by Charlotte Magee
If you are anything like me, someone who frequently uses their feelings as a
compass in place of objectivity, the 1996 Baz Lurham film Romeo + Juliet has a
soundtrack that will scratch itches beyond compare. The film’s soundtrack is a
feverish and lovesick 90s alt-rock compilation that would be well-suited for
anyone working through their relationship to romantic love, heartache, or perhaps
a random obsessive nature that persists unprompted.
compass in place of objectivity, the 1996 Baz Lurham film Romeo + Juliet has a
soundtrack that will scratch itches beyond compare. The film’s soundtrack is a
feverish and lovesick 90s alt-rock compilation that would be well-suited for
anyone working through their relationship to romantic love, heartache, or perhaps
a random obsessive nature that persists unprompted.
What makes this soundtrack so moving, one might ask? The moods of each
track swing drastically, going from a moment like “Young Hearts Run Free”, by
Candi Staton, played when Mercutio is attempting to convince Romeo to break
away from a romantic commitment to enjoy one’s youth, to “Angry Johnny”, by
Poe, a brooding track with homicidal themes about wanting to be with someone
romantically while simultaneously not wanting them to exist at all played when
Romeo is banished from Verona. Bitter, virtually antagonistic songs from
Radiohead are beautifully contrasted by sugary, campy lovesongs including “Kiss
Me” by Sixpence None the Richer, “Lovefool” by The Cardigans, and “You and
Me Song” by The Wannadies which play at the many hills and valleys in the
romance of Romeo and Juliet.
Additionally, there is some variety in terms of genre. While the album is
predominantly alt-rock, there are also mellow-experimental, bubblegum poppy,
soulful, and funk tracks. All while maintaining a well-rounded overarching sound
and energy, the soundtrack can switch from one side of the mood and sound
spectrum to the other as the plot thickens. Even though there is a violent contrast
between most songs, the soundtrack as a whole plays smoothly, adding to the
dramatic effect of the story. The volatile nature of each track helps the audience
to better understand the moods and themes within the plot. In the film’s
soundtrack, songs and emotions can be tossed around recklessly and land right
beside one another in a refreshing way. The whole soundtrack album does an
incredible job of encapsulating all the highs and lows of obsession. After a
run-through listen to the nostalgic soundtrack, there is a sense of catharsis and
appreciation for the unapologetic explosion of various sentiments towards love
and human relationships.
predominantly alt-rock, there are also mellow-experimental, bubblegum poppy,
soulful, and funk tracks. All while maintaining a well-rounded overarching sound
and energy, the soundtrack can switch from one side of the mood and sound
spectrum to the other as the plot thickens. Even though there is a violent contrast
between most songs, the soundtrack as a whole plays smoothly, adding to the
dramatic effect of the story. The volatile nature of each track helps the audience
to better understand the moods and themes within the plot. In the film’s
soundtrack, songs and emotions can be tossed around recklessly and land right
beside one another in a refreshing way. The whole soundtrack album does an
incredible job of encapsulating all the highs and lows of obsession. After a
run-through listen to the nostalgic soundtrack, there is a sense of catharsis and
appreciation for the unapologetic explosion of various sentiments towards love
and human relationships.