The Soundtrack to ‘Les Amours Imaginaires’ Might be the Best of 2010
The second outing for directer Xavier Dolan has proved to not only dispel the neurotic and vapid curse of the sophomore jinx, but has once again melded all aspects plot, character, music and wit into a divine and humourous journey through the escapades and absurdities of naive love. The complexities of emotion, sex and self are not overlooked in this stunning portrayal and with all his triumphs, Dolan has not forgotten to include himself in the ever present character of music.
The films soundtrack is a delicate mix of the urgency and fever of overwhelming lust with sexy and youthful sound of the Knife ‘Pass this on’ and Fever Ray ‘Keep the Streets Empty for Me’ and the deflating heartache of lovelorn with Bach ‘Suite No.1’ and ‘Suite No.3’ and Wagner ‘Parsifal: Prelude to act 1’.
The hip downtown scene of Quebec cities is encapsulated with these dance-electronic hits. Youthful energy and the sweaty resilience of desperate and smitten 
lovers emanates as the Knife’s “Pass this on’ uninhibitedly croons ‘I’m in love with your brother’ to thick reverberations. A nod to best-selling French new wave band Indochine deepens the pulsating trend of electronic dance music and the erotic routine of scouting potential loves.
Although Bach and Wagner’s pieces seem to comprise a romantic and uplifting sense, I would argue it is the looming despair and sadness that brings a sense of reality about unrequited love to the movie. And perhaps an idea of a lasting love but one that is left to yearn and pine for, not revel and enjoy. It is this sense of emotion that brings depth to Dolan’s films; he is able to write comically and add light to very human emotions, but he is still seemingly aware of their ultimate and devastating impact.
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The inclusion of Dalida’s cover of ‘Bang Bang’—ever present in the trailer—seems to encompass a few themes within the film. There is a cheesiness quality to the song (maybe from incessant covers and use), sassiness and an element of regret and finality. This French addition is good separately and in the film, it complements the cheekiness that Dolan seems to play with.
Undoubtedly, the soundtrack is a side note to waves of positive reviews surfacing about this film, it’s ingenuity and brilliance. This soundtrack is merely the icing of another story of lust and heartbreak atop the plentiful bounds of copious emotions.
- Kaitlin McNabb
Track Listing
Dalida- Bang Bang
House of Pain- Jump Around
The Knife- Pass this on
Sting- Every Breath You Take
Fever Ray- Keep the Streets Empty for Me
Indochine- 3ème Sexe
Comet Gain- Love Without Lies
Bach- Suite No.1
Bach- Suite No.3
Wagner- Parsifal: Prelude to act 1
Kaitlin is the contributor to The Playlist on Sound On Sight. She also contributes articles to local Vancouver websites and magazines about music, disappointments, and vanishing casinos. Her favourite films are "Army of Darkness" and "Squid and the Whale", and when not completely consumed by life, she spends most of her time googling shark photos. 
hey! Which is the song playing on the last party (last scene)…???
The soundtracks of ‘Les Amours Imaginaires’ is so cool, my favourite is ‘bang bang’. I searched a lot and found a link to download:
http://www.filestube.com/12d5ecec4618510f03ea/go.html
will the soundtrack be released in germany or somewhere else??
does anyone know the opening song? (5:43)
You forgot Renée Martel’s “Viens Changer Ma Vie”:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4vcbIyuYnI
E falando em Dolan e Knife, aqui vai um artigo sobre a excelente trilha sonora de "Amores Imaginários": http://bit.ly/bz7Gxi
Cine canadiense = Cine francés, sino miren "Les amours imaginaires" de Xavier Dolan. El Soundtrack es impecable http://bit.ly/bz7Gxi
Love the movie & Soundtrack. One note: Dalida – Bang Bang is not French, but Italian.
@marloesdekens oh de link http://www.soundonsight.org/the-soundtrack-to-les-amours-imaginaires-might-be-the-best-of-2010/
Oubliée: “Le temps est bon” d’Isabelle Pierre
http://www.soundonsight.org/the-soundtrack-to-les-amours-imaginaires-might-be-the-best-of-2010/
@planetula No, I don't have it, but the tracklist is here: http://tinyurl.com/36yax2y
The Soundtrack to ‘Les Amours Imaginaires’ Might be the Best of 2010 http://bit.ly/bz7Gxi Realmente muito boa! Buscando link pra baixar.
Ack! A forgotten track is Vive la Fete’s song Exactement.
!! and how was this forgotten?.. it was my favorite track of the entire film..
@leoBlokhuis The Soundtrack to ‘Les Amours Imaginaires’ Might be the Best of 2010 http://tinyurl.com/36yax2y
The soundtrack to 'Les amours imaginaires' might be the best of 2010: http://bit.ly/hAbDuV
One of the best films I’ve seen during last months. Today I saw it for the second time… and I still love it! Perfect movie with perfect soundtrack!
very cool indeed. although, i will always think it is funny and ridiculous when house of pain is included on a soundtrack for any reason.
RT @sound_on_sight: The Soundtrack to ‘Les Amours Imaginaires’ Might be the Best of 2010
http://bit.ly/bz7Gxi
#XavierDolan #Heartbeats #LesAmoursImaginaires