American Beauty

Label: Dreamworks Records
Release Year: 1999
Barcode: 600445021020
Country: Europe
Product Type: CD (Pre-owned)
Score or Soundtrack: Score and Soundtrack
Composer: Thomas Newman

The American Beauty soundtrack, tied to Sam Mendes’ 1999 Academy Award–winning film starring Kevin Spacey, Annette Bening, Thora Birch, Wes Bentley, Mena Suvari, and Allison Janney, is a mix of Thomas Newman’s haunting original score and an eclectic selection of songs from artists like The Who, Bob Dylan, Peggy Lee, Eels, and The Folk Implosion. DreamWorks Records released the companion album, which features Newman’s minimalist and percussive cues alongside tracks like “Because” by Elliott Smith, “Don’t Let It Bring You Down” by Annie Lennox, and “All Right Now” by Free.

The film’s opening with “Dead Already,” Newman's now-iconic marimba-driven piece, sits alongside needle drops such as “Bali Ha’i” from South Pacific and “American Woman” by The Guess Who, weaving together suburban satire, emotional fragility, and countercultural resonance. The American Beauty score earned Newman an Academy Award nomination, while the film itself dominated at the Oscars, taking home Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress nomination, and Best Original Screenplay for Alan Ball.

Track Listing

1.Dead Already
Thomas Newman

2.Because
Elliott Smith

3.Free to Go
The Folk Implosion

4.All Right Now
Free

5.Use Me
Bill Withers

6.Cancer For the Cure 
Eels

7.The Seeker
The Who

8.Don't Rain On My Parade
Bobby Darin

9.Open the Door
Betty Carter

10.We Haven't Turned Around
Gomez

11.Bali Ha'i
Peggy Lee

12.Any Other Name
Thomas Newman

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