Cool Hand Luke is a soundtrack album for the Warner Bros. film of the same name, released in 1967 on the Dot label.

[1][2] In part because its staccato melody resembles the sound of a telegraph,[3] an edited version of the 64 musical cue from "Tar Sequence" has been used for many years as the news music package on several television stations' news programs around the world, most notably on ABC's owned-and-operated stations (except WPVI and KFSN) as part of their local newscasts starting in 1968 and lasting until the mid-1990s.

The Eyewitness News collection by Gari Media, currently used by WABC-TV and many other ABC affiliates, has a similar sound to the Tar Sequence.

As the reverie of the end title played so simply by Howard Roberts and Tommy Tedesco becomes a poignant memory of the film's hero and his struggle — as well as his laughter — listeners will find themselves wanting more..."[1] Dan Goldwasser wrote: "Lalo's mixture of bluegrass and symphonic music resulted in a unique and satisfying sound.

From the distinctive "Main Title" theme to the highly energetic (and Copeland-esque) "Tar Sequence", the first five minutes alone on the album are enough to give one the clear indication that this is no ordinary score.