Ranking All the Songs from the King of Staten Island Soundtrack
King Of Staten Island stars Pete Davidson, Marisa Tomei, Bill Burr, Bel Powley, Maude Apatow, and Steve Buscemi in a movingly funny, semi-autobiographical take on Pete Davidson’s real-life story. If you haven’t seen the movie already, it’s definitely worth looking up – as is its soundtrack, a winning combination of hip hop, pop, classic dad rock, and ’50s easy listening. Here’s how we rank all the songs from the King of Staten Island soundtrack in order of greatness.
31. Almost Doesn’t Count – Kevin Lax
This track by Kevin Lax first appeared in the 2018 dystopian horror film, The First Purge.
30. Cake by the Ocean – DNCE
Sure, DNCE might not be as famous as Joe Jonas’ other band, but they’ve still made some great tunes, including this catchy number from 2015.
29. You Make Me Feel So Young – Mack Gordon and Josef Myrow
This jazz standard by Mack Gordon and Josef Myrow first appeared in the 1946 musical, Three Little Girls in Blue.
28. Nostalgic Hawaii – Jan Rap & Friends
If you spent your childhood glued to Spongebob Squarepants, you’ll already be well aware of this instrumental from Jan Rap & Friends.
27. If I Give It to You – Verboten Berlin
Some songs were born to be theme songs – case in point, this 2018 electronic classic from Verboten Berlin.
26. Just Wasn’t Meant to Be – Archie Thompson feat. Dave Stanger
Next up is this gorgeously smooth jazz standard from Archie Thompson, with Dave Stanger doing his best impression of Frank Sinatra on the vocals.
25. Happy Together – Gil Imber
Gil Imber gives The Turtles’ 1967 hit a makeover on this organ-heavy cover.
24. One Little Kiss Will Do It – Bob Kelly
Crooner Bob Kelly shows off his velvety vocals in style on this romantic classic from the 1950s.
23. Z.I.P. – J.K. The Reaper and Drayco McCoy
Provocative lyrics merge with sinfully sweet synth melodies on this 2019 jam from J.K. The Reaper and Drayco McCoy.
22. Scar Tissue – Vitamin String Quartet
A Red Hot Chili Peppers’ classic gets a major makeover on this instrumental from the Vitamin String Quartet.
21. Triple Beam Lights – Nechie
Nechie might still be relatively unknown, but as this 2019 hip-hop track shows, he’s got the goods to go all the way.
20. There She Is – Johnny Amoroso
The King of Staten Island soundtrack loves a crooner, and we love this vintage confection from the great Johnny Amoroso.
19. Finally a Kiss – Craig Richey
Before it became part of the King of Staten Island soundtrack, this hauntingly lovely piece by composer Craig Richey formed part of the score to the movie, Being Frank.
18. Your Hand in Mine – Explosions in the Sky
They might be best known for scoring Friday Night Lights, but as this heavenly instrumental proves, Explosions in the Sky are way more than a one-trick pony.
17. That’s It (I’m Crazy) – Sofi Tukker
If you’re not usually a fan of electro music, this hit from 2018 could be all it takes to convert you.
16. Just What I Am – Kid Cudi featuring King Chip
Kid Cudi contributed not one but two songs to the King of Staten Island soundtrack. On the phenomenal Just What I Am, he gets a little extra help from King Chip.
15. Promise Me You Won’t Disappear – Rob Simonsen
This atmosphere piece from Rob Simonsen first popped up on the score to the 2018 romantic comedy, Love, Simon.
14. You Be Killin Em – Fabolous
If this song from Fabolous wasn’t immaculate enough already, it’s also got a sample of Melvin Bliss’ Synthetic Substitution for good measure.
13. Head Over Heels – The Go-Go’s
During an interview with SongFacts.com, Go-Gos’ rhythm guitarist Jane Wiedlin described Head Over Heels as “just a classic. Like a little pop truffle of chocolate that’s just completely delicious.” She’s not wrong.
12. Never Did I Stop Loving You – Alice Clark
Soul singer Alice Clark never achieved much commercial success in her lifetime, but as this song from the King of Staten Island soundtrack highlights, she’s someone every music lover should have on their radar.
11. Before the Next Teardrop Falls – Big John Hamilton
Southern soul singer Big John Hamilton might never have courted fame, but as this soulful cut from 1968 proves, he deserved to be every bit as big as his name.
10. Can’t Understand – Johnny Amoroso
Crooners don’t get much better than Johnny Amoroso, and theme songs don’t get much better than this vintage classic from the late ’50s.
9. Big Drip – Fivio Foreign
Fivio Foreign started making music in 2011, but it wasn’t until he dropped this summer hit in 2019 that his career really took off.
8. One Headlight – The Wallflowers
According to Refinery29.com, One Headlight by The Wallflowers’ was Pete Davidson and his dad’s favorite song, so it was only fitting that it ended up in the movie.
7. Your Love – The Jades
Before Lou Reed became, well, Lou Reed, he was a clean-cut crooner called Lewis Reed who played with The Jades and made sensational be-bop ditties like Your Love.
6. Pursuit of Happiness – Kid Cudi feat. MGMT & Ratatat
Both of Kid Cudi’s contributions to the King of Staten Island soundtrack are excellent, but the extra sprinkle of magic added by MGMT gives Pursuit of Happiness the edge.
5. Juice – Lizzo
Maude Apatow and Pauline Chalamet’s characters Clare and Joanne chose Juice to perform at their graduation karaoke because… well, who wouldn’t?
4. Uproar – Lil’ Wayne featuring Swizz Beatz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQ2juiyXk-s
Has Lil’ Wayne ever made a better song than this 2018 collab with Swizz Beatz? Possibly, but if he has, we haven’t heard it.
3. Down on the Corner – Creedence Clearwater Revival
Taken from the highly acclaimed album Willy and the Poor Boys, this song gave CCR a top 5 hit in December 1969.
2. Push It – Salt-N-Pepa
’80s hip hop doesn’t get much better than this iconic song from everyone’s favorite girl group, Salt-N-Pepa. In 2011, Rolling Stone named it one of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
1. The Weight – The Band
The Band might not have invented Americana, but they perfected it, and on this 1968 classic, they dished up one of its finest servings.