Composed by John Williams for Steven Spielberg's 1975 thriller Jaws, the theme was written to suggest a shark that is heard before it is ever seen. Its two alternating notes became one of the most recognised cues in film history and quickly moved beyond cinema into trailers, parodies and live sport. Arena and broadcast editors adopted it for playoff runs because the meaning needs no explanation: something is coming and it cannot be stopped. That instant recognition keeps the cue in use decades after the film's release.