When you think about the 2005 version of Mr. & Mrs. Smith, you probably think of two things: the palpable, tabloid-fueling chemistry between Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, and that absolute banger of a dance scene. But honestly? The mr smith mrs smith soundtrack is the secret sauce that actually holds that chaotic, bullet-riddled marriage together. It isn’t just a collection of songs; it’s a masterclass in using music to tell a story about two people who want to kill each other almost as much as they want to kiss each other.
Music in action movies is usually just there to fill the silence between explosions. Not here. Whether we’re talking about the iconic John Powell score from the original film or the moody, "art school espionage" vibes of the 2024 Amazon series, the music is basically a third character in the room.
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The 2005 Classics: From Poison to Joe Strummer
The 2005 movie soundtrack is a weird, glorious mess. You've got 80s hair metal sitting right next to French indie covers and legendary punk vocalists. It shouldn't work. On paper, it looks like someone just hit "shuffle" on a very confused iPod. But in the context of John and Jane Smith’s suburban-warzone life, it’s perfect.
Take "Mondo Bongo" by Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros. That song is the soul of the movie. It’s got this hypnotic, Latin-infused rhythm that plays while they’re "vacationing" in Bogota. It sets the tone for their entire relationship—exotic, slightly dangerous, and rhythmically out of sync with the rest of the world. Then you have the sheer audacity of including "Making Love Out of Nothing at All" by Air Supply. It’s played for laughs, sure, but it also captures that cheesy, domestic veneer they’re both desperately trying to maintain.
The Standout Tracks You Probably Forgot
- "Lay Lady Lay" (Magnet featuring Gemma Hayes): This Bob Dylan cover is moody as hell. It plays during the more "domestic" moments, grounding the high-octane spy stuff in something that feels lonely and real.
- "Express Yourself" (Mocean Worker Remix): This brings a funky, high-energy vibe to the prep scenes. It’s the sound of professionals getting ready for work—even if "work" involves C4 and sniper rifles.
- "Assassin's Tango": Composed by John Powell, this is the definitive instrumental moment. It’s the music for that high-stakes restaurant scene where they realize they’re both targets. It’s sharp, aggressive, and sexy.
Why the Score Matters More Than the Pop Songs
While the licensed tracks get all the glory on Spotify playlists, the mr smith mrs smith soundtrack is actually built on the back of John Powell’s orchestral score. There’s a famous story from the production—highlighted in the "Unrated" DVD features—about the dinner scene at the start of the movie.
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If you watch that scene without the music, it’s a miserable, tense portrait of a failing marriage. It’s uncomfortable. But when Powell’s "lightly comic" score is added, it transforms into a wry, observational comedy about the mundanity of long-term partnership. Music is the only thing that makes their misery palatable for an audience. Powell used a lot of "Latin" flourishes—guitar, percussion, and brass—to give the film a global, sophisticated feel that separated it from the gritty, industrial sound of the Bourne movies (which he also scored, ironically).
The 2024 Reboot: "Art School Espionage"
Fast forward to 2024. Donald Glover and Francesca Sloane decided to flip the script. If the 2005 movie was a "summertime popcorn movie," the Amazon series is a character-driven drama that happens to have guns. Consequently, the music had to change.
Composer David Fleming was told to avoid the obvious spy tropes. No "James Bond" horns. No generic suspense strings. Instead, they aimed for what they called "art school espionage."
Fleming used some pretty unconventional tools. He mentioned in interviews that he grabbed a tiny Yamaha toy synth and a kalimba that just happened to be sitting in his studio. The result? A sound that feels awkward, intimate, and human. The 2024 mr smith mrs smith soundtrack (the score specifically) doesn't try to make them look like superheroes. It makes them sound like two people trying to figure out if they even like each other while they're running for their lives.
Key Differences Between the Movie and the Show
- Vibe: The movie is "glamour and grit." The show is "anxiety and atmosphere."
- Instrumentation: Powell used a full orchestra with a Latin flair. Fleming used synths, found sounds, and a more minimalist approach.
- The "Hihi" Motif: In the show, the music often reflects the technological nature of their handler, "Hihi." It’s colder, more electronic, and slightly detached.
The "Assassin's Tango" Phenomenon
You can't talk about this soundtrack without mentioning the Tango. In the 2005 film, the track "El Tango de los Assassinos" (or "Assassin's Tango") is the peak of the movie's style. It represents the moment the masks finally come off.
John and Jane are dancing, they’re searching each other for weapons, and the music is doing all the heavy lifting for the dialogue. It’s a literal dance of death. Powell’s use of the accordion and sharp violin stabs creates a tension that pop music just can't reach. It’s been used in countless dance competitions since then because it’s just that evocative.
Spotting the Differences in Releases
If you’re looking to buy or stream the music, it gets a bit confusing. There are usually two versions of the mr smith mrs smith soundtrack floating around for the 2005 film.
First, there’s the "Original Motion Picture Soundtrack." This is the one with the J. Geils Band, Soft Cell, and Poison. It’s the "hits" album. Then, there’s the "Original Motion Picture Score" by John Powell. This is the instrumental stuff. If you want the "Assassin's Tango," you usually have to look for the score, though some versions of the soundtrack album include it as a "bonus" or featured track.
Interestingly, the track "Let's Never Stop Falling in Love" by Pink Martini is often missing from modern streaming versions of the soundtrack due to licensing shifts, even though it was a staple on the original CD release.
Actionable Takeaways for Your Playlist
If you want to curate the perfect "Smith" experience, don't just dump everything into one folder. The music serves different moods.
For a high-energy workout or a "getting things done" vibe, stick to the 2005 soundtrack's rock and funk remixes. Use "Express Yourself" and "Nothin' But a Good Time." If you want something for a rainy evening or a focused work session, the David Fleming 2024 score or the Magnet "Lay Lady Lay" cover is the way to go.
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- Check the Credits: If you love a specific instrumental bit in the show, look for David Fleming on Tidal or Apple Music.
- Venture Beyond the Hits: Seek out "Mondo Bongo." It’s a 6-minute journey that explains the entire vibe of the 2005 film better than any trailer ever could.
- The "Dinner" Test: If you're a filmmaker or editor, watch the 2005 dinner scene with and without the score. It is the single best lesson you will ever get on how music dictates emotion.
The mr smith mrs smith soundtrack—across both iterations—proves that spy stories aren't just about the gadgets or the kills. They’re about the rhythm of a relationship. Whether it’s a bombastic tango or a lonely synth note, the music is what makes us believe that these two people actually belong together, even when they’re shooting at each other.
To get the full experience, start with the John Powell score from 2005 to understand the foundation of the franchise's sound, then move to David Fleming's 2024 work to see how that sound has evolved into something much more modern and introspective.