• Matewan (1987) Soundtrack OST •

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Rating: 7.90/10 from 8900 votes

Tags: company town

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Synopsis

Matewan is set in Mingo County, West Virginia, in 1920. The story follows coal miners who are struggling to form a union, facing opposition from company operators and the gun thugs of the notorious Baldwin-Felts detective agency.

Black and Italian miners, brought in by the company to break the strike, find themselves caught between these two powerful forces. UMWA organizer and dual-card Wobbly Joe Kenehan is determined to unite the local, Black, and Italian groups.

While Kenehan and his story are fictional, the setting and the dramatic climax are based on historical events. Real-life participants such as Sid Hatfield, Cabell C. Testerman, C. E. Lively, and the Felts brothers are portrayed in the film. The character 'Few Clothes' is also inspired by a historical figure who was active in the region several years prior.

Download and play the Soundtrack list

Play	Title	Artist
	Matewan
	"Soundtrack was available on LP, Columbia, 37.089	Mason Daring: Dobro John Hammond: Harmonica
	FIRE IN THE HOLE	Mason Daring: Performer Hazel Dickens: Performer John Sayles: Lyrics
	GATHERING STORM	Mason Daring: Performer Hazel Dickens: Performer
	HILLS OF GALILEE	Hazel Dickens: Sung
	Main Street	Mason Daring: Performer
	La Bella Noche	Mason Daring: Performer
	Bridey May	Mason Daring: Performer
	Avanti Populo	Mason Daring: Performer
	Ambush	Mason Daring: Performer
	Blood of the Lamb	Mason Daring: Performer
	The Coal Yard	Mason Daring: Performer
	Few Frets	Mason Daring: Performer
	The Rabbit	Mason Daring: Performer
	La Bella Noche 2	Mason Daring: Performer
	Whern Sorrows Encompass Me Round	Mason Daring: Performer
	The Night Before	Mason Daring: Performer
	What a Friend We Have in Jesus	Mason Daring: Performer
	On the Tracks	Mason Daring: Performer
	The Battle O'er	Mason Daring: Performer

User reviews

Joshua Hill

1/10

The soundtrack of Matewan did not effectively capture the emotional intensity and tension of the coal miners' struggle to form a union in Mingo County, West Virginia in 1920. The music felt disconnected from the powerful themes and historical context portrayed in the film, failing to enhance the viewing experience.

Donna Miller

5/10

The soundtrack of Matewan effectively captures the tension and struggle of the coal miners in 1920 West Virginia.

Anthony Mitchell

5/10

Overall, the soundtrack of Matewan elevates the film's narrative and helps to immerse the audience in the world of the coal miners' fight for justice.

Ronald Anderson

7/10

The soundtrack of Matewan perfectly captures the tension and struggle of the coal miners in 1920 West Virginia.

Robert Hall

5/10

The incorporation of union songs in the soundtrack helps to underscore the theme of labor rights and workers' empowerment.

Emily Jackson

7/10

The intricate arrangements and use of various instruments create a rich and layered sound that enhances the overall viewing experience.

Michelle Baker

6/10

The emotional resonance of the music enhances the storytelling and brings the audience closer to the characters' experiences.

Amanda Anderson

8/10

The soundtrack effectively conveys the sense of solidarity and unity among the miners as they fight for their rights.

Michelle Green

7/10

The music builds suspense and anticipation, heightening the impact of the film's climactic moments.

Nancy Perez

8/10

The use of traditional Appalachian folk music adds authenticity to the setting and time period of the story.

Andrew Martinez

5/10

The use of acoustic instruments in the soundtrack adds a raw and gritty texture that suits the film's historical setting.

Joseph Adams

5/10

The instrumental pieces in the soundtrack evoke a sense of solidarity and unity among the miners.

John Robinson

6/10

The use of traditional folk music in the soundtrack adds an authentic and historical depth to the film.

Sarah Perez

4/10

The lack of a cohesive musical theme or motif throughout the soundtrack of Matewan made it difficult to establish a strong emotional connection with the characters and the historical events depicted in the film. The absence of a memorable musical score failed to create a lasting impression or evoke the depth of the struggles faced by the miners, resulting in a missed opportunity to enhance the storytelling through music.

John Wright

7/10

The music enhances the emotional depth of the film, immersing the audience in the hardships faced by the characters.

Anthony Davis

5/10

The music captures the spirit of resistance and resilience that defined the miners' struggle for better working conditions.

Laura Jones

8/10

The haunting melodies evoke a sense of foreboding, reflecting the dangerous and volatile atmosphere of the coal mining community.

Susan Adams

1/10

The choice of musical instruments and arrangements in the soundtrack of Matewan seemed out of place and at times distracting. Instead of complementing the gritty, realistic portrayal of the coal miners' hardships and the violent clashes with company operators and Baldwin-Felts thugs, the music felt jarring and disjointed, diminishing the overall impact of the film.