Back to the 90’s for another Soundtrack Saturdays Feature. This time let’s focus in on Romeo + Juliet, a Film from 1996 that actually had two Soundtrack releases because there was too much great Music for one Album to hold. Today, though, it is the first release we are going to focus on – William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet Music From the Motion Picture.

Romeo + Juliet Soundtrack (1996)
Soundtrack Saturdays

Baz  Luhrmann is known for his use of Music in his Films. It is a personal signature that makes his Movies some of my Favorites. I love when Music is used well in Film, and in the case of Romeo + Juliet, the Music becomes part of the plot. It almost plays like a character within itself.

The Artists and Bands included on the Soundtrack are a mix of 90’s Icons and Indie Acts that were little known at the time. Stina Nordenstam is one Artist that comes immediately to mind, a Singer who I discovered because of the Romeo + Juliet Soundtrack. I remember, too, that it was one of my first introductions to Garbage, one that helped lead me to be a Fan of the band, and of Shirley Manson. Gavin Friday, Kym Mazelle, and Des’ree were big stand-outs to me, too.

The Soundtrack was a hit, reaching #2 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart and going triple-platinum in U.S. sales. It was especially successful in Australia (home of Baz Luhrmann) where it became the second-highest selling album in 1997, going five times platinum in sales. A number of hits came off of the Soundtrack, too, including “Lovefool” by The Cardigans, “Kissing You” (love theme from Romeo + Juliet) by Des’ree, and a cover of “Young Hearts Run Free” by Kym Mazelle. Quindon Tarver’s choral rendition of Rozalla’s “Everybody’s Free (To Feel Good)” was later used in Luhrmann’s “Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen” Single. (from Wikipedia)

What was your Favorite Track off of the Romeo + Juliet Soundtrack? Here’s mine:

Top 5 Songs from the Romeo + Juliet Soundtrack

1. “#1 Crush” by Garbage

2. “Talk Show Host” by Radiohead

3. “Little Star” by Stina Nordenstam

4. “Kissing You (Love Theme from Romeo + Juliet)” by Des’ree

5. “Kissing You” (Instrumental) by Craig Armstrong (Bonus Track on 10th Anniversary Release)