If there’s one thing Baz Luhrmann is going to do, it’s create an iconic soundtrack that brings a modern element to his film, regardless of the film’s time or setting. Elvis is no exception.
One might think that a film about legendary singer Elvis Presley would primarily feature music from, you know… Elvis Presley. When it’s a Luhrmann film? All bets are off.
Indeed, New York Times writer Kyle Buchanan tweeted after the film’s Cannes premiere that the soundtrack features a song which interpolates Presley with both the Backstreet Boys’ “(Everybody) Backstreet’s Back” and Britney Spears‘ “Toxic”, and you’d be hard pressed to find anything more Luhrmann that that.
I told someone that Baz Luhrmann’s ELVIS interpolates an Elvis song with “Backstreet’s Back” and Britney’s “Toxic” and he looked at me gobsmacked. But I was shocked he was shocked! It’s Baz Luhrmann’s ELVIS! That’s practically the center square of the bingo card!
— Kyle Buchanan (@kylebuchanan) May 25, 2022
Warner Bros. recently revealed the artists who are set to be featured on the Elvis soundtrack.
The film does feature Austin Butler singing as the late king of pop, of course, and some of the artists featured on the soundtrack are also featured in the film itself, playing real life legends like Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Little Richard, Arthur “Bigboy” Crudup, and Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton.
The Elvis soundtrack will include plenty of A-list names from across the musical spectrum. As well as Butler-as-Presley, the full list of featured artists includes: Ann Nesby, Alton Mason, Chris Isaak, Denzel Curry, Doja Cat, Eminem & Ceelo Green, Gary Clark Jr., Jack White, Lenesha Randolph, Jazmine Sullivan, Kacey Musgraves, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Les Greene, Maneskin, Nardo Wick, Paravi, Pnau, Rufus Thomas, Shonka Dukureh, Stevie Nicks, Swae Lee & Diplo, Tame Impala, and Yola.
While the full track list has yet to be released, snippets from the tracks set to feature on the soundtrack have been popping up online.
Doja Cat was the soundtrack’s first confirmed artist, with her new track “Vegas” written for the film. The track samples Presley’s 1956 single “Hound Dog”, which is very in line with Luhrmann’s tradition of combining today’s hottest artists with the classic elements of the era within which the film is set (see also: The Great Gatsby soundtrack).
Recently, Eminem shared a snippet of his collaboration with Ceelo Green called “The King and I”, which features on the soundtrack:
👑 #ElvisMovie⚡#TCB @CeeLoGreen pic.twitter.com/CspeKUX2xD
— Marshall Mathers (@Eminem) May 23, 2022
Eminem’s choice for the soundtrack is fitting, as there have long been comparisons drawn between Eminem and Presley’s success.
In fact, in Eminem’s 2002 song “Without Me”, the rapper addressed the comparison directly, rapping: “No I’m not the first king of controversy / I am the worst thing since Elvis Presley / To do black music so selfishly / And used it to get myself wealthy”.
Meanwhile, Kasey Musgraves is featured on the soundtrack performing a cover of Presley’s greatest love song, “Can’t Help Falling in Love”, which you can hear in the teaser below:
Finally, 2021 Eurovision winners Måneskin are also featured on the soundtrack, performing a cover of Presley’s track “If I Can Dream”:
All in all, it sounds like Luhrmann is about to drop another iconic soundtrack on us, and we can’t wait.
Elvis will be in HOYTS Cinemas from June 23, 2022.
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