Addressing complaints of the ending being a cop-out in 1970, he stated that "The easiest thing in the world would have been to show those four making it together in that bed. But it became obvious to us that these four people in these circumstances couldn't possibly have done it.” Musical score and soundtrack The film score was composed, arranged and conducted by Quincy Jones and featured Jackie DeShannon performing Burt Bacharach and Hal David's "What the World Needs Now Is Love" and Sarah Vaughan performing "I know that my Redeemer liveth" from Part III of Handel's Messiah. The soundtrack album was released on the Bell label in 1969. The Vinyl Factory said "in 1969 (a busy year for the man), Jones produced this sparkling score, with its lavish string arrangements and jazzy interludes. ... What sounds like a lot work went into an unconventional soundtrack for an unconventional movie about sexual experimentation". Track listing All compositions by Quincy Jones, except where noted "Main Title From Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice (Handel's Hallelujah Chorus)" (George Frideric Handel adapted by Quincy Jones) − 2:24 "Sun Dance (Handel's Messiah Pt. 3)" (Handel adapted by Jones) − 3:46 "Giggle Grass" − 2:30 "Sweet Wheat" − 3:31 "What The World Needs Now (Instrumental)" (Burt Bacharach, Hal David) − 3:07 "What The World Needs Now" (Bacharach, David) − 3:48 "Celebration of Life (Instrumental) (Handel's Hallelujah Chorus)" (Handel adapted by Jones) − 2:54 "Sun Dance (Instrumental) (Handel's Messiah Pt. 3)" (Handel adapted by Jones) − 3:31 "Dynamite" − 2:34 "Flop Sweat" − 3:27 Personnel Unidentified orchestra arranged and conducted by Quincy Jones including Merrilee Rush (track 6), Sarah Vaughan (track 2) − vocals Dennis Budimir − guitar Bud Shank − reeds Carol Kaye − electric bass Emil Richards − percussion Release The film was the first American film to open the New York Film Festival, opening on September 16, 1969. It opened October 8, 1969 at Cinema I in New York City before the Columbus Day holiday weekend. Reaction Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice became the signature film of Paul Mazursky and was a critical and commercial success. Mazursky himself called it the film of which he is proudest. It was the sixth highest-grossing film of 1969. It grossed $50,000 in its first week setting a house record. After this film's release, it led to other movies dealing with wife swapping, infidelity,