Quentin Tarantino has a thing for blood, violence, color and great soundtracks! While waiting for his new film The Hateful Eight to be released, there is no denying -of what we have watched so far- that all these elements will be present.
After watching these, we felt the need to make a recap of all these moments that Tarantino had us talking about his movies and soundtracks, and we have picked our top-10 music scenes from his movies.
PS: You may feel there is an obssesion with certain movies. Maybe there is.
#10. The 5678’s – “Woo Woo”, Kill Bill Vol. 1
This track of the Japanese girl band is following Uma Thurman -The Bride- while stalking the building, before the battle with O-Ren Ishii (portrayed by Lucy Liu) takes place. The cameras are keeping track with the song’s pace and the scene is one to remember.
#9. Santa Esmeralda – “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood”, Kill Bill vol.1
And after finding O-Ren Ishii, the fight begins. It is not the song you would expect to see during a lethal fight scene, butit’s the kind of song you would expect of Quentin Tarantino to pick for such a scene. It’s a great example of what he really loves, blood, fight, nice music and -of course- Uma Thurman.
#8. The Coasters – “Down In Mexico” – Death Proof
Constantly in our Summer soundtracks, this song is a perfect match for this scene. Arlene dances for Mike in what Miley Cyrus must have studied before started twerking. Interesting info: the jukebox belongs to Tarantino.
#7. David Bowie – “Cat People”, Inglourious Basterds
“Inglourious Basterds” is a movie about WWII. Ennio Moricone has written most of the soundtrack so far, and suddenly, Bowie’s 1982 hit song is used for one of the most important scenes of the movie thanks to its lyrics. They could be what Shosanna’s thoughts, a little before the great explosion.
#6. Urge Overkill – “Girl, You’ll Be A Woman Soon” – Pulp Fiction
Mia Wallace had just gotten home, after a night out with Vincent Vega. She starts dancing on her own, as the girl, who will at some time grow up and become more responsible. But no, she is doing drugs. And she is causing Vincent another problem. Mia is trouble for Vincent. For so many reasons. What a memorable scene!
#5. Nancy Sinatra – “Bang Bang”, Kill Bill vol.1
Nancy Sinatra’s 1966 song is like a summmary of the story. Bill shoots Beatrix, during her wedding. Bang Bang! He shot her down. The church bells rung. My baby shot me down. Could not be more perfect than that.
#4. Chuck Berry – “You Never Can Tell”, Pulp Fiction
This songs creates a whole scene. It’s not just a song, part of its soundtrack. Mia Wallace makes Vincent Vega follow her steps, as they are iconically dancing into one of the most memorable dance scenes of cinema. How not win the trophy after these movements?
#3. Anthony Hamilton & Elayna Boynton – “Freedom”, Django Unchained
Almost impossible to feel emotional when watching this scene. The Brittle Brothers are torturing Broomhilda, and the song is the perfect stage for Tarantino to create the right feeling and need to the viewer. All we want after that is revenge.
#2. Dusty Springfield – “Son of a Preacher Man” – Pulp Fiction
Ιt’s the first time Mia and Vincent meet each other. He is kind of nervous. She is kind of trying to control him. And it’s easy, since Vincent can’t stop thinking these infamous stories of someone “being thrown out of the window”. And Mia is playing her game through the intercom. An iconic song either way, an iconic singer. Not so hard to make this scene evenly iconic.
#1. Stealers Wheel – “Stuck In The Middle With You” , Reservoir Dogs
Want to cut someone’s ear in the most absurd way? Then there is no better song than that. For the most, it’s a song for the Summer, when everyone is chilling out. But not for Mr. Blonde. Something’s wrong with him. And this song is making it even worse. And there is a huge gap between what’s going on in the warehouse, and the outside world. And it’s not the torturing. But Mr. Blonde’s craziness.
And then, there’s “Misirlou”.
Dick Dale and His Del-Tines – “Misirlou”, Pulp Fiction
It’s not just a track, part of the soundtrack. It’s Pulp Fiction. And it’s one of the few songs that have been completely linked to a certain movie. An old Greek song, that makes the perfect opening for Tarantino’s masterpiece. And the director says it the best way himself: “The song throws down a gauntlet that the movie now has to live up to”.
