
The 2021 Netflix film 'Don't Look Up' features a diverse and eclectic soundtrack by Nicholas Britell, showcasing a wide range of musical styles. From up-tempo big-band jazz to traditional orchestral sounds, electronic music, and offbeat tunes, Britell's score complements the film's satirical dark comedy tone. The lead single Just Look Up, performed by Ariana Grande and Kid Cudi, sets the apocalyptic yet romantic mood, while other notable tracks include Second Nature by Bon Iver and Overture to Logic and Knowledge, capturing the film's themes of science and existential crisis. With its blend of genres and instruments, the 'Don't Look Up' soundtrack offers a unique listening experience that enhances the cinematic journey.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Film | Don't Look Up |
| Year | 2021 |
| Directed by | Adam McKay |
| Music composed by | Nicholas Britell |
| Music style | Big-band jazz, traditional orchestral sounds, electronics, offbeat music |
| Number of songs | 31 |
| Length | 57 minutes |
| Notable songs | "Just Look Up", "Second Nature", "Overture to Logic and Knowledge", "It's a Strange Glorious World", "Main Title Theme", "The Call", "BASH Corporate Ident", "On Hold" |
| Performers | Ariana Grande, Kid Cudi, Bon Iver |
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What You'll Learn

'Just Look Up' by Ariana Grande and Kid Cudi
"Just Look Up" is a song by American singer-songwriter Ariana Grande and American rapper Kid Cudi. The song was written by both artists alongside American film composer Nicholas Britell and American songwriter Taura Stinson. It was released on December 3, 2021, for streaming and digital download before the release of the rest of the soundtrack for the 2021 satirical science fiction film 'Don't Look Up'.
In the film, Ariana Grande and Kid Cudi star as pop music power couple Riley Bina and DJ Chello, respectively. In typical satirical fashion, news about their fluctuating relationship dominates the media, eclipsing news of the inevitable destruction of the Earth. "Just Look Up" starts off as a love song, then transforms into a rallying cry to listen to the scientists' message that humankind hasn't much time left on the planet.
The song was described by Britell as a "chorus where I wanted it to feel like it was going upward". Grande came up with the entire vocal topline of the song with no lyrics, improvising the whole thing. Britell found it difficult to write lyrics for a song that had to start as a love song and then pivot to a song about the world ending, so he asked Taura Stinson for help. Kid Cudi wrote his verse himself.
The film's original score is composed by Nicholas Britell, in his fourth collaboration with director Adam McKay. Britell's score consists of a wide range of instrumentation, producing multiple genres and musical styles, ranging from big-band jazz, traditional orchestral sounds, electronics, and offbeat music. The main theme is an "exciting up-tempo big-band piece" that captures the chaos and craziness of the film.
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'Second Nature' by Bon Iver
"Second Nature" by Bon Iver is a song featured in the 2021 Netflix film "Don't Look Up". The song was written by Justin Vernon and performed by his band Bon Iver. It is included in the end credits of the film.
The song is part of an album released by Republic Records on December 10, 2021, featuring Nicholas Britell's original score and "Second Nature" as an original song. Britell's score consists of a wide range of instrumentation, producing multiple genres and musical styles, including big-band jazz, traditional orchestral sounds, electronics, and offbeat music. The main theme is an "exciting up-tempo big-band piece" that captures the chaos and craziness of the film.
"Second Nature" by Bon Iver has received positive reviews from fans, with some calling it their new favorite Bon Iver song and praising the band's ability to constantly reinvent itself. The song's lyrics include thought-provoking lines such as "Is this our first? Or second nature?" and "You want what's more and don't excuse/And just refuse".
The song is a standout contribution to the "Don't Look Up" soundtrack, which has been praised for its unique blend of tones, effectively capturing the satirical dark undertones of the film. Music critic Jonathan Broxton commended Britell's ability to tackle difficult subject matter in a way that is both intellectually fulfilling and musically enjoyable.
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'Overture to Logic and Knowledge'
"Overture to Logic and Knowledge" is a piece from the 'Don't Look Up' soundtrack, composed by Nicholas Britell. Britell describes the piece as an "ode to science", capturing the feeling of "looking at Earth from above". The composition was written to accompany the telescope sequence in the film, where Kate Dibiasky (played by Jennifer Lawrence) and Dr Randall Mindy (Leonardo DiCaprio) discover the comet.
The music for this scene was designed to be heard "as if from a distance", reflecting the perspective of observing Earth from space. Britell's challenge was to create a score that balanced the comedic and existential tones of the film. The result is a unique blend of genres and musical styles, including big-band jazz, traditional orchestral sounds, electronics, and offbeat music. The wide range of instrumentation used in the film includes a full string orchestra, brass, woodwinds, flutes, harps, celestas, pianos, toy piano, saxophones, farfisa organ, and large bass synthesizers.
"Overture to Logic and Knowledge" is a key part of the film's soundtrack, which has been praised for its innovative approach to satire. Music critic Jonathan Broxton commended Britell's ability to tackle difficult subject matter in a way that is both intellectually fulfilling and musically enjoyable. The score successfully captures the chaos and craziness of the film while also conveying a sense of melancholy, reflecting the film's theme of humanity's ridiculous response to an extinction-level event.
The "Overture to Logic and Knowledge" is a powerful example of how music can enhance the storytelling and themes of a film. By juxtaposing the comedic and existential tones, Britell's composition highlights the film's satire and provides a unique auditory experience for the audience.
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'It’s a Strange Glorious World'
"It's a Strange Glorious World" is a song from the soundtrack of the Netflix film "Don't Look Up". The song was composed by Nicholas Britell and has been described as a bustling big band piece. The soundtrack as a whole employs a wide range of instrumentation, incorporating multiple genres and styles, including big-band jazz, traditional orchestral sounds, electronics, and offbeat music.
The film's score, also composed by Britell, reflects the film's themes and tone. For example, the theme surrounding the character Peter Isherwell and his company BASH features electronic vibes with instruments like celestas, toy piano, and farfisa organ, creating a unique sound that reflects both science and power.
Britell's inspiration for the score came from the idea of "being in World War II but about to lose", capturing the absurdity of humanity's response to an extinction-level event. This resulted in World War II-era ensemble music with multiple instruments, conveying a sense of brashness and frequency.
The song "It's a Strange Glorious World" specifically captures the film's unique blend of genres and styles, contributing to the overall impact of the soundtrack and the film itself.
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'The Call'
The Call is a pivotal piece in the soundtrack of Don't Look Up, composed by Nicholas Britell. The film's original score is Britell's fourth collaboration with director Adam McKay, following The Big Short, Vice, and the HBO series Succession. Britell's score for Don't Look Up is an ambitious and eclectic mix of musical styles, ranging from big-band jazz to traditional orchestral sounds, electronics, and offbeat music.
The Call is played during a key scene in the film when the characters are on the phone with NASA. The music captures the chaos and urgency of the moment, with a unique blend of instruments, including twinkly synths, to create a sense of heightened tension and drama.
Britell's approach to the music in this scene was carefully considered. He wanted to capture the brashness of the film and convey the absurdity of humans responding to an extinction-level event. The result is a World War II-era ensemble with multiple instruments, including full string orchestra, brass, woodwinds, flutes, harps, celestas, pianos, and more, creating a unique and memorable sound.
The use of "The Call" in this scene not only enhances the visual narrative but also provides a crucial emotional and thematic element to the film. It showcases Britell's mastery in using music to heighten the impact of the scene and has become a standout track in the soundtrack of Don't Look Up.
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Frequently asked questions
The soundtrack for Don't Look Up was composed by Nicholas Britell.
The main theme is an "exciting up-tempo big-band piece" that captures the chaos and craziness of the film.
Some songs from the Don't Look Up soundtrack include "Just Look Up" performed by Ariana Grande and Kid Cudi, "Second Nature" performed by Bon Iver, and "It's a Strange Glorious World".
The Don't Look Up soundtrack features a wide range of instrumentation and genres, including big-band jazz, traditional orchestral sounds, electronics, and offbeat music.



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