We all know how important music is to a film. Unlike the film score the soundtrack is usually an altogether different thing; to curate an accompaniment that speaks to the story of the film not just to underscore it. The job of an elite soundtrack is to enhance the film’s emotional connectivity to an audience. Here are 11 soundtracks (and one honorable mention) that not only enhance the film’s they accompany, but become just as important as the images on the silver screen.
1. High Fidelity. 2000. Directed by Stephen Frears
A combination of tastemaker and indie credible savvy finds the likes of Thirteenth Floor Elevators and the Beta Band (while still encompassing giants like Peter Frampton and Elton John), the album reads like a record store owner’s personal mixtape (as John Cusack’s character is) in an attempt to further enhance their superiority as greatest audiophile of audiophiles. You can sense the lengthy thought process it took to curate the music for the film. Lastly, Jack Black’s rendition of “Let’s Get It On” is cheeky, inspired and laughter inducing.
Best use of soundtrack in a scene: John Cusack confidently expressing to his employees that he will sell five copies of the Beta Band’s album simply by playing “Dry The Rain” over the speaker system in the shop. Success.
2. Boogie Nights. 1997. Dir by Paul Thomas Anderson
What better way to capture the seedy world of California’s 1970s & ’80s porn industry than with tracks from the Commodores and Marvin Gaye to illustrate the glossy sheen of good times rolling? Underscored later by the unnerving downfall of its characters in the “Sister Christian” scene where Alfred Molina’s character plays Russian roulette (by himself), while a small Chinese boy sets off firecrackers and Night Ranger crescendos during a drug deal gone sour? This is the soundtrack to the highs and lows of the unforgiving world, never mind that our protagonist is a porn star with a third leg. Also, when Three Dog Night erupts on “Mama Told Me Not to Come” the innuendos are aplenty.
Best use of soundtrack in a scene: The montage of the rise of Dirk Diggler (no pun in intended) to the tune of The Commodores’ “Machine Gun” and that patented disco dance scene where Mark Wahlberg and John C. Reilly get down, though we all know the downward spiral is right around the corner.
3. Easy Rider. 1969. Dir by Dennis Hopper
Officially the soundtrack to any road movie, Dennis Hopper captures the sound of the open road surely, but more so, of the changing times in American history. Between social and political upheaval, the war in Vietnam and overall the degradation of a furlong American dream, Hopper chose music that spoke to a generation of the disenfranchised. From the opening scene of Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper riding choppers with Steppenwolf undertow, it’s become such a staple of American cinema, you’ll never be able to listen to “Born to be Wild” without thinking of the potential of a long highway and a road trip to everywhere and nowhere all at once.
Best use of soundtrack in a scene: Opening credits. Steppenwolf + a pair of choppers + long stretches of highway… what else could it be?
4. O Brother Where Art Thou?. 2000. Dir by The Coen Brothers
We’re already well aware that the Coen brothers can craft a story like no one else (see Fargo, Raising Arizona, Big Lebowski as prime examples) but as far as the musical accompaniment, the O Brother Where Art Thou? soundtrack may be their crowning achievement. With help from legendary producer T-Bone Burnett, the story of three escaped convicts, loosely based on Homer’s The Odyssey FYI, is brought alive, almost tangible by the clever arrangement of music and film. From its chain gang inspired opener “Po Lazarus” the film’s grainy, old timey visuals feel completed by the grittiness of the Americana, folk and country tunes, forever etched into the film’s fabric. The stand out track however is Ralph Stanley’s a cappella performance of “O Death.” It’s so goddamn chilling you’d think the grim reaper has crept up behind you in the process.
Best use of soundtrack in a scene: Could you possibly ever get the image of George Clooney belting a rendition of “Man of Constant Sorrow” into a can whenever this song comes on? Didn’t think so.
5. Saturday Night Fever. 1977. Dir. by John Badham
Regardless of how you may feel about disco (I know I have my reservations), there’s much to be said about the quintessential dance movie Saturday Night Fever. Produced at the height of the disco era, the soundtrack to SNF was just as, if not more, influential to pop culture than just about any other soundtrack on this list. John Travolta’s portrayal of a Brooklyn dance floor king isn’t so much about showing off as it is about escapism and passion. Set that story to the Bee Gees during the mid ’70s and it’s a powerhouse to be reckoned with.
Best use of soundtrack in a scene: Easily one of the most iconic pieces of pop paraphernalia put on film, the opening scene of our man John Travolta strutting his stuff in platform shoes and munching on two slices of pizza simultaneously (forever to be satirized for years afterwards).
6. Pulp Fiction. 1994. Dir by Quentin Tarantino
There’s cool and then there’s Pulp Fiction… and then there’s Pulp Fiction‘s soundtrack. Which, let’s be honest, helped create some of the most epic scenes in recent film memory and pop culture. What would John Travolta and Uma Thurman’s famous Jack Rabbit Slims Twist Contest scene be without the help from Chuck Berry’s “You Never Can Tell”? And what better song to enjoy the last moments before you OD on heroin than Urge Overkill’s “Girl, You’ll Be A Woman Soon”? Tarantino is one of the few filmmakers who possess the ability to foresee the power of a scene and the use of a particular song (see Reservoir Dogs meets the Steve Miller Band’s “Stuck in the Middle with You”). The Pulp Fiction soundtrack is a perfect counterpart to an already classic film.
Best use of soundtrack in a scene: Could we ever envision a more badass song choice for a scene involving a samurai sword, a gimp, a bloodied Bruce Willis and an unfortunately restrained and gagged Ving Rhames without The Revels’ “Comanche” blaring underneath? Nope.
7. Rushmore. 1999. Dir by Wes Anderson
So you love your school (aptly named Rushmore), you’re a playwright boy genius (despite your GPA) and you’ve fallen in love with an older woman (a teacher at said school). What is the mix tape to your life? Well, the soundtrack to Rushmore may very well be that. A finely curated list of Mark Mothersbaugh originals and a smattering of such keen ’60s and ’70s pop/folk from Cat Stevens and Chad & Jeremy, lo-fi buzz from The Creation, and of course a touch of French je ne sais quoi from the classic Yves Montand. The music traverses along with the film like a love letter/mix tape for that special someone. Or, it could be what you’d listen to while trying to erect your latest aquarium.
Best use of soundtrack in a scene: Bill Murray tossing golf balls into a pool only to high dive into said pool amidst his twin sons’ birthday party while The Kinks “Nothing in This World” plays on.
8. Snatch. 2001. Dir by Guy Ritchie
Guy Ritchie’s films all have style and Snatch is a combination of punch, pizzazz and pikeys. It’s no surprise the soundtrack to the tale of quirky criminals, shady jewelry dealers, gypsies, unlicensed boxing promoters and one dog with a squeaky bark is an ensemble of trip hop, dub, Ska, Brit-pop, techno and funk. A collection of badass tunes worthy of any Friday night party mix. When a scene of a London tough’s survival after being shot six times is set to the tune of Madonna’s “Lucky Star” you know the soundtrack is top notch.
Best use of soundtrack in a scene: Unlicensed boxing match/montage between Mickey the Pikey (Brad Pitt) and another gnarly looking broog all while Oasis’ adrenaline fueled “Fuckin in the Bushes” rages, is spot-fucking-on.
9. 500 Days of Summer. 2009. Dir by Marc Webb
You ever wonder what that quintessential relationship of your coming of age sounds like? This soundtrack is exactly that. The bittersweet bliss of Morrissey crooning on “Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want” and Simon & Garfunkel swooning on “Bookends” to the jolted effervescence of a sugar rush during Hall & Oates “You Make My Dreams Come True” and Temper Trap’s “Sweet Disposition.” This collection of songs illustrates keenly the nuance of the greatest/worst relationship you’ve ever had.
Best use of soundtrack in a scene: Regina Spektor’s “Hero” during the Expectation/Reality scene is perfect. The gut wrenching kick to the balls upon seeing the person you love is now newly engaged (ouch) scene feels like it couldn’t possibly work with any other song. Ever.
10. Buena Vista Social Club. 1999. Dir by Wim Wenders
A documentary about the rediscovery of aging Cuban musicians in Havana, the film’s soundtrack is one of the best collections of Cuban folk music ever assembled. From album opener “Chan Chan” to the charmingly astute duet from “Dos Gardenias” the films music is like an oral history of Cuba’s musical culture. Producer Ry Cooder traverses Havana to find these musicians (in some cases to see if they’re even still alive) and eventually compiles the collection, reintroducing the world to a treasure trove of Cuban music. All the while, the film culminates with live performances including one in New York City’s legendary Carnegie Hall.
Best use of soundtrack in a scene: The live performance of “Candela,” a folklore tune about animals doubling as musicians and the ensuing fiasco captured at a jam session. Watching Ibrahim Ferrer (RIP) practically riffing live anecdotes onstage is a priceless moment from this documentary and before it’s over, every muscle in your body should be grooving right along.
11. Trainspotting. 1996. Dir by Danny Boyle
Heroin, debauchery, soccer, Scottish lowlifes and a soundtrack to encapsulate the whole mess. From the Iggy Pop “Lust for Life” opening chase sequence to slinking into a wormhole and taken to a hospital by your drug dealer amidst (perhaps) the most perfectly chosen piece of music for a scene on film, Lou Reed’s “Perfect Day,” this soundtrack speaks volumes of awesome. Toss in a few Brian Eno, Joy Division and New Order gems and this album rectifies one of the best pro/anti drug films of all time. Choose life indeed.
Best use of soundtrack in a scene: You’ve just done the biggest hit of heroin in your life. You might be dying. But Lou Reed’s “Perfect Day” is playing throughout the POV scene of your possibly imminent death. Everything’s going to be alright… sort of.
Honorable mention:
Super Fly. 1972. Dir by Gordon Parks Jr.
What could be said that isn’t already laid out about the film in the stone cold classic Super Fly? Part action, part swag, part porno, the indelible grooves on this soundtrack will remind you that the ’70s, and despite leisure suits and platform shoes it had seriously some of the greatest grooves of any and all generations. Although tagged as a blaxploitation film, the soundtrack reads like a Curtis Mayfield best of. Narrative song writing, funk that delivers on a million levels of cool and an album chock-full of potential samples it’s impossible not to place this soundtrack on any list. Does the film live up to soundtracks syncopated smattering of horns and bongos or wah-wah inspired guitar licks? It’s possible that no film ever could.
Best use of soundtrack in a scene: Truth be told, the disparity between the quality of film and quality of the soundtrack are so vast the film might devalue the music. No kidding.
By Robert Dume. Follow him on Twitter @Mr_Dume.
