"High Strung" Soundtrack Lyrics

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"High Strung (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)" Soundtrack Description

Overview

What happens when a busking violin meets conservatory ballet and a street crew? High Strung (2016) answers with a hybrid soundtrack where glossy pop sits next to competition cues and violin-forward score. The film leans on original songs from Mohombi, Nia Sioux, Sofi Tyler, and others, then pivots to Nathan Lanier’s propulsive score pieces that anchor the gala set-pieces and the final routine.

The commercial album collects 17 tracks (≈62 minutes) and arrived April 2016; Apple Music lists the set as ℗ 2016 High Strung LLC. Composer credit in the film is Nathan Lanier; the production builds toward a last-act performance driven by his recurring theme “Torn (Redux).” Baselines for credits and release details align across Apple Music, Spotify, and reference entries such as IMDb and Wikipedia.

Questions & Answers

Who composed the score?

Nathan Lanier. His violin-driven cues (“Torn,” “Fiddle Me Ghillies,” “El Tango de los Celos”) carry the competition arc.

Is there an official song album?

Yes. A 17-track High Strung (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is on Apple Music and Spotify; it mixes songs and score excerpts.

Which label is listed?

Apple Music credits the release ℗ 2016 High Strung LLC.

What is the trailer ID for imagery?

YouTube trailer ID JctCSR1hSsw (Rotten Tomatoes Indie) is the most widely circulated cut.

Who choreographed the film numbers?

Dave Scott, whose background on the Step Up franchise informs the crew set-pieces.

What’s the film’s release context?

U.S. theatrical release was April 8, 2016 after a Santa Barbara International Film Festival premiere.

Notes & Trivia

• The album blends pop singles (“Do U Feel Like Movin’,” “DJ Fav”) with Lanier’s score; the finale uses “Torn (Redux).”
• Several scene-to-song matches are documented by fan-curated cue sheets and retailer listings; the main platforms agree on titles and artists.
• Nicholas Galitzine (Johnnie) later headlined multiple music-leaning roles; here he’s the violinist lead opposite ballerina Keenan Kampa.
• The film’s gala sequence features a tango interlude and a violin duel before the climactic competition routine.

Genres & Themes

Pop & electro-pop → campus/lifestyle beats. Up-tempo cues frame dorm life, parties, and crew introductions; crisp hooks keep scenes moving.

Hybrid score (string + electronic pulse) → drive & release. Lanier’s violin motifs and rhythm beds signal training montages, setbacks, and the last-act push.

Latin & folk inflections → world-building. Tango and fiddle-dance inserts (“El Tango de los Celos,” “Fiddle Me Ghillies”) mark gala and pub spaces with instant character.

Tracks & Scenes

Placements cross-checked against platform metadata and scene-by-scene lists. Timestamps vary by cut; diegetic = heard by characters on screen.

“Do U Feel Like Movin’” — Mohombi
Where it plays: early crew energy and dance-battle context; diegetic-styled party/battle vibe.
Why it matters: sets the film’s pop ceiling before the score takes over.

“DJ Fav” — Nia Sioux
Where it plays: lifestyle/party beats around the conservatory crowd; non-diegetic needle-drop.
Why it matters: Disney-channel-adjacent sheen that sells campus fun.

“Weightless” — Chris Burkich
Where it plays: Johnnie watches Ruby dance after class; non-diegetic, reflective.
Why it matters: the first clear “muse” moment—music softens rivalry into curiosity.

“Oldboy” — PLAYB4CK
Where it plays: Johnnie first clocks the Switch Steps crew; non-diegetic groove under street moves.
Why it matters: marks the crew as story catalysts.

“Unafraid” — Mikaela Coco
Where it plays: Ruby’s first contemporary class breakthrough; non-diegetic lift.
Why it matters: underscores technique loosening into flow.

“Shut It Down” — Vali
Where it plays: Jazzy’s late-for-class scramble and warning from staff; non-diegetic.
Why it matters: comic pressure cooker for a side character arc.

“Crank That Sound” — Ian Mohr feat. Kelly Easter & Christina Schmid
Where it plays: Switch Steps’ first big dance scene; diegetic performance energy.
Why it matters: establishes crew vocabulary before the hybrid finale.

“Fiddle Me Ghillies” — Nathan Lanier
Where it plays: pub sequence with dancers on tables; diegetic-styled folk burst.
Why it matters: lets strings party—the film’s loosest dance detour.

“El Tango de los Celos” — Nathan Lanier
Where it plays: fundraiser gala tango showcase; diegetic ballroom set-piece.
Why it matters: sharp contrast to campus scenes—spotlight, heels, and formality.

“Malagueña” — Ernesto Lecuona
Where it plays: gala violin duel (Johnnie vs. Kyle); diegetic showboat moment.
Why it matters: virtuosity as character conflict.

“Torn (Redux)” — Nathan Lanier
Where it plays: climactic competition performance; non-diegetic/performance hybrid.
Why it matters: the film’s signature piece—violin theme + beat architecture for the win.

Music–Story Links

• Rivalry to duet: pop drops frame campus cliques; score cues (“Torn”) bind Ruby and Johnnie into a single musical idea.
• Place as palette: pub = fiddle; gala = tango; subway = beat-and-bow—each space argues for its own rhythm.
• Virtuoso conflict: “Malagueña” weaponizes technique, then the finale resolves it by mixing traditions.

How It Was Made

Director Michael Damian and writer-producer Janeen Damian shaped a dance-first narrative and brought in choreographer Dave Scott for the crew set-pieces. Composer Nathan Lanier wrote violin-centric themes that could flex between diegetic showcases and montage scoring; several cues appear in full on the album. Apple Music logs the soundtrack as a 17-track release (℗ High Strung LLC) with a mix of songs and Lanier instrumentals.

Reception & Quotes

Trade coverage around the Santa Barbara premiere and theatrical release emphasized the film’s energy and dance appeal; reviews were mixed on story but positive on performance sequences.

“Upbeat dance musical set at a Juilliard-type school in New York.” The Hollywood Reporter

“Attractive performers, rousing music, energetic dancing.” IOL (South Africa)

“The choreography by Dave Scott is mostly really good.” Hollywood in Toto

Availability and credits can be verified on Apple Music, Spotify, IMDb, and Wikipedia.

Additional Info

• Album runtime ≈ 1:02:00 (17 tracks).
• Key singles in marketing: Mohombi’s “Do U Feel Like Movin’,” Nia Sioux’s “DJ Fav.”
• Fan/official channels host the finale clip cut to “Torn (Redux),” which spread widely after release.
• Sequel: High Strung: Free Dance (2019) reteams the Damians with Lanier on new songs and score.
• Gala sequence stitching: tango feature → violin duel → security chase—then the competition arc takes over.

Technical Info

• Title: High Strung (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
• Year: 2016
• Type: Songs + score compilation
• Composer (score): Nathan Lanier
• Label/rights line: ℗ 2016 High Strung LLC
• Notable placements: “Fiddle Me Ghillies” (pub), “El Tango de los Celos” (gala tango), “Malagueña” (violin duel), “Torn (Redux)” (finale)
• Release context: SB Intl. Film Festival premiere; U.S. theatrical release April 8, 2016

Canonical Entities & Relations

Subject	Relation	Object
High Strung (film)	directed-by	Michael Damian
High Strung (film)	music-by (score)	Nathan Lanier
High Strung (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)	released-by	High Strung LLC (℗ line)
Dave Scott	choreographed	Dance sequences
“Torn (Redux)”	in-scene	Final competition performance
“El Tango de los Celos”	in-scene	Gala tango showcase
“Fiddle Me Ghillies”	in-scene	Pub dance on tables
“Malagueña”	in-scene	Gala violin duel

Sources: Apple Music; Spotify; IMDb; Wikipedia; Hollywood Reporter; IOL; Hollywood in Toto; MoviesOST scene list.

It is about love. But not just any love. It is about love to what you are doing. A passion to dance. A fervency to make music. A desire to win the contest of your life. But foremost, it is about two supportive persons. But even before that – it is made ​​for adolescents, who want to be motivated. Who fears for reaching something and who programmed for losing just because he or she is afraid. This piece is one of that cohort that narrates you – do not be afraid to try. Even when you fall, if you are diligent and hard-working enough, you will reach the top of success. Everyone wants to have their own 15 minutes of glory. And this motion picture proves that it is possible. All you need is love, support and desire to win. This is all about. It contains it all. The soundtrack to this movie has the same fervent songs as the paragraph above – bright and passionate. Do U Feel Like Movin' makes you catch high. DJ Fav does the buzz. Alina Artts, though not so fervent nor talented as the main heroine of the film, but her Girl Love Peace is good enough to start to be acquainted with the musical collection. Chris Burkich doesn’t differ with interesting lyrics and seems like the public around him is not so fascinated with what he is doing, but you should listen to Monotony to understand the real sincere feelings. And to catch up with their lyrics – they are truly bright and fashionable. How to love and passionately follow what you expect to reach? This movie will give you the idea of it. If you are young in body or in the soul – films like this will give you extra push to follow your dream. As the dream without the implementation is only a rusty project, we should tell. Please, fly high in your desires and implement your dreams come true – and the world will be a little bit better place.

November, 10th 2025

Visit "High Strung" IMDb profile, watch Official Trailer

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