Phenomenon (soundtrack)
| Phenomenon | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Soundtrack album | |
| Released | June 1996 |
| Genre | Pop |
| Length | 44:50 |
| Label | Reprise |
| Producer | Robbie Robertson |
The Phenomenon soundtrack is a compilation album by various artists released for Reprise Records, who contributed to the music score of the 1996 American romantic fantasy drama film Phenomenon, starring John Travolta.[1] The soundtrack features performances by international music stars including Eric Clapton, Bryan Ferry and Peter Gabriel, and went on to be a high-selling soundtrack release. The single "Change the World", performed by Eric Clapton, which was released off the album became a global hit and helped to promote the soundtrack's sales figures.[2] "Everyday Is A Winding Road", from Sheryl Crow's 1996 self-titled album, was featured in the film, but not on the soundtrack.
Reception
[edit]The soundtrack album topped the Billboard 200 album chart and sold more than 1.5 million copies while on chart, gaining a Platinum disc from the Recording Industry Association of America.[3] Critics from the MovieTunes website called the release "more than simply an aural souvenir of a magical movie experience. It is the cutting edge of a collaborative art-form whose time has come".[4] In his review for the music website AllMusic, journalist and critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine notes:
Designed for adult contemporary listeners, the soundtrack to the John Travolta movie Phenomenon has a cross-section of singer/songwriters, mellow blues, and synthesized soul-inflected pop. Out of all the contributors – which include such heavy hitters as Peter Gabriel, Bryan Ferry, John Hiatt, J.J. Cale, Taj Mahal, and a duet between Aaron Neville and Robbie Robertson – the standout track is "Change the World", a song Babyface wrote and produced for Eric Clapton. The two musicians work surprisingly well together, creating a laid-back, soulful number that is quietly seductive. Nothing on the album works quite as well, but it is a pleasant listen, if not a particularly memorable one.
— Stephen Thomas Erlewine, AllMusic[5]
Track listing
[edit]| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Performer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Change the World" | Gordon Kennedy · Wayne Kirkpatrick · Tommy Sims | Eric Clapton | 3:56 |
| 2. | "Dance with Life (The Brilliant Light)" | Bernie Taupin · Martin Page | Bryan Ferry | 6:14 |
| 3. | "Crazy Love" | Van Morrison | Aaron Neville · Robbie Robertson | 4:30 |
| 4. | "Corrina" | Jesse Ed Davis · Taj Mahal | Taj Mahal | 3:00 |
| 5. | "Have a Little Faith in Me" | John Hiatt | Jewel | 4:24 |
| 6. | "I Have the Touch" | Peter Gabriel | Peter Gabriel | 5:27 |
| 7. | "Piece of Clay" | Gloria Jones · Pam Sawyer | Marvin Gaye | 5:11 |
| 8. | "Para Donde Vas" | Joe Cabral · Rod Hodges | The Iguanas | 3:18 |
| 9. | "Misty Blue" | Bobby Montgomery | Dorothy Moore | 3:39 |
| 10. | "A Thing Goes On" | J.J. Cale | J.J. Cale | 2:38 |
| 11. | "The Orchard" | Thomas Newman | Thomas Newman | 2:33 |
| Total length: | 44:50 | |||
Certifications
[edit]| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (Music Canada)[6] | Platinum | 100,000^ |
| United States (RIAA)[7] | Platinum | 1,000,000^ |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
[edit]- ^ "Phenomenon – Soundtracks – IMDb". Internet Movie Database. Amazon.com, Inc. Retrieved November 28, 2015.
- ^ "Various Artists – Phenomenon: Music From The Motion Picture – Amazon.com Music". Amazon.com. Amazon.com, Inc. Retrieved November 28, 2015.
- ^ Applefeld Olson, Catherine (July 11, 1998). "Soundtracks Spark Chart Heat" (PDF). Billboard Magazine. 110 (28): 84. Retrieved November 28, 2015.
- ^ "Soundtrack Album: Phenomenon". Movie Tunes. Hollywood, United States: The Band Info. June 1996. Retrieved November 28, 2015.
- ^ a b Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Phenomenon – Original Soundtrack | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved November 28, 2015.
- ^ "Canadian album certifications – Various Artists – Phenomenon - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack". Music Canada. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
- ^ "American album certifications – Soundtrack – Phenomenon". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 14, 2022.