The Jazz Songs & Styles Explained

In the 2014 film, Whiplash, a young man named Andrew is intent on becoming an amazing jazz drummer, leading to a number of intense musical performances that draw on real jazz music. Although Whiplash is often praised for its outstanding performances by Whiplash’s talented cast, or its fast-paced directing by Damien Chazelle, what really stands out about this movie is its use of music. It is no wonder that the film won an Academy Award for Best Sound Mixing in 2015. Whiplash wouldn’t be the fantastic movie that it is without the thoughtful use of jazz music.

Whiplash may be a movie about music, but it is far from being your typical movie musical. Instead, Whiplash uses specific jazz songs, sometimes over and over again, to emphasize the difficulty of the genre. Andrew is not joyfully playing this music, but is practically haunted by it. He plays so hard that he sweats and bleeds, and ultimately, nearly loses his life. In this way, Whiplash’s music hones in on the horrors of being a professional musician, and how being the best may not be as gratifying as it seems. Whiplash’s soundtrack highlights the movie’s highest and lowest moments.

Which Jazz Songs Are Used In Whiplash & When They Play

Whiplash’s Original Music Versus Its Historic Jazz

The Whiplash soundtrack is made up of two sections: the score written specifically for the movie and the actual jazz songs included in the film. The majority of the soundtrack was created especially for Whiplash, and was written by Justin Hurwitz, who later worked on Chazelle’s film, La La Land. Hurwitz also had Tim Simonec conducting his pieces. For the most part, these original songs have titles that indicate when in the film they appear.

Whiplash’s Classical Jazz Songs

Overall, there are three songs in Whiplash that were preexisting jazz songs. Arguably, these are the most notable songs in the entire movie, and more often than not, they play more than once. These are the pieces that Andrew must struggle to learn, along with the rest of Fletcher’s band. More than that, these are the songs that audiences are most likely to remember after having seen the movie. They have captivating rhythms, complex compositions, and encapsulate the intense ambiance of the movie at hand.

“Whiplash” by Hank Levy: The first jazz song to play in Whiplash is the title song, “Whiplash.” Surprisingly, “Whiplash” never plays out in full in the movie, but is at the heart of one of the most iconic scenes. During Andrew’s first rehearsal with Fletcher’s band, the students are instructed to play “Whiplash.” They start the song over and over again as Fletcher continuously points out errors, causing mounting tension. Eventually, Fletcher explodes on his students, showing Andrew (and the audience) just how difficult and terrifying Fletcher can be.

“Caravan” by Duke Ellington: The second-biggest jazz song that appears in Whiplash is “Caravan.” Unlike Hank Levy’s “Whiplash,” “Caravan” often plays throughout the movie, not only in small moments, but in big ones as well. The most momentous scene that “Caravan” plays in is the climactic middle of Whiplash . After getting into a shocking car accident, Andrew shows up late to the band’s big performance and fails to play “Caravan,” adding a tremendous drum solo at the end. This scene is almost agonizing to watch as Andrew bleeds onto his drums and disappoints Fletcher.

“Intoit” by Stan Getz: Finally, there is “Intoit” by Stan Getz. Notably, “Intoit” is a much more subtle piece near the end of Whiplash. It does not have the same crashing, upbeat tempo as “Caravan,” and it doesn’t have the importance of the titular song, “Whiplash.” However, “Intoit” adds to the Whiplash soundtrack because of its certified history as a real jazz song. It was not created for the movie, but fits perfectly inside of it, deepening the world of Whiplash’s jazz musicians.

Where To Listen To Whiplash’s Original Jazz Music & Score

Whiplash Has Inspired Countless Playlists

Luckily, those who are interested in revisiting Whiplash’s soundtrack can easily find it on any number of music platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, Youtube Music, and Amazon Music. All 24 songs are included on this album, from the original Hurwitz pieces to the real jazz songs featured in the film. Notably, the soundtrack also goes in chronological order with the movie, which allows listeners to relive the movie through the music itself. The songs range from over nine minutes long, to just over 30 seconds.

Whiplash lovers can definitely seek out the official soundtrack for the movie, but they can also explore other playlists made by fellow fans. Spotify has a number of Whiplash inspired playlists that include songs from the movie, along with music that they feel relates to certain characters, such as Andrew or Fletcher. Furthermore, there are plenty of playlists that list jazz music similar to that featured in Whiplash, for those who are particularly interested in jazz. Even the scores of Chazelle’s other movies may be of interest, as his projects often have a specific focus on music.

What Kinds Of Jazz Are Used In Whiplash

Whiplash’s Jazz Is Classical & Strict

The music of Whiplash is important, not just because it characterizes the movies, but also because it offers hints as to the world Andrew is entering into. Although jazz can often be seen as a rather casual genre that is reliant on improv and collaboration, the jazz in Whiplash is quite the opposite. Fletcher expects absolute perfection from his students, and they aren’t really encouraged to take their pieces in new directions. In general, the jazz played in Whiplash is Big Band Jazz and Classical Jazz Standards.

Whiplash
uses its soundtrack to create tension, not joy.

Overall, Whiplash uses music in a way that isn’t often done in movies. While there are movie musicals and music biopics, Whiplash uses its soundtrack to create tension, not joy. The score is historical, emotional, and evocative. The songs do not move the plot forward, but they do create an ambiance that is unforgettable. All in all, Whiplash likely would not have been so successful if it weren’t for Chazelle and Hurwitz’s specific use of jazz.