Hit Man Soundtrack Guide: Every Song & When They Play (2024)

Hit Man features a varied list of songs and artists, all compiled onto the film's soundtrack. Hit Man tells the true story of Gary Johnson, a man who finds a talent for acting as a fake hitman to gain confessions from unsuspecting criminals. Glen Powell brings Gary to life in Hit Man's ensemble cast, with director Richard Linklater imbuing the film with many of his trademark qualities.

As is the case with many of Linklater's highest-ranked movies, music plays a big role;e in Hit Man. Taking after the varied soundtracks of the Before trilogy or the music-laden story of School of Rock, many songs and artists are played throughout the film by the time of Hit Man's climactic ending. While the true story that inspired Hit Man includes several made-up qualities, the soundtrack is anything but, featuring a handful of recognizable songs from some major artists in every genre.

When Every Song On The Hit Man Soundtrack Plays In The Movie

Hit Man's Songs Convey The New Orleans Blues

"New Orleans Bump" by Jelly Roll Morton - This song accompanies the film's opening. After various production companies involved in the film are listed onscreen, some text introduces the various stars, the director, and the producers who worked on Hit Man. It also alerts audiences to the fact that Hit Man is inspired by a true story, with "New Orleans Bump" playing before fading out with the text as the film begins.

"Space Zydeco" by Buckwheat Zydeco - After the opening scene of Gary teaching, a montage plays showing his journey home through New Orleans. As this transpires onscreen, "Space Zydeco" plays in the background. This certainly makes sense, as the artist responsible for the song was born in Louisiana. The song plays again later in the film, as another montage shows Gary explaining the life of a (fake) hitman.

"99 Plus One" by June Gardner - Once Gary is home, he is shown feeding his cats, eating dinner, and relaxing. This is followed by an expository montage outlining Gary's character, from his job and side-work to hobbies and interests, accompanied by June Gardner's song. Later, "99 Plus One" can be heard again when Gary is researching the best aliases for his various hitman stings.

"Vulture Island V2" by Rob49 & Lil Baby - The first sting Gary is shown conducting with a proper alias takes place in the back of a nightclub. As Gary is walking through the crowd to reach his target, the song can be heard playing in the club. Interestingly, the artist of the song - Rob49 - is referenced in the film's script by the man Gary arrests in the following scene.

"Big Chief" by Professor Longhair - In Hit Man, several of Gary's stings are shown in montage format. There are two main montages in the film that depict Gary's exploits, both accompanied by Professor Longhair's "Big Chief." Professor Longhair is another Louisana native known for his work in the New Orleans Blues genre of music, meaning his utilization in the film set in the city in question makes a lot of sense.

"My Walking Stick" by Leon Redbone - In Hit Man, Gary uses an alias known only as "The Suit." "The Suit" is based on American Psycho's Patrick Bateman, and the identity's inclusion in the film is played beneath "My Walking Stick." A jazz and blues singer, Leon Redbone's song matches the vibe of Hit Man's overall soundtrack.

"I Thought I Heard Buddy Bolden Say" by Dr. John - Like "Vulture Island V2," "I Thought I Heard Buddy Bolden Say" is one of the few examples of diegetic music in Hit Man. The song begins playing as Gary meets Madison for the first time, before transitioning into diegetic sound as it transitions into being played on the radio of the restaurant in which they meet.

"Down Home Girl" by Alvin Robinson - Another example of diegetic sound, "Down Home Girl" can be heard playing in a bar. This scene comes shortly after Madison and Gary are shown to bond in the park. The two are sat talking in a New Orleans bar as the song begins playing.

"Cast Your Fate to the Wind" by Allen Toussaint - The morning after the date in the bar, Madison and Gary discuss their relationship in the latter's home. The two make a deal that their relationship will exist inside Madison's house but that, due to Gary's job as a (fake) hitman, it will not become normal. As they make this deal, Allen Toussaint begins playing. This song is essentially a theme of the movie, as it plays over the end credits. As the real story of Gary Johnson is highlighted in Hit Man's ending, Toussaint plays again.

"When It's Sleepy Time Down South" by Ruby Braff - Later in the film, Gary and Madison are shown talking in the bathtub together. As this scene plays out, Ruby Braff's song begins playing. This song can be heard a second time in the third act of the film, shortly after Madison and Gary are confronted by the former's ex-husband outside a nightclub who later contacts one of Gary's many hidden Hit Man aliases.

"Saint James Infirmary" by Kid Thomas Valentine - As Madison and Gary get to know each other, they go to a shooting range. While there, "Saint James Infirmary" is playing. Kid Thomas Valentine was a trumpeter, also born and raised in Louisiana, linking to the film's setting.

"Balla" by Umberto Rosario Balsamo - Another scene in which Madison and Gary get closer to each other takes place in a nightclub. The two are shown dancing together as "Balla" plays. After this, they are confronted by Ray, with the following scene being the second time "When It's Sleepy Time Down South" is heard.

"Such a Night" by Dr. John - After the real-life accomplishments of Gary Johnson are outlined, the regular end credits of the film begin. The song "Such a Night" is played over these credits, again linking to the setting of the film. Dr. John was born, lived, and died in New Orleans, with two of his iconic songs being utilized across Hit Man's runtime.

Where To Listen To The Hit Man Soundtrack

Hit Man's Soundtrack Will Be Available On Most Popular Streamers

Concerning where to listen to Hit Man's soundtrack, it may be more difficult than other, bigger movies. The reason for this primarily stems from the fact that Hit Man's soundtrack is not being sold or streamed anywhere as part of a combined whole. Instead, Hit Man's music was likely selected individually by Linklater, Powell, and the other people involved in the film's production.

That said, it should be relatively easy to find the songs on Hit Man's soundtrack. Most, if not all, of the individual tracks will be available on popular streaming platforms such as Apple Music, Spotify, or YouTube Music. Regarding the latter, regular YouTube will include uploads of the majority of Hit Man's songs. If the film proves popular enough, Hit Man's soundtrack may be released as a dedicated playlist at some point in the future.

Hit Man

R

From director Richard Linklater comes Hit Man, a 2023 action comedy film based on aTexas Monthlyarticle of the same name. Undercover and trying to catch a group of criminals, a Houston police officer poses as a hitman until he falls for a woman on assignment. Finding himself diving deeper into the world of crime, the Houston officer finds it increasingly difficult to escape his new undercover persona.

Director

Richard Linklater

Release Date

September 5, 2023

Writers

Richard Linklater , Glen Powell

Cast

Glen Powell , Adria Arjona , Austin Amelio , Retta , Molly Bernard

Runtime

113 Minutes