Warner Bros. Pictures
Natalia Lafourcade and Rosalía are two of the stars that appear on The Flash soundtrack with songs performed in Spanish.
Without a doubt, one of the most memorable elements of Flash its amazing soundtrack. Moving completely away from the solemnity that he had impregnated to the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), the first solo adventure of Barry Allen -interpreted by ezra miller– is full of moments where the music plays an important role. With this in mind, the songs that sound in the 144-minute duration of the film by Andy Muschietti they were carefully selected considering the action and the accompanying characters.
This entry contains slight spoilers for The Flash.
For example, in a scene where the scarlet runner speed through the streets of Central City the song is used Alright of supergrassa wonderful British rock anthem from the mid-nineties that extols the naivety and vitality from that strange time when we left adolescence and became adults. The theme matches the mood of the character, the alternative version of the Barry Allen that we have seen on screen before, who has just obtained his powers. At another time, the song Great Balls of Fire of Jerry Lee Lewis is intoned as a gag while explaining how different movie hits the size of top gun in a different universe.
Perhaps the sequences where the work of the music supervisor is most evident kimbaum are those where Nora Allen appears, because they are used Spanish songs to refer in a veiled manner to the origin of the character and the actress who plays her, the Spanish Maribel Verdu. But what are these songs and when do they appear?
The Flash: the songs in Spanish that sound on its soundtrack
Although the comics do not specifically establish the origin of Nora AllenIt was a proposal from Andy Muschietti the one that ended up granting Flash’s mother a Hispanic identity. As told by her own Maribel Verdu to SMASH: “When he called me to propose to me, I said ‘Andy, but you’re crazy. Those from Warner are going to tell you directly: Go with your movie. How are you going to offer a Spanish woman to Nora Allen?‘. And surprisingly they said yes. And here I am. I already did it; I already gave birth to The Flash“.
In that sense, it is not strange that the character is listening songs in your own language. The curious thing is how these compositions enter – of figures like ruben blades, Augustine Lara either rosalia– in action, serving as a festive explosion that leaves a life lesson or as the background of a melancholic, but necessary, farewell.
Pedro Navaja – Natalie Fernandez
A kitchen. That is the last space where Barry Allen sees his mother, this is also the place where viewers first see the character. He is preparing a dish when he discovers that he is missing a can of tomato. The repercussions of such a tiny need will be brutal not only for Barry’s life and his father, but also for many universes. But before any tragedy happens, Nora is happy. She dances with her son and sings. As in the song selected for that moment, the music hides the horrors that are about to happen.
Pedro navajaa salsa song composed by ruben blades in 1977, it narrates the last moments of the life of a character –corner thug– who justifies his multiple crimes in his eagerness to “live in America”. Perhaps the song –in the voice of natalie fernandez– has nothing to do with the plot of Flashbut there are some things that coincide. Like Pedro Navaja, Nora Allen is about to die without knowing it. The two also say the same words minutes before being stabbed: “Life gives you surprises. Life gives you surprises“. At the end of the movie, Barry realizes that this sentence applies in all universes.
Think of Me – Natalia Lafourcade
Let’s advance in the story. As you go back in time, Barry Allen is thrown into a universe where Nora Allen was not murdered. As he enters her house and returns to the kitchen where he last saw her, the image of a woman he had lost 18 years ago is clear. She once again is preparing food and listening to music. On this occasion, the selected theme is slower, sweeter. Think of mesong of Augustine Lara taken up by Natalia Lafourcade on his 2012 album where he paid homage to the compositions of “Flaco de Oro”, it sounds from a small horn.
The appearance of this song is not free. Allen hasn’t stopped thinking about his mother. Just as Lara sang in 1935 -and casal light, Chavela Vargas, pink martini, Denise Gutierrez and lilac downs ever since, Barry hasn’t stopped thinking about his mother. Her death has been the event that has led him to be what he is: become a heroto be part of the League of Justice, to try to change things without measuring the repercussions. Now she has her in front of him, was it all worth it?
If you only knew mate – Rosalía
The key moment of Flash It doesn’t happen on a battlefield, but in a supermarket. Upon learning everything that has caused his adventure through the different universes where the speedy hero, Superman and BatmanBarry is forced to reverse his actions and let things take their course. Dressed incognito in clothes still with tags, the young man distracts her mother to take away the only thing that keeps her alive, but not before giving herself the opportunity to say goodbye to her.
In the scene, where Barry cries and feels his mother for the last time, two things predominate: the blue rays that indicate that Flash has executed his powers to stop time and the voice of the Spanish singer rosalia with the song if you knew mate. “The world, leagues and leagues // Although my body has run // The world, leagues and leagues // As my soul leaves me here // And here it has come for her”, interprets ‘Motomami’. The emotional sequence ends with Barry repeating a fond farewell: “I love you mom. I love you more. I love you before.”
The Flash soundtrack: these are ALL the songs from the movie
Of course, the songs in Spanish are not the only ones that stand out in the flash soundtrack. In addition to the compositions of Benjamin Wallfishsubjects of Chicago –25 or 6 or 4 in battle against the army General Zod– and OK Go –This Too Shall Pass in the end credits – stand out on the screen.
Here the complete tracklist:
- If You Leave Me Now –Chicago
- bad fun –The Cult
- Pedro navaja – Natalie Fernandez
- Think of me – Natalia Lafourcade
- Alright –Supergrass
- Great Balls of Fire –Jerry Lee Lewis
- Salute Your Solution –The Raconteurs
- 25 or 6 or 4 –Chicago
- if you knew mate – Rosalia
- This Too Shall Pass –OK Go
What was your favorite song of the flash soundtrack?
Keep reading…
What premieres are coming to DC in the cinema after Flash?
Ezra Miller reappears in public at The Flash premiere
How many post-credits scenes does The Flash have and what happens in them
Flash: the movie that DC fans were asking for is finally a reality (review and criticism)
Michael Shannon returns with The Flash and talks about all the details exclusively for Esquire Mexico