Fresh off the success of his latest blockbuster Elvis, Baz Luhrmann continues earning rave reviews for his brand of stylish larger-than-life musicals. Like every Luhrmann venture, Elvis also boasts a star-studded soundtrack that fuses the old with the new. Along with the usual rock n' roll songs from Presley's discography, the album also includes contemporary talents such as Doja Cat, Diplo, Swae Lee, Eminem, and many more.
The diversity of Luhrmann soundtracks is such that they would include catchy original tracks as well as reprisals of iconic pre-recorded songs. All in all, the songs play an influential role in world-building in his grandiose filmography.
Edge Of Reality - Elvis
A lead single from the Elvis soundtrack is an unlikely collaboration between the late rock n' roll star and Australian experimental singer and producer Kevin Parker (who usually records under the stage name Tame Impala).
The song is a hypnotic fusion of the Presley original and Parker's usual brand of psychedelic electronica. Given that the Baz Luhrmann movie focuses on the dark side of showbiz as Colonel Parker exploits the titular protagonist, this remix of "Edge of Reality" is a haunting accompaniment to the musical biopic.
Young & Beautiful - The Great Gatsby
Be it the novel or Luhrmann's movie adaptation, The Great Gatsby doubles as both a satire on the American uber-rich and a tragic romance. All through the story, Jay Gatsby hopelessly pursues Daisy Buchanan even after she gets married to someone else. As Lana Del Rey sings, "Will you still love me when I'm no longer young and beautiful?", hopes of an eternal romance blossom even if they aren't meant to be.
The singer-songwriter carries a sound and visual aesthetic akin to figures from the Golden Age of Hollywood. So, her jazzy vocals seem to be perfectly suited for a stylish period piece like the Leonardo DiCaprio starring film.
Come What May - Moulin Rouge
Even though it was originally intended for Romeo+Juliet, "Come What May" turned out to be the love theme for Luhrmann's jukebox musical drama Moulin Rouge. The song does carry some Shakespearean themes as it delves into romantic passion and forbidden love.
Sung by the movie's leads Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor, the song acts as their declaration of love to each other despite the societal challenges that they face. In the movie, McGregor's Christian character pens the song as a part of his upcoming play and uses it as a way of confessing his feelings to Kidman's Satine.
Kissing You - Romeo + Juliet
Baz Luhrmann's take on Romeo and Juliet was one of the most stylish Shakespearean film adaptations. The swords of the two rival families were replaced with guns and contemporary music set the tone of the movie. But what hadn't changed was the passionate and short-lived romance that the protagonists of Romeo+Juliet emulate.
The R&B ballad "Kissing You" by Des'ree is the perfect track to introduce this love as the two characters cross their paths at a ball. An added bonus is Des'ree cameoing in the scene itself while performing the emotional melody. The slow jam brims with a sense of optimism, contrasting well with the bleaker "Exit Music" that closes the movie.
Love Is In The Air - Strictly Ballroom
Theatre and forbidden love have been a recurring motif in Luhrmann's early movies starting with his 1992 directorial debut Strictly Ballroom. As the two protagonists try out new dancing methods and eventually fall in love, John Paul Young's disco hit "Love is in the Air" serves as the recurring theme song in their musical adventures.
Even though the original song dates back to 1977, this "Ballroom Mix" version brought Young back to popular discourse and turned out to be a chart-topping hit in Australia and the UK.
Vegas - Elvis
Elvis Presley's domineering presence looms large in the Elvis soundtrack. But as Baz Luhrmann's movie shows, the rock n' roll icon's career wouldn't have kickstarted without his influences from Black soul, gospel, and R&B artists. "Hound Dog," for instance, might be one of Elvis Presley's most popular songs but it was a cover of the original song by Big Mama Thornton.
Doja Cat's needle drop on the soundtrack "Vegas" incorporates Thornton's original vocals much like how "Jailhouse Rock" is sampled in the Eminem/Cee Lo Green collaboration "The King and I." Even though the song plays around the glitz and glamor of Las Vegas, a city synonymous with Presley, the rapper also incorporates a narrative about an underwhelming lover who didn't deserve her affection. A flashy foot-tapper about a failed relationship, it makes for a classic Baz Luhrmann soundtrack single.
A Little Party Never Killed Somebody - The Great Gatsby
While Jay Gatsby hides a shady past and pursues a hopeless romance, he is initially introduced as a flamboyant and wealthy socialite who loves throwing lavish parties. This mask that Gatsby wears in front of the society is brought out by some of the soundtrack's peppy numbers such as Will.i.am's "Bang Bang" and Fergie and Q-Tip's "A Little Party Never Killed Somebody".
The latter is an electro-dance number that is bound to raise the listener's spirits right from the opening verses. The beat drop is a quintessential electronic staple from the club hits of the 2010s, serving as an interesting contrast to Gatsby's posh parties of 1920s-era America,
Trouble - Elvis
In his take on Elvis Presley's early years, Baz Luhrmann projects the singer as a rebellious youth who defied social norms with his Afro-American musical influences and bold dance moves. So, it is only apt for Austin Butler's Elvis to sing "Trouble" when the other characters from Elvis like his manager Colonel Parker asks him to get in line.
Dressed in black and performing under FBI surveillance, this young and rule-breaking Elvis is in the mood for "trouble". With Butler providing the vocals himself, this is easily an iconic version that emulates Presley's iconic heavy voice and the bluesy "stop time" guitar riff that was popularized by artists like Muddy Waters and Willie Dixon.
The Drover's Ballad - Australia
Be it "Tiny Dancer" playing in Almost Famous or an original song from The Lion King, Sir Elton John's soundtrack credits usually never disappoint. In Luhrmann's period adventure romance Australia, the British singer lends his voice for the closing track "The Drover's Ballad."
Hugh Jackman stars as "The Drover," a local rancher in Australia who helps to save the cattle and land inherited by an English aristocrat played by Nicole Kidman. John's song is meant to narrate The Drover's story through metaphorical lyrics, summing up the character's motivations.
Exit Music (For A Film) - Romeo + Juliet
Radiohead fans would remember "Exit Music (For A Film)" as a track from their iconic third studio album OK Computer. However, it was Luhrmann who convinced the British band to write the song for the ending of his Shakespearean drama.
As reported by Diffuser, Luhrmann approached the Thom Yorke-fronted outfit when they were touring in 1996. Offering them a chance to contribute to the soundtrack, he even showed them the rough cut of the final 30 minutes. The result was a lonely-sounding song that signals the calm before the storm. The lyrics also seemingly discuss the tussles of a couple who are on the run, much like the unfortunate star-crossed lovers in the movie.