A List of My Favorite Film Scores and Soundtracks

I listen to both film soundtracks and scores to study and discover music that I wouldn’t have found otherwise. In this article, I will list my favorite soundtracks and scores (in that order) because the Quest needed more content this week. 

Bottoms by Emma Seligman: Soundtrack & Score

Starting off strong with the soundtrack that inspired this article. Not only is this film already a classic even though it’s only been out for two years, but the score by Charli XCX is so energetic and helps perfectly amplify whatever moment it’s played over. Many iconic moments in this film are reliant on the soundtrack. The most prominent one that comes to mind is the final fight that is set to “The Final Fucking Hour”/“Need to Stop the Game”/“Pineapple Juice.” These songs add so much to the film, and even when you’re just listening to them, you can feel yourself getting hyped up. Who needs pre-workout when you have the Bottoms score?

In addition to the score, the soundtrack is so incredible, from iconic moments such as “Party 4 U” by Charli XCX playing as Josie and Isabelle kiss on the football field to “Complicated” by Avril Lavigne playing in an almost joking manner. The soundtrack is so amazing. Will you find anything new you haven’t heard before? Unlikely, but it still wonderfully fits the film.

Materialists by Celine Song: Soundtrack & Score

Although the film only debuted this year to mediocre reviews, the Materialists soundtrack has already made its way into my head. “My Baby (Got Nothing At All)”  by Japanese Breakfast is the obvious standout song and will likely be one of the top songs I’ve listened to this year. The score is not as strong as others on this list, but it’s great background noise for whatever work you’re focusing on. I like to put this soundtrack on and take a break once I hear “My Baby (Got Nothing At All)”, as it’s ~40 minutes, which is about the recommended time for a Pomodoro (I hate the YouTube timers, so this works much better for me).

Marie Antoinette by Sofia Coppola: Soundtrack & Score

Sofia Coppola is an absolute beast when it comes to film scores and soundtracks. Marie Antoinette is a perfect example of that. Coppola ties moments throughout the film to her favorite songs, and her taste is impeccable. The standout song from this soundtrack is Siouxsie and the Banshees' “Hong Kong Garden,” which perfectly captures the composition of classical music and rock throughout the soundtrack and score.

The Virgin Suicides by Sofia Coppola: Soundtrack & Score

Another Sofia Coppola masterpiece! The Virgin Suicides is (arguably) her strongest film, no doubt partially due to her collaboration with French band Air on the score. Air is known for their sensual and atmospheric sound and created probably one of the most iconic scores in the past 25 years, primarily with the song “Playground Love,” which holds the title of their most streamed song on Spotify.

As for the soundtrack, the music mentioned and played in this film is so important and revealing about the characters and the story they’re in. This is most obvious in the telephone scene (where the male main characters/narrators call the Lisbon sisters and they play songs back and forth). These songs differ from the book, but I believe that the film does this better. The boys (lusting after the Lisbon sisters, trying to get them to run away with them) play more upbeat and happy songs such as “Hello It’s Me” by Todd Rundgren and “Run To Me” by the Bee Gees. In contrast, the girls play songs that foreshadow their inevitable deaths (spoiler alert: the “virgins” commit suicide), such as “Alone Again (Naturally)” by Gilbert O’Sullivan and “So Far Away” by Carole King, both having a mellow vibe and having lyrics that discuss frustrations in the world and how lonely and depressed they feel. This is just one example of how music supports the story and lets us in on how the characters are feeling or thinking. 

Punch-Drunk Love by Paul Thomas Anderson: Soundtrack & Score

I did have to put one PTA film on this list because I have previously talked about how PTA creates the atmosphere with his score and soundtrack in my previous article on One Battle After Another (wink wink nudge nudge), but my absolute favorite is Punch-Drunk Love. This is Jon Brion at his best, creating a slightly unsettling atmosphere that pairs perfectly with this surrealist love story. Additionally, Brion works the soundtrack into the score, most notably with “He Needs Me,” performed by Shelley Duvall (RIP) in Popeye. This leads to the creation of a beautiful and emotional listening experience. 

Breathless by Jean-Luc Godard: Score

To be honest, I just wanted to talk about the iconic song from this score, “L’amour la mort.” It perfectly encapsulates the film in its jazzy and horn-heavy sound. It starts loud and intense, then goes to a chill melody that feels like a quick drive around the city, then a detective sleuthing around. This song bounces between these moments, perfectly encapsulating the film. If you don’t want to watch this film (which you should if you haven’t), at least listen to this song. 

That's it for now. Follow me on Letterboxd (@robinfilmentine) and write for the Quest. There will be another installment in this franchise if you don’t. Comment down below if you’d rather listen to the Bottoms soundtrack or eat an entire container of pre-workout.