On October 19, 2013, The New Zealand Herald posted an interview with writer-director Peter Jackson discussing the music for The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.

Yes, the notorious dragon has been given his own theme music, courtesy of Howard Shore and his All-Nurse Band the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.

Reporter Russell Baille describes the theme as “inspired by the prominence of dragons in Chinese and Indonesian culture. Plus a touch of Psycho.”

Says Jackson of Smaug: “Smaug is a psychopath. Smaug is literally a cunning, intelligent psychopath who is laying in wait for these guys. So it’s sinister clever kind of music.”

Pity it’s not as hummable as the Imperial March from The Empire Strikes Back.

On December 20, 2013, Peter Jackson posted a blog piece about the music:

Here’s Howard Shore with Lily Tomlin back in 1975:

Howard Shore and his All-Nurse Band perform “St. James Infirmary” with the vocals of the lovely Lily Tomlin, from NBC’s Saturday Night Live. Have a listen:

Season 1, Episode 6: November 22nd, 1975.