What makes Carol: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack by Carter Burwell notable?

The 'Carol' soundtrack received widespread critical acclaim, earning Burwell nominations for prestigious awards including the Academy Awards and Golden Globes. Its impact extended beyond the film itself, influencing contemporary scores in LGBTQ+ cinema and showcasing how music can enhance storytelling in a visually rich narrative. Carter Burwell was already an established composer by the release of 'Carol', having scored films like 'Fargo' and 'Twilight'. This soundtrack marked a significant artistic achievement for him, showcasing his ability to blend classical music with contemporary themes while collaborating with director Todd Haynes on a project that was critically acclaimed for its emotional depth.

How many songs are on Carol: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack?

Carol: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack has 25 tracks, running approximately 53 minutes.

Carol: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Carter Burwell · 2015

53 min · 25 tracks

A delicate tapestry of orchestral and jazz elements that evoke nostalgia and longing throughout the film's emotional landscape.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Easy Living — This track stands out for its lush arrangement that captures the bittersweet essence of the film's central romance, blending melancholy with warmth.
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The Letter — Evoking deep emotional resonance, this piece underscores a pivotal moment in the story, highlighting the tension between desire and societal constraints.
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You Belong To Me — Originally written by Pee Wee King, this classic song is reimagined within the film’s context, perfectly encapsulating themes of longing and unfulfilled love.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

63 /100

Treeline

Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

The score effectively blends orchestral and jazz elements, creating a cohesive emotional landscape for the film.

What we noticed

Several tracks are short, creating a vignette-like quality that mirrors the film's emotional moments rather than developing traditional song structures.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Opening 2:15
2 Taxi 1:45
3 To Carol's 1:39
4 One Mint Julep 2:29
5 Datebook 0:54
6 Christmas Trees 2:21
7 Easy Living 3:04
8 The Train 2:32
9 Packing 1:11
10 Drive Into Night 0:53
11 Kiss Of Fire 2:27
12 Waterloo 0:42
13 Lovers 2:42
14 The Gun 3:07
15 Smoke Rings 2:57
16 Over There 1:14
17 Visitation 1:31
18 To Court 1:03
19 The Letter 3:26
20 No Other Love 3:00
21 The Times 2:17
22 Reflections 1:19
23 Crossing 1:31
24 You Belong To Me 2:55
25 The End 3:53

What to play next

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Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata