Rent (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

Rent (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the soundtrack to the 2005 musical drama film Rent, based on Jonathan Larson's 1996 Broadway musical of the same name, in turn based on Giacomo Puccini's 1896 opera La bohème. The musical numbers performed by the cast including Anthony Rapp, Adam Pascal, Jesse L. Martin, Wilson Jermaine Heredia, Idina Menzel, Taye Diggs, Tracie Thoms and Rosario Dawson. The soundtrack to the film was released by Warner Bros. Records on September 23, 2005.[1]

Rent (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Soundtrack album by
cast of Rent
ReleasedSeptember 23, 2005 (2005-09-23)
Recorded2004–2005
GenreMusical, soundtrack
Length95:00
LabelWarner Bros.
ProducerRob Cavallo
Singles from Rent (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
  1. "Seasons of Love"
    Released: August 2, 2005

Background edit

Chris Columbus admitted that he was a fan of the original cast album. However, he felt that as the cast album was recorded in three days and the show was ongoing, hence they had a lot of technical problems with the album. He was unhappy with the tracks "Rent" and "Out Tonight" as they are of poor quality and are stronger rock and roll numbers which would have much power if being stemmed. He further thought it leaned slightly "a little too far to the Broadway side of it" which was closer to a really strong rock and roll record.[2] He collaborated with Green Day's record producer Rob Cavallo after listening to the band's 2004 album American Idiot, which he called it as "one of the best sounding rock records I've heard in the last ten years". He further met Cavallo and asked whether he would be interested in doing the film, which he agreed to do so.[2] Jonathan Larson's "Love Heals" was included in the film as well as in the soundtrack as it was not used in the Broadway production.[3]

Reception edit

The music was well received by critics. William Ruhlmann of AllMusic felt that "the soundtrack takes a close second to the original cast recording", praising the vocals, production and recording and rated 4 out of 5 to the album.[4] The Harvard Crimson writer Maura A. Graul also gave 4 out of 5 stars admitting that the soundtrack "delivers a fresh sound from a group of refreshed veterans, as good as they have ever been".[5]

Calling the soundtrack as a "potent mixture of show-tune pop, rock, funk, even tango", Orlando Sentinel called "Seasons of Love", "La Vie Boheme" and "Love Heals" as "clear standouts" of the album.[6] Writing for Today, John Hartl criticised the film's music, saying "A musical lives or dies on the strength of its songs, and the late Jonathan Larson’s rock tunes for Rent simply don’t measure up. The music is more bombastic than melodic; the lyrics are banal and gratingly predictable — an affliction they share with much of the dialogue. Despite its Pulitzer and its Tonys, and despite one catchy number ("Seasons of Love"), it fails to soar."[7]

Track listing edit

Disc 1
No.TitleArtist(s)Length
1."Seasons Of Love"Jesse L. Martin, Tracie Thoms, Rosario Dawson, Adam Pascal, Wilson Jermaine Heredia and Anthony Rapp3:02
2."Rent"Anthony Rapp, Adam Pascal, Jesse L. Martin and Taye Diggs3:58
3."You'll See"Adam Pascal, Anthony Rapp and Taye Diggs2:14
4."One Song Glory"Adam Pascal2:46
5."Light My Candle"Adam Pascal and Rosario Dawson4:09
6."Today 4 U"Anthony Rapp, Jesse L. Martin and Wilson Jermaine Heredia2:45
7."Tango: Maureen"Anthony Rapp, Tracie Thoms3:55
8."Life Support"Aaron Lohr, Adam Pascal, Jesse L. Martin, Wilson Jermaine Heredia, Wayne Wilcox, Daniel London, Bianca Sams, Heather Barberie and Liisa Cohen0:56
9."Out Tonight"Rosario Dawson3:55
10."Another Day"Adam Pascal, Anthony Rapp, Jesse L. Martin, Rosario Dawson and Wilson Jermaine Heredia4:47
11."Will I"Aaron Lohr, Adam Pascal, Anthony Rapp, Jesse L. Martin, Wilson Jermaine Heredia, Wayne Wilcox, Daniel London, Bianca Sams, Heather Barberie and Liisa Cohen2:46
12."Santa Fe"Adam Pascal, Anthony Rapp, Jesse L. Martin and Wilson Jermaine Heredia3:27
13."I'll Cover You"Jesse L. Martin and Wilson Jermaine Heredia2:30
14."Over The Moon"Idina Menzel6:23
Total length:47:33
Disc 2
No.TitleArtist(s)Length
1."La Vie Bohème A"Cast of Rent6:59
2."I Should Tell You"Adam Pascal, Rosario Dawson2:52
3."La Vie Bohème B"Adam Pascal, Anthony Rapp, Idina Menzel, Jesse L. Martin, Rosario Dawson, Tracie Thoms and Wilson Jermaine Heredia1:36
4."Seasons Of Love" (reprise)Cast of Rent1:09
5."Take Me or Leave Me"Idina Menzel and Tracie Thoms3:51
6."Without You"Adam Pascal and Rosario Dawson4:16
7."I'll Cover You" (reprise)Anthony Rapp, Adam Pascal, Rosario Dawson, Jesse L. Martin, Wilson Jermaine Heredia, Idina Menzel and Tracie Thoms3:40
8."Halloween"Anthony Rapp1:31
9."Goodbye Love"Adam Pascal, Anthony Rapp, Idina Menzel, Jesse L. Martin, Rosario Dawson, Taye Diggs and Tracie Thoms6:25
10."What You Own"Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp3:59
11."Finale A"Adam Pascal and Rosario Dawson1:21
12."Your Eyes"Adam Pascal2:38
13."Finale B"Cast of Rent2:34
14."Love Heals" (bonus track)Cast of Rent4:36
Total length:47:27

Chart performance edit

Rent (Selections from the Motion Picture Soundtrack) edit

Rent (Selections from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Soundtrack album by
cast of Rent
ReleasedOctober 21, 2005 (2005-10-21)
Recorded2004–2005
GenreMusical, soundtrack
Length64:38
LabelWarner Bros.
ProducerRob Cavallo

Rent (Selections from the Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the second album featuring selections of the original tracks used in the film. It was released on October 21, 2005 by Warner Bros. Records.[12]

Track listing edit

No.TitleArtist(s)Length
1."Seasons Of Love"Jesse L. Martin, Tracie Thoms, Rosario Dawson, Adam Pascal, Wilson Jermaine Heredia and Anthony Rapp3:02
2."Rent"Anthony Rapp, Adam Pascal, Jesse L. Martin and Taye Diggs3:58
3."One Song Glory"Adam Pascal2:46
4."Light My Candle"Adam Pascal and Rosario Dawson4:09
5."Today 4 U"Anthony Rapp, Jesse L. Martin and Wilson Jermaine Heredia2:45
6."Tango: Maureen"Anthony Rapp, Tracie Thoms3:55
7."Out Tonight"Rosario Dawson3:55
8."Santa Fe"Adam Pascal, Anthony Rapp, Jesse L. Martin and Wilson Jermaine Heredia3:27
9."I'll Cover You"Jesse L. Martin and Wilson Jermaine Heredia2:30
10."La Vie Bohème (A and B)"Cast of Rent8:28
11."I Should Tell You"Adam Pascal, Rosario Dawson2:52
12."Take Me or Leave Me"Idina Menzel and Tracie Thoms3:51
13."Without You"Adam Pascal and Rosario Dawson4:16
14."I'll Cover You" (reprise)Anthony Rapp, Adam Pascal, Rosario Dawson, Jesse L. Martin, Wilson Jermaine Heredia, Idina Menzel and Tracie Thoms3:40
15."What You Own"Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp3:59
16."Finale B"Cast of Rent2:34
17."Love Heals" (bonus track)Cast of Rent4:36
18."Seasons of Love" (Gomi's Lair Radio Edit)Jesse L. Martin, Tracie Thoms, Rosario Dawson, Adam Pascal, Wilson Jermaine Heredia and Anthony Rapp3:44
Total length:47:27

Charts edit

Extended plays edit

To promote the film, Warner Bros. Records had dance remixes of several of the songs commissioned. Two extended plays of the remix albums were sent to clubs and also made available for purchase on digital download.[13][14]

Seasons of Love: The Remixes
No.TitleLength
1."Seasons of Love" (Gomi's Lair Club Mix)8:22
2."Seasons of Love" (Monkey Bars Club Mix)7:20
3."Seasons of Love" (L.E.X. Theatrical Club Mix)8:11
4."Seasons of Love" (Eddie Baez's "Payin' The Rent" Club Mix)10:13
5."Seasons of Love" (Gomi's Lair Radio Edit)3:44
6."Seasons of Love" (Monkey Bars Remix Edit)4:48
7."Seasons of Love" (L.E.X. Theatrical Club Mix Edit)4:57
8."Seasons of Love" (Eddie Baez's "Payin' The Rent" Club Mix Edit)4:59
Total length:52:34
Take Me or Leave Me: The Remixes
No.TitleLength
1."Take Me or Leave Me" (Tracy Young Radio)3:35
2."Take Me or Leave Me" (Tracy Young Remix)8:35
3."Take Me or Leave Me" (Gabriel D Vine's Big Band Disco Remix)6:16
4."Take Me or Leave Me" (Jackie and Jorio Club Mix)7:09
5."Take Me or Leave Me" (Tracy Young Dub)10:09
6."Out Tonight" (Mark!'s Redux Club Remix)8:32
7."Light My Candle" (Monkey Bars Remix)6:27
Total length:50:43

Personnel edit

Credits adapted from AllMusic.[15]

References edit

  1. ^ Pareles, Jon (August 14, 2005). "Punk Rock Doesn't Belong in a Museum". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on May 29, 2015. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  2. ^ a b Head, Steve (November 24, 2005). "Interview: Chris Columbus". IGN. Archived from the original on May 12, 2023. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  3. ^ BWW News Desk (August 29, 2005). "Larson Song 'Love Heals' Included on Rent Soundtrack". BroadwayWorld.com. Archived from the original on May 12, 2023. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  4. ^ Ruhlmann, William. "Review: RENT [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Archived from the original on February 13, 2022. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  5. ^ A. Graul, Maura (December 8, 2005). "Rent: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack". The Harvard Crimson. Archived from the original on August 10, 2013. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  6. ^ "Movie soundtracks put some jingle into CD collection". Orlando Sentinel. December 23, 2005. Archived from the original on July 7, 2021. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  7. ^ Hartl, John (November 23, 2005). "'Rent' needs a fresh lease". Today. Archived from the original on February 12, 2017. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  8. ^ a b "Billboard 200: Week of December 17, 2005". Billboard. December 17, 2005. Archived from the original on December 13, 2015. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  9. ^ a b "Current Album Sales: Week of December 17, 2005". Billboard. December 17, 2005. Archived from the original on April 11, 2022. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  10. ^ a b "Soundtracks: Week of October 15, 2005". Billboard. October 15, 2005. Archived from the original on March 30, 2018. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  11. ^ a b "Soundtracks – Year-End 2006". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 12, 2017. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  12. ^ "Rent (Selections from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)". Apple Music. October 25, 2005. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  13. ^ "Seasons of Love (Remixes)". Apple Music. December 13, 2005. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  14. ^ "Take Me or Leave Me (Remixes)". Apple Music. December 13, 2005. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  15. ^ "Credits – RENT [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved May 12, 2023.