dragonfire88's Full Review: Moulin Rouge by Original Soundtrack
Moulin Rouge was released earlier this summer. It is a unique musical, blending modern songs together in a movie that is set at the turn of the century (1900, not 2000). The modern song work perfectly in the movie. Some well know songs, and a classic or two, get redone for the movie soundtrack. I loved the movie when I saw it in the theater several months ago. I wanted the soundtrack as soon as I saw the movie, but I just got it recently. Does anyone else think the prices of CDs are ridiculous now? I waited to get this CD because I didn't want to pay $15 or $16 for it. I found it on sale at an online music store, and I had a gift certificate, making it even better.
SONGS The soundtrack contains fifteen songs. I don't remember a few of them being in the movie. I will mention that when I get to those songs. Also, there are a few songs that were in the movie that I absolutely loved, but they didn't make it on this CD for some reason. The first one was when Christian, Satine, and several other members of the cast were telling the Duke about the play they wanted him to finance. It was a very funny scene and song because they are making up the plot of the play as they go along. The other song that was left out was when Zidler and the Duke sang Like a Virgin. That was hilarious. The only reason I can think of why that song didn't make it onto the CD is because the actor who plays the Duke can't sing very well. That just added to how funny the song was. Ok. Now on to the songs that are on the CD.
Nature Boy - David Bowie The song begins with Ewan McGregor saying that this was a story about love. There is some kind of instrument in the background, but I can't tell what it is. David Bowie starts singing and other instruments join in. Strings can be heard throughout the song. The song starts off softly, gets louder, softer, and louder again throughout the song. He is singing what is heard at the beginning of the movie. The greatest thing you'll ever learn Is just to love And be loved in return
Lady Marmalade - Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mya, and Pink This is the song that was playing on the radio all the time a few months ago. The video was played very often on MTV and VH1 too. This is a remake of an earlier version of the song. I can't remember who sang the original version now. The song has a catchy beat and words, though many of the words don't make much sense. The Moulin Rouge is mentioned once or twice during the song. Each woman sings a verse by herself and they all sing the chorus. They sound good together when all four are singing. They all have different styles, but the song works. The music is loud on this song, with several different instruments. The only thing I can really pick out is what sounds like a cow bell being hit. This song is heard briefly in the movie.
Because We Can - Fatboy Slim This is a loud, pounding song. Drums are very prominent. I can hear other instruments during the song. It contains part of "Zidler's Rap". That was from the movie when the inside of the Moulin Rouge is first seen. Zidler starts a can-can, and all the women of the Moulin Rouge are dancing. Zidler can be heard saying "Everybody can-can" and "Because we can can can" throughout the song.
Sparkling Diamonds - Nicole Kidman, Jim Broadbent, Caroline O'Connor, Natalie Mendoze and Lara Mulchy When this song was played in the movie, it was the first time Satine was seen, and the first time Nicole Kidman sang. This medley makes up her performance. This song is a medley of Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend and Material Girl. These songs fit right in with the movie. The song starts with just Nicole singing. Then the movie starts with a bang. The arrangements of the two songs are different. It sounds like a big band style to me. The song is loud and pounding, with all kinds of instruments. Zidler joins in briefly, and other women can be heard singing backup. At one point in the song, some lines from the movie can be heard.
Rhythm of the Night - Valeria This is a new version of the song for the movie. The Moulin Rouge is mentioned a few times in the lyrics. The music of the song sounds very much like the original - for some reason I can't think of who did the song originally. Elements of salsa music are heard throughout the song. Some lyrics are in Spanish - I think. During the movie, when this song played, Christian and Satine meet for the first time and dance. The dance floor was jammed full of people.
Your Song - Ewan McGregor and Alessandro Safina I have always loved this song. It is simply beautiful. Ewan McGregor does the song justice with his beautiful singing. At different times in the movie, when he saw Satine, Christian would sing bits of the song. If I remember right, he sings the whole song - or at least most of it - to Satine in her room. The song starts softly and builds. At one point another man can be heard singing opera. This version of the song is beautiful. Ewan McGregor has the voice of an angel. His voice is absolutely gorgeous. It is the most beautiful male singing voice I have heard in a long time. His voice gives me shivers. I hope he sings again, soon. It would be a shame if he never did anymore singing with the voice he has.
Children of the Revolution - Bono, Gavin Friday, and Maurice Seezer This is another loud pounding song. Drums and guitars are prominent throughout the song. I honestly don't remember this song being in the movie at all. That may be because it has been several months since I saw the movie.
One Day I'll Fly Away - Nicole Kidman This song starts softly. The main focus is on Nicole's voice. More instruments join in while she sings. The music never over powers her voice, but it does get louder. Strings are heard throughout the song. This song showcases Nicole's beautiful voice. The song is about Satine wanting to have a different life.
Diamond Dogs - Beck This song begins with some very strange sounds. Some other instruments join in before Beck starts to sing. This is another song I don't remember from the movie at all.
Elephant Love Medley - Nicole Kidman, Ewan McGregor, and Jamie Allan This song is made up of bits of several love songs. Satine and Christian sing them to each other in her bedroom, which is a giant elephant. Christian is trying to convince Satine that they should become involved. She starts off resisting, but by the end of the song, she changes her mind. The song begins with some dialogue from the movie. I love this song. It is one of my favorites on the CD. All the bits of the songs work being put together the way they are. This song shows them falling in love. The scene from the movie played on VH1 as a video. The songs included in the medley are All You Need is Love, I Was Made for Lovin' You, One More Night, Pride (In The Name of Love), Don't Leave Me This Way, Silly Love Songs, Up Where We Belong, Heros, I Will Always Love You and Your Song. A male opera singer can be heard in the back groud a few times.
Come What May - Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor I love this song. This is a song that was in the play Christian was writing in the movie. The song was a way for two of the characters in the play to express their love for each other. The song served the same purpose for Satine and Christian. I think this song was written just for the movie, but I don't know for sure. If it is a new song, it deserves to be nominated for awards, including the Oscar for best song. I think this song should have been released as a single too. The song begins softly with some different instruments. When Ewan begins to sing, there is just a piano. He sings alone for the first verse, then Nicole begins the next verse and he joins in. Their voices blend together perfectly. This is a beautiful, moving song about love and how nothing will ever change that love. Who doesn't want to be loved like that? Everyday I love you more and more Listen to my heart Can you hear it sing Telling me to give you everything Seasons may change Winter to spring But I love you Until the end of time Come what may Come what may I will love you Until my dying day
El Tango De Roxanne - Ewan McGregor, Jose Feliciano and Jack Koman The music begins softly, with a guitar, and then other instruments join in. This song has a Spanish sound to it. One of the characters - I can't remember his name now - sings the song Roxanne. He has a very unique voice. It is deep and gravely. Ewan sings by himself, then both men are singing their separate songs. I don't know what Ewan is singing. There is a quiet part to the song, and then it gets loud again, with the two different songs being sung at the same time. This is an extremely complex song and it is well done. The two different songs work together. In the movie, a crucial scene between Satine and the Duke happens while the song is playing.
Complainte De La Butte - Rufus Wainwright This is another song that I don't remember being in the movie. It is a very beautiful song. The music is provided by a piano and an accordion for most of the song. A string section can be heard at times. Most of the song is sung in French, and despite taking French in high school, I don't know what he is singing. I have forgotten almost all I learned. I can pick out a word here and there, but not enough to know exactly what he is singing in French. The singer has a beautiful voice. He sings a verse in French and then one in English. The English verse is the same each time. I think it is the chorus. I think there is more than one verse in French, but I could be wrong.
Hindi Sad Diamonds - Nicole Kidman, John Leguizamo, and Alka Yagnik This is a song that is done as a huge production number in the play Christian wrote in the movie. This happens near the end of the movie. It is an elaborate, complex number. There is a voice before the music starts. I'm not sure who it is. Then the music starts. John Leguizamo can be heard saying one of his lines from the play, "I only speak the truth" several times. The music arrangement for this song is very complex. Part of the song Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend returns during the song.
Nature Boy - David Bowie and Massive Attack The music for this song is very unique. This is similar to the first song, but the music is different, and the song lasts longer. At the end of the song, if you listen carefully, you can hear Satine say "I love you".
This is a wonderful soundtrack to a wonderful movie. Listening to this CD does take me back to the wonder I felt as I watched the movie in the theater. I can picture scenes from the movies as I listen to this CD, especially during Elephant Love Medley. I love this CD. The only thing I don't like about the CD is that the words are not included with the book. For the few lyrics I did include in this review, I had to keep pausing the song to get them written down. I hope I didn't mess them up.
Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman have beautiful singing voices. I was pleasantly surprised by their singing ability. When I first heard about the movie, and that Ewan and Nicole were singing, I didn't know what to expect. Then one night I saw that VH1 was showing a video for Elephant Love Medley. The video was the actual scene from the movie when the song was sung. I was blown away by their singing, and couldn't wait to see the movie. I love the songs, especially the ones Ewan and Nicole sing. I hope both of them sing again in the future - do another musical, release a CD, something, anything, so that we can hear them sing again. I have heard that Nicole will be singing a duet with Robbie Williams on his new CD. I did hear the title of the song, but can't remember it now. It is supposed to be out sometime next year. Now if only Ewan would do more singing. He has a wonderful singing voice. It would be a shame if he doesn't sing again. If Ewan happens to read this - not likely I know, but it could happen. He could have trouble sleeping some night and stumble on to the site and check out reviews of things he has done. Anyway, if Ewan reads this, or anyone who knows him, please, please, please sing again - or convince him to sing again.
Anyone who loved the movie needs to get this soundtrack. If you haven't seen the movie, you need to borrow a friend's CD or find some way to listen to samples of some of the songs, mainly the ones that Ewan and Nicole sing. Then you too will be blown away by their beautiful singing.
Late in December of 2001 the Golden Globe nominations came out. Moulin Rouge received 6 nominations, inlcuding Best Original ScoreBest Original Song for Come What May. Now I'm hoping it will wing and be nominated for the Oscar for song too. I'd love to see Nicole and Ewan sing the song at the Ocsars.
Moulin Rouge Soundtrack Fox Music, 2001 Producer - Baz Luhrmann Total running time - 56:59 www.clubmoulinrouge.com www.interscope.com
Recommended:
Yes
Great Music to Play While: Getting ready to go out
Moulin Rouge, Baz Luhrmann s freakish musical contains Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor s dueling Elephant Love Medley as well as Beck s cover of David...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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