The soundtrack is the collection of music and audio used in a film. It includes the score, the songs, and sometimes the sound effects and dialogue. The soundtrack is released as an album, separate from the film. It is a commercial product and an artistic statement. A great soundtrack can outlive the film. It can define a generation. It can become part of the culture.

The soundtrack has several components. The score is the original instrumental music composed for the film. The songs are pre-existing or original tracks used in the film. The needle drops are the moments when a song is used to underscore a scene. The soundtrack album collects the most memorable music from the film. It may include score cues, songs, and remixes. The album is sequenced for listening, not for the film. It is a separate work of art.

The soundtrack is a marketing tool. A hit soundtrack can boost a film's profile. A film with a memorable soundtrack can become a cultural touchstone. Think of the soundtracks for Saturday Night Fever, Pulp Fiction, or Guardians of the Galaxy. The music is part of the film's identity. It is what the audience remembers. The soundtrack is the sound of the film. It is the music that plays in your head when you think of a scene.