It’s about the feeling. You know the one. You’re sitting in the backseat of a car, the streetlights are blurring into long, neon streaks against the window, and a song comes on that makes you feel like you finally, actually exist. That is the entire energy of the Perks of Being a Wallflower OST. It isn’t just a collection of tracks tossed together by a studio executive looking to cash in on indie nostalgia. Honestly, it’s a time capsule.
Music is the marrow of Stephen Chbosky’s story. If you’ve read the book or seen the 2012 film, you realize Charlie doesn't just "listen" to music; he uses it as a shield and a bridge. The soundtrack is a curated mixtape that mirrors the awkward, painful, and beautiful transition from being an observer to being a participant in your own life.
The Mystery of the "Tunnel Song"
Let's talk about the elephant in the room. Or rather, the hero in the tunnel. For a long time, there was this massive debate among fans who had only read the book about what the "Tunnel Song" actually was. In the novel, Charlie describes a song that makes them feel infinite while driving through the Fort Pitt Tunnel in Pittsburgh.
When the movie came out, it was revealed to be "Heroes" by David Bowie.
Some purists argued. They said it should have been something more obscure, or perhaps something by The Smiths. But Chbosky, who directed the film and wrote the book, knew what he was doing. The 1977 Bowie track has this soaring, desperate grandiosity that fits the cinematic moment perfectly. It’s a song about being a hero, just for one day, even if everything else is falling apart. Interestingly, in the actual book, the song is "Landslide" by Fleetwood Mac. It’s a completely different vibe—somber, reflective, acoustic. Switching to Bowie for the film was a genius move for the medium of film. "Landslide" is a song for a bedroom; "Heroes" is a song for a car going 60 miles per hour.
Why "Asleep" by The Smiths is the Soul of the Record
If "Heroes" is the peak of the mountain, "Asleep" is the valley. You cannot talk about the Perks of Being a Wallflower OST without acknowledging the heavy presence of Morrissey and Johnny Marr. Charlie’s obsession with The Smiths is a cornerstone of his character.
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"Asleep" is a devastating track. It’s lonely. It’s haunting. It basically functions as a recurring theme for Charlie’s mental health struggles. In the film’s narrative, Charlie includes it on a mixtape for Patrick, and it serves as a signal for the deep, often unspoken sadness that bonds these characters. It’s a bold choice for a "teen movie" soundtrack because it doesn't try to sugarcoat the isolation. It leans into it.
The inclusion of The Smiths helped introduce a whole new generation to 80s Manchester post-punk. Suddenly, kids in 2012 were scouring record stores for The Louder Than War era stuff because they wanted to feel what Charlie felt. It’s that specific brand of "sad-boy" music that feels like a warm blanket when you’re freezing.
A Tracklist That Ignores the "Hits"
Most soundtracks try to grab the biggest radio hits of the era they are depicting. This one didn't. Instead of the most overplayed 80s tracks, the Perks of Being a Wallflower OST went for the b-sides and the cult favorites.
Look at "Teen Age Riot" by Sonic Youth. That’s a sprawling, noisy, experimental anthem. It represents the "cool older kids" energy that Sam and Patrick radiate. Then you have "Come on Eileen" by Dexys Midnight Runners. Sure, it’s a hit, but in the context of the film, it’s used for the awkward-turned-joyful dance floor scene. It’s about the vulnerability of finally getting up to dance when you’ve spent your whole life standing against the wall.
Here are some of the heavy hitters on the official release:
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- "Could It Be Another Change" by Sam Robertson
- "Low" by Cracker
- "Happiness Does Not Wait" by Olafur Arnalds
- "Eevie" by New Order
- "Pearly-Dewdrops' Drops" by Cocteau Twins
That Cocteau Twins track is vital. It’s ethereal. It sounds like a dream. It’s the kind of music that feels like it’s being played underwater. By including dream-pop and shoegaze, the soundtrack captures the hazy, distorted way we remember our teenage years. It’s not clear-cut; it’s a wash of reverb and emotion.
The Cultural Ripple Effect
Why do we still care about this soundtrack over a decade after the movie dropped? It’s because it feels authentic to the "mixtape culture." Before Spotify algorithms told us what to like, we had to find someone who would burn us a CD or hand us a cassette. The Perks of Being a Wallflower OST feels like a hand-off from a friend.
It also legitimized the "coming-of-age" genre’s relationship with indie music. It paved the way for soundtracks like Lady Bird or Eighth Grade, where the music isn't just background noise—it’s a character. People often forget that the soundtrack actually reached number 7 on the Billboard Top Soundtracks chart. For a collection of mostly melancholic 80s and 90s tracks, that’s impressive.
The Pieces You Won't Find on the Main Album
There is a difference between the "Soundtrack" and the "Original Score." The score was composed by Michael Brook. While the soundtrack is the "cool" part of the movie, the score is the "heart" part.
Brook’s work is minimalist. It’s a lot of piano and soft strings. If you listen to "Charlie’s Last Letter," you can hear the fragility of the character’s psyche. Most people skip the score and go straight to the Bowie, but the score is where the real emotional heavy lifting happens during the film's most traumatic revelations.
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Also, we have to mention "Rocky Horror." The film features "Touch-a, Touch-a, Touch-Me." While it’s a campy musical number, in the story, it’s about Sam and Charlie’s developing (and complicated) dynamic. It’s another layer of the "outcast" culture—finding a community in the weird, the late-night, and the theatrical.
Making Your Own "Wallflower" Experience
If you're looking to dive back into this world, don't just put the album on shuffle while you do the dishes. That's not how this music is meant to be consumed.
How to actually listen to it:
Find a pair of decent headphones. Go for a walk or, better yet, find a way to be a passenger in a car at night. Start with "Could It Be Another Change" to set the mood. Notice the way the bassline feels like a heartbeat. Move into "Teen Age Riot" when you feel like you need a burst of energy. Save "Asleep" for when you’re back home and the lights are low.
The magic of the Perks of Being a Wallflower OST is that it validates the feeling of being "small." It tells you that your internal drama, your secret crushes, and your quiet fears are actually epic in scale. It’s music for the people who think too much.
Next Steps for the Music Obsessed:
- Track down the book's playlist: Stephen Chbosky actually included a list of songs in the original novel that didn't all make it into the movie. Search for the "Charlie’s Mixtape" playlists on Spotify to see the original vision, including tracks by The Village People and Simon & Garfunkel.
- Listen to the Cocteau Twins' full discography: If "Pearly-Dewdrops' Drops" caught your ear, dive into the album Treasure. It’s the blueprint for the ethereal sound that defines the "infinite" feeling Charlie describes.
- Explore the Pittsburgh connection: The movie was filmed in and around Pittsburgh. If you’re ever in the area, driving through the Fort Pitt Tunnel while playing "Heroes" is basically a rite of passage for fans. Just make sure you stay in your seat—don't actually stand up in the back of a truck like Sam. It’s dangerous and, honestly, you’ll probably get a ticket.
The soundtrack remains a masterclass in how to use music to tell a story about the human condition. It’s not just about the 80s; it’s about the universal experience of finding the song that finally explains who you are.