Harry Gregson-Williams composed the score for The Martian. It is the fourth collaboration between Gregson-Williams and Scott. Gregson-Williams previously worked on music for Scott's films Kingdom of Heaven (2005), Prometheus (2012) and Exodus: Gods and Kings, composing the main film score for the first and last films, and doing additional music for the other two.[52]
A running gag in the film is commander Melissa Lewis' love for 1970s songs (especially of the disco genre, which apparently Watney hates), the only music available to Watney on Mars which often appears as diegetic music. The soundtrack includes:[53]
- "Turn the Beat Around" by Vicki Sue Robinson
- "Hot Stuff" by Donna Summer
- "Rock the Boat" by The Hues Corporation
- "Don't Leave Me This Way" by Thelma Houston
- "Starman" by David Bowie
- "Waterloo" by ABBA
- "Love Train" by The O'Jays
- "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor (closing credits)
The exit music, which includes "Don't Leave Me This Way" and "I Will Survive," is a commentary on Watney's situation on Mars.[54]
