After finishing my review of the film recently it seemed like a logical follow up to do the soundtrack next.
For anyone who has seen the film and liked it I would think that the soundtrack is a must. The film has been made in such a way as to make the soundtrack an integral part of the ... Read review
Tarantino's 1994 smash, and although that sound runs throughout the soundtrack (along with bits and pieces of dialogue from the movie), this is a pretty eclectic bunch...
Tarantino's 1994 smash, and although that sound runs throughout the soundtrack (along with bits and pieces of dialogue from the movie), this is a pretty eclectic bunch...
A review by jonesri on Pulp Fiction - Original Soundtrack October 28th, 2004
Author's product rating:
Originality
Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics
Thought-provoking
Quality and consistency of tracks
Mixed
Value for Money
Advantages:
Good Mix, Film quotes
Disadvantages:
Some weak tracks
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
After finishing my review of the film recently it seemed like a logical follow up to do the soundtrack next.
For anyone who has seen the film and liked it I would think that the soundtrack is a must. The film has been made in such a way as to make the soundtrack an integral part of the story. The songs chosen have been well thought out and enhance the storyline during the film and allow you to relive a lot of the best parts of the film when listening to the soundtrack.
The soundtrack differs from other soundtracks in that it also contains various clips and quotes from the film in addition to the songs. I think this reflects the importance of the soundtrack to the film. It is not merely an afterthought released to make more money from the popularity of the film; it is a significant part of the film. The quotes and clips that have been used on the soundtrack relate to the point in the film where the song appears and also include some of the most quotable aspects of the film.
** Track List **
1. Pumpkin and Honey Bunny – Misirlou (Dick Hale & His Del-Tones) This track begins with the end of a conversation between Pumpkin and Honey Bunny while they are in a diner having breakfast. The end of their dialogue marks the beginning of an attempted burglary on the diner. The music that follows has become something of a theme for the film and is a bold electric guitar track.
2. Royale With Cheese This track is a discussion between Vincent and Jules while in the car on the way to collect a case for Marcellus. The dialogue is taken directly from the film.
3. Jungle Boogie (Kool & The Gang) Probably the weakest track on the album. There is a slightly funky feel to the start of the track but it never lives up to expectation. Definitely one to skip.
4. Let’s Stay Together (Al Green) This track is one of my all time favourite soul songs performed by a legend. It is a slow, soothing track with a strong love theme. This track is certainly not for those who don’t have a soft side.
5. Bustin’ Surfboards (The Tornadoes) This is the first of many tracks on this soundtrack to be music only tracks. This is predominantly a guitar track and has the relaxing sound of waves in the background. Far from my favourite track on the CD this track is better when considered with the film.
6. Lonesome Town (Ricky Nelson) This is a very slow track performed with a single guitar for the backing music. The vocals really take center stage with this track, which has a 60’s feel to it.
7. Son Of A Preacher Man (Dusty Springfield) Track 7 is another classic soul track performed by a great singer. This track is upbeat and will get you moving. The words are memorable and will soon have you singing along.
8. Zed’s Dead Baby – Bullwinkle Part II (The Centurians) This track begins with an exert from the film where Butch returns to collect his girlfriend on a chopper. As he went out in a car she is a little curious as to where the bike has come from. The track itself is a guitar track without lyrics.
9. Jack Rabbit Slims Twist Contest – You Never Can Tell (Chuck Berry) This track begins with an exert from the film where Vincent and Mia enter into a dancing competition while out for dinner. The dialogue introduces the contestants to the competition and is followed by the song that Vincent and Mia dance to in the competition with their two fingers across the eyes dance (you know the one I mean). The track that follows is upbeat with catchy lyrics. You’ll soon be dancing around the room like Mia and Vincent.
10. Girl, You’ll Be A Woman Soon (Urge Overkill) One of the best tracks on the album, this song has good lyrics and a catchy tune. The song is almost haunting and is superbly performed by Urge.
11. If Love Is A Red Dress (Maria McKee) This is a country style track. It has a slow pace and focuses on the vocals. There is a guitar playing in the background but the focus of the track is certainly the singer and the lyrics.
12. Bring Out The Gimp – Comanche (The Revels) This track begins with a clip from the film where a strange shopkeeper and his policeman friend are discussing the gimp they have locked away. Apparently the gimp is sleeping. The track that follows the dialogue is a jazz style track with no words. The track is full of energy and has a good tempo.
13. Flowers On The Wall (Statler Brothers) This is a country style track with a catchy beat that has a tendency to stick in my head once I have finished listening to the soundtrack.
14. Personality Goes A Long Way This track is a conversation between Jules and Vincent on the relative merits of pigs, sewer rats, dogs and pumpkin pie. This is a humorous outtake from the film that will make you think twice before you tuck into bacon butty again.
15. Surf Rider (The Lively Ones) This track is another guitar and trumpet track. There are no words to spoil this song it is just the music.
16. Ezekiel 25:17 Probably the most quoted passage from the film it would have seemed wrong to leave this off the soundtrack. Performed by Jules (Samuel L Jackson) shortly before killing his target this passage will be well known to any fans of the film.
** My Opinion **
I am a big fan of this film and the soundtrack. I particularly like the fact that I think the soundtrack is an important part of the film. I have seen a lot of films where the music used in the film gets lost and doesn’t really stand out to anyone watching the film. That is not the case in this film where the music plays a massive part in telling the story and sticks with the viewer long after they have finished watching the film.
As I mentioned above in addition to music from the film, there are also quotes and clips included on the soundtrack. The quotes that have been included offer different references to the film. Some have been included to set the scene before some music while others have been included due to the memorable dialogue contained in them. “Ezekiel 25:17”, “Personality Goes A Long Way” and “Royale With Cheese” are tracks that have been included for the dialogue, while the clips at the beginning of tracks 1, 8, 9 and 12 help to set the scene from the film before playing the music.
One of the things I like about this album is the diversity of the music on it. Ranging from soul, and country style music to more modern guitar style tracks, there is something for most musical tastes on this soundtrack. Having said that I do think that it is best listened to when you have seen the film itself. There are a lot of tracks on the album that I wouldn’t normally listen, but I like the album because of the references to the film that each track has. There are still good individual songs on this album but it is best listened to after watching the film.
If you liked the film then I think you will like the soundtrack. If you didn’t like the film then unless you want one of the individual tracks on the album I would give it a miss. If you haven’t seen the film then give it a chance, there is something on there for everyone, but beware you may have to watch the film to get the best out of the soundtrack.
** Price and Availability **
This CD is widely available and can be bought for around £9 from CD-Wow or similar.
Thanks for reading.
More Reviews
Pieces of a movie Review ofPulp Fiction - Original Soundtrackby
BLUESY
Advantages: Good music, funny dialogues, nice booklet inside, good price,... Disadvantages: Maybe a few songs are a bit too long for me
Tarantino’s got some personal style, clearly recognisable in his movies. This style have a few important ingredients, like good and ‘street-like’ dialogues (something he forgot in his last movie, ‘Kill Bill’, specially the first of the two parts), action, lots of characters, some of them really weird, violence, and a few more things, including, and with big importance, the music. Tarantino choose the music and the song of his movies himself. He gives ... ...and so, its usually come out really good soundtracks, that happen to be as successful as the movies they come from. And a good soundtrack, is what came out from the movie ‘Pulp Fiction’, probably the best soundtrack from any Tarantino’s movie (well, Reservoir Dog’s is also really good). I have the original soundtrack of this movie, and it includes some parts of the movie, I mean, some dialogues, sometimes just a few seconds, and sometimes a little ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: For anyone, wheter you liked the film or not Disadvantages: None that I can think of
...can be compared to Shakespeare. Pulp Fiction contains hidden plots, themes and issues. It keeps the viewer glued to the film throughout. It isn't one of those films which is only good at the beginning, it is superb throughout. Pulp Fiction is a collection Tarantino's original stories. They were all compiled into one. this is what makes it such an intruiging story. The main character in one part of the film is suddenly playing a supporting role in ... ...it is simply a great film.
The soundtrack matches the film. It is truly superb. The Film was nominated for 2 BAFTA Awards, 6 Golden Globe Awards, 7 Oscars and it was the winner of the Golden Palm Award at the Cannes Film Festival. The film was nominated for so many awards, and as I have said that the soundtrack matches the film, then I must back it up. The soundtrack won the best soundtrack at the Brit Awards, so it does matches the film in many ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Advantages: Classic music of all genres Disadvantages: If you like one particular style of music...aviod!
The importance of a soundtrack cannot be understated in my opinion. It sets the mood, it almost guides the film and this is certainly not lost on tarantino. He is like the modern day mad professor and his mind must be a complex labyrinth of manic genius. Anyway, I’m chunnering on now so I’ll get to the point…
The tracks are as follows:-
Miserlou - Dick Dale & His Deltones
Jungle Boogie - Kool & The Gang
Let's Stay Together - Al Green
Bustin' ... ...of A Preacher Man - Dusty Springfield
Bullwinkle Part II - The Centurians
You Never Can Tell - Chuck Berry
Girl, You'll Be A Woman Soon - Urge Overkill
If Love Is A Red Dress - Maria McKee
Comanche - The Revels
Flowers On The Wall - The Statler Brothers
Surf Rider - The Lively Ones
Some of the songs have brief excerpts taken from the film to give it some punch. These are:-
Pumpkin And Honey Bunny
Royale With Cheese
Zed's Dead, Baby
Jack ...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Originality
Lyrics
Quality and consistency...
Value for Money
helpful
11.06.2004
Pulp Fiction Sounds Review ofPulp Fiction - Original Soundtrackby
Trystan2008
Advantages: Varity of music Disadvantages: Dont know!
...to Quentin Tarantino's breakthrough movie Pulp Fiction is arguably one of the best soundtrack albums you'll ever hear. Like Tarantino's other movie soundtracks like Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill, it combines a few great songs that were past hits with tracks that most music listeners have never heard before. Unlike those soundtracks, Pulp Fiction is great from beginning to end with the more obscure tracks being arguably better than the more established ... ...hits are very strong. Kool & The Gang's "Jungle Boogie" is one of the best funk jams from the '70s. Al Green's "Let's Stay Together" is '70s soul at its best. Chuck Berry's "You Never Can Tell", Dusty Springfield's "Son Of A Preacher Man", Ricky Nelson's "Lonesome Town", and the Statler Brothers' "Flowers On The Wall" with its catchy chorus are also great tracks.
This a great soundtrack to what was arguably one of the best movies of the '90s. ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Originality
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Quality and consistency...
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29.06.2007
(30.06.2007)
pulpliscious! Review ofPulp Fiction - Original Soundtrackby
Lucifus
Advantages: Ah the memories of John and Samuel . L Disadvantages: none my friend
Well after watching that film the soundtrack had to be mine. Any album has got to be great if it includes the infamous Pumpkin and honeybunny! What a rocking track. Seriously I didn't think it could get much better than that until I heard the true huskiness of Dusty Springfield blarin' it back at me with one of the greatest songs ever written - Son of A preacher man! This album is unlike other soundtracks, the songs have passion, and flare and yet ... ...- that I am also totally in love with because it reminds me of moi! And who could forget the song from the Jack Rabbit Slim's Twist Contest It goes to show you never can tell? Where John Travolta flashes his feet and shows what he's really made of. So come on daddio don't be a square - get out and buy it so you can listen to it over and over. ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful
Album Notes: Also available with RESERVOIR DOGS as a 2-CD set. Pumped with the same sweaty adrenaline as the movie, the soundtrack for PULP FICTION is an audio example of why director Quentin Tarantino was the most talked-about filmmaker of the '90s. Meshing snippets of dialogue with a diverse and powerful soundtrack, PULP FICTION is dripping with the same seedy tension that characterizes Tarantino's films. There are moments of elegance too. Al Green's luxurious "Let's Stay Together" and Dusty Springfield's throaty "Son Of A Preacher Man" show that the heart of a romantic beats behind Tarantino's mischievous grin. A generous sampling of surf rock from the likes of Dick Dale & his Del-Tones and The Tornadoes adds to the chaotic atmosphere of the three different stories within the film. The soundtrack for PULP FICTION is another homage to Tarantino's great love affair with American rock. The tongue-in-cheek delivery of Neil Diamond's "Girl You'll Be A Woman Soon," as done by Urge Overkill, brushes against the lonely-criminal sentiment of Ricky Nelson's gorgeous "Lonesome Town." While cheesy, Tarantino is definitely hip, and PULP FICTION's soundtrack will make you respect his ear for detail even if you haven't seen the film.
Album Reviews: Rolling Stone (12/29/94-1/12/95, p.178) - "...PULP FICTION isn't...a head spinner, but it's terrific twang-bar rockers...and '70s R&B...form the funky sun around which such campy planets as the Statler Brothers and Urge Overkill...revolve..." Entertainment Weekly (10/12/01, p.32) - Ranked #28 in EW's "100 Best Movie Soundtracks" Entertainment Weekly (12/16/94, pp.64-66) - "...a mix of savvy oldies and surf instrumentals....the album also incorporates funny dialogue snippets from the movie..." - Rating: A Q (11/94, p.148) - 3 Stars - Good - "...an inspired and effervescent mix of the unlikely, the kitschy, the off the wall and the defiantly in your face..." NME (10/22/94, p.47) - 8 - Excellent - "...Quentin Tarantino loves pop music, and like Martin Scorsese before him, he understands its dramatic narrative potential...Tarantino scores another bullseye with the eclectic mix on PULP FICTION..."
Titles on disc 1
1.: Miserlou (Pumpkin and Honey Bunny) - Dale, Dick & His Del-Tones
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