
The soundtrack for the Amy Winehouse biopic ‘Back To Black’ has been revealed
The soundtrack for the upcoming Amy Winehouse biopic, Back To Black, has been revealed with a mix of tracks from the singer, her favourite artists and new originals written for the film.
The most notable new song comes from Nick Cave, titled ‘Song For Amy’. Along with his bandmate and long-time collaborator Warren Ellis, the pair have created the score for the movie. The duo also worked on score works for other biopics, including the Marilyn Monroe movie Blonde and the controversial true crime series Dahmer.
The Winehouse film has proved to be just as controversial. Upon the release of the film’s trailer, there were outcries on social media deeming the film disrespectful, claiming the singer should be allowed to rest in peace and accusing the producers of profiting off her traumatic later years.
The movie is the latest in a long debate on the ethics of biopics. As Winehouse died less than 15 years ago, some say it’s too soon to dramatise her life, casting Marisa Abela and Jack O’Connell in the roles of the singer and her partner Blake Fielder-Civil. Fans also question where the money from the film will end up and who benefits from it.
However, Winehouse’s friend and collaborator Mark Ronson spoke positively about the script. “I think she just had this whip-smart razor sense of humour, which is one of her many gifts, and they got that very nice in the film,” he said, adding, “I’m looking forward to seeing it.”
The soundtrack could read as a playlist of some of Winehouse’s favourite songs and biggest influences. Alongside some of her own top hits like ‘Tears Dry On Their Own’ and the eponymous ‘Back To Black’, there are also songs by her biggest idol, the jazz singer Sarah Vaughan. The Shangri-Las, Billie Holiday, Minnie Riperton and The Specials are included, building an image of how she got her jazz-meets-ska-meets-pop sound. The Libertines also feature as a nod to her days living in Camden during the indie sleaze era.
Back To Black: Songs from the Original Motion Picture will be released on May 17th on a variety of physical formats, including a bumper double vinyl pack that includes notes from the film’s director, Sam Taylor-Johnson. The film itself is set for release in April.
See the full Back To Black soundtrack here:
1CD, 1LP and eAlbum
LP1 – Side A
- Amy Winehouse – ‘What Is It About Men’
- Amy Winehouse – ‘Stronger Than Me’
- Amy Winehouse – ‘Know You Now’
- The Shangri-Las – ‘Leader Of The Pack’
- Billie Holiday – ‘All Of Me’
- Amy Winehouse – ‘Back To Black’
LP1 – Side B
- Minnie Riperton – ‘Les Fleurs’
- Dinah Washington – ‘Mad About The Boy’
- Amy Winehouse – ‘Love Is A Losing Game’
- Sarah Vaughan featuring Clifford Brown – ‘Embraceable You’
- Amy Winehouse – ‘Tears Dry on Their Own’
- Nick Cave – ‘Song For Amy’
2CD, 2LP and eAlbum Deluxe
LP1 – Side A
- Thelonious Monk – ‘Straight, No Chaser’
- Amy Winehouse – ‘What Is It About Men’
- Amy Winehouse – ‘Stronger Than Me’
- Amy Winehouse – ‘I Heard Love Is Blind’
- The Specials – ‘Ghost Town’
- Amy Winehouse – ‘Know You Now’
- Little Anthony & The Imperials – ‘I’m On The Outside (Looking In)’
LP1 – Side B
- The Shangri-Las – ‘Leader Of The Pack’
- Billie Holiday – ‘All Of Me’
- The Shangri-Las – ‘Dressed In Black’
- Donny Hathaway – ‘I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know’
- The Libertines – ‘Don’t Look Back Into The Sun’
- Amy Winehouse – ‘Fuck Me Pumps’
LP2 – Side C
- Tony Bennett – ‘Body & Soul’
- Amy Winehouse – ‘Back To Black’
- Amy Winehouse – ‘Valerie (Live Lounge version)’
- Minnie Riperton – ‘Les Fleurs’
- Willie Nelson – ‘That’s Life’
- Dinah Washington – ‘Mad About The Boy’
- Amy Winehouse – ‘(There Is) No Greater Love’
LP2 – Side D
- Amy Winehouse – ‘Me & Mr Jones’
- Amy Winehouse – ‘Love Is A Losing Game’
- Amy Winehouse – ‘Rehab’
- Sarah Vaughan featuring Clifford Brown – ‘Embraceable You’
- Amy Winehouse – ‘Tears Dry On Their Own’
- Nick Cave – ‘Song For Amy’
Never Miss A Beat
The Far Out Music Newsletter
All the latest music news from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.