single or an EP is marketed as a soundtrack on it’s own, and then happens to also be in an album, I don’t see why we wouldn’t set soundtrack on it.
also adding that I’ve seen singles released as part of a soundtrack, but they don’t appear on an album. I could imagine it’s fairly common with video games, as they can receive updates which have new music, but not enough for an album.
This film was famous for its pop music sound track of the era. All written for the film. The first track, Don’t You (Forget About Me), became a large hit for Simple Minds. I find it a little strange that MB has no way of noting this at a work level. None of these tracks has anyway to note their use at a Work or Recording level. If you stopped the single from being a soundtrack then nothing links it to a film any more.
I feel there is a little too much focus on a “score” and forgetting that much more can make up the “soundtrack” of a film - and songs like this are very important to that soundtrack.
If we didn’t have singles released specifically for promotion of films then we would not have any of the classic singles associated to James Bond.
Currently the database is missing the ability to really let us explore music as used in film.
Shutting down the “Soundtrack Single” seems wrong to me. A single released to promote a film should be noted in the same way as an album released to promote that same film. And often that single will see far more than the album and do much to promote the film.
I could write for ages on this subject… so you are lucky I deleted half this post
