Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the soundtrack album to the 2017 film Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri directed by Martin McDonagh, starring Sam Rockwell, Frances McDormand and Woody Harrelson. The original score is composed by Carter Burwell and the soundtrack featured most of his scores, along with folk and Americana songs featuring contributions by ABBA, Joan Baez, The Felice Brothers, the Four Tops, Monsters of Folk and Townes Van Zandt. The album was released through Varèse Sarabande on November 10, 2017. Burwell received nominations for an Academy Award and Golden Globe award for his work on the film.
| Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Soundtrack album by various artists | ||||
| Released | November 10, 2017 | |||
| Studio | Abbey Road Studios, London | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 44:06 | |||
| Label | Varèse Sarabande | |||
| Carter Burwell chronology | ||||
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Background and development
editMcDonagh provided the script to Burwell prior to the film's shooting.[1] As Burwell found the scoring process to be complex because of the constantly changing interpersonal dynamics between the characters, Burwell asked McDonagh on what the film was really about, to which McDonagh said it was about a woman who is at war with the police.[2] Though it did not help that initially, this decision took lead in a helpful direction as Mildred changed her outfit as she was on the warpath. Burwell then composed a war-march piece, using guitar, mandolin, and strings as a stomp-clamping rhythm, to describe Mildfred's violence and vengeance. But also needed other themes to sympathetically connect with Mildred as a character. McDonagh described it as Sergio Leone-type of score that provides the film a Western feel.[3]
Hence the theme of "loss" was utilized to elicit sympathy for he situation and choices, following the rape and murder of her daughter. Burwell used a nylon string guitar, piano, clarient and other string instuments for an intimate sounding.[4] Another main theme was the "death" which progresses "as the story and the relationships develop, the themes intertwine until, by the last couple of reels, they're barely recognizable". Burwell considered the film to be "very funny and very violent, and death is one of the things that drives all the characters towards their violence and their funny activities".
But as the narrative that switches between Mildred, Dixon and sheriff Willoughby, Burwell considered to provide each character having a distinctive musical signature, an approach used by Ennio Morricone for his spaghetti western scores. But since the process became too arched, Burwell decided to focus on Midred and then focusing on Dixon, using "Loss" as a shared theme. Burwell added that, "Dixon's been burned to a crisp, basically, while he's reading a letter from his mentor [Willoughby], and the advice he gives him in this letter leads him off in a different direction. So the music begins to play sympathetically for him and he now begins to align musically with Mildred".[5]
Release
editVarèse Sarabande released the film's soundtrack on November 10, 2017, coinciding the film's release.[6][7]
Reception
editMarcy Donelson of AllMusic wrote "It's not one of Burwell's more ambitious scores, but it's one of his most organic – in terms of sound, but even more so in its symbiosis with the film."[8] James Southall of Movie Wave wrote "It's short, though – half of the 44-minute album is taken up by songs, dotted throughout the score. Program them out and you get a really nice, very colourful and evocative little score which is completely, unmistakably Carter Burwell."[9] Jonathan Broxton of Movie Wave wrote "Tonally, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri shares commonalities with scores like Storyville from 1992, This Boy's Life from 1993, The Chamber from 1996, The Hi-Lo Country from 1998, the quieter parts of The Alamo, and maybe True Grit, and anyone who appreciated his work on those scores may find this one also to their liking. However, what I appreciate about it the most is the way Burwell has crafted a perfect musical portrait of the central dichotomy inherent in Mildred: crippling grief overcome with raw aggression, antagonism, and an innate desire for justice at any cost."[10]
David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter wrote "More than the visuals, the depth of the movie owes much to Carter Burwell's flavorful, distinctly American score, with its roots and folk elements, and to superb song choices."[11] Glenn Kenny of RogerEbert.com stated that "Carter Burwell's Morricone-inflected score is a treat".[12] Sandy Schaefer of Screen Rant wrote "Much like he did on In Bruges, composer Carter Burwell further enhances the mood of Three Billboards with his beautiful score, blending rural tunes with more classical and poetic leitmotifs."[13] Steve Pond of TheWrap stated that "Carter Burwell's score and by the judicious use of evocative songs" aided the film.[14]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Mildred Goes to War" | 1:22 | |
| 2. | "The Deer" | 2:06 | |
| 3. | "Buckskin Stallion Blues" (performed by Townes Van Zandt) | Townes Van Zandt | 2:59 |
| 4. | "A Cough of Blood, A Dark Drive" | 2:37 | |
| 5. | "I've Been Arrested" | 0:38 | |
| 6. | "Fruit Loops" | 1:29 | |
| 7. | "Chiquitita" | ABBA | 0:40 |
| 8. | "His Master's Voice" (performed by Monsters of Folk) | 4:49 | |
| 9. | "Billboards On Fire" | 2:24 | |
| 10. | "Slippers" | 1:19 | |
| 11. | "The Last Rose of Summer" (performed by Renee Fleming and Jeffrey Tate) |
| 4:51 |
| 12. | "My Dear Anne" | 2:35 | |
| 13. | "Walk Away Renée" (performed by The Four Tops) |
| 2:44 |
| 14. | "Billboards Are Back" | 1:24 | |
| 15. | "Collecting Samples" | 1:15 | |
| 16. | "Sorry Welby" | 1:43 | |
| 17. | "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" (performed by Joan Baez) | Robbie Robertson | 3:23 |
| 18. | "Countermove" | 1:56 | |
| 19. | "Can't Give Up Hope" | 0:30 | |
| 20. | "Buckskin Stallion Blues" (performed by Amy Annelle) | Townes Van Zandt | 3:21 |
Complete score
editA complete score album was released by 20th Century Fox Film Corporation as a part of the "For Your Consideration" campaign to garner industry validation during the 2017–18 film awards season.[15]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Mildred Goes To War" | |
| 2. | "Angela Hayes' Mother" | |
| 3. | "Easter Dinner" | |
| 4. | "A War On Our Hands" | |
| 5. | "Croak" | |
| 6. | "Charred Grass" | |
| 7. | "Mildred In Custody" | |
| 8. | "A Cough Of Blood, A Dark Drive" | |
| 9. | "A Dead Kid's Room" | |
| 10. | "Fruit Loops" | |
| 11. | "I've Been Arrested" | |
| 12. | "Deer" | |
| 13. | "Ski Mask" | |
| 14. | "My Dear Anne" | |
| 15. | "Welcome To Missouri" | |
| 16. | "Countermove" | |
| 17. | "Billboards On Fire" | |
| 18. | "Slippers" | |
| 19. | "Sorry Welby" | |
| 20. | "Billboards Are Back" | |
| 21. | "Collecting Samples" | |
| 22. | "Can't Give Up Hope" |
Personnel
editCredits adapted from liner notes:[16]
- Music composer, conductor and orchestrator – Carter Burwell
- Assistant orchestra conductor – Susie Gillis
- Orchestra contractor – Isobel Griffiths
- Orchestra leader – Everton Nelson
- Recording and mixing – Michael Farrow
- Recording supervisor – Karen Elliott
- Mastering – Patricia Sullivan
- Score editor – John Warhurst
- Musical assistance – Dean Parker
- Music coordinator – Chris Piccaro
- Copyist – Vic Fraser
- Executive producer – James Gibb, Robert Townson
- Bass – Chris Lawrence
- Clarinet – Nick Carpenter
- Guitar – Hugh Burns
- Mandolin – Adam Goldsmith
- Percussion – Paul Clarvis
- Piano – Dave Hartley
Chart performance
edit| Chart (2017–2018) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Soundtrack Albums (OCC)[17] | 38 |
| US Top Soundtracks (Billboard)[18] | 18 |
Accolades
edit| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Nominee(s) | Result | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academy Awards | March 4, 2018 | Best Original Score | Carter Burwell | Nominated | [19] [20] [21] [22] |
| British Independent Film Awards | December 10, 2017 | Best Music | Carter Burwell | Won | [23] [24] |
| Florida Film Critics Circle | December 23, 2017 | Best Score | Carter Burwell | Nominated | [25] [26] |
| Golden Globe Awards | January 7, 2018 | Best Original Score | Carter Burwell | Nominated | [27] [28] |
| St. Louis Film Critics Association | December 17, 2017 | Best Soundtrack | Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri | Runner-up | [29] [30] |
| Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association | December 8, 2017 | Best Original Score | Carter Burwell | Nominated | [31] |
| World Soundtrack Awards | October 17, 2018 | Soundtrack Composer of the Year | Carter Burwell[a] | Won | [32] [33] |
Notes
edit- ↑ also for Goodbye Christopher Robin
References
edit- ↑ "Carter Burwell - Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri". carterburwell.com. Archived from the original on December 10, 2017. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
- ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (November 29, 2017). "Carter Burwell's Music For 'Wonderstruck's Silence & Frances McDormand's Warpath In 'Three Billboards' – Crew Call Podcast". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 16, 2018. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
- ↑ Connelly, Brendon (January 10, 2018). "Martin McDonagh interview: Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri". Den of Geek. Archived from the original on September 29, 2022. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
- ↑ Laws, Zach (October 19, 2017). "Composer Carter Burwell chats prolific year working on 'Wonderstruck,' 'Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri,' and 'Goodbye Christopher Robin' [EXCLUSIVE VIDEO INTERVIEW]". Gold Derby. Archived from the original on May 8, 2026. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
- ↑ Desowitz, Bill (February 9, 2018). "Oscars 2018: How Carter Burwell Channeled a Western Score for 'Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri'". IndieWire. Archived from the original on August 23, 2025. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
- ↑ "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri Visual Soundtrack". Varèse Sarabande. December 14, 2017. Archived from the original on February 23, 2019. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
- ↑ "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) – Apple Music Preview". iTunes. Archived from the original on March 31, 2018. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
- ↑ Donelson, Marcy. "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]". AllMusic. Archived from the original on November 7, 2022. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
- ↑ Southall, James (January 7, 2018). "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri soundtrack review | Carter Burwell". Movie Wave. Archived from the original on September 26, 2018. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
- ↑ Broxton, Jonathan (November 24, 2017). "THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING MISSOURI – Carter Burwell". MOVIE MUSIC UK. Archived from the original on May 13, 2018. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
- ↑ Rooney, David (September 4, 2017). "'Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri': Film Review | Venice 2017". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on June 6, 2021. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
- ↑ Kenny, Glenn (September 4, 2017). "Venice Film Festival 2017: "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri," "My Generation"". RogerEbert.com. Archived from the original on April 9, 2020. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
- ↑ Schaefer, Sandy (November 23, 2017). "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri: McDonagh Goes South". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on December 8, 2017. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
- ↑ Pond, Steve (November 9, 2017). "'Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri' Movie Review: Frances McDormand Is Bloody Funny". TheWrap. Archived from the original on September 4, 2017. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
- ↑ Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri (For Your Consideration – Best Original Score) (CD). Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. 2018.
- ↑ Carter Burwell. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (Media notes). Varèse Sarabande.
- ↑ "Official Soundtrack Albums Chart Top 50 – 9 to 15 February". Official Charts Company. March 1, 2009. Archived from the original on January 19, 2024. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
- ↑ "Soundtracks: Week of December 9, 2017". Billboard. December 9, 2017. Archived from the original on March 30, 2018. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
- ↑ "The 90th Academy Awards (2018) Nominees and Winners". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). Archived from the original on March 4, 2018. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
- ↑ "Oscars: 'Shape of Water' Leads With 13 Noms". The Hollywood Reporter. January 23, 2018. Archived from the original on January 23, 2018. Retrieved January 23, 2018.
- ↑ Barnes, Brooks (January 23, 2018). "2018 Oscar Nominations: 'The Shape of Water' Leads With 13 Nominations". The New York Times. Archived from the original on February 2, 2018. Retrieved January 23, 2018.
- ↑ Coyle, Jake (January 23, 2018). "In Oscar nominations, fresh voices lead the way". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on November 9, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
- ↑ Tartaglione, Nancy (November 1, 2017). "'Lady Macbeth' Leads British Independent Film Awards Nominations – Full List". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 1, 2017. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
- ↑ Clarke, Stewart (November 1, 2017). "'Lady Macbeth' Tops Nominations for British Independent Film Awards". Variety. Archived from the original on November 1, 2017. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
- ↑ "'The Shape of Water' Leads 2017 Florida Film Critics Awards Nominations" (Press release). Florida Film Critics Circle. December 20, 2017. Archived from the original on May 15, 2018. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
- ↑ "2017 FFCC Award Winners" (Press release). Florida Film Critics Circle. December 23, 2017. Archived from the original on October 16, 2018. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
- ↑ "Golden Globes: Full list of nominees". BBC News. December 11, 2017. Archived from the original on March 15, 2018. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
- ↑ "The full list of nominations for the Golden Globes 2018". The Guardian. December 11, 2017. Archived from the original on December 11, 2017. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
- ↑ Flores, Marshall (December 10, 2017). "Shape of Water Receives 12 Nominations From the St. Louis Film Critics". Awards Daily. Archived from the original on October 1, 2023. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
- ↑ "2017 StLFCA Annual Award Winners". St. Louis Film Critics Association. December 17, 2017. Archived from the original on October 22, 2020. Retrieved December 17, 2017.
- ↑ "The 2017 WAFCA Awards". Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association. December 8, 2017. Archived from the original on December 8, 2017. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
- ↑ Carras, Christi (August 13, 2018). "'Shape of Water,' 'Star Wars,' Kendrick Lamar Nab World Soundtrack Awards Noms". Variety. Archived from the original on August 13, 2018. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
- ↑ Dalton, Ben (October 17, 2018). "Kendrick Lamar, late Jóhann Jóhannsson win at 2018 World Soundtrack Awards". Screen International. Archived from the original on October 18, 2018. Retrieved June 27, 2024.