The soundtrack includes the only complete original score for a Tarantino film and is composed, orchestrated and conducted by Ennio Morricone.

The Hateful Eight was the composer's first score for a Western film since Buddy Goes West (1981) and the first for a Hollywood production since Ripley's Game (2002).

[8] In addition to Morricone's music, the album includes three songs which are featured in the film; The White Stripes' "Apple Blossom" (2000), David Hess' "Now You're All Alone" (1972) (originally from The Last House on the Left's soundtrack) and Roy Orbison's "There Won't Be Many Coming Home" (1966), as well as dialogue clips from the film.

The opening track, "L’ultima diligenza di Red Rock" (Versione Integrale), was released as a single online on December 15, 2015.

[16] He quickly released a statement clarifying that his remarks were taken out of context,[17] Morricone said that he has "great respect for Tarantino" and that he is "glad he chooses my music".

[19][20] On June 12, 2015, Tarantino held court at Italy's 59th David di Donatello Awards in Rome, which he attended to collect prizes from several years back for Pulp Fiction and Django Unchained.

Both artists revealed that they met a day earlier and that Morricone agreed to compose music for a Tarantino movie.

[23] The recording sessions began on July 18 at the Czech National Symphony Orchestra ’s studio "soundtrust" in Hostivař, Prague.

Morricone previously conducted the orchestra CNSO for his soundtrack to Giuseppe Tornatore’s The Best Offer (2013) and during his 60th Anniversary Tour.