Seven 80s Movies with Amazing Soundtracks
I grew up in the 80s and while I was only a kid I still long for those days and remember how amazing movies used to be. It’s not that they’re not good now but I just think everything was better as a kid.
The movies and the music from that era are priceless and are bound to bring up memories. From slow ballads of love to hard rocking bad boys, these seven 80’s movie soundtracks are classic and will live forever in my heart and hopefully yours….
The Big Chill
This movie may have been made in the 80s but it definitely screamed 60s and 70s. The entire soundtrack was comprised of classics from bands like Rolling Stones, The Temptations, Marvin Gaye and a whole bunch more. This is one of those movies where every single song was played at an appropriate moment.
Some Kind of Wonderful
You know what I like about this soundtrack? There’s not one band on it that you’d recognize yet it still reeks of 80s awesomeness. I mean who the hell is Flesh for Lulu or Lick the Tins? Man the 80s was definitely weird. Awesome, but weird.
Pretty in Pink
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvDBC243bAY
I’m pretty sure you don’t make a list of awesome 80s soundtracks and not include Pretty in Pink. Even if you’re just going for one song, yes that song where McCarthy and Ringwald kiss at the end. “I touch you once, I touch you twice.” By the way that song is called “If you Leave” by Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark. But other than them we’re talking The Smiths, New Order, Suzanne Vega. It’s good shizz.
Beverly Hills Cop
In 1984, Eddie Murphy was doing his thing as Detroit police officer onlywith the Pointer Sisters, Glenn Frye and Patti Labelle as back up. Honestly I couldn’t ask for anything better. The upbeat dance music from this movie made not only the movie enjoyable but also makes me want to dance.
Valley Girl
New wave group Modern English performed hit single “I Melt With You” on the soundtrack as well as Bonnie Hayes performing “Girls Like Me”. Another reason this movie is on the list is that it truly introduced pop culture to a new language for teens. Something that probably lead to an evolution of speech. One of which I’m not proud of.
The Breakfast Club
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W–Zymygeoo
This 1985 teen cult classic movie’s top single is “Don’t You Forget About Me” performed by Simple Minds. And seriously, that song alone warrants this movie a spot on this list. I don’t even remember any other songs and I honestly don’t care.
Footloose
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lonVF11elwc
I have two words. Kenny Loggins. Good night.
Honorable mention: The Lost Boys, Purple Rain, Flashdance, Dirty Dancing
Movies aren’t good anymore. They’re all remakes and sequels.
At least in the 80s things were new and original
SOME KIND OF WONDERFUL FTW.
Every song reminds me of a better time and brings a smile to the face.
i do like the adventure land 80s soundtrack… >.>
Great List, I’d add:
-Ferris Bueller’s Day Off “Oooooh Yeaaah…”
-The Goonies because of that awesome Cindy Lauper song
-Top Gun?
oh and Teen Witch…..Top That! =)
What about Better Off Dead? There was a music video scene in the movie. It had hamburgers dancing to Van Halen
Some Kind of Wonderful soundtrack has The Jesus And Mary Chain. Yeah… who are those guys. FAIL
I was gonna say a few movie soundtracks that are my personal favorites, but actually, it’s the scores that I enjoy. Sometimes they’re referred to as the soundtrack, especially if the songs in the score make it onto the soundtrack. Point being:
1. Rocky 4. The training music, and the ambiance we hear whenever Drago is on screen.
2. Transformers (the 1986 one). Both the score and soundtrack. Score was done by Vince Dicola, the same guy who did Rocky 4, and the soundtrack is just pure 80’s hair metal (with a nice little addition from Weird Al).
3. Bloodsport/Kickboxer. Both scores were done by the same guy. Great training music and meditation music.
4. Flight of the Navigator. My FAVORITE music score as a kid. Alan Silvistri synthesizers FTW.
5. Rain Main. Hans Zimmer won an oscar for his haunting theme, and rightly deserved.
6. Batman (1989). I like both the score AND the soundtrack. It may be all Prince, but I wore the shit outta that tape on my walkman growing up. Also, Elfman’s theme will always be the true Batman theme in my mind, but Zimmer’s done some great work as well (considering you hear it in other movie trailers ALL the time).
7. Top Gun. Again, both the soundtrack and score is great (even if the score has never been officially released).
8. Weird Science.
9. Iron Eagle. Notable tracks – 1) Queen – One Vision, 2) King Kobra – Iron Eagle, 30 Adrenalin – Road of the Gypsy, 4) Dio – Hide in the rainbow
Honestly, I could go on, but you get the idea. Anyway, DO A LIST OF 80’S SCORES, not soundtracks.
What about Flash Gordon & Highlander? How can you get any better than an ENTIRE soundtrack by Queen?
I love the pretty in pink soundtrack, but I always have been a big OMD fan. But its also worth it just for the title track by the psychadelic furs
Teen Wolf and Rocky IV need to be additions.
Just wanted to add a few more honorable mentions to your list.
“Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure”, “Back To the Future”, “Ghostbusters”, “The Karate Kid”, “Repo Man”, “Stand By Me”, “Less Than Zero” and my personal favorite:”Good Morning Vietnam”.
Rocky IV, Top Gun, Back To The Future, Blade Runner…
Hack, if you mention Kenny Loggins, how can you forget Danger Zone?
Romy and Michelles High School Reunion is not an 80s movie, in fact it is from the 90s, but has the best soundtrack ever; Belinda Carlisle, Cyndi Lauper, Pretenders, Culture Club. The list goes on…