Warning: This article contains spoilers for West Side Story.
The Steven Spielberg-directed remake of West Side Story comes out on December 10, 2021, and it has already gained extensive praise from critics. The 1961 film adaptation of the 1957 stage production remains one of the most beloved movie musicals to this day, and it seems that the new film lives up to its inspiration in many ways.
One of the most highly regarded aspects of West Side Story is its music, and because the soundtrack for the 2021 film has come out before the film itself, fans can listen to the fantastic songs before December 10. The new movie upholds the legacy of the musical, and some songs rise above others through musical arrangements and incredible performances.
10 "Cool"
In the 1961 film, "Cool" is sung mainly by Riff as he and the Jets prepare to meet with the Sharks. In the 2021 rendition, though, the order of the songs is switched up a bit, and the beginning of "Cool" is instead sung by Tony, with the latter portions sung again by Riff.
Their respective verses work excellently for the state of mind of the characters at the time, with Tony telling himself to remain calm as he tries to negotiate peace between the two gangs and Riff trying to stay focused. Both actors communicate that the characters are nervous about the events to come, and the care they and the rest of the cast put into their performances is sure to make them rival some of Ansel Elgort and Mike Faist's most famous roles. The instrumental portions are also lively, with the brass sections and drum fills helping to invigorate the song even more.
9 "The Dance At The Gym: Mambo"
Taking place at the dance where María and Tony meet for the first time, "Mambo" is the second portion of the three-part "The Dance at the Gym." The music is lively and lends itself well to the scene it accompanies. The percussion provides fantastic energy to the orchestral score, and the swells of the brass instruments add an additional element of excitement to the piece.
The song maintains its energy for its entirety without getting old, only changing its dynamic briefly near the beginning, which leads to a satisfying build to the song's exciting sections.
8 "Jet Song"
Before West Side Story, Mike Faist was perhaps best known for originating the role of Connor Murphy in Dear Evan Hansen on Broadway. One of the movie's biggest differences from the Dear Evan Hansen musical was Faist not returning for the on-screen adaptation. The actor's performing talents are on full display in the new Steven Spielberg film, though, especially in "Jet Song."
Faist and the rest of the actors who play the Jets do an excellent job at performing the playful but deeply troubling song, showing the characters' personalities in a way that feels genuine. They attempt to convince themselves that Tony remains loyal to the gang while illustrating their undying loyalty to their group, making audiences realize that they can be dangerous.
7 "Maria"
After meeting María for the first time and being intimidated by Bernardo, Tony cannot stop thinking about her. Though much of the song is a repeating of her name, the performance gives the name weight each time it is said.
The song shows the elation Tony feels simply through saying "María," demonstrating the instant love he experiences, a feeling that María shares. The other portions of the song include more lyrics that echo this feeling of a life-changing joy, which the orchestral score beautifully complements.
6 "I Feel Pretty"
"I Feel Pretty" remains one of the most famous songs from the original film, the soundtrack of which contributed to West Side Story being the highest-grossing movie of 1961. The 2021 rendition does the original proud by showing the incredible talents of Rachel Zegler as María.
In this song, María happily tells her friends of her newfound love with lighthearted instrumentation and joyful lyrics. However, much of the emotional impact comes from the audience's knowledge of the horrible events that just took place, news that has yet to reach María.
5 "America"
"America" is sung by Anita, Bernardo, and several other characters about their feelings regarding Puerto Rico and the mainland United States, with some yearning for the former and others singing the praises of the latter.
The song blends comedy and serious commentary, with the characters joking between each other in one line and addressing issues like racism in another. Ariana DeBose, David Alvarez, and the other cast members in the song perform it excellently, and the instrumentation provides upbeat energy that works well with the character interactions taking place.
4 "Tonight (Quintet)"
With the same melody of a song that Tony and María sang together earlier, "Tonight (Quintet)" shows the perspectives of the major characters as they go into the night of the rumble. While certain characters have more lighthearted lines, others show their determination to have a violent altercation.
The vocals and instrumentation change between the characters incredibly well, showing the audience the different outcomes that could result from the events to follow. "Tonight (Quintet)" helps to build anticipation for what comes to fruition in the next song, titled "The Rumble."
3 "A Boy Like That/I Have A Love"
Following Bernardo's death, Anita angrily tells María that she should leave Tony. The intense instrumental elements of "A Boy Like That," featuring several portions of builds to large crescendos, are beautifully juxtaposed with the María-led "I Have a Love," where she professes her love for Tony and pleas with Anita to understand.
The excellent performances of Ariana DeBose and Rachel Zegler show the pain in each character and the complexities of the situation. Culminating in incredible harmonization between the two, "A Boy Like That/I Have a Love" is one of the more emotional moments of the soundtrack.
2 "Somewhere"
Rita Moreno's exceptional performance as Anita in the original West Side Story helped to make it one of the most influential movie musicals of all time, and she again gives a stellar performance in the remake, which is evident through "Somewhere."
In the 2021 film, Moreno portrays Valentina, and this song showcases the character's dreams for a brighter future. The song takes place soon after María learns of Bernardo's death and Tony's involvement. Moreno gives a moving rendition of the song, providing hope to a situation that seems incredibly bleak.
1 "Balcony Scene (Tonight)"
After initially meeting at the dance, Tony arrives at María's balcony. The two tell their feelings for each other and set the romance into motion that becomes the focus of the narrative. The song begins tenderly and turns into a fast-paced, joyful expression of the love between the main characters.
The instrumentation excellently communicates the atmosphere surrounding them, and with phenomenal vocal talents, especially from Rachel Zegler, "Balcony Scene (Tonight)" is one of the most engaging and heartwarming songs on the soundtrack.
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