Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s ‘Murder On The Dancefloor’ Enjoys Resurgence In ‘Saltburn’
Originally a U.K. Top 5 hit in 2001, the song now soundtracks a memorable scene in the acclaimed new film and has hit over 1.4 million streams on Spotify.
Sophie Ellis-Bextor has spoken about the resurgence of her hit “Murder On The Dancefloor” after it featured in the much-acclaimed film Saltburn.
In the movie, actor Barry Keoghan is seen dancing in the nude to her 2001 single in a memorable final scene. As a result, the track has now enjoyed a resurgence and entered Spotify‘s global chart for the first time after it rapidly clocked up over 1.43million streams.
Responding to the news, Ellis-Bextor wrote on X: “Wow…thank you for all the Murder love. Happy new year! Xx.”
Speaking in an earlier interview with the NME, the singer said ““I didn’t really know exactly how it would play in terms of the role it was in the movie until I saw it at the screening, but I absolutely loved it,” she added. “I think it’s such a clever, funny, smart film. I really enjoyed it.”
Ellis-Bextor added that she was happy for director Emerald Fennell to use her song, because they “didn’t really have a plan B” for the film.
She added “She just felt like it tied everything together in terms of the tone of the film and the juxtaposition of the sort of sweetness of the pop song, but also a little sting in the tail with the lyrics as well,” she said. “I think it works. But how lovely for me, I mean, look, I’ve been singing ‘Murder’ for over 20 years and it’s so nice that it still has the power to surprise me.”
Saltburn is a black comedy psychological drama film written, directed, and produced by Emerald Fennell and starring Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi, Rosamund Pike, Richard E. Grant, Alison Oliver, and Archie Madekwe. Set in England in 2006, the film follows an Oxford University student who becomes obsessed with a wealthy fellow student within his college, who invites him to spend the summer at his eccentric family’s estate.
The film had its world premiere at California’s 50th Telluride Film Festival on 31 August 2023 and was then released in the United Kingdom on 17 November 2023, and in the United States via a limited theatrical release on the same day. The film had its wide release on 22 November before its streaming release by Amazon Prime Video on 22 December. It has since garnered two nominations at the 81st Golden Globe Awards for Best Actor (Keoghan) and Best Supporting Actress (Pike).
In addition to “Murder On The Dancefloor,” the Saltburn soundtrack is full of hit 00’s tracks such as Girls Aloud‘s “Sound Of The Underground,” Bloc Party‘s “This Modern Love” and The Killers‘ “Mr. Brightside.”
Written by Gregg Alexander and Sophie Ellis-Bextor, “Murder on the Dancefloor” was one of four singles released from Ellis-Bextor’s first solo album, Read My Lips (2001). Released on 3 December 2001, the song peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart and stayed on the chart for 23 weeks. It went on to become a top-10 hit worldwide, charting within the top three in Australia, New Zealand, and four European countries.
Listen to the best of Sophie Ellis-Bextor on Apple Music and Spotify.
