The 2016 Keanu soundtrack is crucial for the movie’s storytelling and character development. The film uses music to explore its central themes of identity and status, with the songs often reflecting the characters’ attitudes and motivations. Keanu stars comedians Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele, known best for their sketch comedy show Key and Peele. The pair has branched outside of sketch comedy and films as a duo, with Key voicing many iconic animated roles and Peele directing modern horror movies. Keanu heavily features the songs of one iconic singer, which becomes an important plot point for character development.

Keanu tells the story of cousins Clarence (Key) and Rell (Peele), who track down drug boss Cheddar (Method Man) to retrieve Rell’s cat, Keanu. As they find out, many people believe themselves to be Keanu’s owner. While undercover to earn Cheddar’s trust, the duo meets Hi-C (Tiffany Haddish), a beautiful criminal, and party girl, Anna Farris (playing herself). By the movie’s end, they learn the importance of identity, belonging, and freedom in a story that’s supported by a soundtrack packed with aptly chosen songs.

When Every Song On The Keanu Soundtrack Plays In The Movie

Keanu’s Plot Heavily Features One Iconic Artist

“Faith” by George Michael – Clarence briefly sings “Faith” by George Michael in his minivan, establishing him as a gentle and harmless character. He continues singing the song to himself as he walks up to Rell’s apartment. Later, on the way home from the movies, Clarence and Rell listen to “Faith” again in the car. Later in the film, while high on drugs, Clarence dreams of interacting with George Michael in the song’s music video.

“F*ck Tha Police” by N.W.A – Rell plays “F*ck Tha Police” by N.W.A in the car with Clarence as an example of the type of music they should listen to. He does this to contrast Clarence’s love of George Michael’s music. Rell turns the song down when they pull up beside a police vehicle at an intersection, which Clarence makes fun of him for.

“Tap The Bottle” by Young Black Teenagers – Rell goes to visit his drug-dealing neighbor, Hulka (Will Forte), after his apartment is ransacked and Keanu is missing. When Hulka answers the door, “Tap The Bottle” by Young Black Teenagers is playing from inside his living room.

“I Don’t Get Tired” by Kevin Gates – Hulka tells the duo to look for Cheddar and Keanu at the Hot Party Vixen club. After a pep-talk outside, Clarence and Rell enter the club, and “I Don’t Get Tired” by Kevin Gates begins playing. The song is also playing inside the club when they meet Hi-C.

“F*ck Up Some Commas” by Future – As Clarence and Rell are led deeper into the Hot Party Vixen establishment to meet Cheddar, “F*ck Up Some Commas” by Future plays. This and the previous song reflect the new tough attitudes they create to try to blend into the club.

“Night Is on My Mind” by Oliver – When Hi-C and Rell arrive at Anna Farris’ mansion to deliver her drugs, Anna and her friends are listening to “Night is on My Mind” by Oliver in the background.

“Freedom! ‘90” by George Michael – While Clarence sits in the car on lookout with the other heist members, they play “Freedom! ‘90” by George Michael from his phone. The other men make fun of his music choice. In defense, Clarence tells them the story of George Michael, trying to make him sound more intense. The song plays later in the film during a shootout as Clarence and Rell become more confident in trying to save Keanu.

“Two Clocks” by RÜFÜS DU SOL – Inside Anna Farris’ apartment, as she becomes more unhinged and frightening, “Two Clocks” by RÜFÜS DU SOL plays quietly. Some of the songs that play in Anna’s apartment are diegetic, while others are just part of the soundtrack to raise the scene’s tension.

“Father Figure” by George Michael – As part of their continuing music education, Clarence plays “Father Figure” by George Michael for the men in the lookout car. These scenes contrast the rising tension that Rell and Hi-C are enduring inside the house. The song also plays later during a shootout as Rell and Clarence watch the team fight, noticing how well-coordinated they seem to be.

“Start Your Car” by Trwbador – As Anna Farris pays Hi-C and Rell to play a game of truth or dare with her inside her home, the club beat of “Start Your Car” by Trwbador pulses ominously in the background. It seems the characters cannot hear the music.

“One More Try” by George Michael – In the lookout car, Clarence and his new friends compare battle scars and toughness, while “One More Try” by George Michael plays quietly over the speaker. Later, the movie cuts to all the men soulfully singing the song, directly contrasting the chaos and gunfire occurring inside the mansion.

“Tom’s Diner feat. Britney Spears” by Giorgio Moroder – After some psychotic prompting from Anna Farris, Hi-C turns a gun on Anna and her friends and chases them around the house. Rell panics at their rising kill count as “Tom’s Diner feat. Britney Spears” by Giorgio Moroder plays.

“Honest” by Future – After successfully completing the drug deal, the group goes to a club to reconnect with Cheddar. “Honest” by Future plays over the extravagant shots of partying. Clubgoers dance to the song as Rell and Clarence argue about their safety.

“California” by Colonel Loud – “California” by Colonel Loud plays over the credits, which show a scrapbook-style collage of the calendar photos Rell took of Keanu during the film, as well as photos of the cast.

Where To Listen To The Keanu Soundtrack

Featured Songs Are Available To Stream

The Keanu soundtrack is currently unavailable for purchase, but viewer-made playlists are accessible on Spotify, with all featured songs on major audio streaming platforms, like Amazon Music. Its availability on streaming services could revive interest in this relatively overlooked film. It could also expose a new audience of listeners to the music of George Michael, an iconic pop star whom the film clearly admires.