1. Didnt I (Blow Your Mind This Time) The Delfonics Jackie Brown
Some might see this as a controversial choice for the number one spot, but I dont intend it to be, here is why I think this is greatest use of music in a Tarantino film. Didnt I (Blow Your Mind This Time) is Max Cherrys soundtrack to the film. While Jackie mouths the words to Across 110th Street, Didnt I (Blow Your Mind This Time) to Max, represents Jackie. Hes infatuated with her, but hes not with her, so he buys The Delfonics song on tape. To replace someone that he cant have, he buys a tape and listens to it in his car. The song is heart-breaking each time its played in the movie, and its played a few, each in slightly different circumstances. The first time the song is played is when Max goes to check on Jackie at her house. The scene is simple. As Jackie makes coffee she asks him if hed like to hear some music, although he says sure, at this point he doesnt know what to make of Jackie, but hes clearly curious about her. Tarantino, as he often does, shows the needle being placed on the vinyl in close up and as the love song plays, Max makes small talk as he watches Jackie, calling the song pretty. It doesnt appear that Max is like the other people Jackie usually ends up being involved with, he accidentally sweet-talks her just by being polite and complimentary. Later, Max is seen buying the cassette of the song, which can be heard playing on his car stereo each time hes in there. The use of the song recurs throughout the film, a rare trait for Tarantino. The other significant scene in which the song is used is as Max and Ordell (Samuel L Jackson) are driving back to Maxs office to meet Jackie towards the end of the film. Ordell even mentions the fact the song is playing, questioning why Max is playing The Delfonics. Tarantino films the pair in the car listening to the song, which has different implications for each character. The lyrics become relevant too, didnt I blow your mind this time is relevant to Ordell as he underestimated Jackie and its especially relevant to Max as he is seemingly infatuated with her. The song is the soundtrack to arguably one of the sweetest relationships in any Tarantino movie, just like Across 110th Street its emotive and used superbly by Tarantino. As good as some of his movies are, none of them pack the emotional punch of Jackie Brown, and that is in no small part, down to this song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6v6C3lZ9Ic0 Some Honourable Mentions Despite only four of his films appearing in the list, I did re watch all of his movies before writing the article, so here are some that just missed out. Another from Jackie Brown Natural High Bloodstone (When Max first picks up Jackie) From Kill Bill Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down) Nancy Sinatra (Opening titles) The 5, 6, 7, 8s Im Blue/Woo Hoo (Party at Lucy Lius place) The Crane RZA (Instrumental, pre Crazy 88s fight) From Death Proof Hold Tight Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich Hold Tight (Played on the car radio at Jungle Julias request just before Stuntman Mike turns nasty) Down in Mexico The Coasters (The lap dance scene)