The Man From U.N.C.L.E. Soundtrack Guide: Every Song & When They Play

In August 2015, The Man from U.N.C.L.E. was released in theaters, and, while it wasn’t the most critically well-received spy film ever, it is one of director Guy Ritchie’s best works. Almost a decade since its release, it is still an enjoyable and entertaining film, and the strong casting stands out. Henry Cavill, a real-life Briton, plays Napoleon Solo, an American CIA agent. Armie Hammer, a real-life American, plays Illya Kuryakin, a Russian KGB agent. Their chemistry is unrivaled, and both are excellent in their own regard.

Apart from the heavy-hitting cast, the other obvious strength for The Man from U.N.C.L.E. is its impressive sound design. Composer Daniel Pemberton crafted a score that is true to the Cold War era in which the film is set; he also ensured that limited usage of other era-appropriate songs would only complement his original tracks. However, it does include a few notable songs, including one from Nina Simone.

When Every Song On The Man From U.N.C.L.E. Soundtrack Plays In The Movie

Era-Specific Classics Compliment Original Compositions

“Compared to What” by Roberta Flack – This R&B classic plays as the opening credits roll. These credits feature period-accurate film effects and scenes from life in a divided Germany, juxtaposed with the song: while “Compared to What” is soulful and features pop music motifs, the opening credits are unmissably Cold-War-themed. The juxtaposition works for the film, as it’s a comedy/action film set during a strenuous era of espionage and deceit. This contrast is also a result of the film’s setting being the early 1960s, whereas the song came out in 1969.

“Jimmy, Renda se” by Tom Zé and Valdez – This distinctly 1960s track is heard as the film’s misfit trio begin to understand the scope of their assignment: to help prevent World War III by undermining the plans of weapons of mass destruction dealing war-mongers.

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“Cry to Me – Mono” by Solomon Burke – In one of the film’s most memorable and enduring scenes, a drunk Teller, frustrated by feeling like she has no autonomy, lets loose and begins to dance. Wearing pajamas and large, funky glasses, the dance begins in the background, juxtaposed against Kuryakin, in the foreground, playing chess alone. As the song (and the dance) continues, he confronts her, only to be coerced into participation, before being tackled to the floor in a bit of sexually-charged, booze-infused foreplay. She, however, falls asleep on him, and he worldlessly carries her to bed.

“Five Months, Two Weeks, Two Days” (2002 Remaster) by Louis Prima – This jazzy song, easily the most up-tempo of any in the entire film, is used, in lieu of almost all dialogue, to present the commotion and the flurry of activity surrounding the Formula One race. Wealthy, prominent spectators – more interested in socialization than sports – drink champagne and galavant around in extravagant dresswear, all while Solo scans the crowds.

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“Che Vuole Questa Musica Stasera” by Peppino Gagliardi – This song is used in perhaps the most famous scene from The Man from U.N.C.L.E.: Initially resigned to letting Kuryakin drown, Solo finds himself suddenly conflicted, both for the sake of the mission and the sake of Teller’s emotions, and he takes a moment, sitting in his commandeered getaway truck, to determine his next move. “Che Vuole Questa Musica Stasera” plays over the truck’s radio while Solo eats out of some poor factory-worker’s lunchbox, ultimately deciding to rescue his foil from drowning.

“Il Mio Regno” by Luigi Tenco – Since much of this film takes place in/around Italy, it’s no accident that the few songs not composed by Pemberton are ones sung in Italian. This song is used comedically, as it is an upbeat, catchy tune that is overlayed with the inadvertent killing of one of the film’s villains as a result of Solo and Kuryakin’s negligence.

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“Take Care of Business” by Nina Simone – “Take Care of Business” plays as the film wraps up. The title of Nina Simone’s classic hit from 1965 is indicative of the “business” that Solo and Kuryakin elected to take care of. While their handlers wanted them to eliminate each other, they instead put their differences aside in the hopes of working together again.

Where To Listen To The Man From U.N.C.L.E. Soundtrack

All But One of the Soundtrack’s Songs Are Available On Spotify, Amongst Other Platforms

For more traditional media consumers, the soundtrack can be purchased on CD, although there might be some considerable difficulty trying to find it. Given that the film is set during an era that was dominated by vinyl records, it’s curious that no vinyl copy of the soundtrack was ever released. In an interview about the film’s score, Daniel Pemperton stated that it was important that his songs felt like they came “right out [of] the 1960s with a modern flair” (Esquire).

The film’s score is available to listen to through most big-name platforms, including Spotify and Apple Music. Interestingly, though, there’s one song, in particular, that isn’t available on Spotify (despite being available on Apple Music). The song in question is “Il Mio Regno” by Luigi Tenco. Written in 1955, the Italian pop/jazz song has limited usage in The Man from U.N.C.L.E., but it is used effectively.

The Man From U.N.C.L.E.

Release Date

August 14, 2015

Studio(s)

Warner Bros. Pictures

Distributor(s)

Warner Bros. Pictures

Runtime

116 Minutes

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