How Jaws bonfire song was inspired by Otis Redding and Bob Dylan

When we think of the music in Jaws, the signature two-note motif… dun-dun….. dun-dun…. is very likely what comes to mind. And who could blame us? So iconic is John Williams’s score for Jaws that director Steven Spielberg credits 50% of the movie’s success to the soundtrack. However, there is one piece of music in Jaws that has left many fans curious - and it’s nothing to do with John Williams.

During the opening scene of Jaws, we find ourselves among a group of young people enjoying a beach party.

As the camera pans beside people smoking, drinking and kissing we hear a short burst of harmonica and a few chords of guitar. These chords were played by Michael Haydn.

“I was hired as the guitar player for the bonfire on the beach. The assiatant director (Tom Joyner) said to me: ‘Play something.’ I asked if he cared what, and he said ‘No, whatever. Just play something.’ I had recently learned Otis Redding’s “The Dock Of The Bay” and so the chord progression I played for the camera was very similar but with a bit more country flavor. Shooting that night went on until 11 o’clock: seven hours and thirty-five takes - all for thirty seconds of celluloid.” Quote via Jaws: Memories From Martha’s Vineyard

When The Daily Jaws reached out to Michael to learn more, he revealed a second artist who had influenced his playing that night. As Michael had explained, he added a little ‘country flavor’ to his musical moment and he believes this came from his love for Bob Dylan, specifially a song from the album Nashville Skyline (1969).

The second song on Nashville Skyline, "Nashville Skyline Rag" comes across as a statement intended to make sure the audience understands that they are about to hear an honest-to-God country album, something completely unexpected from Bob Dylan at that time. It's true ragtime. The song starts with Dylan on harmonica (and possibly acoustic guitar) and then has the other band members come in, one by one, on their respective instruments.

Michael told us: “There’s essential contrast between the Bonfire Guitar and the Nashville Skyline Rag and telling about my 6 hours on the Beach filming, Ross, is to retrace my summers and winters and musical itinerary coast to coast from 1971-1974. Next is 1975: the Debut of Jaws; but 1976 my 2 nights/week summer long Gig at Relais de la Paix at Gay Head the western most point of Martha’s Vineyard or Wampanoag name, Noepe. French Restaurant 1976! Relais de la Paix!”

Jaws fan Jamie Saunders shared a video of Michael teaching him how to play the jaws chords during a trip to Martha’s Vineyard. Jamie said: “On our second trip to Martha's Vineyard, we met up with Michael Haydn, the beach guitarist in the opening scene. I asked for a guitar lesson of what he was playing in the film. He was incredibly generous with his time and told some cool stories...Definitely one of the highlights of our trip!!!!”

You can watch Michael’s iconic musical moment below. And tell us, which influences do you hear?

Words by Ross Williams

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