Conquer: The Unofficial Soundtrack

It occured to me that the print version of CONQUER includes the links to the Totally Unofficial Conquer Soundtrack I compiled, but not the track lists. So, if you pick up the audiobook and you want something going in the background as you listen to Denzel Andrew read, here’s the track list and the order.

In WHO THE HELL IS JOHN CONQUER:
“The stage stood empty and absurd on a Wednesday afternoon, the heavy air filled with Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic cranking out of an ugly old Wurlitzer Zodiac parked in a corner. The machine hadn’t seen a new record since Stevie Wonder’s Talking Book, and as Isaac’s platter wound down, Superstition came on to prove it.”

Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic – Isaac Hayes

Superstition – Stevie Wonder

For KEEP COOL, CONQUER –
“How’d you get into vampires, Doc?” Conquer asked as the big car lurched away and they went humming into the rising sun, Gene Page on the radio.

I’m Gonna Catch You – Hues Corporation (Gene Page)

In CONQUER CRACKS HIS WHIP –
He tickled the dial and the sweet voice of Minnie Riperton came trickling out over the speakers like she was curled up on the passenger side cooing in his ear.

Inside My Love – Minnie Riperton

In CONQUER COMES CALLING –

The lights of the parked squad washed the dingy buildings hell red and Bermuda blue as the late model burgundy Cordoba pulled up behind it, wipers savagely sweeping the crystal beads from the windshield. Inside, Bobby Bland was lamenting the lack of love in the city when the driver cut the engine and the headlights winked out.

Ain’t No Love In The Heart Of The City – Bobby Bland

When Conquer started the car, the mood was already set, but Leon Haywood affirmed it on the way back to his pad at St. Marks Place...

I Wanna Do Something Freaky To You – Leon Haywood

In CONQUER COMES CORRECT –

Kung Fu – Curtis Mayfield

Jungle Eyes – Gene Page

Conquer switched the radio on to drown out the kid’s questions. ‘Down and Out In New York City’ was playing. Not even James Brown could make the drive to Montefiore’s emergency room feel shorter.

Down And Out In New York City – James Brown

Conquer’s Theme –

I first became aware of this song watching Netflix and Baz Luhrman’s criminally underrated The Get Down. It and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II’s performance as Cadillac are huge influences on Conquer, and directly formed the concept in my brain.