description Easy Rider (Soundtrack) Overview
This album features the soundtrack to the 1969 counterculture road film "Easy Rider," directed by Dennis Hopper. Instead of an original score, the film utilizes a compilation of contemporary rock, blues, and psychedelic music from the late 1960s. The soundtrack includes tracks by Steppenwolf, Jimi Hendrix, and The Byrds, serving to establish the era's cultural context. The album is considered a notable document of late-1960s rock music and its integration into cinematic narratives.
help Easy Rider (Soundtrack) FAQ
Which recording of Born to Be Wild appears on the Easy Rider soundtrack?
The soundtrack uses Steppenwolf's original recording of Born to Be Wild, which accompanies the film's motorcycle imagery. It also includes the band's The Pusher, written by Hoyt Axton.
Why was Easy Rider's soundtrack unusual in 1969?
The film relied heavily on existing rock recordings rather than commissioning a conventional orchestral score. Its commercial soundtrack helped establish the model of using a curated collection of contemporary songs to define a film.
Is Jimi Hendrix's music on the Easy Rider soundtrack album?
Yes, the album includes If 6 Was 9 by the Jimi Hendrix Experience. The soundtrack also features the Byrds, the Band, Roger McGuinn and the Electric Prunes.
Why is The Weight on the album not performed by the Band?
The Band's recording appears in the film, but licensing prevented that version from being used on the original soundtrack album. The album substitutes a recording by Smith, creating one of the best-known differences between the movie and its LP.
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