Exceptional soundtracks can make good movies great. They can also take on a life of their own, becoming a greater highlight than their respective films. In this series, I’m selecting some of my favorite soundtrack songs. While quite a few are well-known recordings, I’m also including a few that have flown under the radar over the years.

From top to bottom, the Garden State soundtrack is hands down one of the best of its era. It pretty much singlehandedly launched The Shins into orbit. It also gave us an early introduction to Iron & Wine and Thievery Corporation. And when I listen back to it, I believe it was also partly responsible for the ridiculously delayed resurgence and rediscovery of Nick Drake. Like most of his catalog, “One of These Things First” is a song that fits comfortably into our times even though it was recorded 50 years ago.

Nick might well be at his best when mired in misery, but the almost wistful demeanor of this song is what makes it pair so well with Garden State. It still has all the characteristics that make Nick Drake’s music so attractive today — from the immediately recognizable baritone voice to the intricate interplay of piano and guitar.

“I could have been a signpost, could have been a clock. As simple as a kettle, steady as a rock.”