All 19 Songs from the 50/50 Soundtrack

There’s nothing 50/50 about the soundtrack to the movie 50/50, except for the studio not releasing an album. It’s a collection of 19 great songs that suit the movie well and help tell it’s story. From both the sound and intonation of Radiohead’s “High and Dry” when Adam finds out he has cancer, to the resolution told through the sounds of Pearl Jam’s “Yellow Ledbetter,” the music is in 50/50 tells the story of Adam and his life. The story is based on the real life struggles of Seth Rogen’s best friend – and you could hear the soundtrack to his days in the songs chosen to bring that fact into fiction.

Using Roy Orbison’s “Crying” to tell the tale of a crazy ex-girlfriend who you aren’t crying at all for anymore was perfect. As was throwing the Bee Gees into the pot-laden macaroons that got Adam through chemo. If I ever choose to shave my head, I think I will have to dial up a reggae tune as well. The irony of celebrating shaving your locks to a genre more popularly known for celebrating them (and imbuing them), is too much to pass on.

There were a number of new songs and artists that the 50/50 soundtrack introduced me too as well. I’ll be looking for more from Mr. Little Jeans and Liars Inc. from here on out. [Any recommendations on where to start?]

As for the movie itself, I really enjoyed it. It’s kind of hard to say you enjoy a movie about cancer, but this was a good one. Seth Rogen showed that he could un-Seth – a bit – and Anna Kendrick continued to steal the show for every movie she’s in. I even loved seeing good ole Max Headroom / Matt Frewer in there – and felt for him too.

Here’s the complete list of songs from 50/50, including notes on the scenes they were in. They

• Opening scene, running – Bricks or Coconuts – Jacuzzi Boys
• Coffee shop – Midnight Blue – John Fumo
• Adam finds out he has cancer – High and Dry – Radiohead
• Relaxation exercises with the therapist – Simplicity – Harmony & Balance
• At the hospital – New Country – The Walkmen
• Eating pot cookies at chemotherapy – To Love Somebody – Bee Gees
• Adam shaves his head – Work To Do – The Aggrolites
• At home, mom calls – Downtown Blues – Eric V Hachikian
• Party at the art show – Turn It Down – The Sideway Runners
• First song at the club / tells the girl he has cancer – Angel (Rac Remix) – Mr. Little Jeans
• Second song at the club – Stay The Same – Autokratz
• At the diner after the club – Soul Connection – The Diplomats of Solid Sound
• Adam having sex with the girl from the diner – Too Late For Dancing – Shapes and Sizes
• (unknown scene) – Hunters – Eric V Hachikian
• Song on the radio in the car with Adam and his therapist – Days Gone Down (Still Got The Light In Your Eyes) – Gerry Rafferty
• (unknown scene) – Survival – Eric V Hachikian
• Throwing things at ex-girlfriend’s painting – Crying – Roy Orbison
• Anesthesia / going into surgery – The Other Side of Mt. Heart Attack – Liars Inc
• Therapist comes to Adam’s house for their date / end credits – Yellow Ledbetter – Pearl Jam

Original music for 50/50 – Michael Giacchino

Here are a couple more of the videos from the 50/50 soundtrack songs, starting with the Jacuzzi Boys:

Roy Orbison’s classic “Crying” live from the Roy Orbison show:

Last but not least, Liars Inc:

~ by montelutz on October 16, 2011.