The Guest (2014) – soundtrack review
2014 film The Guest has one of the best soundtracks I’ve literally heard in years. Literally.
It’s the kind of soundtrack that makes me feel EXCITED and I want YOU to feel excited about it too. I find it so totally and utterly irresistible – and yes of course I’m saying that in the Marks and Spencer sex food voice. Standard.
I put off reviewing it for a while because I wanted to see if they’d bring it out on CD, but sadly they haven’t. I must have bad luck because my two favourite soundtracks of the last decade – The Guest and Sunshine (2007) – have never been released on CD and this pains me a great deal.
Usually I wouldn’t even bother getting the download. If I can’t have the case and the CD inlay, why fucking bother? It’s all on YouTube and Spotify after all. But – with The Guest, one thing here was different. I NEEDED THIS SOUNDTRACK IN MY CAR.
So I could drive around pretending I’m…… I dunno really, just pretending I’m awesome I suppose?
My boyfriend downloaded it for me and because he’s pretty cool (sometimes) he got me the soundtrack and then put all these extra songs at the back of it which were songs played in the movie but not included on the sound track.
And I’m so glad he did otherwise I would have forgotten about this little beauty that I’ve been driving around listening to in absolute PURE DELIGHT recently. Waving my hand around, grinning inanely. Shouting things I’d never usually shout like “yeah baby” or “give it to me”. Hmmmm.
Fans of the movie may remember where this song was playing, like I did. Here’s a clue – beer kegs. Wowza.
Anyway, the whole soundtrack is really very excellent. There’s not one track I dislike and there’s a real mix of songs – both modern and vintage. Though there is a really bloody strong 80s sound which remains pretty consistent.
The Guest relies on its soundtrack quite heavily in my opinion. Many scenes were completely enhanced or even transformed by the music playing in the background. Comical moments and climatic or thrilling points of the film were massively highlighted by the music – which was loud and proud throughout.
Of course The Guest is quite a strange film, not your average ‘Liam Neeson in Taken’ type of stuff. I truly believe the soundtrack has a lot to do with this. It makes it more exciting, more memorable. Even when Anna’s daydreaming about David coming out of the shower – the music used might not be as thrilling, but instead is romantic and evocative.
And THE scene itself, where David does actually walk out of the bathroom – it builds up with Anna standing outside the door, steam oozing around the door cracks. The guitar song (technical talk) playing in the background is building up sensationally. Then BOOM the music hits a crescendo as David opens the door, steam rushes out and he’s looking all hot and lovely. This, to me, is genuinely comical and obviously intentional.
One of my favourite songs plays in the car when Anna and David are coming home from the party where he picks up the beer kegs (swoon). The band playing are a Dutch 1980s ensemble called Clan of Xymox and they feature three times on the soundtrack (along with a few David Bowie impersonators).
I would NEVER usually listen to music like that, usually I’d be shouting “I’m not listening to that hippy bollocks” but it just goes to show the power of a really great soundtrack. If twinned with a film you love, it is very possible to find yourself listening to music you wouldn’t usually bother with. And I just think that’s great. Genuinely I do.
On that note, let me end by leaving you with a Sisters of Mercy song also on The Guest OST. The title is very apt – Emma. It plays at that sexy moment (I’ve mentioned once or twice before) where David comes out of the shower all steam and six pack. Sadly this is not in line with my reality of being Emma.
emmakwall (explains it all) 
I’m excited!! I loved it too! So much good stuff 🙂
I bought a few cycling shirts, they’re very tight.
Haha! What colour? Black is safest 🙂
I bought black. Any other costume ideas? Make them super sexy.
Red elastic braces and workman boots?
And nothing else, hehe. That sounds like a plan. If you were part of my act, what would you do?
Haha!!!!! Erm, I’m not sure. I could be the drag act???
No, I’ve thought of a better role. You could be the introducer of my act, with all the saucy lines.
I would be great at that!
Great. Ok, hit me with your best raunchy introduction for Satrap. He is wearing a cowboy outfit.
Get your leather chaps out and get ready to be taken into the WILD and SEXY west with our lady pleasin’ cowboy…………….Satrap!
Oh that is just perfect and so sexy. I can just hear the crowd going wild now.
They are losing it!!!!!!!!!
Oh yes, that’s what I like sister. You’re a natural at this announcing. Ok, what about Satrap is wearing leather?
Let me have a think 🙂
I was pretty quick with the last one though wasn’t I!!
Oh you were marvellous sister, the absolute best.
Thanks brother 🙂
No problem, you’re a natural. Satrap in leather applauds you.
I probably won’t be online much for the next few days brother, I’m going camping but I’ll check in on you, promise! x
Thanks for telling me Emma, have a great time.
I definitely think this could be my stripping soundtrack.
It already is!!!
Haha, oh yeah. You’re on the blogosphere late Emma. So happy to hear from you. Any costume ideas for my routines?
I am! I may disappear soon. Hello brother 🙂
Oh I don’t know, ripped denim waistcoat and a pair of cycling shirts? 🙂
Please don’t disappear sweet sister. That sounds like a sexy look for a Full Monty routine. By the way, I’ve started doing some gif posts that I hope you’ll enjoy.
Uh oh!!! I spy a raunchy post coming along!!!!
There’s one raunchy thing but the rest is positive words for everyone out there.
I must sign off for the night, hope to speak to you soon. Stay sassy and I’ll keep shaking my ass.
Oh my god, yes!
Yes!!!!!!!!!! 🙂
But you are awesome 🙂
Oh you!!!!! 🙂
You’re pretty awesome Alex! 🙂
(He reminds me of the watcher guy that takes over from Giles in Buffy. Just me?)
It may just be you ha ha!
Wesley?? Was that his name?
I think it was Wesley Wyndam-Pryce
And he and Cordelia took a shine to each other 🙂 in fact wasn’t he in Angel? I never watched that really.
God I love Giles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yeah I remember he developed a crush on her.
Do you remember when she was shagging Xander all the time in secret?! Haha.
Hehe, they got good use out of the broom cupboard.
It was indeed. I’m on series 4 when Buffy and co are at college. I know. I’m ahead of the times 😉
Haha, nothing wrong with that! I’d rather watch Buffy than many, many modern shows.
You’ll be watching The Simpsons next!!!!!!
Haha. That is one show I’m up to date with. Won’t swamp you with links (last one, promise!), but this really will crack you up https://alexraphael.wordpress.com/2013/12/29/lines-of-the-day-the-simpsons/
Hell yeah, such a great soundtrack for a great film. It really soaks up the atmosphere and adds a wonderful layer to the story. Good shit!
Cheers Ryan! I wish I’d written something similar to that in my review, you worded it perfectly!!!!
I’m glad you love this awesome soundtrack! I’m not surprised though 🙂
Hi Clam!!!!!
I have that first song you posted playing right now and I love it! I also love this movie!! And you!!!!
Love Pen!!!!
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Hi Pen!! I love you too!!!!! #smooch
I’m so glad you’re enjoying the track, at 1.30 it really drops the beat! That’s where I get overly excited ha ha ha!
The Guest fucking rules!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I still love it!!!!!!
Love Clam xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx #extras
That song is really pretty great and I’m listening to it again. Maybe I’ll go get in my truck and drive around waving my hand around later.
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Love you Pen!!!! I’m literally over joyed you like it!!!
Yes you must do that! And then shout “yeah baby” out the window!
Hee hee! O _ o o _ O xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Love clam!
You’re on!!!!!
#loveyou
Love Pen!!!!!
O _ o < 3 o _ O
P.S. Sent you an email : )
P.P.S I just replied!!!!!!!!!!! XXXX
Got it!!!
<3333333333333
EEEEEK!
And replied with some trade secrets!!
Great post, Emma! Oh man…. I feel your pain on the Sunshine soundtrack. I want that so bad!!! I really liked the music in The Guest but, like the movie, it didn’t instantly grab me the way the music in Drive did. Maybe I should give the soundtrack a listen… 🙂
I know!!!!! 😦 it truly SUCKS. And whilst I think there’s a chance The Guest will be released one day I don’t hold much hope for Sunshine 😦 I think there were disputes and only TWO tracks are available on MP3. BOOOOOOO! 😦
I like the Drive soundtrack too but The Guest soundtrack grabbed me more. Maybe because we just preferred the respective movies?
Thanks Miss Mutant!!!! 🙂
It’s possible… It’s easier to love a soundtrack when you love the movie. 🙂
Definitely! 🙂
I haven’t seen this yet, but quite fancy it. I am always delighted by how much enthusiasm you show for the soundtracks of films. I have never paid them anywhere near as much attention, except when they were either breathtaking, as in Lawrence of Arabia, or relevant to the film, as in Saturday Night Fever. I must leave myself a note to pay more heed in future!
Good one Em.
Best wishes as always, Pete. x
I will now picture you walking Ollie to the dulcet tones of ‘Stayin Alive’!!! 🙂
Hi Pete! Thanks so much, I do love movie soundtracks. I hope you do watch The Guest, I loved it! And it’s certainly hard not to notice some of the songs.
Thanks again Pete, best wishes to you too! x
You make the soundtrack sound so sexy, maybe I could feature it in my act. I must sign off for a bit, but I’ll be back later sister.
I could choreograph you some moves! Okay soul brother 🙂
That sounds very good. My act could do with a revamp.
“and all that jazz!”
Hehe, any ideas for costumes?