Editor’s Note: The Albumism staff has selected what we believe to be the 100 Greatest Soundtracks of All Time, representing a varied cross-section of films and musical genres. Click “Next Soundtrack” below to explore each soundtrack in the list or for easier navigation, view the full introduction & soundtrack index here.
Swingers
Hollywood (1996)
Selected by Justin Chadwick
An unexpected, low-budget success back in the fall of 1996, Swingers is a brutally honest, but refreshingly clever portrayal of the search for fame (let alone a steady paycheck), friendship, and love in the ultra-competitive, impersonal, and superficial clubs and social circles of Hollywood. At the heart of the film is the connection between the smooth-talking Trent Walker (played by Vince Vaughn in his breakout role) and the socially awkward Mike Peters (Jon Favreau, who also penned the screenplay), a dynamic made even more unforgettable through the film’s musical backdrop.
Much like Vaughn’s character, the soundtrack exudes an effortless swagger through its infectious mix of throwback era big band and lounge music, courtesy of vocal heavyweights like Tony Bennett (with Count Basie), Bobby Darin, Louis Jordan, and Dean Martin. A few curveballs are thrown in for good measure, such as country icon George Jones’ plaintive classic “She Thinks I Still Care,” and Average White Band’s funk-soul escapade “Pick Up the Pieces.”
Most notably, the compilation introduced neo-swing band Big Bad Voodoo Daddy to a much broader audience beyond their devoted, native SoCal following through a trio of terrific tracks including “You & Me & the Bottle Makes Three Tonight (Baby),” “Go Daddy-O,” and a cover of the Disney classic “I Wanna Be Like You,” the latter of which was actually not featured in the film.
Not only the perfect musical complement to this story of navigating the ups and downs of bachelorhood in the City of Angels, the Swingers soundtrack is also a sure-fire option for your next dinner party—your guests will love it.
LISTEN & WATCH: