Music isn't just a background detail in The Last Song; it's basically the whole point of the movie. If you've seen it, you know the vibe. Miley Cyrus plays Ronnie Miller, a piano prodigy who hates the piano because she’s mad at her dad. It’s a classic Nicholas Sparks setup. But honestly, the real heavy lifting in the film comes from the soundtrack. People still obsess over the the last song movie songs years later, and not just because of the Miley and Liam Hemsworth of it all.
The music was curated to bridge the gap between Ronnie’s rebellious teenage phase and the emotional maturity she finds by the end. It's a weird, beautiful mix. You've got indie darlings like Iron & Wine sitting right next to massive pop hits from Maroon 5.
The One Song Everyone Remembers
You can't talk about this movie without talking about "When I Look at You." It was everywhere in 2010. Interestingly, the song wasn't even written for the movie originally. It was supposed to be on Miley’s album Can't Be Tamed, but the producers realized it fit Ronnie’s journey perfectly. John Shanks and Hillary Lindsey wrote it, and it became this massive power ballad that defined Miley's transition from Hannah Montana to a "serious" artist.
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There's a specific scene where Miley is playing the piano and Liam is just... staring at her. That's the heart of the movie. The song peaked at number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100, which is pretty impressive for a movie tie-in. It actually had a second life on TikTok back in 2020. A whole new generation started using it for challenges, proving that a good melody is basically immortal.
The Indie Gems You Probably Missed
While "When I Look at You" got all the radio play, the rest of the last song movie songs list is surprisingly hipster for a Disney-adjacent production.
Take "Each Coming Night" by Iron & Wine. It’s haunting. It plays during those quiet, beachy moments that make you want to move to a small town in Georgia and volunteer at a turtle sanctuary. Then you have José González with "Down the Line." These aren't your typical bubblegum pop tracks. The music supervisors, including Adam Shankman (who produced the film), clearly wanted a sound that felt "authentic" and slightly gritty to match Ronnie’s mood.
A Breakdown of the Core Tracklist
- "Tyrant" by OneRepublic: This opens the soundtrack with a lot of energy. Ryan Tedder has a way of making everything sound like an anthem.
- "She Will Be Loved" by Maroon 5: This one is a bit of an Easter egg. In the movie, Miley and Liam actually sing along to this in the car. It’s arguably the most "human" moment in the film because, let’s be real, Miley’s singing is great, but Liam’s is... enthusiastic.
- "Brooklyn Blurs" by The Paper Raincoat: A gorgeous indie track that captures that feeling of being lost in a big city—or a big emotion.
- "I Hope You Find It" by Miley Cyrus: This is the other Miley track on the album. It’s a bit more somber than her lead single, focusing on the theme of letting go. Cher actually covered this song later for her Closer to the Truth album, which is a wild fact most people forget.
The Secret Ingredient: Aaron Zigman’s Score
We usually focus on the pop songs, but Aaron Zigman’s instrumental score is what actually makes you cry. He’s the guy behind the music in The Notebook, so he knows exactly how to pull at your heartstrings.
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"Steve’s Theme" is the piece that Ronnie and her father, Steve (played by Greg Kinnear), work on together. In the story, it’s the "last song" he ever writes. It’s a simple, recurring piano melody that builds throughout the film. If you’ve ever tried to learn it on the piano, you know it’s harder than it sounds. It’s meant to represent their relationship—unfinished, complicated, but ultimately beautiful.
Why the Music Still Hits Different
Soundtracks today feel a bit like a lost art. Often, they’re just a collection of whatever is trending on Spotify. But back in 2010, the last song movie songs were chosen to tell a specific story. You have Allstar Weekend providing that "Disney Channel" energy with "A Different Side of Me," and then you have The Raveonettes bringing a darker, shoegaze vibe with "Heart of Stone."
It’s a sonic representation of being seventeen. One minute you’re angry and listening to something loud, and the next you’re crying to a piano ballad.
The movie also used songs that weren't even on the official soundtrack CD. Snow Patrol’s "Shut Your Eyes" and Feist’s "I Feel It All" both make appearances. These choices added a layer of "cool" to a movie that could have easily been too cheesy.
Actionable Insights for Music Lovers
If you're looking to dive back into the world of Nicholas Sparks or just want to update your "emotional 2010s" playlist, here are a few ways to experience this music today:
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- Check out the Cher cover: If you only know Miley's version of "I Hope You Find It," go listen to Cher’s. It’s a completely different vibe and shows how well-written the song actually is.
- Learn "Steve’s Theme": For the piano players out there, the sheet music is readily available online. It’s a great piece for practicing expression and dynamics without being overly technical.
- Watch the "When I Look at You" music video: Adam Shankman directed it, and it features scenes that didn't make the final cut of the movie. It’s a nice bit of nostalgia for the Miley/Liam era.
- Dig into the Indie Artists: Use the soundtrack as a jumping-off point to discover bands like Ra Ra Riot or VHS Or Beta. Most of these artists were at the peak of the indie-pop wave in 2010 and their broader discographies are worth a listen.
The music of The Last Song succeeds because it doesn't try too hard to be one thing. It’s as messy and emotional as the characters themselves. Whether you’re there for the Miley Cyrus power ballads or the quiet acoustic guitars, the soundtrack remains a time capsule of a very specific moment in pop culture.