Did you enjoy the Hollywood blockbuster 'Maverick?' If you enjoyed the music in the film, Why not pick up a copy of the OST?
This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.
Meaning
The acronym 'OST' is an abbreviation of 'Original Soundtrack.' A soundtrack is recorded music synchronized to a motion picture, TV show, radio program, or video game. Most Hollywood movies, especially theatrical releases, have a commercially-released original soundtrack. The OST is different from the film's score.
In movie industry terminology, an OST is an audio recording used for film production or post-production purposes. The acronym OST often describes musical soundtracks on recorded mediums, such as CDs and vinyl records. The OST also differentiates the original music in the film versus its rerecordings or covers.
Example Usage
"Have you heard the OST for Natural Born Killers? The movie was one of the best Oliver Stone ever produced, and the soundtrack is amazing."
"Do you know where I can buy a copy of the 'Top Gun' OST? I watched Maverick on the weekend, and I feel nostalgic. I want to hear that track 'Highway to the Danger Zone' again."
"The best OSTs come from movies in the 90s. Everything after that is just hot trash. I'm a movie buff and know what I'm talking about."
"I heard there's a difference between the musical score and the OST in a movie. I must remember that when I go to the record store this afternoon."
"If you're into hip hop, the OST for 'Boiler Room' is one of the best examples of a soundtrack emulating the vibe and theme of the movie."
Origin
The term 'Original Soundtrack' (OST) originates from the Hollywood movie industry. The first OST was for the Walt Disney animated movie, 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,' released by RCA Victor Records in January 1938.
This OST was available on several 78-rpm records and has since seen re-issue in all formats, including CD and cassette. The title of the OST was 'Songs from Walt Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.' It featured characters and sound effects from the film and was a smash hit, selling thousands of copies in its first week of release.
The first live-action musical OST from a commercially produced film was the 1946 film biography of Jerome Kern, 'Till the Clouds Roll By,' released by MGM. The OST featured eight songs selected from the movie and was available on a set of four 10-inch 78-rpm vinyl records.
Phrases Similar to OST
- Original score.
Phrases Opposite to OST
- Studio album.
What is the Correct Saying?
- OST.
- Original Soundtrack.
Ways People May Say OST Incorrectly
The OST doesn’t refer to studio albums produced by musical artists. It’s a soundtrack to a movie and may contain many different artists. Using it to describe the latest album release from your favorite artist is incorrect.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase OST
You can use ‘OST’ when discussing the original soundtrack of a movie. It’s suitable for social conversations where you want to talk about a song or score in the film with friends. The OST appears at the end of the movie credits. You’ll find all of the tracks listed, including information on the album, artists, and release date.
The OST is usually available on CDs, vinyl records, and digital downloads on platforms like Spotify. Total revenues for a movie don’t include the sales of the OST. When you’re saying you’re listening to an ‘original soundtrack,’ you wouldn’t use the ‘original’ word in the saying because people will understand what you mean if you just say ‘soundtrack.’