Soundtrack Review

The Romeo + Juliet Volume 1 soundtrack was released in 1996 to coincide with the film's US release. This CD compilation became so successful that Volume 2 was released a few months later, and the music from the film became extremely popular around the world. Volume 1 reportedly sold over 7 million copies, and Volume 2 sold over 1 million copies. Both CD's are definitely worth buying - Volume 1 for its range of lyrics and rhythm, and Volume 2 to relive the film's musical score with additional songs and dialogue from the film. On 6 February 2007, a 10th Anniversary Special Edition CD was released in the USA.

10th ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL EDITION

US Release date: 6 February 2007

The 10th Anniversary Edition of the Romeo + Juliet soundtrack was released to coincide with the release of the 10th Anniversary Music Edition Romeo + Juliet DVD. This expanded edition of the film's Volume 1 soundtrack included previously unreleased and newly produced material. The CD was expanded to 18 tracks, featuring the original soundtrack's songs as well as five new additions, including a brand new 2007 remix of Baz Luhrmann's Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen).

ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACKS

Here I have listed the tracks from both of the original soundtracks. Click on the track titles of Volume 1 for details about each song, including lyrics and images from the film. I have also included a review of When Doves Cry, which is featured on Volume 2 of the soundtrack.

VOLUME 1

US release date: 29 October 1996
UK release date: 7 March 1997

Track Listing:

1. #1 Crush - Garbage
2. Local God - Everclear
3. Angel - Gavin Friday
4. Pretty Piece of Flesh - One Inch Punch
5. Kissing You - Des'ree
6. Whatever (I Had a Dream) - Butthole Surfers
7. Lovefool - The Cardigans
8. Young Hearts Run Free - Kym Mazelle
9. Everybody's Free (To Feel Good) - Quindon Tarver
10. To You I Bestow - Mundy
11. Talk Show Host - Radiohead
12. Little Star - Stina Nordenstam
13. You and Me Song - The Wannadies

Multimedia CD-Rom content
Volume 1 also includes the following excellent CD-Rom content: Colour film stills, narration highlights, film script text and loops of the soundtrack's songs paired with various film images.

End Credit Song:
The end credit music for Romeo + Juliet is called Exit Song (For a Film) by Radiohead. Unfortunately, this song is not featured on either of the Romeo + Juliet soundtracks. It can, however, be found on Radiohead's OK Computer CD released in June 1997. Click here for lyrics and information about Exit Song (For a Film).

VOLUME 2

US release date: 8 April 1997
UK release date: 28 July 1997

Track Listing:

1. Prologue
2. O Verona
3. The Montague Boys
4. Gas Station Scene
5. O Verona (Reprise)
6. Introduction To Romeo
7. Queen Mab Interlude
8. Young Hearts Run Free (Ballroom Version)
9. Kissing You (Love Theme from Romeo + Juliet)
10. Balcony Scene
11. When Doves Cry - Quindon Tarver
12. A Challenge
13. Tybalt Arrives
14. Fight Scene
15. Mercutio's Death
16. Drive of Death
17. Slow Movement
18. Morning Breaks
19. Juliet's Requiem
20. Mantua
21. Escape From Mantua
22. Death Scene
23. Liebestod
24. Epilogue