The Big Lebowski is one of the most beloved comedies of all time. It also has an incredible soundtrack to boot.
That soundtrack was a bit of a challenge to bring together. Legendary producer T Bone Burnett co-produced the soundtrack album, along with Joel and Ethan Cohen. In a resurfaced August 2012 story from Rolling Stone, Burnett says the most difficult song to secure for the film was the Townes Van Zandt cover of the Rolling Stones’ “Dead Flowers.” The song famously plays over the film’s closing credits.
Burnett said the Stones’ former manager Allen Klein owns the rights to the track, and he wanted a whopping $150,000 for the song to be used in the film. Eventually, after some begging from Burnett, Klein sat down to watch an early cut of the film. And then, magic happened.
Burnett recalled, “It got to the part where the Dude says, ‘I hate the f*ckin’ Eagles, man!’ Klein stands up and says, ‘That’s it, you can have the song!’”
Not only did Burnett get permission to use the “Dead Flowers” cover, the dig at the Eagles led to Klein to wave any usage fee.
Once again, magic!