50 Years Ago, ‘Jaws’ Took a Bite Out of the Billboard Charts & Earned Composer John Williams a Boatload of Awards

Fifty years ago, the summer blockbuster was born, thanks to Steven Spielberg’s Jaws. The film became the year’s top-grossing box-office hit and went on to receive four Oscar nominations, including best picture. (Though Spielberg was not nominated for best director. The young prodigy was just 28 when the film was released. The voters probably thought he had time on his side – and they were right.)

The film made stars of its key cast members, Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss and Robert Shaw.  The film also made a star of its composer, John Williams. The score brought Williams his first Grammy, Golden Globe and BAFTA Awards and his second Oscar.

The music also scored big on the Billboard charts. Known for its instantly recognizable two-note “Main Title (Theme From Jaws),” Williams’ score was first heard by audiences when the Universal Pictures film opened in theaters on June 20, 1975. The soundtrack was initially released on vinyl in 1975, followed by CD on April 21, 1992.

To mark the 50th anniversary, on June 20, UMe released a limited-edition “Blood in the Water” splatter vinyl of Jaws (Music From The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack). This edition features a light-blue translucent color with a red splatter.

UMe will also release the “Shark-Infested” Water-Filled vinyl of the soundtrack on Oct. 20. This limited-edition run has real water sealed and pressed between two translucent vinyl discs, as well as new stereo mixes approved by Williams. This limited-edition release is specifically numbered with only 1975 copies to memorialize the film’s original release year.

Here are four ways the music from Jaws scored big.