They Live: Obey... the Soundtrack?

Alright folks, HughesReviews here. Let's talk "They Live" (1988). Obviously, not a score deep-dive today, since it's mostly needle drops. But I gotta say, the selection of music in this flick is just... chef's kiss. Carpenter kinda gets a bad rap for some of his low-budget scores, but the choices here? Inspired. That bluesy, harmonica-driven stuff just oozes with that Reagan-era, working-class grit. It really sells the whole 'down on your luck fighting against the system' vibe, you know? The fight scene between Nada and Frank is, like, legendary. And the music just elevates it. It's not some epic orchestral score, it's just a straight-up brawl soundtracked perfectly. I think what I really appreciate is how the music contrasts with the message. The aliens are pushing this super sanitized, consumerist message of OBEY, CONSUME, MARRY AND REPRODUCE... but the music is raw, bluesy, and human. It's like, the music is the soul the aliens are trying to crush. Does that make sense? Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but I genuinely think it's why the movie resonates so strongly, even today. Also, Keith David is a straight-up legend in this. He sells that stoic, reluctant hero thing so well. The whole concept of the movie is still pretty relevant even now, with how much advertising and media control our lives these days. I just wish there was more original score, y'know? Something that could have been a real Carpenter banger. Still, as far as soundtracking a movie with existing tracks goes, they knocked it out of the park. Anyone else got thoughts on the music in "They Live"? Am I the only one getting choked up about harmonica riffs and subliminal messages? Let me know!