The 2023 film Priscilla, directed by Sofia Coppola, is a profoundly intimate and poetic portrayal of Priscilla Presley’s (Cailee Spaeny) life. It explores her relationship with Elvis Presley (Jacob Elordi) and her evolution into an independent woman. One of the most captivating aspects of the film is its music. The film is centered around music; thus, it must have a compelling soundtrack fitting the emotions of Priscilla’s turbulent relationship with Elvis and their ultimate breakup.
As in many of Coppola’s films, the soundtrack is an essential storytelling tool (think The Virgin Suicides), enhancing the emotional tone and drawing viewers deeper into the characters' inner worlds. In Priscilla, music becomes a character of its own, subtly guiding the audience through the ups and downs of her journey.
Cailee Spaeny
Jacob Elordi
Ari Cohen
Dagmara Dominczyk
Tim Post
Lynne Griffin
Dan Beirne
Rodrigo Fernandez-Stoll
Dan Abramovici
Matthew Shaw
Tim Dowler-Coltman
R Austin Ball
“Venus” - Frankie Avalon
"Venus" by Frankie Avalon plays in the background when Priscilla is approached by Terry West (Luke Humphrey) at a restaurant. He invites her to spend the weekend at Elvis Presley's house. The choice of this song, with its dreamy, romantic lyrics about a man seeking a woman, perfectly complements the sense of fantasy and allure that Priscilla feels as she's drawn into Elvis’s orbit and Elvis’s desire for company.
“Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On” - Chris Palmaro and Dean Z
When Priscilla first meets Elvi, he sits at the piano and plays "Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On." This energetic, classic rock song captures Elvis’s charisma and confidence, immediately showing Priscilla the larger-than-life persona he embodies.
“Crimson and Clover” - Tommy James and The Shondells
Elvis opens up to Priscilla about his deep grief over losing his mother. The song matches the vulnerability and complexity of the scene, where Elvis’s emotional wounds are laid bare. As they share a kiss for the first time, the music encapsulates the tension between his need for comfort and Priscilla’s growing realization of how her life will forever be intertwined with his personal struggles.
“Country” - Porches
As Priscilla wrestles with her feelings and decisions, she confesses to Elvis that she wants to stay with him longer before returning home. The song's gentle, introspective sound mirrors Priscilla’s internal conflict—her desire to be close to Elvis and the looming sense of responsibility and pressure that comes with staying in his world. Ultimately, she ends up living with him full-time after he convinces her parents to let them get married.
“A Woman Seen By A Man In Love” - Sons of Raphael
This intense scene is accompanied by "A Woman Seen By A Man In Love" when Priscilla discovers a girl’s note left for Elvis. The tension in the music heightens as Elvis’s temper flares, and he lashes out, furiously collecting Priscilla’s belongings. At this point, the chaotic nature of their relationship bubbles over. The clash between Priscilla’s growing awareness of Elvis’s infidelity and his possessive behavior is clear, and the music amplifies the emotions in the sequence.
“I Will Always Love You” - Dolly Parton
The film’s emotional finale is accompanied by Dolly Parton’s ballad "I Will Always Love You" as Priscilla bids farewell to the life she once knew. As she says goodbye to everyone and informs Elvis that she’s leaving him, the song's poignant lyrics about love, loss, and letting go perfectly encapsulate the bittersweet nature of the moment. She has finally had enough of the abuse and nonstop conflict and is ready to start a new chapter in her life.
Check out the full Priscilla soundtrack here.