6. The Coasters, ‘Down In Mexico’
Death Proof (2007)

The Moment:

There's an argument to be made that Vannessa Ferlito strutting around in short shorts, grinding in to your lap and sliding your hands all over her body would be insanely hot even if the bacground music was Mr Blobby's Christmas single, but the fact that it's to The Coaster's sleazy grinder of a tune - played from QT's very only vinyl, from his very own jukebox - makes it all the hotter.

Tarantino Says:

[On the fact the track was played from his own jukebox, Amy, in the film] “Amy’s alive and well and kicking, and doing great. There’s a Grindhouse picture book which has a listing of every song that’s on Amy, and that’s my jukebox.

If you see Death Proof again, as the camera’s panning down the song selections on it, you can tell it’s all my handwriting.

Usually what’s in my movies are straight from my vinyls – if you listen to my movies you’ll hear little cracks and pops on the soundtrack. Because I actually want the song in the movie to be from my LP, from my record collection.”

5. The George Baker Selection, ‘Little Green Bag’
Reservoir Dogs (1992)

The Moment:

It’s all in the rhythm – the slow motion stride of men at work, suited and booted and pounding the pavement on the way to get their hands dirty. The still image has become authentically iconic, but it’s the music – the icy bass, the tripping percussion – that bring the walk to life.

Tarantino Says:

[On not using composers] “That’s too much power to give someone who’s not me over my movie. I just assume I’m not gonna like it. I need to edit to my music, so it has that thing about it – I edit to the beat, I shoot it to the beat. I need to know what that music is. I need to choose it.”