Source
r/popheads•
-Me_NotSure

[Throwback] Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet Soundtrack - 1996

THROWBACK

William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet: Music from the Motion Picture (Volume 1)
Spotify, Apple

In the spirit of some hotly anticipated soundtracks about to be released, here's a look back at a blast from the past. The movie it accompanies is itself an enduring classic, being a re-imagining of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet set in modern times but with original dialogue. Very unique style. The amazing cast led by Titanic's Leo DiCaprio and the wonderful Claire Danes includes stars such as John Leguizamo and Pete Postlethwaite, with everyone giving excellent performances.

Not to be outdone by the star power in the film, the soundtrack opens super strong with #1 Crush by Garbage, and goes on to include such classics as Lovefool by The Cardigans, Talk Show Host by Radiohead, You and Me Song by The Wannadies, I'm Kissing You by Des'ree, with Stina Nordenstam hauntingly beautiful on Little Star, a cover of Young Hearts Run Free by Kym Mazelle and amazing renditions of Prince's When Doves Cry and Rozzalla's Everybody's Free (To Feel Good) by a 12yo Quindon Tarver.

The soundtrack even had a sequel, Volume 2, comprised of the film's orchestral score, dialog from the film, and songs not featured on the previous album.

For the tenth anniversary edition of the film and the original soundtrack, the director Baz Luhrmann (who also co-wrote and co-produced the film), included his own spoken-word song Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen) that he had released in the late 90s, putting to music the words of journalist Mary Schmich in her essay slash commencement speech "Wear Sunscreen."

A timeless classic that belongs in the hall of fame of great movie + great soundtrack match-ups.

Posted Jan 11, 2018, 8:55 PM UTC · edited

136
babyinthebathwater•

I met my husband in middle school in 1996 (and didn’t lock him down until Freshman year of college #patience). He was into Tool, 311, a perfect circle, korn and I was into.... Backstreet Boys and Hanson lol. We would pass stupid little notes back and forth and then one day he surprised me by making me a mixtape 🤭. He asked me to make him one in return. Cue panic.

This soundtrack saved my butt. I loved this soundtrack. Most of the cool songs that I put on that mixtape were from this soundtrack. He hadn’t seen R&J, so he was unaware of what an adorable poseur I was.

Smashcut to today. He still likes music that I can’t stand, but he also loves CRJ, is learning to love Gaga, and he’s very excited to hear Troye Sivan’s new song when he gets home from work today.

Thanks, Baz, you’re a pal.

12
-Me_NotSureOP•

wow that's a beautiful story to add to the lore of this great album

8
joshually•

uhm this is seriously amazing. i need to read more stories like this

7
mag_cue•

Love this, thanks for sharing this story!

3
joshually•

Quindon's version of When Doves Cry is so beautiful. It can seriously bring tears to my eyes, and then when the beat kicks in, it becomes even more perfect.

And of course, one can't forget about Lovefool by The Cardigans, the catchiest, most apathetic song ever recorded.

7
mag_cue•

Yes, so many good songs!

I also love Angel by Gavin Friday.

I actually heard Quindon Tarver's cover before I knew the original When Doves Cry; it definitely does it justice.

Thanks for the write up, it's cool to see soundtracks mentioned here.

2