Save The Last Dance Soundtrack: Directed by Thomas Carter and released by Paramount Pictures (with MTV Films), Save the Last Dance is a 2001 American teen dance drama starring Julia Stiles and Sean Patrick Thomas. Sara Johnson (Stiles), an aspiring ballet dancer, moves in with her estranged father on Chicago’s South Side after her mother’s death, transfers to a new high school, and falls for classmate Derek Reynolds (Thomas) while learning hip-hop moves from the local dance club STEPPS. The film’s two companion soundtrack albums, packed with hip-hop and R&B from the era, became a genuine commercial hit in their own right.
Quick Facts
| Director | Thomas Carter |
| Writer | Duane Adler |
| Cast | Julia Stiles, Sean Patrick Thomas, Kerry Washington, Fredro Starr, Bianca Lawson, Terry Kinney |
| Genre | Drama, Music, Romance |
| Release Date | January 12, 2001 (United States) |
| Studio | Paramount Pictures / MTV Films |
| Soundtrack Label | Hollywood Records |
| Runtime | 112 minutes |
Who Made The Save The Last Dance Soundtrack?
Save the Last Dance doesn’t have a traditional orchestral score credited to a single composer — instead, its soundtrack is a hip-hop and contemporary R&B compilation assembled from multiple producers, including Darrell “Delite” Allamby, Anthony President and Brainz Dimilo, Babyface, Stevie J, Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs, Eddie F, and Fredro Starr (who also appears in the film as Malakai), with Thomas Carter, Robert W. Cort, and Mitchell Lieb serving as executive producers. The first soundtrack, Music from the Motion Picture Save the Last Dance, was released December 19, 2000 through Hollywood Records and became a genuine chart hit: it peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200, No. 2 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and No. 6 on the Top Soundtracks chart, going 2x Platinum in the U.S. and winning the American Music Award for Favorite Soundtrack in 2002. A second album, More Music from the Motion Picture Save the Last Dance, followed on May 22, 2001, reaching No. 129 on the Billboard 200.
Every Song (Save The Last Dance Soundtrack List)
Album One — Music from the Motion Picture Save the Last Dance (December 19, 2000)
- “Shining Through (Theme from Save the Last Dance)” – Fredro Starr and Jill Scott
- “You” – Lucy Pearl, Snoop Dogg and Q-Tip
- “Bonafide” – X-2-C
- “Crazy” – K-Ci & JoJo
- “You Make Me Sick” – Pink
- “U Know What’s Up” – Donell Jones
- “Move It Slow” – Kevon Edmonds
- “Murder She Wrote” – Chaka Demus & Pliers
- “Breathe and Stop” – Q-Tip
- “You Can Do It” – Ice Cube, Mack 10, and Ms. Toi
- “My Window” – Soulbone
- “Only You” – 112 and Notorious B.I.G.
- “Get It On Tonite” – Montell Jordan
- “All or Nothing” – Athena Cage
Album Two — More Music from the Motion Picture Save the Last Dance (May 22, 2001)
- “Da Rockwilder” – Method Man & Redman
- “Let’s Get Crunk” – Shawty Redd
- “So Special” – The World Beaters
- “Hate the Playaz” – Audrey Martells
- “Dance Floor” – Ta-Gana
- “I Can Tell” – Jesse Powell
- “When It Doesn’t Matter” – Angela Ammons
- “Do Things” – Sy Smith
- “Where Ya At” – Fatman Scoop
- “Bust Off” – Medina Green
- “You Don’t Really Want Some” – Blaqout
- “Bounce” – J.R. Young
- “In for Cream” – Blaqout
Source: Wikipedia.
Where to Stream The Save The Last Dance Soundtrack
Both Save the Last Dance soundtrack albums are available to stream on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and YouTube. If you’re looking for more 2000s-era movie soundtracks or want to check where the film itself is streaming today, visit our movie soundtrack hub or browse titles on Prime Video.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who composed the Save the Last Dance soundtrack?
There isn’t a single film composer — the soundtrack is a hip-hop and R&B compilation put together by multiple producers, including Darrell “Delite” Allamby, Babyface, Stevie J, and Puff Daddy, with Thomas Carter as executive producer.
How high did the Save the Last Dance soundtrack chart?
The first soundtrack album peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200, No. 2 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and No. 6 on the Top Soundtracks chart, and was certified 2x Platinum by the RIAA.
How many Save the Last Dance soundtrack albums are there?
Two: Music from the Motion Picture Save the Last Dance (December 19, 2000) and More Music from the Motion Picture Save the Last Dance (May 22, 2001).
Who stars in Save the Last Dance?
Julia Stiles stars as Sara Johnson and Sean Patrick Thomas as Derek Reynolds, with Kerry Washington as Chenille Reynolds, Fredro Starr as Malakai, and Bianca Lawson as Nikki.
What is Save the Last Dance about?
After her mother’s death, aspiring ballet dancer Sara Johnson moves in with her estranged father in Chicago, transfers to a predominantly Black high school, and falls for classmate Derek while learning hip-hop dance at the club STEPPS as she works toward a Juilliard audition.
Related reading: Movie Soundtrack Hub | Prime Video | Streaming Hub