MovieChat Forums > Lost Highway (1997) Discussion > Off beat soundtrack?

Off beat soundtrack?

posted 11 years ago by Erniesam
5 replies | jump to latest

I heard many times that people believe that they think the soundtrack of this movie is incoherent and messy. I think this soundstrack is indeed very different from his last two movies (and earlier ones) although I see similarities with Wild At Heart. Both can be considered road movies, although `the road` in Lost Highway has to be taken mainly metaphorical I guess.

I think the main part of the soundtrack is exellent and realy serves the mood well. Only thing that sometimes bothers me a bit, although I can also see the relevance of the lyrics, is when we see a pornclip of Renee on the screen and the intro of `Heirate mich` starts. This I find very odd and I feel that it doesn´t realy fit. But than again the song at the end `Here I Am` (don´t know who performs it) is absolutely hauntingly beautiful as it accompanies the images.

So, what do you think? Great soundtrack, not so good or just plain rubbish?

[–] DinosaurAct86 10 years ago

I did feel at times that some of the song choices were kind of over-the-top or cheap. This Mortal Coil's "Song To The Siren" cover is absolutely beautiful and works perfectly, as does Lou Reed's song. Typically, Angelo Badalamenti's (sp?) film scores are unique and give Lynch's films a richness that others lack, and in addition Lynch usually implements pop music well (think "In Dreams" from Blue Velvet). However... Marilyn Manson? Rammstein? Could we get any more cliche for a 'dark' movie? Those choices (including the one you mentioned in the porn clip with Renee) felt contrived. Bad form, Mr. Lynch.

[–] Killingforcompany 10 years ago

The soundtrack is somewhat dated now. While the original score was jazzy and great, a lot of the soundtrack was a who's who of the 90's alternative scene. I mean, Marilyn Manson and Rammstein were fantastic when I was fifteen, but they distract from what is otherwise a really foreboding and brooding noir film. However, with that said, I am Deranged fit the film beautifully and perfectly. I couldn't imagine Lost Highway without that Bowie song as an opener and closer.

[–] petarcvi-68-838599 10 years ago

There should've been more Angelo's original music, and less songs, in my opinion. I think the use of so many songs, and different genres, made it sound incoherent. In Mulholland Drive, for instance, songs are used with more thought and make for a better connection with the story and the atmosphere of the movie. And we hear more of Angelo's original music in Mulholland Dr, as well. The few pieces by Angelo that were used in Lost Highway really express the mood of the film and the characters, so I think the movie would've worked better musically if his orchestral music replaced some of the songs.

[–] kaiserblade 10 years ago

^^ totally agree with you about Angelo, he is a very under appreciated composer in my opinion.

****"Some folks call it a sling blade I call it a kaiser blade hmm hmm!"****

[–] mgmarriott64 10 years ago

i interpreted this movie as a modern take or "waiting for godot". that is the story is on repeat. everyday its the same events/ behaviour. it a personal purgatory. hence the soundtrack represents the different emotional responses

it could be argued that "i put a spell on you" represents that concept. it's a old favourite, as sung by Nina Simone, yet the music & vocals have been updated.

is a great movie, emotionally confronting imagery. David lynch's movies are very arty/ weird is my opinion