ISAAK’S EYES

Ludwig van Beethoven . . . Richard Strauss . . . Chris Isaak? Yes, the dark-hued rocker has a place alongside the two classical titans. All three have now provided signature compositions for a Stanley Kubrick movie.

With Strauss’ “Also Sprach Zarathustra” and Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony the tone-setters for “2001: A Space Odyssey” and “A Clockwork Orange,” respectively, Isaak’s 1995 song “Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing” was handpicked by the recently deceased director to serve the same role for “Eyes Wide Shut,” the sensual thriller starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman that will open July 16.

Isaak’s song is featured in ads and trailers that just began running, establishing the film’s themes of sex, betrayal and mind games. A new mix of the song by Warner Bros. Records executive David Kahne will be on radio stations in mid-June and will be on the soundtrack album, due out July 13.

“From the footage I’ve seen, the way they use it appeals to the base instincts and lower elements,” says Isaak, a longtime fan of the filmmaker. “I thought that when the film came out I might get to meet [Kubrick], but didn’t get a chance before he passed away. But it feels good to know this guy some place, some time, sat down and listened to my record. After the many hours of pleasure from him that I got, that he got three minutes of enjoyment from me is great. It’s a lot like my sex life.”