There are many things that make a movie what it is. It all starts with a story (according to what every How-To book on screenwriting tells us), there is the director and his crew, there are the actors, who bust their asses to bring a vision to life. Then comes the wonderful world of post-production. What is one result of that? The music. Soundtracks enhance the movie going experience. They can make us cry, they can pump us up, they can make us remember the 80’s. Whether it be a musical band or a composer, soundtracks help our favorite movies stay etched in our mind forever.
Quentin Tarantino has many trademarks in his films, one of those recognizable traits is his use of music. The mans style appeals to my personal taste which is why I’ve chosen to focus this article on his love for soul and spaghetti western type scores. The music I’ve chosen accompanies many memorable scenes in mentioned movies, which is all you can ask for.
1. STUCK IN THE MIDDLE WITH YOU – STEALERS WHEEL (RESERVOIR DOGS)
To the critics and filmmakers who walked out on a screening of Reservoir Dogs because of the infamous (and awesome) ear scene, cover your damn eyes, open your ears and enjoy this brilliant use of music and no harm done. Pansies. Tarantino prides himself on his use of music in his films, this particular song and scene embodies that. It fit to show how nonchalant Mr. Blonde was about what he was doing, and the level of enjoyment he got out of the whole thing. It also was there to show us Michael Madsen’s moves I reckon. One cool sumbitch. Purchase the soundtrack here
2. ACROSS 110TH STREET – BOBBY WOMACK (JACKIE BROWN)
Jackie Brown is one of Tarantino’s less talked about and appreciated films, and in my opinion it’s one of his best. Pam Grier, Samuel L. Jackson, Bobby D, Michael Keaton. Hell of a cast, the opening credits with this particular song served as good as a hook as any I’ve ever seen. It captured the type of film Tarantino was paying tribute to perfectly. This song made another appearance at the end of the film, with our heroine mouthing the whole damn thing. Wonderful. Purchase the soundtrack here
3. LET’S STAY TOGETHER – AL GREEN (PULP FICTION)
Al Green accompanied not only one of my favorite speeches in Pulp Fiction, but one of my favorite speeches in any film period. I hate to agree with a ruthless gangster, but pride does indeed do more damage than not. One of the great things about Tarantino soundtracks is that he makes it difficult to pick a favorite track. Man has so much style when it comes to his choices, so much taste, so much class, just like Mr. Al Green. Purchase the soundtrack here
4. DOWN IN MEXICO – THE COASTERS (DEATH PROOF)
Hot, hot, hot…the track and the scene. Mostly the scene, let’s be serious. From what I’ve heard, people’s opinions on Death Proof have been mixed; I guess people got tired of his shtick. A hottie like Vanessa Ferlito giving a phenomenal lap dance to Kurt f*ckin Russell gives us a little something new, no? To this tracks credit, I dig it enough to listen to it without the scene. I can’t say that about every song that I’ve seen lap dances too, hardly any songs actually, another job well done Quentin. Purchase the soundtrack here
5. ABOUT HER – MALCOLM MCLAREN (KILL BILL VOL. 2)
Kill Bill 2 could not be more different from the first film if it tried, interestingly enough I am a bigger fan of this film. The whole sequence at Bill’s house is a thing of beauty, and the selected track was an amazing way to build the tension in wondering who this sh*t was going to go down. What worked so well was that Quentin took what you were expecting to happen and did the complete opposite. Side note: About Her sampled a song by The Zombies called “She’s Not There”. Purchase the soundtrack here