Quentin Tarantino Soundtrack List - Part 1

Before you gather your posse and come at me with pitch forks, I'm ranking this list on the number of songs each soundtrack has on MY A, B and C list (I'll only list the A and B). Not how many grammy's it may have won or in any way how good the film was. I'm also going to leave From Dusk Til Dawn out of this list as it's easier to just have Tarantino directed soundtracks. Otherwise do I add Desperado (Quentin also acted in this) or even the Little Nicky soundtrack, god help us. I am also going to ignore the dialogue extracts and focus on the music.

Okay I'll jump into this with my:

#7

Jackie Brown

There are a variety of genres here but 70's soul and R&B is the flavour and it serves it well. I would say the soundtrack matched the film in that they are serviceable but not great. There are touches of greatest in "Didn't I blow your mind this time" by The Delfonics and "Across 110th Street" by Bobby Womack (arguably the theme of the film). But then there's "Tennessee Stud" by Johnny Cash that although it's not a bad song doesn't fit the mould for this compilation. Then almost inexplicably great songs like The Supremes' "Baby Love", Jermaine Jackson's "My Touch of Madness" (which isn't found easily), and The Delfonics "La-La (Means I Love You)" are missing but included the extended version. I'm also not a fan of the rap ditty  "Letter To the Firm" by Foxy Brown that is played for a few second in the record store. At 51minutes the list is also a little light on considering the songs that could have been chosen. Overall there are 5 good soul songs that could be an integral part of a good soul play list but that's about it.

A - List

B - List
Who is he - Bill Whithers
Natural High - Bloodstone
Across 110th Street - Bobby Womack
Midnight Confession - The Grass Roots
Didn't I Blow you Mind this Time - The Delfonics

#6

Kill Bill vol.1

I am a big fan of this soundtrack and it stood out to me on 1st viewing of the movie and I'm surprised it is so low on the list. But after viewing the number of A and B songs it just proves QT has been able to compile some great lists. The movie and the sound track open with "Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down) by Nancy Sinatra and it sets the tone perfectly for both forums. The only other A List song for me is Santa Esmeraldo's "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood", it's 10minutes 29seconds of head bopping goodness. There are 5 B List songs that given my mood could swing into the A List category and the disc itself is congruent in theme but there are 5 other QT soundtracks better. Much better than Jackie Brown and pretty close to #5. I'd have no qualms about recommending this to anyone who liked the movie.

A - List
Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down - Nancy Sinatra
Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood - Santa Esmeraldo
B - List
That Certain Female - Charlie Feathers
The Grand Duel (Parte Prima) - Luis Bacalov
Run Fay Run - Isaac Hayes
The Flower of Carnage - Meiko Kaji
The Lonely Shepherd - Gheorghe Zamfir & James Last

#5

Inglourious Basterds

I am including tracks from the extended version because that's the one I have. This would still place #5 without those tracks. QT is great at picking a strong genre and making it fit seamlessly in his little eccentric universe. IB (the film and soundtrack are no exceptions. The movie is a great WWII flick and this soundtrack is the same. Great use of the eminent Ennio Morricone and a collaboration of eclectic tracks makes this the tightest of the soundtracks so far. The only oddity is the obviously post-WWII Bowie track "Cat People (Putting Out the Fire"). The lack of lyrics makes this a great disc to have on in the background especially when reading.

A - List
the Verdict (dopo La Condanna) - Ennio Morricone
Rabbia E Tarantella - Ennio Morricone
the Surrender (la Resa) - Ennio Morricone
Un Amico - Ennio Morricone
B - List
White Lightning - Charles Bernstein
One Silver Dollar (un Dollaro Bucato) - The Film Studio Orchastra
Tiger Tank - Lalo Schifrin
Cat People (Putting out the Fire) - David Bowie

The top 4 Quentin Tarantino soundtracks will be posted very shortly!

Until then hail to the Maestro!