The Cruella soundtrack is a memorable one compiling a range of hit 1960s and ’70s British rock’n’roll, but the officially released Cruella soundtrack doesn’t include all the music that’s in the movie. Emma Stone gives an incredible performance as Cruella, which is perfectly accompanied by a compelling blend of rock, R&B, pop, and punk music. Cruella achieves a lot through the selection of music that soundtracks it, as more than 30 songs released throughout the 1960s and ’70s feature in the movie. They range from classic funk to feminist power ballads, and the soundtrack is able to create a strong sense of time and place.
Cruella finds its setting during the 1970s punk rock movement in London, as the titular character is an aspiring fashion designer who is at war with Britain’s upper class. The music backing Estella’s transformation into Cruella is the ’70s punk that laid the foundation for heavy metal and grunge. On the Cruella soundtrack are some of the British Invasion’s major hits from famous bands such as The Zombies, The Rolling Stones, and The Animals. It’s all inescapably English, and, more than that, inescapably the music of London plucked from the height of the British rock’n’roll movement – the perfect underscore for Estella Miller’s transformation into Cruella de Vil.
Every Song On The Cruella Soundtrack
“Bloody Well Right,” by Supertramp (1974). Cruella opens with a classic anti-establishment hit plucked straight from 1970s London. The steady backbeat of Supertramp’s “Bloody Well Right” plays during a montage of Estella’s early years at primary school, a.k.a. elementary school. Estella, like many artists and musicians of the time, chafed against the strict British school system, instead embracing her wild nature. Estella’s rebellious attitude is reflected in the opening lyrics of the song, “So you think your schooling is phoney, I guess it’s hard not to agree. You say ‘It all depends on money and who is in your family tree.‘”
“Whisper Whisper,” by the Bee Gees (1969). The progressive rock song — picked from what is widely considered the best Bee Gees album of the 1960s — is part of the Cruella soundtrack when Estella’s mother, Catherine, pulls her car up to a mansion where she hopes to get financial assistance.
“Inside-Looking Out,” by The Animals (1966). What better to kick off the first action scene of the movie than a bluesy rock hit from the early days of The Animals? “Inside Looking Out” has a relentless beat that kicks in as Estella starts wreaking havoc at the Baroness von Hellman’s ball, and keeps driving forward as the infamous Dalmations break free for a chase. Eric Burdon’s vocals slide easily from bass to soprano, creating a wild feel culminating in Catherine’s death.
“Watch the Dog That Bring the Bone,” by Sandy Gaye (1969). Cruella starts getting funky when Estella moves to London, with Gaye’s soulful single creating a “nothing in life is free” vibe. The song is on the Cruella soundtrack when Estella flees from the police and makes a lasting connection with fellow street urchins Jasper and Horace and, as an added bonus, fits the movie’s dog theme.
“She’s A Rainbow,” by The Rolling Stones (1967). Ten years later, a groovy, modern tune serves as the introduction to adult Estella, who is helping Jasper and Horace pull off complex cons by designing high-fashion disguises. Estella’s artistic genius, shown onscreen in a colorful burst of outfits, is also reflected in the song lyrics, “She comes in colors everywhere. She combs her hair. She’s like a rainbow.”
“I Gotcha,” Joe Tex (1972). Only a few short seconds of the funky and rhythmic Joe Tex song are used in Cruella. “I Gotcha” is used just before the Liberty Department Store scene where Horace sneaks in Estella’s application so she can get hired, and when it’s explained what types of women the Baroness has thrown out of her parties.
“Time of the Season,” by The Zombies (1968). Estella’s entry into the world of fashion through a renowned London department store is accompanied by this well-known psychedelic pop song… only to end in disappointment when the audience discovers she’s been hired as a janitor.
“These Boots Are Made for Walkin’,” by Nancy Sinatra (1965). Estella, who starts exhibiting Cruella tendencies, sings along to this ultra-popular country hit as she decides to walk away from her job in a drunken fit of rebellion, destroying/redesigning the Liberty’s front window.
“Five to One,” by The Doors (1968). Another R&B song bordering on hard rock accompanies the entrance of the Baroness, the best fashion designer in London, who hires Estella on the spot before her chaotic escape from the police.
“Feeling Good,” by Nina Simone (1965). The oft-covered jazz standard plays as Estella walks into the House of the Baroness, reflecting her visceral pleasure at making it big. The lyrics perfectly big-sounding horns of the song perfectly fit the scene’s mood and sits well on the Cruella soundtrack.
“Fire,” by the Ohio Players (1974). Cruella takes another turn toward funk right before Estella meets Artie, with the distinct sound again marking an important moment of transition in her life as she spots a red dress in the window of 2nd Time Around.
“Whole Lotta Love,” by Ike & Tina Turner (1975). The 1975 track is a cover of a 1969 Led Zeppelin song, and while the raunchy song might initially seem out of place in a Disney movie, it works surprisingly well. It’s one of the coolest-sound rock songs ever with the iconic guitar riff and sits well on the Cruella soundtrack as it plays over Cruella’s first proper appearance.
“The Wild One,” by Suzi Quatro (1974). Quatro’s feminist anthem is the first song in the movie to embrace the 1970s punk rock movement — when much of the movie is set — so it’s appropriate that it acts as an introduction for the villainous Cruella, who eventually becomes a punk icon in her own right. The song’s apropos lyrics, “You can’t hold me down. I’m the wild one,” play as Cruella makes her entrance at the Baroness’ ball.
“Hush,” by Deep Purple (1968). Cover of a 1967 Billy Joe Royal song. With its epic-sounding “na na na na na na na,” “Hush” could make any scene in any movie look cool, and it especially works on the Cruella soundtrack. The song plays in one of the scenes that shows how great of a con artist Cruella is, as she steals the keys from the guard and throws them back to Horace.
“Livin’ Thing,” by the Electric Light Orchestra (1976). Orchestral string music gives way to soft rock in ELO’s hit single, matching the complete chaos that descends on the Baroness’ ball when Horace crashes into a cake and rats are let loose.
“Stone Cold Crazy,” Queen (1974). The frenetic pace and lunatic lyrics of “Stone Cold Crazy” are an obvious match for Cruella’s state of mind as she speeds away from the Baroness’ party. Having discovered that the Baroness murdered her mother, Cruella is going losing her mind.
“Car Wash,” by Rose Royce (1976). The famous disco tune sets a steady beat for Japer, Horace, and Cruella as they go to work, accompanying scenes of kidnapping dalmatians and recruiting Artie.
“Boys Keep Swinging,” by David Bowie (1979). A close examination of London’s rock and roll scene wouldn’t be complete without an homage to David Bowie, whose look seems to have inspired Artie’s costumes. A Bowie song is one of the most appropriate entries on the Cruella soundtrack.
“One Way or Another,” by Blondie (1978). As is frequently the case in movies, this power punk-pop song turns ominous as it plays to a montage of Cruella embarking on a mission to destroy the Baroness and take over the fashion world. As Blondie was one of the great female rock icons of the ’70s, the Cruella soundtrack wouldn’t have been complete without one of her songs;
“I Get Ideas (When We Are Dancing),” by Tony Martin (1951). A romantic ballad turns literal when the Baroness gets ideas and steals Cruella’s dress design. The scene turns the Cruella soundtrack song on its head, making the “I get Ideas” part of the song way more sinister than how it was originally intended by Martin.
“Should I Stay or Should I Go,” by The Clash (1981). Cruella reaches peak punk when The Clash’s chart-topping single accompanies a scene where Stone’s character turns garbage into haute couture. The ironic statement is one of Cruella’s best publicity stunts and embodies the “stick it to the man” ethos of punk, and especially of The Clash.
“I Love Paris,” by Georgia Gibbs (1953). There isn’t much that relates the audio of “I Love Paris” and the visuals other than an ironic sentiment. An old-fashioned Cole Porter crooner brings some humor to the literal dirty work Jasper and Horace are doing as they swing a metal detector over dog poop.
“Love Is Like A Violin,” by Ken Dodd (1960). The lush “easy listening” music of the 1940s makes a surprise appearance in Cruella as the Baroness takes credit for a dress designed and created by Estella. The scene creates some contrast between the two characters — where Estella is in love with fashion, the Baroness seems to be in love with power and status.
“Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps,” by Doris Day (1965). The well-known English cover of a 1947 Spanish song plays as Jasper and Horace break into the House of the Baroness. The song was likely selected for the Cruella soundtrack more for the way it sounds than for its ambiguous lyrics.
“You’re Such A Good Looking Woman,” by Joe Dolan (1970). Surprisingly, the Joe Dolan hit was used for a scene focusing on not Cruella, but the Baroness, as she prepares for a fashion show. This choice for the Cruella soundtrack is the most on the nose, as the song’s lyrics play over fashion show preparations, but its ’70s melody and foreboding sound works perfectly.
“I Wanna Be Your Dog,” by John McCrea. Cruella renews its focus on dogs with an original cover of The Stooges’ 1969 proto-punk hit. The garage band song plays during Cruella’s moment of victory — a flash mob fashion show in the park after she destroys the Baroness’ formal fashion event. This scene also marks the first appearance of Cruella’s famous Dalmatian coat (which she doesn’t actually make from puppy hides).
“Smile,” by Judy Garland (1963). Garland’s sweeping cover of Nat King Cole’s 1961 jazz classic provides a striking contrast to a scene where Cruella is near death. The song foreshadows John’s rescue of Cruella after the Baroness sets fire to her home and leaves her to die. At Cruella’s lowest point in the film, perhaps there are still seeds of hope.
“Nightmares,” by The J. Geils Band (1974). The song plays during the prison break scene in London where Cruella disguises herself with a mustache and wreaks havoc in a truck. A more perfect ’70s track couldn’t have been chosen for the action sequence, as “Nightmares” is tribalistic-sounding with its relentless drum banging, crashing cymbals, raw lyrics, and non-stop echoes and reverb.
“Gettin’ Out,” The J. Geils Band (1974). The Cruella soundtrack moves from one The J. Geils Band song directly to another, only “Gettin’ Out” is a much groovier toe-tapping rock song led by a jangly piano rhythm. The song continues Jasper and Horace’s jailbreak, and the song’s title couldn’t be more appropriate.
“Eternelle,” by Brigitte Fontaine (1968). Eternelle is one of the most perfect choices for the back end of the Cruella soundtrack, as it plays as Cruella seemingly becomes eternal after the Baroness attempts to murder her. The song is a playful boss nova-influenced track from a French pop girl-group too, which makes it even more fitting.
“Come Together,” by Ike & Tina Turner (1970). The Cruella soundtrack continues to pay homage to the history of British rock n’ roll with a cover of the lead-off track to The Beatles’ famed 1969 album, Abbey Road. The song plays as Cruella and her friends literally come back together, regrouping for their final attack on the Baroness.
“The Wizard,” by Black Sabbath (1970). Only the Harmonica-led intro of “The Wizard” was played in Cruella, but it still means that Black Sabbath features in a Disney movie. It works surprisingly well too, as the intro is used to build on the vibe of Cruella’s manor makeover, as she renames Hellman Hall to “Hell Hall.”
“Sympathy for the Devil,” by The Rolling Stones (1968). Another well-placed Rolling Stones smash entreats the audience to have sympathy for the devil as Cruella officially becomes Cruella de Vil. She may be the bad guy, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t deserve some courtesy.
“Call Me Cruella,” by Florence + the Machine (2021). The highly anticipated song by Florence + the Machine plays over the credits, ending Disney’s live-action origin story with an original song for Cruella‘s title character.
“Cruella de Vil,” by Mel Leven (1961). In a Cruella post-credits scene, Disney pays tribute to the original 101 Dalmatians by having Roger (Kayvan Novak) sing a verse of “Cruella de Vil,” hinting at his future composition in the 1969 animated movie.