FIFTY SHADES OF GREY - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (2015)




Can music be sexy and seductive? Apparently so, as we found out from this soundtrack album from the much anticipated film adaptation of the erotic romance novel by E L James . We would even go to the extent of saying that the music on this CD running at 61 minutes is way, way better than the movie.

Two singles were released before the launch of the album: The Weeknd’s “Earned It” and Ellie Goulding’s “Love Me Like You Do”. The former, as performed by the Canadian singer songwriter, is a soulfully written track which echoes the, err, pains of love. Check out the steamy music video directed by the film’s director Sam Taylor Johnson featuring the female lead Dakota Johnson. The latter single will go down well with many for its intoxicating sultriness. The radio friendly ballad performed by the always reliable Goulding is the album’s highlight.

Other original music include “Salted Wound”, an alluringly performed track performed by Sia, as well as remixes of Beyonce’s “Haunted” and “Crazy in Love”. With some wine and dim lights, these cues are perfect for a romantic night with your partner.

Other noteworthy songs come in the form of Annie Lennox’s hauntingly mesmerising “I Put a Spell on You”, The Rolling Stones’ easy going “Beast of Burden” and Frank Sinatra’s vintage “Witchcraft”. The compilation also includes two scoretracks composed by Danny Elfman (Batman, Edward Scissorhands), a pleasant surprise for such a commercially driven album.

It is no wonder then, that the soundtrack debuted at Number 2 on the Billboard 200 with sales of 258,000 units (210,000 copies were traditional CDs) in its first week of release on 10 February. It was the biggest multi act compilation soundtrack since 2005’s Get Rich or Die Tryin’ starring 50 Cent. If the planned sequels are going to feature similarly well produced albums, we would be definitely be looking forward to what’s to come. 

ALBUM RATING:



Recommended Track: (5) 
Love Me Like You Do - Ellie Goulding

Review by John Li

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TRACK LISTING
1
I Put A Spell On You - Annie Lennox
2
Undiscovered - Laura Welsh
3
Earned It - The Weeknd
4
Meet Me In The Middle - Jessie Ware
5
Love Me Like You Do - Ellie Goulding
6
Haunted - Beyonce
7
Salted Wound - Sia
8
Beast Of Burden - The Rolling Stones
9
I'm On Fire - AWOLNATION
10
Crazy In Love - Beyonce
11
Witchcraft - Frank Sinatra
12
One Last Night - The Vaults
13
Where You Belong - The Weeknd
14
I Know You - Skylar Grey
15
Ana And Christian - Danny Elfman
16
Did That Hurt? - Danny Elfman

 

 ABOUT THE SOUNDTRACK

Artistes: Various
Label: Universal Music
Release Date: February 10, 2015