Media and Music: The Badass Anthems of the Female-Focused “Birds of Prey” Soundtrack
As the first anti-hero film with a primarily female cast and crew, it should come as no surprise that the “Birds of Prey” soundtrack features only female artists who provide exhilarating tunes to mirror the eclectic roller coaster that is Harley Quinn.
In Media and Music, our writers take a deep dive into how movies use scores and songs to engage viewers, give new meaning and tone to some of our favorite scenes, and establish themes. It almost goes without saying, but there are spoilers abound.
Written by Keylee Paz
Photo Courtesy of Comic Book Movie
The DC universe has a history of underrepresenting women in its movies, featuring only three films with female leads since 2004. Though the anti-hero film “Suicide Squad” was poorly received, critics praised Margot Robbie’s portrayal of Harley Quinn and were eager to see more of her character. Director Cathy Yan’s “Birds of Prey” made a revolutionary mark in the DC universe by not only introducing a star-studded female cast, but also having a female-heavy production team.
The story is told non-linearly in the eyes of Harley, who is facing trouble with crime boss Roman Sionis (Ewan McGregor) after her break up with the Joker. Harley then becomes allies with Renee Montoya (Rosie Perez), Huntress (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), Cassandra Cain (Ella Jay Basco), and Dinah Lance (Jurnee Smollett-Bell), who all pursue different kinds of self-authority and emancipation.
In addition to the film’s colorful visuals and high-energy violence, the soundtrack brings it all together with powerful and anthemic songs. Filled with incredible bursts of energy and catchy sounds, it captures each character in every possible light. From original dance bops to beautiful covers of classics, every track makes the scenes pop and brings the audience through a range of emotions.
The soundtrack starts with Doja Cat’s “Boss Bitch,” which plays during Harley’s montage full of nightclubs, showing her dancing and drinking as her way of coping with heartbreak after her breakup. The song contains Doja Cat’s signature cocky persona and uplifting beats that will make anyone feel like a badass. It also exemplifies how Harley feels invincible now that she’s freed from an unhealthy relationship.
Harley decides to update her relationship status with a grand gesture, blowing up a chemical plant, which she does to the tune of “Joke’s on You” by Charlotte Lawrence. Lawrence shows off her vibrant vocals and soft musical style in this single about regaining her power as a woman. As the volume increases when the ACE Chemical plant starts to explode, the whole scene becomes a beautiful and chill-inducing statement — Harley is free.
The song “Danger” by Jucee Froot shows up during many parts throughout the film, predominantly when Harley is kicking someone’s ass. It plays when she attacks police officers with a confetti gun and a beanbag shotgun, attacks Sionis’ goons, and chases after Sionis in roller skates near the end of the film. The song features catchy and repetitive guitar beats with hard rock vibes, making all its scenes visually enticing. The backing music that it provides shows what these characters are capable of.
When the film rewinds to introduce Quinn’s future-allies, it introduces Black Canary, a beautiful singer with a killer voice. Jurnee Smollett-Bell debuts her incredible range of vocals by singing a cover of James Brown’s “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World.” Compared to the original, it has a captivating and soulful orchestral arrangement, which accentuates Smollett-Bell’s tone and helps illustrate why she prefers to be called Black Canary.
Another incredible track is Saweetie and GALXARA’s “Sway with Me,” which plays while Cassandra Cain pick-pockets citizens of Gotham before eventually getting arrested. With its electro-pop and exhilarating qualities, the song emphasizes the duo’s songwriting capability and dynamic of female empowerment. The track samples Dean Martin’s “Sway” and contains a high pitched chorus, rambunctious lyrics, and lavish hip-hop and jazz beats.
Photo courtesy of EW
One of the most memorable scenes of the entire film occurs when Harley is trying to break Cassie out from a jail cell. She breaks the control panel, triggering the sprinkler system and setting all prisoners free . Unfortunately, Harley has wronged every single one of these prisoners in the past, which leads to an invigorating fight scene to the track “Experiment on Me” by Halsey. The singer embodies a different musical tone than her usual pop stylings, with the help of metalcore band Bring Me The Horizon. The song is fast-paced, with hard rock elements and sharp vocals that bring the masterfully choreographed fight scene together.
The climactic battle features the best cover of the soundtrack: “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” by ADONA, originally performed by Pat Benatar. The original song is a classic, with its upbeat guitar riffs and female rock vocals. ADONA takes a risk and changes the song completely to the point that it sounds almost nothing like the original. ADONA trades out Benatar’s gritty delivery for her own angelic vocals, a haunting back track and ominous sound effects that will give anyone goosebumps. Very sensual and laid-back, ADONA’s risk certainly pays off.
The movie comes to an end as Harley is finally emancipated from her own internal struggles and takes Cassie in as her apprentice, while the other ladies — Renee, Huntress, and Black Canary — form a vigilante group called the Birds of Prey. The best song of the entire album is saved for the credits: “Diamonds” by Megan Thee Stallion and Normani, inspired by the song “Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend” by Marilyn Monroe. The original was heard earlier when the film parodied a colorful scene from “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” with similar choreography, costumes, and lyrics. Meg and Normani make a wonderful duo, adding their own dazzling hip-hop and R&B twist to the original track’s themes. The lyrics constantly remind listeners to never underestimate a woman’s ability.
Overall, the “Birds of Prey” soundtrack does a wonderful job at bringing together a group of strong female musicians to create empowering anthems for the titular heroines. The songs are expertly blended in to enhance the narrative and character arcs, pushing the plot along while also delivering key insights into the mindsets of the film’s colorful cast. With many genre-bending bops, the soundtrack is as monumental as the film itself.