Get Out Soundtrack

When Jordan Peele set out to craft “Get Out,” he wasn’t just aiming for a run-of-the-mill horror flick. He sought to create a narrative that spoke volumes, and for that, he needed a score that would resonate just as profoundly. That’s where Michael Abels, a relatively unknown name in the cinematic music sphere, stepped in.

Michael Abels was deeply entrenched in the academic world of music in Santa Monica. But destiny had other plans. Peele stumbled upon Abel’s “Urban Legends” on YouTube and felt an instant connection. It was as if Abels’ fusion of classical, jazz, and blues was tailor-made for “Get Out.” Abels, too, was instantly smitten by the film’s script, labeling it “brilliant”.

The “Get Out” soundtrack was Michael Abels’s cinematic scoring debut. The album was a melange of live instruments – think strings, harps, and percussion, each meticulously chosen to craft a score that was eerie yet evocative.

Peele had a very distinct sonic vision for “Get Out.” He desired a score that was deeply rooted in African-American musical traditions. But here’s the catch: he wanted to circumvent the inherent optimism often found in such music. He was also keen to sidestep any cliche voodoo vibes.

Abels utilized African-American vocal tones to echo the harrowing tales of ancestors who faced the brunt of slavery and racial injustice. This was his nod to the past, tying it beautifully to the protagonist’s journey.

A notable aspect of the score was the incorporation of Swahili. While it wasn’t the language of the majority of Africans who were enslaved, its musicality made it a perfect fit for the score. Abels collaborated with a choir, immersing them in Swahili chants that became pivotal in key movie scenes. The haunting “Sikiliza Kwa Wahenga,” which in Swahili means “heed your ancestors”, serves as a chilling harbinger of the impending doom. Peele once remarked how this track was essentially a musical embodiment of the film’s central message, which is to, quite literally, “Get Out.” It’s like an auditory nudge, pushing the protagonist, Chris, to wake up to the nefarious goings-on around him.

Upon its release by Back Lot Music on February 24, 2017, the score was met with resounding applause. Critics lauded its composition. It even clinched the Black Reel Award for Outstanding Original Score.

Jonathan Broxton described it as “refreshingly different.” Sean Wilson saw it as a groundbreaking horror score, while Mark Kermode lauded its deceptive complexity. Richard Lawson felt that Peele’s and Abels’ choices were pitch-perfect, setting just the right mood of anticipatory horror.

In 2018 Waxwork Records released the film’s soundtrack on vinyl, which also featured an insightful essay by Peele, giving fans a deeper dive into his thought process.

List of “Get Out” Soundtracks

1. “Prologue”
2. “Sikiliza Kwa Wahenga (Main Title)”
3. “Chris & Rose (Love Theme)”
4. “The Deer”
5. “The House”
6. “Meet the Help”
7. “The House Reprise”
8. “Ice Tea”
9. “Jeremy Enough”
10. “Georgina’s Silhouette”
11. “Walter’s Run”
12. “Georgina at the Window”
13. “Hypnosis”
14. “Investigations”
15. “Garden Party”
16. “Andre Reveal”
17. “Fist Shake”
18. “Blind Art Dealer”
19. “Georgina Weeps”
20. “Get Out”
21. “The Auction”
22. “Ukulele Walk”
23. “Photographs”
24. “Finding the Keys”
25. “The Sunken Place”
26. “Rod’s Bing Search”
27. “Educational Video”
28. “Behold the Coagula”
29. “Rod Calls Rose”
30. “Mental Prep”
31. “Teacup TV”
32. “Surgery Prep”
33. “Chris Escapes”
34. “Race for the Teacup”
35. “Jeremy Attacks”
36. “Georgina Hit”
37. “Georgina Attacks”
38. “After the Accident”
39. “Get Him Grandpa”
40. “Walter Shoots”
41. “Rose Returns”
42. “Situation Handled”
43. “End Titles (Montage)”
44. Childish Gambino – “Redbone”
45. Flanagan and Allen – “Run, Rabbit, Run”
46. Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes – “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life”

Other Tracks From the Movie “Get Out”

While Abels’ score is the backbone of the movie’s soundscape, Peele also infused other notable tracks to bolster the atmosphere. The film opens with Childish Gambino’s “Redbone,” setting an unsettling yet groovy tone. Additionally, classics like “Run, Rabbit, Run” by Flanagan and Allen, and the evergreen “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes.

Childish Gambino – “Redbone”

Opening with a groovy, laid-back vibe, “Redbone” by Childish Gambino sets the tone right from the start. The song’s message of staying “woke” resonates deeply with the movie’s premise.

Flanagan and Allen – “Run, Rabbit, Run”

Contrasting sharply with the modern tunes of Redbone, “Run, Rabbit, Run” by Flanagan and Allen evokes a sense of nostalgia. This vintage track from the World War II era, with its upbeat tempo and seemingly innocent lyrics, takes on a more sinister meaning within the context of the film. It serves as a chilling reminder of the dangers that lurk around every corner.

Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes – “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life”

Most famously known as the romantic climax song from Dirty Dancing, “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes makes a surprising appearance in “Get Out”. Its inclusion adds a layer of irony to the film, juxtaposing the song’s romantic connotations with the movie’s dark undertones.