Stillwater starring Matt Damon, Abigail Breslin, and Camille Cottin, directed by Tom McCarthy, officially opened in theaters today. I shared my full review of the film earlier this week, but this dramatic-crime-thriller is full of unexpected twists and turns.
Read on to find out a little bit about each of the songs featured on the Stillwater soundtrack.
“On the Road to Rock and Roll” by Jimmy LaFave
The first song featured in Stillwater is Jimmy LaFave’s “On the Road to Rock and Roll” off his 2001 album, Texoma.
“Douze Heures” by Enchantée Julia
With a story set in France, it’s only right that the soundtrack have some French music, too. Enchantée Julia’s song ““Douze Heures” was released in 2020 on their project, FAIT MAISON.
“Gangnam Style” by PSY
This song is sure to stand out like a sore thumb on this soundtrack, but PSY’s global smash song’s appearance is short lived in the movie. The line “Hey Sexy Lady” comes from the toy robot that Maya (played by newcomer Lilou Siauvaud) is playing with while her mom, Virginie (played by Camille Cottin) is on the phone.
“Bons Baisers de Marseille” by Moussi T E Lei Jovents
This song appears on Moussi T E Lei Jovents’ 2018 album, Empêche-nous !, released in 2018. Again, Moussi T E Lei Jovents are a French group, so it’s fitting that their song “Bons Baisers de Marseille” would appear in the film.
“A Marseille” by Massilia Sound System
The French reggae band Massilia Sound System’s song “A Marseille” offers a change of pace in the music in Stillwater. Released on their 2014 album, Massilia, the song’s title features the city where this film takes place.
“L’Aube” by Canari
Released in 2017 on Canari’s album, Désamorceur, “L’Aube” adds an element of mystery to the already intriguing score composed for Stillwater.
“Òai e Libertat” by Massillia Sound System
Massillia Sound System’s second song in the film, “Òai e Libertat” was released on their 2007 album also titled Òai e Libertat. It’s clear that their music resonated with the music supervisors and coordinators of the film.
“Moving” by John Fullbright
Following a string of French music, we get to hear a taste of Matt Damon’s character Bill’s personal taste in music when he is heard playing John Fullbright’s song, “Moving,” on the radio in his car. The background of the song is especially important when you take into consideration that Fullbright is a singer-songwriter from Oklahoma, Bill’s home state.
“Righteous Kind” by Bradford Loomis
Also heard playing from Bill’s car radio is Bradford Loomis’ “Righteous Kind,” released in 2019. A rough around the edges, all American song, it perfectly represents Matt Damon’s Oklahoma roughneck character Bill.
“Changes” by Miles Davis
The ever so influential and historical musical figure Miles Davis’ song “Changes” plays at the dinner with Bill, Virginie, and her theatre friend. The jazzy, bluesy vibe of the song sets the mood that this is a classy dinner.
“Pavana” by Mats Bergström
This Mats Bergström song is heard playing in the background, and he released “Pavana” on his 2009 album, Tarrega, F.: Guitar Music.
“I’m No Stranger to the Rain” by Keith Whitley
Keith Whitley’s music would fit into just about any movie out there, but they went with “I’m No Stranger to the Rain” for Stillwater. The song was released in 1989 on his album, Don’t Close Your Eyes.
“Help Me Make It Through The Night” by Sammi Smith
Virginie plays this Sammi Smith song in the living room, so then Bill starts to dance along to the song with her. It plays again in a later scene and can be heard on the iPod.
“Choke Hold” by Gary Hoey
Gary Hey is a hard rocker and blues rock guitarist. He wrote and recorded the song “Choke Hold.”
“Ride ‘Em Cowboys” by the Oklahoma State University Cowboy Marching Band
During a scene that I don’t want to spoil for you if you haven’t seen the film, the Oklahoma State University Cowboy Marching Band performs their fight song, “Ride ‘Em Cowboys.”
“Desert Flower” by Bob Childers
Bob Childers was a country/folk singer-songwriter who was actually born in Stillwater, Oklahoma, where our main character’s family is from, so including his song “Desert Flower” has a very strong connection to the heart of the film.
Catch Stillwater playing in theaters now.
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