What Is The Song In The Last Night In Soho Trailer?

Edgar Wright, the mind behind hit films like "Shaun of the Dead," "Baby Driver," Scott Pilgrim vs. the World," and more, is taking a deep dive into the horror genre with his next project, "Last Night in Soho." For many, this movie has been a highly-anticipated release ever since it was announced, with very few details coming out until recently. While there have been sneak peeks at images and the like in the past, the first real trailer came out today and people are going crazy. 

The short preview introduces Thomasin McKenzie ("Jojo Rabbit") as a fashion student named Eloise who moves to NYC and discovers she has the ability to travel back in time to the 1960s. There she encounters her idol, an elegant small-time singer named Sandy, played by Golden Globe winner Anya Taylor-Joy. While everything seems like fun and glamour at first, the more time Eloise spends in the past, the more she uncovers true darkness that begins to seep into her real life. "Last Night in Soho" also stars Matt Smith, Oliver and James Phelps (a.k.a. the Weasley twins from the "Harry Potter" series), "Shadow and Bone" breakout star Jessie Mei Li, and the late, great Diana Rigg in what is likely her final role. 

Many people are talking about the fashion, bright colors, and intense scares of the trailer, but it's the featured song that stands out the most. While most people will recognize the song as a blast from the past, reimagined through Taylor-Joy's haunting voice, this might be the first time ever hearing the iconic tune for others.

So what exactly is the song accompanying the "Last Night in Soho" trailer?

The song Anya Taylor-Joy sings in the "Last Night in Soho" trailer is the 1964 breakout hit "Downtown," composed by Tony Hatch and sung by Petula Clark. "Downtown" rocketed up the charts upon release, reaching number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 and earning a Gold certification for one million units sold in the United States (RIAA). "Downtown" also won a Grammy for Rock and Roll Recording, up against hits like Bobby Vinton's "Mr. Lonely" and The Beatles's "A Hard Day's Night." Since 1964, "Downtown" has also been recorded by Dolly Parton in 1983, Emma Bunton of the Spice Girls in 2006, and many more, proving the hit song's lasting power. Considering it's now being used in 2021 for an upcoming thriller film, it's definitely withstood the test of time. 

In movie history, "Downtown" is sung by Winona Ryder's character in 1999's "Girl, Interrupted," and it's played in a key scene in the 2019 horror film "Escape Room." Overall, the use of the song in movies and television is extensive, with other major projects that feature "Downtown" including "Lost," "Mad Men," "The X-Files," and "American Horror Story." Looking at the "Last Night in Soho" trailer, it's highly probable that Taylor-Joy's character Sandy will perform the song at some point in the film. The trailer takes the extremely upbeat tune and transforms it to be slow and eerie, making it feel like a whole different song. Surprisingly, "Downtown" is a very fitting choice for the upcoming movie, and it's definitely getting people excited for the film's release on October 22, 2021.