Iconic Movie Soundtrack Still Thrills Fans 31 Years Later!

In 1994, audiences worldwide were blown away by the release of Pulp Fiction, Quentin Tarantino’s second groundbreaking movie. Winning the Palme d’Or at Cannes, the film has since become a timeless classic, its influence still potent today.

The movie shines in many respects, from its script to direction, and impeccable casting. However, it is also renowned for its soundtrack, which consists of a mix of existing songs and music tracks.

An Unforgettable Tune

Among these tracks, one in particular has left a lasting impression. It’s “Misirlou,” a vibrant and energetic melody that plays during the opening credits. It comes in right after the initial scene introducing Pumpkin and Yolanda, just as they are about to rob the coffee shop.

Tarantino freezes the frame while the two lovers pull out their guns and yell at everyone to stay put. The audience is left stunned as the credits roll, set to the rhythm of “Misirlou.”

Right from the start, Tarantino sets the tone of the film and establishes his stylistic presence powerfully. The filmmaker delivers a sonic whip-crack, providing a bombastic and memorable opening. It’s striking and unforgettable.

Known for reviving the careers of forgotten actors, like John Travolta in Pulp Fiction or Pam Grier in Jackie Brown, the Knoxville native is also famous for bringing back music that had fallen into obscurity. This includes “Misirlou,” which was not originally composed for the movie.

The Origins of Misirlou

Indeed, this piece of music dates back to 1927! It was first recorded that year by composer Nicholas (Nikos) Roubanis and singer Tetos Demetriades at Columbia Records in New York. The title comes from the Turkish word “Mısırlı,” meaning “Egyptian,” and in Greek “Misirlou” translates to “Egyptian girl.”

Yet, the true origins of the Misirlou melody remain somewhat murky. It is thought to originate from an old Middle Eastern song, straddling the line between folk and popular tradition. Various cultures claim it, including Greeks, Arabs, Egyptians, and Sephardic Jews, all from the former Ottoman Empire.

The appeal of this melody lies in its mesmerizing simplicity, built on back-and-forth scales typical of Middle Eastern music (the Hidjaz and Hidjazkiar modes).

The most famous Western version is by Dick Dale, an American guitarist of Lebanese descent. In 1962, he turned “Misirlou” into a legendary surf rock instrumental using an electric guitar with ultra-fast picking techniques. This version elevated the song to a staple of American pop culture.

The original song:

A Pop Culture Emblem

Quentin Tarantino gave it a new lease on life in 1994 by using it for the opening credits of Pulp Fiction. Since then, the track has become a standard for electric guitar and a frequently covered song in films, video games, and by many artists (The Beach Boys, Black Eyed Peas, Martin Denny, etc.).

Misirlou stands as a musical symbol of the cultural fusion between East and West. By choosing this track, Tarantino reintroduced this vintage sound in a modern context, giving it a cool, retro, unexpected, and instantly recognizable effect.

In Pulp Fiction, “Misirlou” becomes the film’s auditory signature. It is associated with its jittery tempo, quirky characters, dark humor, and fragmented narrative style. As a result, it becomes iconic by association. Remixed and parodied everywhere, it has entered commercials, TV shows, video games… All of this has helped the track become ingrained in the collective memory of an entire generation.