The The Place Beyond The Pines soundtrack has become almost as highly regarded as both the 2012 movie itself and cast lead Ryan Gosling. Ryan Gosling followed up his career-making appearance in Drive with ensemble drama The Place Beyond The Pines in 2012. The film is a cross-generational crime thriller, with the first act revolving around Gosling’s Luke, a stunt driver who gets into crime to support his baby. Like Drive, The Place Beyond The Pines also featured a soundtrack littered with great songs.

The music in The Place Beyond The Pines features a mix of original orchestral scores by composer Mike Patton alongside a selection of classic tracks by the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Hall & Oates, and YONAS. The score for the 2012 Ryan Gosling movie perfectly mirrors the story, breathing life into the emotional undertones of Lukes journey. The songs from featured artists like Salem and Messy Marv compliment this, and add a slick and stylish feel to underscore various key scenes. Every song on The Place Beyond The Pines soundtrack captures at least one of the themes of director Derek Cianfrance’s crime drama, and they’re all available to stream online.

Every Song In The Place Beyond The Pines Soundtrack

From Bruce Springsteen To Vladimir Ivanoff

The Place Beyond The Pines features an eclectic selection of songs, including catchy hits like Hall & Oates “Maneater” or Bruce Springsteen’s “Dancing In The Dark,” to the moody folk-rock of Bon Iver’s “The Wolves (Act I And II).” Each song feature in The Place Beyond The Pines captures a different aspect of the movie, and understanding how each of them fits considerably enhances the viewing experience of the cerebral crime drama.

• Dancing In The Dark – Bruce Springsteen (1984): This Springsteen classic hits like a freight train of yearning and frustration, echoing the inner turmoil of characters desperate to break cycles and make something of their lives. The song’s themes of restlessness and quiet despair perfectly parallel Luke’s struggle as he tries to forge a future for his son outside a life of crime. It’s a poignant reminder of how dreams can feel just out of reach – no matter how hard you run toward them.
• Please Stay – Cryin’ Shames (1966): Soft, haunting, and full of retro heartache, “Please Stay” channels the emotional weight that underpins so many of the relationships seen in The Place Beyond The Pines. It complements the sorrowful tone of lost love and broken bonds, especially during moments when characters are grappling with regret and longing. It’s like a ghost of the past, echoing in a story where choices ripple across generations.
• Trap Door – Salem (2010): This moody, almost eerie track from Salem layers in a sense of dread that fits right in with The Place Beyond The Pine’s darker turn. As secrets unravel and tensions rise, “Trap Door” becomes the sonic embodiment of inevitable consequences lurking beneath the surface. It’s a perfect match for the movie’s slow-burn intensity and themes of legacy and fate.
• Maneater – Hall & Oates (1982): Unexpectedly upbeat yet thematically sharp, “Maneater” provides a bit of ironic flair in The Place Beyond The Pines. It plays during a scene with AJ, the troubled teen dealing with the sins of his father, and the track’s smooth, poppy exterior contrasts beautifully with the character’s inner mess. It’s a nod to temptation, recklessness, and being swallowed whole by bad choices.
• Fall Back – YONAS (2011): This energetic hip-hop track hits during AJ’s high school scenes, when he’s flexing his bravado and trying to prove himself. “Fall Back” captures that youthful defiance and the desperate need for idenтιтy – something that defines AJ as he grapples with a legacy he doesn’t fully understand. It’s a pulse-pounding reminder of how the past always looms, even in the chaos of the present.
• Che – Suicide (1977): Gritty and industrial, the 1977 hit “Che” oozes rebellion and angst, which fits The Place Beyond The Pines’ undercurrent of anti-establishment energy. It mirrors Luke’s daredevil spirit as he spirals deeper into a criminal path, trying to rewrite his destiny. This track feels like a war cry for the disillusioned, which is exactly what the movie’s doomed protagonists embody.

• Get On My Hype – Messy Marv (2011): Raw and confrontational, this song in The Place Beyond The Pines soundtrack pulses through AJ’s world as he immerses himself in the kind of risky behavior his father once did. It’s aggressive, flashy, and mirrors the teenage bravado that masks deep-rooted pain. The lyrics and beat reflect a world where appearances are everything – but underneath, the damage runs deep.
• Fools Rhythm – Two Fingers (2010): Tense, glitchy, and filled with menace, “Fools Rhythm” helps drive the movie’s more suspenseful sequences. Its electronic beat and ominous tone play like a ticking time bomb, paralleling the film’s sense of impending tragedy. It’s the perfect sonic companion to the idea that every action has a consequence, and they’re coming fast.
• Miserere Mei – Vladimir Ivanoff (2013): Haunting and spiritual, this ancient choral piece adds an almost sacred weight to the film’s heaviest scenes. It underscores the gravity of legacy, forgiveness, and guilt, themes that define The Place Beyond the Pines. As the narrative shifts from father to son, “Miserere Mei” acts as a mournful prayer for redemption that may never come.
• The Wolves (Act I and II) – Bon Iver (2007): Bon Iver’s ethereal vocals and layered production are a gut punch of beauty and pain that perfectly fits The Place Beyond The Pines. “The Wolves” plays during a particularly emotional stretch, driving home the theme of inherited trauma and the cyclical nature of violence. It’s an incredibly apt sonic metaphor for the wild, unpredictable forces that drive the characters in Derek Dianfrances’ winding story.
• Fratres – Eric V. Hachikian (2012): Arvo Pärt’s “Fratres” appears in several arrangements throughout The Place Beyond The Pines, and each version adds a meditative stillness that cuts through the tension. The I Fiamminghi recordings (including for strings and percussion, cello and piano) bring a minimalist, almost spiritual depth that mirrors the film’s grander questions about fate, morality, and the pᴀssage of time. These tracks serve as an emotional anchor, threading through the generations like a solemn hymn.
• Ninna Nanna Per Adulteri – Ennio Morricone (2009): This haunting lullaby by Morricone is as unsettling as it is beautiful, highlighting the bittersweet nature of love and betrayal. It plays in a moment where innocence and corruption collide, reminding us that even the most tender relationships are often shadowed by secrets. It’s a masterstroke of musical irony – a lullaby for lives already lost to the weight of their choices.

The Place Beyond The Pines Orchestral Score

Mike Patton Composed The Original Music For The Place Beyond The Pines

The soundtrack to The Place Beyond The Pine contains plenty of well-known songs, but it’s the orchestral score from composer Mike Patton that draws many fans to track down the OST. Director Derek Cianfrance has been a fan of the composer for many years, and handpicked Mike Patton to compose The Place Beyond The Pine’s score. Many pieces were created specifically for The Place Beyond The Pines, though some tracks like “Contrapositive” and “The Snow Angel” originally featured on his score for the film The Solitude Of Prime Numbers.

The soundtrack to The Place Beyond The Pines, including the original score from Mike Patton, can be streamed on most mainstream music streaming services such as Spotify and Apple Music. The soundtrack was released as a standalone album in 2013 by Milan Records, and is also available for digital purchase at a variety of locations.