The Moulin Rouge! soundtrack offers a wide variety of needle drops spanning multiple genres. The sheer variety of songs on the album is understood given that almost every Baz Luhrmann movie brims with a lively musical energy. Starring Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman, this jukebox musical revolves around the forbidden love affair between a poet and a cabaret dancer in Paris in 1899. The title alludes to the legendary theater, which sets the stage for song-and-dance numbers visualized on vibrant medleys. Meanwhile, the two central protagonists also get to indulge in their own romantic duets.
What’s notable about the Moulin Rouge! soundtrack is how it blends its period setting with modern songs. Even though Paris was in the nascent stages of industrialization in the year that the movie is set in, the characters perform both original compositions and covers of songs by Nirvana, David Bowie, Madonna, Fatboy Slim, U2, Nat King Cole, and many other artists of the following century. With the actors and dancers surrendering themselves to the flamboyance of its titular theater, Moulin Rouge! offers a unique foot-tapping experience.
Here's every song in Moulin Rouge! in order of when it's performed or played in the movie:
- "Nature Boy" by John Leguizamo
- "Complainte de la Butte" by Rufus Wainwright
- "Children of the Revolution" by John Leguizamo, Jacek Koman, and Matthew Whittet
- "The Sound of Music" by Ewan McGregor, John Leguizamo, and Matthew Whittlet
- “Green Fairy Medley” by Kylie Minogue, Ewan McGregor, John Leguizamo, Jacek Koman, and Matthew Witet
- "Zidler's Rap Medley" by Jim Broadbent, Fatboy Slim, Pink, Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mýa, and the cast of Moulin Rouge!
- "Sparkling Diamonds" by Nicole Kidman
- "Rhythm of the Night" by Valeria
- "Sparkling Diamonds" (Reprise) by Nicole Kidman
- "Diamond Dogs" by Beck
- "Meet Me in the Red Room" by Amiel
- "Your Song" by Ewan McGregor
- "Your Song" (Reprise) by Nicole Kidman
- "The Pitch: Spectacular Spectacular" by Jim Broadbent, Nicole Kidman, Jacek Koman, John Leguizamo, Ewan McGregor, Garry McDonald, Richard Roxburgh, and Matthew Whittet
- "One Day I'll Fly Away" by Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor
- "Elephant Love Medley" by Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor
- "Górecki" by Nicole Kidman
- "Like a Virgin" by Jim Broadbent and Richard Roxburgh
- "Come What May" by Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman
- "El Tango de Roxanne" by Jacek Koman and Ewan McGregor
- "Fool to Believe" by Nicole Kidman
- "One Day I'll Fly Away" (Reprise) by Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor
- "The Show Must Go On" by Jim Broadbent and Nicole Kidman
- "Hindi Sad Diamonds" by Nicole Kidman, John Leguizamo, and Alka Yagnik
- "Coup d'État"/"Finale" by Nicole Kidman, Ewan McGregor, and the cast of Moulin Rouge!
- "Nature Boy" (Reprise) by John Leguizamo and Ewan McGregor
- "Bolero (Closing Credits)" by Steve Sharples
Where Exactly Every Song Plays In Moulin Rouge!
"Nature Boy" by John Leguizamo - Moulin Rouge! opens with a rendition of "Nature Boy" sung by John Leguizamo. His character, Toulouse, introduces the protagonist Christian (Ewan McGregor) and his tragic love story. In 1948, Nat King Cole was the first singer to perform “Nature Boy,” which was later covered by Frank Sinatra, Lady Gaga, and others. The Moulin Rouge! soundtrack album features a cover by David Bowie and a remix by Massive Attack, both recorded exclusively for the film.
"Complainte de la Butte" by Rufus Wainwright - This cover of Georges Van Parys and Jean Renoir's 1955 song "Complainte de la Butte" can be heard on the Moulin Rouge! soundtrack when the movie first flashes back to 1899 for the main story.
"Children of the Revolution" by John Leguizamo, Jacek Koman, and Matthew Whittet - As Christian crosses paths with Toulouse, the writer and his troupe of performers sing "Children of the Revolution." The song introduces Christian to the ideals of the Bohemian cultural revolution while Toulouse also tells him about his next play, which is called Spectacular Spectacular. Toulouse is also joined in the song by the composer Satie (Matthew Whittet) and The Unconscious Argentinean (Jacek Koman). Originally recorded in 1972 by English rock band T. Rex, “Children of the Revolution” also appears on the soundtrack album as an alternate cover by U2 frontman Bono with Gavin Friday and Maurice Seezer.
"The Sound of Music" by Ewan McGregor, John Leguizamo, and Matthew Whittet - The title song of the 1959 musical The Sound of Music plays next in Moulin Rouge! with Christian using the lyrics to explain how much music means to him. He is also accompanied by Toulouse and Satie. The original version of the song was performed on stage by Mary Martin but was later made popular in the 1965 film adaptation — which like Moulin Rouge! is considered one of the all-time best movie musicals — by Julie Andrews. An instrumental sampling of another tune from the musical, "The Lonely Goatherd" can also be heard in this scene.
"Green Fairy Medley" by Kylie Minogue, Ewan McGregor, John Leguizamo, Jacek Koman, and Matthew Witet - One secret behind the making of Moulin Rouge! is that the “Green Fairy Medley” was supposed to be performed by Ozzy Osbourne in the role of a demonic fairy. Instead, Kylie Minogue appears as a green fairy that Christian hallucinates after drinking absinthe. As Christian and the Bohemians continue singing "The Sound of Music," Minogue's Green Fairy joins in with her own hallucinatory vocals. This medley also brings back "Nature Boy" and "Children of the Revolution." Osbourne does have an uncredited voice cameo in the end as the fairy lets out a demonic squeal.
"Zidler's Rap Medley" by Jim Broadbent, Fatboy Slim, Pink, Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mýa, and the cast of Moulin Rouge! - “Zidler’s Rap Medley” is a musical highlight of the Moulin Rouge! soundtrack as it introduces the nightly happenings at Zidler’s cabaret theater. Jim Broadbent delivers a few rap verses as Zidler while the Moulin Rouge dancers cover Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit," from 1991. The musical mash-up also includes two other tracks recorded exclusively for the film: Fatboy Slim's electronic-heavy introduction to can-can dancing called “Because We Can” and a cover of Labelle's “Lady Marmalade” by Pink, Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mýa.
"Sparkling Diamonds" by Nicole Kidman - The Moulin Rouge’s most sought-after cabaret dancer and courtesan Satine (Nicole Kidman) is introduced with her own musical medley. Kidman starts off with a cover of the jazz song “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend." While the track was popularized by actress Marilyn Monroe in the 1953 comedy film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, it was written for the original 1949 stage musical where it was performed by Carol Channing. In Moulin Rouge!, Satine mixes the jazz number with Madonna’s 1984 dance-pop hit “Material Girl," the music video for which paid homage to the film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and its iconic Marilyn Monroe sequence.
"Rhythm of the Night" by Valeria - Valeria's cover of "Rhythm of the Night" can be heard on Moulin Rouge!'s soundtrack when the club dancers continue their performance after Satine's medley. DeBarge originally recorded “Rhythm of the Night” in 1985.
"Sparkling Diamonds" (Reprise) by Nicole Kidman - When Satine returns to the stage after the cover performance of “Rhythm of the Night," the courtesan sings a more tragic version of “Sparkling Diamonds."
"Diamond Dogs" by Beck - This cover of David Bowie's 1974 song can be heard on the Moulin Rouge! soundtrack as the crowd is dancing following Satine's fall from her swing.
"Meet Me in the Red Room" by Amiel - A misunderstanding causes Satine to think that Christian is the Duke. As she readies herself to meet him for an intimate tête-à-tête, Amiel’s sensual pop number “Meet Me in the Red Room” can be heard on the Moulin Rouge! soundtrack.
"Your Song" by Ewan McGregor - “Your Song," Elton John’s moving ballad written with frequent creative partner and lyricist Bernie Taupin, plays a major role in the Moulin Rouge! soundtrack as Christian uses it to profess his love for Satine. When she mistakes him for the Duke, Christian charms her through his singing and poetry with "Your Name" playing an integral role in winning her over.
"Your Song" (Reprise) - Another version of “Your Song” is performed afterward, this time with Satine singing the tune. Even though the real Duke (Richard Roxburgh) enters her room, Satine continues singing the song. Satine's reprise clearly implies that Christian’s song had an enchanting impact on her.
"The Pitch: Spectacular Spectacular" by Jim Broadbent, Nicole Kidman, Jacek Koman, John Leguizamo, Ewan McGregor, Garry McDonald, Richard Roxburgh, and Matthew Whittet - When the Duke catches Satine and Christian together on her bed, Zidler saves the situation by saying that Satine and Christian were discussing the creation of a new musical. Toulouse and his Bohemians then arrive, and the hilarious absurdity that follows involves Zidler and the Bohemians improvising the plot of the musical play Spectacular Spectacular. Performed by cast members Jim Broadbent and John Leguizamo along with the two lead actors, “The Pitch: Spectacular Spectacular” is composed entirely against the music of operatic composer Jacques Offenbach's "Can Can."
“One Day I’ll Fly Away” by Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor - Finally left alone in her room, Satine basks in the moonlight and solemnly sings a version of American jazz singer Randy Crawford’s “One Day I’ll Fly Away," from 1980. Christian joins in from his room. The song essentially conveys both characters’ desire to pursue true love and step out of the life they’re trapped in.
"Elephant Love Medley" by Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor - Christian and Satine express their views on love by quoting lyrics from "Love Is Like Oxygen" by Sweet, "Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing" by The Four Aces, “All You Need Is Love” by The Beatles, “I Was Made For Lovin’ You” by Kiss, “One More Night” by Phil Collins, “Pride (In The Name of Love)” by U2, “Don’t Leave Me This Way” by Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, “Silly Love Songs” by Wings, “Up Where We Belong” by Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes, “Heroes” by David Bowie, “I Will Always Love You” by Dolly Parton, and “Your Song."
"Górecki" by Nicole Kidman - Originally composed and performed by English electronic music duo Lamb in 1997, the opening lines of the dark trip-hop track "Górecki" are sung by a teary-eyed Satine. She sings this song when she is forced by Zidler to engage in a romantic relationship with the Duke. Satine eventually faints by the end of the song.
"Like a Virgin" by Jim Broadbent and Richard Roxburgh - In addition to the use of “Material Girl, the Moulin Rouge! soundtrack features a cover of another Madonna song. As Satine sings "Górecki," the Duke and Zidler wait for her at a Gothic tower. When the Duke gets agitated by Satine’s absence, Zidler cooks up one of his tall tales and tells him that Satine actually wishes to marry him. To express Satine's bridal shyness, Zidler starts performing a hilarious rendition of Madonna's “Like a Virgin." The Duke also joins in on some of the vocals.
"Come What May" by Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman - With Satine’s health deteriorating and Christian being jealous of the Duke, the two have a disagreement. However, the bitter feelings come to an end when they start singing one of the most romantic movie musical songs ever: “Come What May." Composed and written by David Baerwald and Kevin Gilbert, the ballad was initially supposed to be featured on the soundtrack for William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet, Baz Luhrmann’s previous movie. However, the song served as the romantic love theme of the Moulin Rouge! soundtrack, and it became one of the album’s staple tunes.
"El Tango de Roxanne" by Jacek Koman and Ewan McGregor - Putting a tango spin on The Police’s new wave rock hit “Roxanne" from 1978, The Unconscious Argentinean performs this tune as he sympathizes with Christian’s troubled love life. He starts dancing on the floor and talks about how he once loved a courtesan called Roxanne, who broke his heart. The lovesick Christian then joins in the melancholic dance number. The song also samples music from the tango classic "Tanguera" by Argentine pianist Mariano Mores. On the album version, the track also includes a vocal segue by Puerto Rican singer José Feliciano.
"Fool to Believe" by Nicole Kidman - Upon hearing Zidler’s news that she is about to die soon, Satine expresses her sadness in song with the emotional track “Fool to Believe." Satine grows hopeless thinking that she was a fool to believe in true love.
"One Day I'll Fly Away" (Reprise) by Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor - Christian and Satine continue touching upon their gloomy reality with a reprise of “One Day I’ll Fly Away" moments before the play’s final rehearsal begins.
"The Show Must Go On" by Jim Broadbent and Nicole Kidman - Despite being money-minded all the time, Zidler starts having a change of heart as he grows concerned for Satine. But within no time, he shows that his loyalty lies to the Moulin Rouge theater as he dramatically walks on stage and performs a cover of Queen’s 1991 song “The Show Must Go On." Satine accepts her fate as an actress and joins Zidler.
"Hindi Sad Diamonds" by Nicole Kidman, John Leguizamo, and Alka Yagnik - On the night of the show, the “Hindi Sad Diamonds” starts the festivities. As the premise of the play Spectacular Spectacular is set in India, the Hindi-language track “Chamma Chamma” by Alka Yagnik, from the Bollywood film China Gate, is interpolated. The play’s actors are seen dancing to the Indian folk-pop track as Toulouse repeats the line "I only speak the truth." The second half of this medley finds Satine performing a cover of “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” again.
"Coup d'État"/"Finale" by Nicole Kidman, Ewan McGregor, and the cast of Moulin Rouge! - The stunning finale of Luhrmann’s musical is captured beautifully with the final medley of the Moulin Rouge! soundtrack. The play’s troupe of actors and dancers along with Zidler — acting as the villainous maharaja — perform parts of “The Show Must Go On” and “Children of the Revolution." But when Christian and Satine take center stage, they publicly declare their love once again with covers of “Your Song" and “One Day I’ll Fly Away,” plus “Come What May."
"Nature Boy" (Reprise) by John Leguizamo and Ewan McGregor - With Satine dying in Christian’s arms and the poet ending his tragic story, Toulouse sings “Nature Boy” again. An emotional Christian joins him this time as the end credits start to roll.
"Bolero (Closing Credits") by Steve Sharples - An instrumental tune that plays on the Moulin Rouge! soundtrack during the end credits.
Moulin Rouge! Has Two Soundtrack Albums
As is the case with many movie soundtracks that dabble in multiple covers, Moulin Rouge!’s musical diversity is accommodated by multiple albums. The first was released in 2001 as Moulin Rouge! Music from Baz Luhrmann's Film. This album features most of the movie's songs but features many alternate versions by different artists. For instance, rather than the cast version of “Children of the Revolution," the version on the album is led by Bono.
Here's every song on the original Moulin Rouge! soundtrack album:
- "Nature Boy" by David Bowie
- "Lady Marmalade" by Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mýa, and Pink
- "Because We Can" by Fatboy Slim
- "Sparkling Diamonds" by Nicole Kidman, Jim Broadbent, Caroline O'Connor, Natalie Mendoza, and Lara Mulcahy
- "Rhythm of the Night" by Valeria
- "Your Song" by Ewan McGregor and Alessandro Safina
- "Children of the Revolution" by Bono, Gavin Friday, and Maurice Seezer
- "One Day I'll Fly Away" by Nicole Kidman
- "Diamond Dogs" by Beck
- "Elephant Love Medley" by Nicole Kidman, Ewan McGregor, and Jamie Allen
- "Come What May" by Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor
- "El Tango de Roxanne" by Ewan McGregor, José Feliciano, and Jacek Koman
- "Complainte de la Butte" by Rufus Wainwright
- "Hindi Sad Diamonds" by Nicole Kidman, John Leguizamo, and Alka Yagnik
- "Nature Boy" by David Bowie and Massive Attack
In 2002, a second Moulin Rouge! soundtrack album titled Moulin Rouge! Music from Baz Luhrmann's Film, Vol. 2 was released and features original versions by the movie’s cast along with remixes and instrumentals. This album also includes Steve Sharples's end credits tune "Bolero (Closing Credits)," which isn't to be mistaken as part of Moulin Rouge!'s original film score composed by Craig Armstrong.