Music and songs from the film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (Soundtracks and OST)

Whether it's Chuck Berry's boogie-woogie revealing dance moves in "Pulp Fiction." or the song "Stuck in the Middle with You," contrasting with the torture scene in "Mad Dogs.", Tarantino's films always contain a distinctive and thoughtful collection of songs.

In the booklet that accompanied The Tarantino Connection (a 1997 compilation of soundtracks from his films), the director explained that music often guides his cinematic choices.

"One of the things I do when I start a film, when I'm writing a film or when I have an idea for a film, is that I go through my record collection and just start playing songs, trying to find the personality of the film, find the spirit of the film," Tarantino said. "Then boom, I'll end up hitting one, two or three songs, or one song in particular, 'Oh, this is going to be a great opening song.

The director went on to explain that it's "one of those things about using music in films, it's so cool. If you do it right, if you use the right song, in the right scene ... really, cool."

These views are reflected in Tarantino's latest film, "Once Upon a Time in ... Hollywood.". The film features a cool cast including Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Al Pacino and Kurt Russell. But, again, the soundtracks outshine the bright stars and come to the forefront.

The action takes place in 60's Los Angeles... And the songs featured in "Once Upon a Time in ... Hollywood." include favourite hits from that era as well as lesser known tracks. Below is a guide to the film's main soundtracks.

Soundtracks from the film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood....

Rolling Stones - Out of Time (1966)

Released in the UK in 1966 and in the US in 1967, "Out of Time" is one of the rare occasions when a Rolling Stones track was more commercially successful when recorded by another artist. In this case, English singer Chris Farlow's version received the most attention, peaking at No. 1 on the British chart. However, Tarantino decided to stick with the original film Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood, opting to use the Rolling Stones' version.

Bob Seger - Ramblin' Gamblin' Man (1969)

The first hit of Seger's career, "Ramblin' 'Gamblin' Man," peaked at No. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1968. A major gem in Bob Seger's collection, the song served as the title track for Seger's debut studio LP. It would become a mainstay of his live performances and would later be featured on Seger's 1976 live album Live Bullet.

Deep Purple - Hush (1968)

Originally composed by Joe South, "Hush" came to attention in 1967 when it became a minor hit for country singer Billy Joe Royal. British hard rock band Deep Purple would later release the track for their 1968 debut album, Shades of Deep Purple. This version would become the band's first hit, reaching #4 on the Billboard chart and earning the band fans in the United States. It is the most successful song featuring original Deep Purple vocalist Rod Evans.

Joe Cocker - The Letter (1970)

Perhaps one of the most recognisable tunes from the '60s blue-eyed soul movement*, 'The Letter' was originally a hit for Alex Chilton's band the Box Tops in 1967. Joe Cocker would release his own version three years later, adding brass arrangements, jazz elements and a stronger sound to make the song fit. More than 100 artists have recorded versions of "The Letter" since its original release. The song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and was honoured among the "500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll" by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

* Blue-eyed soul (also known as white soul ) is rhythm and blues and soul music performed by white artists. The term was coined in the mid-1960s to describe white artists who performed soul and R&B that was similar to the music of the Motown and Stax record labels (source Wikipedia).

Simon & Garfunkel - Mrs Robinson (1968)

One of the most famous tracks from this legendary folk-rock duo, "Mrs. Robinson" gained widespread fame when its chorus was featured in the 1967 film The Graduate. The track will be completed and officially released a few months after the film's release. It will appear on Simon & Garfunkel's 1968 studio album Bookends. The track reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and won a Grammy Award for Record of the Year.

Paul Revere and the Raiders - Kicks (1966)

Husband and wife writing duo Barry Mann and Cynthia Vail originally wrote "Kicks" for a record by the band Animals. When the band's singer, Eric Burdon, dropped the track, the song went to Paul Revere and The Raiders. The garage rock band became a rising star in the mid-'60s thanks to their combination of covers and original material. "Kicks" would become a big hit, reaching No. 4 in the U.S. and No. 1 in Canada. The track's anti-drug message was in stark contrast to most of the popular material released by artists and musicians of the time.

Paul Revere and the Raiders - Hungry (1966)

Another track written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Vale and recorded by Paul Revere and the Raiders. The song's lyric depicts a man who longs for the "sweet life" with the woman of his dreams. "Hungry" peaked at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1966. Sammy Hagar would later include the track on his 1977 album of the same name.

Paul Revere and the Raiders - Good Thing (1966)

Unlike early hits written by other artists, "Good Thing" was an original creation by Paul Revere and the Raiders. Released on the band's album "The Spirit of '67," the track soared to No. 4 on the Billboard chart. In addition to appearing in Once Upon a Time in ... Hollywood, the song is also included in the film's trailer.

Paul Revere and the Raiders (feat. Mark Lindsay) - Mr. Sun, Mr. Moon (1969). Sun, Mr. Moon (1969)

"Mr. Sunshine, Mr Moon" was a hit by Paul Revere and the Raiders in early 1969. Tarantino drew inspiration from this band for the atmosphere of "Once Upon a Time in ... Hollywood," and there is a connection between the band and the film's theme. In the 60s, Mark Lindsay, the lead singer of the band, shared a house with the band's producer Terry Melcher. The house they rented together was 10050 Cielo Dr, where actress Sharon Tate and her partners were murdered by the Manson family in 1969. These real-life events provide a key plot in the film Once Upon a Time in ... Hollywood.

Neil Diamond - Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show (1969)

Appearing on the 1969 album of the same name, "Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show" tells the story of a travelling preacher. The track caused controversy at the time of its release, as some believed the singer was insulting the evangelical movement. Despite this, the song would become a minor hit for Diamond, peaking at number 22 on the charts. The album would later show the world another successful song, "Sweet Caroline". Along with "Good Thing" (Paul Revere & the Raiders' ), "Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show" is featured in the film and trailer "Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood".

Deep Purple - Kentucky Woman (1968)

Released in 1968, a few months after "Hush" became a hit, "Kentucky Woman" was another successful Deep Purple cover hit. In this case, the hard rock band re-imagined a tune originally written by Neil Diamond. While the original had a great folk-rock feel, Deep Purple's version featured heavy guitar, powerful organ and a driving rhythm.

Jose Feliciano - California Dreamin' (1968)

"California Dreamin'," made famous by the band The Mamas and the Papas, is one of the anthemic songs of the '60s counterculture movement. Puerto Rican guitarist Jose Feliciano included his version on the 1968 album "Feliciano!" 1968. The album, which consisted of the musician's reinterpretation of works by various artists, also included songs originally made popular by the Beatles and The Doors. "Feliciano!" was a commercially successful album; it sold over half a million copies and won two Grammy Awards.

Mitch Ryder - Jenny Take a Ride (1966)

Detroit native Mitch Ryder achieved success in the mid-'60s with his rock and soul influences. "Jenny Take a Ride" was the first song to gain national attention and peaked at No. 10 in 1965. The song, officially credited to Mitch Ryder and The Detroit Wheels, would appear on the band's debut album, Take a Ride. Bruce Springsteen would later include a collection of Mitch Ryder's songs, "Jenny Take a Ride," on the Detroit Medley. These would become the basis for his live performances (in his early years of writing).

Vanilla Fudge - You Keep Me Hanging On (1967)

Since the Supremes recorded "You Keep Me Hangin 'On" in 1966, it has become a popular cover by a wide variety of artists including Rod Stewart, Reba McIntyre and Phil Collins. Vanilla Fudge were one of the first to record a live performance of the song, doing so a year after the Supremes released the original version. The band completely changed the style and tone of the song, transforming it from Motown R&B to psychedelic rock. Their rendition of "You Keep Me Hangin 'On" became a hit, reaching number 6 and becoming the band's most commercially successful single.

Buffy Sainte-Marie - The Circle Game (1967)

This track is most often associated with its author Joni Mitchell, who released "The Circle Game" on her 1970 album Ladies of the Canyon. However, she was not the first to record this track. The original version belongs to Buffy Sainte-Marie. The two Canadian singers were friends in the early '60s, and had the same manager during the same time period. Sainte-Marie's version of "The Circle Game" was released on her 1967 album Fire & Fleet & Candlelight. Another version recorded by Mitchell, "Song to a Seagull" was also included on the LP.

Box Tops - Choo Choo Train (1968)

With this song, the Box Tops get their recognition, although it is one of their least known songs. "Choo Choo Train" was released in 1968 as part of their "Non-Stop" LP. Alex Chilton's soulful melody throughout the track will leave no one indifferent. In the song, the singer yearns for his hometown, where his family and girlfriend are "waiting for him at the station".

Los Bravos - Bring a Little Lovin' (1967)

While the 60s are remembered for the invasion of British culture into all walks of life, England was not the only European country "stamping" rock bands one after another. At the time, the Spanish band Los Bravos were enjoying great success as international stars. And it was all thanks to their hit song "Black Is Black". Although their 1968 song "Bring a Little Lovin'" didn't enjoy the same popularity worldwide, it peaked at number 51 on the chart in the US. The track was originally written by Australians George Young and Harry Wanda, who later made a name for themselves as AC/DC producers. It is worth noting that Young was also the older brother of Angus and Malcolm Young.