What makes There Will Be Blood by Jonny Greenwood notable?

The soundtrack received critical acclaim and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Score, showcasing Greenwood's innovative approach to film music. Its unique combination of classical influences and modern soundscapes contributed to its recognition within contemporary cinema, influencing how scores can complement narrative beyond traditional orchestration. Released as Jonny Greenwood's first film score, this album marked his transition from Radiohead's guitarist to a composer in his own right. Following the band's commercial peak with 'Hail to the Thief' in 2003, Greenwood began exploring broader musical horizons, paving the way for future scores in films like 'The Master' and 'Phantom Thread'.

How many songs are on There Will Be Blood?

There Will Be Blood has 11 tracks, running approximately 33 minutes.

There Will Be Blood

Jonny Greenwood · 2007

33 min · 11 tracks · alternative rock

A haunting blend of minimalist orchestration and unsettling electronic textures that evoke the raw intensity of early 20th-century American ambition.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Open Spaces — This opening track sets the tone with its expansive sound that mirrors the vast landscapes depicted in the film, effectively drawing listeners into its atmosphere.
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Henry Plainview — Named after the film's protagonist, this piece encapsulates both the character's ambition and inner turmoil through a complex layering of strings and dissonance.
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There Will Be Blood — The title track distills the film's tension into a brief yet powerful statement, using minimalist motifs that leave a lasting impact on the listener.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

79 /100

Summit

Higher than 99% of albums we've rated

This score reflects Greenwood's innovative blend of minimalism and orchestration, creating a unique soundscape for film.

What we noticed

The first half of the album features tracks that build tension through repetitive motifs and sparse instrumentation, creating an unsettling atmosphere.
Several tracks utilize dissonant harmonies and abrupt dynamic shifts, which contribute to a sense of unease and unpredictability.
The final track, 'Prospectors Quartet', introduces a more melodic structure with strings, contrasting the earlier minimalist approach.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 9/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 9/10
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 Open Spaces 3:55
2 Future Markets 2:41
3 Prospectors Arrive 4:34
4 Eat Him by His Own Light 2:41
5 Henry Plainview 4:14
6 There Will Be Blood 2:05
7 Oil 3:06
8 Proven Lands 1:51
9 HW / Hope of New Fields 2:30
10 Stranded the Line 2:21
11 Prospectors Quartet 2:57

What to play next

Listen next

From Here On Out

2011

Go back to

Bodysong

2003

Full Jonny Greenwood discography Artists like Jonny Greenwood

alternative rock electronica indie rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata