America: The Motion Picture's soundtrack includes nine featured songs, so how are they used? Written by Dave Callaham and directed by Matt Thompson, Netflix's June 2021 release provides a revisionist history account of the American Revolution. The character dialogue consistently references American pop culture, while the selected music provides a modern feel in a narrative about America's founding fathers.
After the murder of Abraham Lincoln (Will Forte) in America: The Motion Picture's opening act, American bad boy George Washington (Channing Tatum) organizes a group of revolutionaries and defends the colonies against the British, specifically King James (Simon Pegg) and American traitor/werewolf Benedict Arnold (Andy Samberg). George is joined by the beer-loving frat boy Sam Adams (Jason Mantzoukas), the lonely horse enthusiast Paul Revere (Bobby Moynihan), the one-armed Native American Geromino (Raoul Trujillo), and a female Chinese tech expert named Thomas Edison (Olivia Munn). Armed with knowledge about science and beer in the Netflix summer 2021 movie, George's crew attempts to save his beloved Martha (Judy Greer) from the British while trying to honor Abe's dying wish for a new land called "America."
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American musician Killer Mike co-stars in America: The Motion Picture as a helpful blacksmith named John Henry. In a clever move by music supervisor Kier Lehman (The Mitchells vs the Machines), the soundtrack spotlights two tracks from Run the Jewels - a group consisting of Killer Mike and El-P. Here's a breakdown of all nine songs in America: The Motion Picture, and what they add to the storyline.
"Eternal Flame" by Mutato Muzika: After Abe's death, Martha Dandridge performs the song during a funeral at Arlington Cemetery. The lyrics capture the surrealism from George's perspective, and the moment itself establishes the connection between George and his future wife. Originally recorded by The Bangles, "Eternal Flame" was a #1 Billboard hit in 1989.
"Cheap Beer" by Fidlar: When George decides to recruit fellow revolutionaries in the Netflix movie, Martha leads him to a "rabble rouser" who plays in her adult kickball league. They find Sam Adams chugging beer at his fraternity during "Hell Week," so the song title aligns with the character's frame of mind.
"Put the Heat on Em" by Beatnet: After George and Sam arrive at the "Horse Wars" to recruit Paul Revere, they are stunned by his performance bravado. The song underscores the duo's demeanors, just moments before they find out that Paul is actually a lonely horse rider who will do anything to gain friends.
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"(Axel F) Beverly Hills Cop Main Theme" by Mutato Muzika: Once George leads a sneak attack to save Martha, the use of this cover song parallels investigative sequences in Beverly Hills Cop starring Eddie Murphy. In the Netflix movie, the protagonists sneak around and try to avoid yarn, which is mistakenly identified as security lasers.
"yankee and the brave (ep. 4)" by Run the Jewels: As Benedict flees from the main protagonists, George orders Paul to call his horse named Clyde. The uptown rhythm of the hip-hop song sets the tone for the group team-up scene, and also works a meta reference to one of the film's cast members, Killer Mike from Run the Jewels, who makes his first appearance later on as the voice of John Henry.
"High Voltage" by The Frank Popp Ensemble: Thematically, the song captures George's frame of mind as he tries to crack Abe's "America" cipher at a treehouse on 4 Score Avenue. The overall vibe also complements the character's roaming thoughts while working alone and consuming beverages from a "Drink N Log."
"Free Bird" by Mutato Muzika: Before the climactic battle in Netflix's anticipated 2021 movie, George introduces and performs the American National Anthem - which is actually the culturally-iconic 1974 single by Lynyrd Skynyrd. The real song's popularity is referenced by Sam, who states that he will request it at every party "from now until the end of time."
"(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party)" by Beastie Boys: This song scores the beginning of the climactic battle, and aligns with various Americana themes. Just as the Beastie Boys loved to party hard during the '80s, George and company appreciate a good beer and will fight at all costs for America's freedom.
"Lie, Cheat, Steal" by Run the Jewels: In the movie's final moments, George realizes that numerous groups of Americans have questions about their role in the new society. The song kicks in at the very ending of America: The Motion Picture, with the lyrics suggesting the the country was built on a foundation of deception.