Back to Black (Songs from the Original Motion Picture) is the soundtrack to the 2024 biographical film of the same name. It was released on 12 April 2024 under the Island Records label in two editions—the standard edition featuring 12 tracks and an extended edition consisting of 26 tracks. The album primarily featured original recordings by Amy Winehouse and other vocal performances from artists The Shangri-Las, Billie Holiday, Minnie Riperton, Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington, Thelonious Monk, The Specials, Little Anthony and the Imperials, Donny Hathaway, The Libertines, Tony Bennett and Willie Nelson. Another album consisting of the score composed by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis was also released on the same day, as the film's theatrical release in the United Kingdom.
| Back to Black (Songs from the Original Motion Picture) | |
|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by Amy Winehouse and various artists | |
| Released | 12 April 2024 |
| Genre | |
| Length | 40:13 (standard) 86:34 (extended) |
| Label | Island |
| Producer | Giles Martin |
Background edit
The soundtrack was curated with the licensing from The Amy Winehouse Estate along with the music publishing companies Universal Music Group and Sony Music Publishing.[1] Most of the songs in the film were performed by Marisa Abela who plays Winehouse;[2] the soundtrack, however, featured original recordings from Winehouse along with contributions from other artists.[3] Giles Martin served as the music producer.[4]
Cave and Ellis also composed "Song for Amy" which was included in the soundtrack.[5] Cave also performed and arranged the song, which used piano and strings.[6] Taylor-Johnson described the song, saying "I watched him sit at the piano and just sort of conjure up this incredible song, which is now at the end of the film. He sings it with such raw purity. It's so incredibly moving."[7]
Release edit
The soundtrack was announced on 20 March 2024 by Universal Music Group-owned Island Records which had published and licensed most of Winehouse's albums and singles.[3] The soundtrack which had a 12-track standard edition and a 26-track extended edition was made available for pre-order on the same day.[8][3] Both editions were released on 12 April 2024 through music streaming services and compact discs, with a vinyl edition set to be released on 17 May 2024.[9][10]
Track listing edit
| No. | Title | Artist(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "What Is It About Men" | Amy Winehouse | 3:31 |
| 2. | "Stronger Than Me" | Winehouse | 3:35 |
| 3. | "Know You Now" | Winehouse | 3:03 |
| 4. | "Leader of the Pack" | The Shangri-Las | 2:51 |
| 5. | "All of Me" | Billie Holiday | 3:02 |
| 6. | "Back to Black" | Winehouse | 4:01 |
| 7. | "Les Fleurs" | Minnie Riperton | 3:17 |
| 8. | "Mad About the Boy" | Dinah Washington | 3:01 |
| 9. | "Love Is a Losing Game" | Winehouse | 2:35 |
| 10. | "Embraceable You" | Sarah Vaughan feat. Clifford Brown | 4:50 |
| 11. | "Tears Dry On Their Own" | Winehouse | 3:06 |
| 12. | "Song for Amy" | 3:21 | |
| Total length: | 40:13 | ||
| No. | Title | Artist(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Straight No Chaser" | Thelonious Monk | 2:55 |
| 2. | "What Is It About Men" | Winehouse | 3:30 |
| 3. | "Stronger Than Me" | Winehouse | 3:35 |
| 4. | "I Heard Love Is Blind" | Winehouse | 2:10 |
| 5. | "Ghost Town" | The Specials | 3:39 |
| 6. | "Know You Now" | Winehouse | 3:03 |
| 7. | "I'm on the Outside (Looking In)" | Little Anthony and the Imperials | 3:12 |
| 8. | "Leader of the Pack" | Shangri-Las | 2:51 |
| 9. | "All of Me" | Holiday | 3:02 |
| 10. | "Dressed in Black" | Shangri-Las | 2:54 |
| 11. | "I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know" | Donny Hathaway | 5:23 |
| 12. | "Don't Look Back into the Sun" | The Libertines | 3:00 |
| 13. | "Fuck Me Pumps" | Winehouse | 3:21 |
| 14. | "Body and Soul" | Tony Bennett | 4:00 |
| 15. | "Back to Black" | Winehouse | 4:01 |
| 16. | "Valerie" (Live At BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge, London) (2007) | Winehouse | 3:52 |
| 17. | "Les Fleurs" | Riperton | 3:17 |
| 18. | "That's Life" | Willie Nelson | 3:39 |
| 19. | "Mad About the Boy" | Washington | 3:01 |
| 20. | "(There Is) No Greater Love" | Winehouse | 2:09 |
| 21. | "Me & Mr Jones" | Winehouse | 2:33 |
| 22. | "Love Is a Losing Game" | Winehouse | 2:35 |
| 23. | "Rehab" | Winehouse | 3:35 |
| 24. | "Embraceable You" | Vaughan feat. Brown | 4:50 |
| 25. | "Tears Dry On Their Own" | Winehouse | 3:06 |
| 26. | "Song for Amy" |
| 3:21 |
| Total length: | 86:34 | ||
Release history edit
| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | April 12, 2024 | Island | [8] | |
| May 17, 2024 | Vinyl |
Original score edit
| Back to Black (Original Motion Picture Score) | |
|---|---|
| Film score by | |
| Released | 12 April 2024 |
| Recorded | 2023–2024 |
| Genre | Film score |
| Length | 24:40 |
| Label | Back Lot Music |
| Producer | |
Back to Black marked Cave and Ellis' maiden cinematic collaboration with Sam Taylor-Johnson;[11] the duo had previously worked with the director on contributing the text for Still Lives (2015).[4][12] According to Taylor-Johnson, "their sensibility as well as understanding of this story has led to a profoundly deep and moving film score".[4] Cave and Ellis underscored around 20 minutes of the film's music for the film.[4] The score album was released by Back Lot Music on 12 April 2024.[13]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Opening" | 1:02 |
| 2. | "At the Taxi" | 1:57 |
| 3. | "Park Bench" | 0:52 |
| 4. | "Tattoo Parlour" | 1:29 |
| 5. | "Dublin Castle" | 1:22 |
| 6. | "Snooker Hall" | 2:07 |
| 7. | "Sort Yourselves Out" | 1:20 |
| 8. | "Soho to Glastonbury" | 4:18 |
| 9. | "Holloway Prison" | 2:40 |
| 10. | "The End" | 2:02 |
| 11. | "Song For Amy" | 3:20 |
| 12. | "Song for Amy" (Reprise) | 2:13 |
| Total length: | 24:40 | |
Reception edit
Anna Smith of Rolling Stone UK wrote that the score "enhances the feeling of intimacy with its impressionable young protagonist".[14] Damon Wise of Deadline Hollywood described it as "surprisingly unobtrusive".[15] Jonathan Romney of Screen International wrote "Nick Cave and Warren Ellis offer an uncharacteristically unobtrusive and conventional score, although there is the bonus of a sombre, lushly orchestrated new ballad that Cave sings over the end credits."[16] Roger Graham of Little White Lies wrote "Nick Cave and Warren Ellis' score adds an aggravating wistfulness".[17]
References edit
- ^ Dalton, Ben. "London shoot underway on Amy Winehouse biopic Back to Black". KFTV.com. Archived from the original on 16 January 2023. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
- ^ "Back to Black soundtrack: Does Marisa Abela do all her own singing?". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 15 April 2024. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ a b c Paul, Larisha (20 March 2024). "Amy Winehouse, Billie Holiday, Nick Cave to Appear on Back to Black Biopic Soundtrack". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 20 April 2024. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ a b c d Ritman, Alex (7 February 2024). "Nick Cave Scoring Amy Winehouse Biopic Back to Black (Exclusive)". Variety. Archived from the original on 14 February 2024. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
- ^ Fu, Eddie (12 April 2024). "Nick Cave Reveals "Song for Amy" from Amy Winehouse Biopic". Consequence. Archived from the original on 15 April 2024. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ Nast, Condé (12 April 2024). "Nick Cave and Warren Ellis Share New "Song for Amy" From Back to Black". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 14 April 2024. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ NME (10 April 2024). "Soundtrack Of My Life: 'Back to Black' director Sam Taylor-Johnson". NME. Archived from the original on 18 April 2024. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ a b "Pre-Order Back to Black (Songs from the Original Motion Picture)". Focus Features. 20 March 2024. Archived from the original on 12 April 2024. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ Aubrey, Elizabeth (12 April 2024). "Here's every song on the 'Back to Black' soundtrack". NME. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ Cardona, Dylan (12 April 2024). "The soundtrack for Back to Black has been released". Hotpress. Archived from the original on 21 March 2024. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ Beaumont-Thomas, Ben (7 February 2024). "Nick Cave and Warren Ellis to score Amy Winehouse biopic Back to Black". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 22 February 2024. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ Nast, Condé (7 February 2024). "Nick Cave and Warren Ellis Scoring New Amy Winehouse Biopic Back to Black". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 21 February 2024. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ "'Back to Black' Score Album Details". Film Music Reporter. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ Smith, Anna (9 April 2024). "'Back To Black' review: Amy Winehouse biopic plays it safe". Rolling Stone UK. Archived from the original on 11 April 2024. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ Wise, Damon (9 April 2024). "'Back To Black' Review: A Refreshingly Honest Look At The Short, Troubled Life Of Amy Winehouse". Deadline. Archived from the original on 10 April 2024. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ Romney, Jonathan (9 April 2024). "'Back To Black': Review". Screen. Archived from the original on 11 April 2024. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ Graham, Roger (9 April 2024). "Back to Black review – a pointlessly cruel hash of Amy's life". Little White Lies. Archived from the original on 15 April 2024. Retrieved 20 April 2024.