Death Proof Soundtrack: Death Proof is a 2007 American slasher film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. Kurt Russell plays Stuntman Mike, a scarred Hollywood stuntman who stalks and murders young women using a heavily reinforced muscle car he calls “death-proof.”
According to IMDb, two separate groups of women are stalked at different times by Stuntman Mike, who uses his “death-proof” car to carry out his attacks – until a second group of women turns the tables on him.
Rosario Dawson, Vanessa Ferlito, Jordan Ladd, Rose McGowan, Sydney Tamiia Poitier, Tracie Thoms, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, and Zoë Bell co-star as the women he targets.
Quick Facts
| Title | Death Proof |
| Release Date | April 6, 2007 (United States, as part of Grindhouse) |
| Director | Quentin Tarantino |
| Starring | Kurt Russell, Zoë Bell, Rosario Dawson, Vanessa Ferlito, Rose McGowan |
| Genre | Slasher / Grindhouse thriller |
| Part Of | Grindhouse double feature (with Robert Rodriguez’s Planet Terror) |
| Soundtrack Release | April 3, 2007 |
| Where to Watch | Prime Video, Peacock (rent/subscription) |
Death Proof Soundtrack
Death Proof was released theatrically as part of Grindhouse, a double feature pairing it with Robert Rodriguez’s Planet Terror. Following Grindhouse’s underwhelming performance at the domestic box office, Death Proof was recut and released as a standalone feature in other countries and on home media. It received mostly positive reviews for its dialogue and homage to 1970s exploitation cinema, though its pacing was criticized by some.
As with most of Tarantino’s films, Death Proof has no original score. Instead, music supervisor Holly Adams built the soundtrack from vintage rock, soul, and library music, plus several cues lifted directly from obscure Italian crime films of the 1970s (the “poliziotteschi” genre) – a hallmark of Tarantino’s needle-drop approach to scoring his movies.
Original Soundtrack of Death Proof
Here is the full track list of the official Death Proof soundtrack album, released April 3, 2007:
| Song | Artist |
|---|---|
| “The Last Race” | Jack Nitzsche (originally from the 1964 film Village of the Giants) |
| “Baby It’s You” | Smith (1969 cover; written by Burt Bacharach, Mack David & Luther Dixon) |
| “Paranoia Prima” | Ennio Morricone (originally from the 1971 film The Cat o’ Nine Tails) |
| “Planning & Scheming” | Dialogue (Eli Roth and Michael Bacall) |
| “Jeepster” | T. Rex (written by Marc Bolan) |
| “Stuntman Mike” | Dialogue (Rose McGowan and Kurt Russell) |
| “Staggolee” | Pacific Gas & Electric |
| “The Love You Save (May Be Your Own)” | Joe Tex |
| “Good Love, Bad Love” | Eddie Floyd |
| “Down in Mexico” | The Coasters (written by Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller) |
| “Hold Tight!” | Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich |
| “Sally and Jack” | Pino Donaggio (originally from the 1981 film Blow Out) |
| “It’s So Easy” | Mink DeVille (originally from the 1980 film Cruising) |
| “Whatever-However” | Dialogue (Tracie Thoms and Zoë Bell) |
| “Riot in Thunder Alley” | Eddie Beram (originally from the 1967 film Thunder Alley) |
| “Chick Habit” | April March (English version of “Laisse Tomber Les Filles”) |
Additional Film Music of Death Proof (Not on the Album)
- “Gangster Story” — Guido & Maurizio De Angelis: A cue from the 1973 Italian poliziottesco (crime) film La Polizia Incrimina, la Legge Assolve, directed by Enzo G. Castellari.
- “Funky Fanfare” — Keith Mansfield: A 1969 stock-music fanfare widely used in grindhouse-era theatrical trailers.
- “Italia a Mano Armata (Main Theme)” — Franco Micalizzi: From the 1976 Italian crime film of the same name.
- “La Polizia Sta a Guardare (Main Theme)” — Stelvio Cipriani: From the 1973 Italian poliziottesco film of the same name.
- “Laisse Tomber Les Filles” (the original French version of “Chick Habit”) — April March.
- “Twisted Nerve” — Bernard Herrmann: The whistled theme originally written for the 1968 British thriller Twisted Nerve, later reused by Tarantino in Kill Bill Vol. 1.
- “Violenza Inattesa” — Ennio Morricone.
Where to Stream Death Proof
Death Proof is available to rent or buy digitally on Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango At Home, and it streams with a Peacock subscription. You can listen to the official soundtrack album on Apple Music and buy it on Amazon Music.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “death-proof” mean in the movie?
“Death-proof” refers to Stuntman Mike’s heavily reinforced muscle car, which he claims is built to protect its driver from fatal crashes. He uses this “safety feature” as a weapon, deliberately crashing into other cars to kill the women riding in them while he survives unharmed.
Is “Down in Mexico” in Death Proof performed by AC/DC?
No. “Down in Mexico” in Death Proof is the original 1957 recording by The Coasters, written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. It is not an AC/DC song.
Who sings “Jeepster” in Death Proof?
“Jeepster” is performed by the British glam-rock band T. Rex and was written by frontman Marc Bolan. It originally appeared on their 1971 album Electric Warrior.
Is Death Proof part of Grindhouse?
Yes. Death Proof was Quentin Tarantino’s half of Grindhouse, a 2007 double feature released with Robert Rodriguez’s Planet Terror. After Grindhouse underperformed in the US, Death Proof was later released as a standalone, extended cut internationally and on home video.
Where can I watch Death Proof now?
Death Proof can be streamed with a Peacock subscription or rented/purchased digitally on Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango At Home.
Related reading: Browse more movie soundtracks, check the Prime Video guide, or visit the streaming hub for more platforms.