If you haven’t seen the movie “Django Unchained,” you are seriously missing out. Quentin Tarantino has definitely made another classic. Was the soundtrack as good as the movie? Check the review after the jump…
1. “Winged”
James Russo
One of the first speaking lines of the movie, it was appropriate to start the soundtrack of a great movie set in the old west where times were tough but people still entertained themselves with PartyCasino.com and plenty of drinks.
2. “Django”
Luis Bacalov & Rocky Roberts
This song opens the movie. We’re introduced to who Django is. In a very western style, it tells his story. It talks about how he loves, but loses his wife. Very well sung because you can hear the singers’ emotions in the song.
3. “The Braying Mule”
Ennio Morricone
Going along with the spaghetti western style of the movie, this is a pure instrumental. The flutes being played create a Native American feel to the song.
4. “In the Case Django, After You…”
Christoph Waltz & Jamie Foxx
In this scene Dr. Schultz and Django go to drink in a saloon, knowing that they would get in trouble. Their exchange is very comical. Django clearly thinks Dr. Schultz is crazy.
5. “Lo Chiamavano King (His Name is King)”
Luis Bacalov & Edda Dell’ Orso
The song fits in perfectly after the short clip. In the movie, Django is riding a horse into Big Daddy’s plantation with a ridiculous outfit on. This song is very significant because he seemed like a king to the slaves. Also fitting with the general flow of the movie, the song continues the country western style.
6. “Freedom”
Anthony Hamilton & Elayna Boynton
Very smooth track. Elayna’s soft voice compliments Anthony’s husky sound. This duet brought two different voices together beautifully. “I’m looking for freedom, and to find it may take everything I have,” is a line of the chorus that is so fitting for the movie. Accomplishing the rare, this is a soulful country track.
7. “Five-Thousand Dollar Nigga’s And Gummy Mouth Bitches”
Don Johnson & Christoph Waltz
The characters Big Daddy and Dr. Schulz are talking about finding a woman for Django. A memorable line is “five thousand dollar nigga is practically my middle name.”
8. “La Corsa (2nd Version)”
Luis Bacalov
Probably played during a chase scene; this is another instrumental. The quick strokes of the violin and horns entering around the fifty-second mark, changes the tone from frantic to something significant happening. Instrumentals don’t need words to tell stories. In particular, this one does in only a little more than two minutes.
9. “Sneaky Schultz and the Demise of Sharp”
Don Straud
The title says it all, as this is the scene where Dr. Schultz kills Sheriff Sharp.
10. “I Got a Name”
Jim Croce
Definitely one of the most profound country songs on the soundtrack. Having a name, song, and dream are some of the most important things to have. They make us who we are. This song fits perfectly in the movie because all Django had was his name and dream of rescuing his wife, which ultimately drives him.
11. “I Giorni Dell’ira”
Riziero Ortolani
Here we have another western instrumental with a catchy string section. This sounds like it would have been playing while Django was riding into town.
12. “100 Black Coffins”
Rick Ross
Although it is a Rick Ross song, it still has western influences. I remember everyone in the theater bopping his or her heads when this played. Rapping that 100 coffins are needed to bury 100 bad men, Ross keeps it plain and simple, coming hard on the track. This is the type of song goons listen to before ish gets real.
13. “Nicaragua” (feat. Pat Metheny)
Jerry Goldsmith
Joining the instrumental bunch, this has the effect of sneaking up on somebody. It isn’t as dynamic as the others on the soundtrack. As the horns enter towards the end of the song, it seems as if victory is achieved. The title is appropriate as Spanish influences can be heard as well.
14. “Hildi’s Hot Box”
Samuel L. Jackson, Leonardo DiCaprio & Christoph Waltz
Stephen, played by Jackson, and Monsieur Candie (DiCaprio) are arguing about taking Hildi (Kerry Washington) out of the hot box for trying to escape. The banter is funny between Jackson and DiCaprio.
15. “Sister Sara’s Theme”
Ennio Morricone
This is a very seductive instrumental. The sole guitar playing creates a more intimate setting, making it rightfully a theme for a woman. It has a mysterious yet sexy tone.
16. “Ancora Qui”
Elisa Toffoli
She sings a very sweet Spanish song. However, it is out-of-place since there were no Spanish influences throughout the whole movie. This isn’t surprising as it matches Tarentino’s directing style; he manages to always throw a curveball.
17. “Unchained (The Payback/ Untouchable)”
James Brown & 2Pac
No thug life movie would be complete without 2Pac or James Brown, and Django was a thug. I love the 1970s throwback instrumental with clips from the movie inserted. “I like the way you die boy,” is a memorable line from the movie added to the song. This is one of the best songs on the soundtrack and also had the audience moving in the theater. With 2Pac rapping, “get it on till I die,” this track fits perfectly in the movie.
18. “Who Did That to You?”
John Legend
Singing “call the police, call the coroner,” John Legend sounds great describing Django. He is a vigilante who fights for his wife. With another soulful country song, this soundtrack continues to flow well with the movie.
19. “Too Old to Die Young”
Brother Dege (AKA Dege Legg)
The guitars sound perfect against Brother Dege’s voice. It has a blues feeling of allowing the person’s voice to dominate over music, then switching to a guitar solo. Going back and forth creates the harmonica B.B. King sound.
20. “Stephen the Poker Player”
Samuel L. Jackson & Jamie Foxx
Samuel L. Jackson does his monologue here. His character Stephen is telling Django that his goose is cooked and the fight is over.
21. “Un Monumento”
Ennio Morricone
Another great follow-up after a clip, this instrumental sounds like a death march. This would be the period after Stephen’s monologue.
22. “Six Shots Two Guns”
Samuel L. Jackson & Jamie Foxx
A short exchange between Django and Stephen of what they heard after a gunfight.
23. “Trinity (Titoli)”
Annibale E I Cantori Moderni
This song is about a man who is the talk of the town and west. It played at the end of the movie and is the best way to bring the soundtrack to a close also. Django is the talk of the town because what he did was unbelievable.
24. “Ode To Django (The D Is Silent)”
RZA
It starts off with the saloon scene and goes through the rest of the film in short clips. This is truly an ode with more spoken word than a rap song. RZA describes what happens in the movie, so I would suggest watching before listening to avoid spoilers. There was a lot going on in the instrumental, and overall the song could have been better if it was simpler.
This is a soundtrack you listen to when you’re in the mood to hand out ass-whoopings and lollipops, and are fresh out of candy. Each song progresses in the order of events in the movie. They capture each emotion of the different scenes. Like a Tarantino film this soundtrack is super long, but worth the listen. I’m not a country music fan, but I can appreciate good artistry. Using clips from the movie also provide some comic relief to the music instead of seeming out-of-place. The soundtrack incorporates different genres, scenes, and instrumentals creating a comprehensive representation of the movie. Overall, this is a great soundtrack for a great movie.
Fav tracks: 2, 6, 10, 12, 17, 18, and 19
Overall grade: A-
