Album: [Original Soundtrack:] Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood
Genre: Soundtrack, Pop Rock, Songwriter
Country: USA
Release date: 16th of August, 2019
Released via Sony Music
Cover artwork © Sony Music 2019
There are two types of OST: First, there are special compositions for a movie written by a musician like Hans Zimmer, John Stewart or Ennio Morricone. Secondly, there are OST that are samples of songs which are part of the movie. Sometimes these compilations are very good, like the first American Pie movie’s or Black Panther‘s OST. Sometimes, it’s just a bunch of songs with no other meaning than collecting the best sellable songs on one album.
Quentin Tarantino‘s OSTs are always something special. His compilations are a bunch of well-known und unknown songs, sometimes you ask yourself why this song is part of the OST, until you see it in the movie. In addition to his incredible knowledge about movies, he possesses a lot of vinyl, CDs etc. which he uses to build his OST. For example: on the soundtrack for Inglorious Basterds is a song by one of the most famous German-speaking singers from the 30s/40s, Zara Leander. A German interviewer asked him who told him to use Zara Leander in his movie, he answered that he has known her by himself.
The plot of “Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood” is set at the end of the 60s, a special time for Hollywood that changed the magic and the landscape of this business enormously. The story is about the old 50s Western star Rick Dalton who has trouble to stay in business and is afraid of his sinking as a star – and Cliff Booth, his friend and stunt double, who is getting older too and switches between being pleased by his life and afraid that he must change his life drastically all the time. Quentin Tarantino chose his songs from his era, youimmediately get positive 60s vibes when you listen to it.
Beside from well-known songs like “Mrs Robinson” from Simon & Garfunkel, Deep Purple’s “Hush” or Neil Diamond’s “Brother Loves Traveling Salvation Show” you can hear songs that are mostly unknown today such as the one hit wonder Roy Head with “Treat Her Right” or “Son of a Lovin’ Man” from Buchanan Brothers. This combination of songs makes this soundtrack something special – on the one hand you can remember famous songs, on the other hand you discover real treasures from this time which are not included in “Best of the 50s/60s” sampler or playlists on the common streaming services. Alongside the songs, there are some original records of radio advertisement from this era like the “Mug Root Beer Advertisement” which gives the OST a special atmosphere and you imagine actually listening to a radio station from this time. Two special recommendations from my side are the songs “California Dreamin’ ” from Josè Feliciano and “Good Things” from Paul Revere & The Raiders. I did not know either of these songs and I liked and enjoyed them much.
Quentin Tarantino did it again. Not only is this a very good movie, he also released a very good soundtrack as well. Similar to the OST of Pulp Fiction or Kill Bill, this sampler of Ssngs will always be a good choice for a lot of opportunities in life: if you want to chill at a beach or pool with friends or you are on a road trip with a convertible or classic car and you want to cruise through the cities and landscapes – this soundtrack can be a very good companion in your music rotation.
Tip: There are three possibilities to listen to this soundtrack on Spotify. First, a usual playlist that includes a lot of other songs from this time that I don’t like, because there are too many mainstream songs added. Secondly, there is a Spotify playlist especially for this movie with some commens by Tarantino himself about some songs and – thirdly – there is the regular OST in the album section. Take care so as to get the last one if you listen to it via Spotify (playlist below).
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
9/10
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