Key Takeaways:
– The Crow’s unique soundtrack contained a mix of original songs and covers that were unavailable elsewhere.
– Bands like Rage Against the Machine, Rollins Band, and Pantera contributed music following persuasion from producer Jeff Most.
– Following Brandon Lee’s untimely death, adjustments were made to the soundtrack, including the removal of one song that Jeff Most later regretted.
– Jeff Most desired to feature Radiohead’s ‘Creep’, but was emotionally impacted by the lyrics after Lee’s loss.
– The soundtrack included contributions from The Cure and Jane Siberry, while a song by White Zombie didn’t make the list due to record company doubts.
Creating the Unique Soundtrack of ‘The Crow’
The soundtrack of ‘The Crow’, the iconic Brandon Lee film, was a breakthrough in the industry. Executive produced by Jeff Most and Jolene Cherry, the album was a unique blend of original music and covers that wasn’t available anywhere else. Despite the challenges of the era, which favored established hits in films, Most was determined to create a truly unique soundtrack out of strictly original songs.
Groundbreaking Artist Involvement
The soundtrack attracted famous hard rock and heavy metal bands such as Rage Against the Machine, Rollins Band, and Pantera. The decision of Trent Reznor from Nine Inch Nails to join the project spurred other artist involvement. Reznor agreed to contribute a Joy Division cover, a band referenced in James O’Barr’s comics of ‘The Crow’, on the condition of choosing the song – which he did, picking ‘Dead Souls’.
Changes in the Aftermath of Lee’s Death
Following the tragic accidental death of Brandon Lee, the soundtrack needed alterations to respect his memory. For instance, Stone Temple Pilots changed their song ‘Only Dying’, about the death of the character Eric Draven, to ‘Big Empty’. A big regret for Most was the removal of Radiohead’s ‘Creep’ from the lineup. He would later admit in an interview with Mashable that despite his discomfort with the song’s lyrics, it should have been included in the record.
Unfulfilled Desires and Notable Contributions
Apart from ‘Creep’, Most also regretted the exclusion of White Zombie’s ‘Babe Ruth’. Though he wanted the song included, disagreements with the record company led to its omission. However, in the sequel The Crow: City of Angels, their track ‘I’m Your Boogieman’ was featured and even bagged a Grammy nomination.
Most’s longing to involve The Cure in the soundtrack was realized when frontman Robert Smith agreed to contribute a song. ‘Burn’, their creation, became the first track on the album. For the closing song, a gentle deviation from the album’s prevalent rock and metal genres, Canadian singer-songwriter Jane Siberry penned ‘It Can’t Rain All the Time’, inspired by a line from the film.
Accessing ‘The Crow’ Soundtrack
Currently, ‘The Crow’ is available for streaming on platforms like Paramount+ and Prime Video, allowing fans to relive the magic. Furthermore, the complete soundtrack can be savored in a dedicated playlist available on Spotify and Apple Music. True to its vision, the crow’s soundtrack remains a collection of unmatchable originality and uniqueness, stretching the boundaries of what film music could be.
