My favourite soundtracks

I thought I’d put together a list of my favourite film soundtracks. Some are particularly great songs while most are part of brilliant soundtracks which fit perfectly with their films. I’ve chosen 7, with no particular favourite. All of them, except Little Miss Sunshine, are on Spotify too. Click on track titles or images for YouTube links.

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Little Miss Sunshine - The Winner Is

I love this song. Like the film its sad and quirky but also happy. The original by Devotchka is called How It ends.

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Kill Bill Volume 1 - Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood

Saw this again the other night and the soundtrack really stands out. Hard to choose a favourite, but I especially like Santa Esmeralda’s cover of Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood by the Animals . Also good are Battle Without Honour or Humility by Tomoyasu Hotei and The Lonely Shepherd by Gheorghe Zamfir. Overall a great soundtrack.

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American Beauty - Any Other Name

Great soundtrack from Thomas Newman. He also did the brilliant Shawshank Redemption score (see below) amongst many others. Has been nominated for the Oscar 10 times but never won. This song is so calming and yet also contains tension and sadness.

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There Will Be Blood - Open Spaces

This soundtrack was awesome, the opening scene of the mountains with the high strings sent shivers down my spine. Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead made a masterpiece here. So moody and tense, like a brooding storm. It was perfect for the tone of the film.

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Amélie - Comptine d’un autre été: L’après-midi

How could I not include the wonderful Comptine d’un autre été: L’après-midi by Yann Tiersen, probably my favourite piano piece ever. Yann Tiersen’s scores added so much more to the film that I can’t imagine it without his soundtrack.

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Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels - Walk This Land

I think I actually prefer the soundtrack to the film (although I did enjoy it). What’s not to like? James Brown, Dusty Springfield, Fools Gold by the Stone Roses - it oozes cool. This track from the E-Z Rollers makes me want to dance every time I hear it. Love it.

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The Shawshank Redemption - Brooks Was Here

This one speaks for itself, another beaut from Thomas Newman. Stunning.