Music and Movies have always gone hand and hand. Not always is it a musical that has an amazing soundtrack. Some of the best aren’t even musicals at all. Hell, some of them are comedies.
Footloose – the year was 1984 and it was a long before the whole 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon… even though they had did do a remake of this movie, NOTHING beats the REAL thing. This soundtrack is jam packed with great songs and talented singers. From Kenny Loggins to Deniece Williams. “LET’S DANCE!”
Kenny Loggins “Footloose”
Singles – the year was 1992 and everyone was wearing flannel and ripped jeans… Seriously, the only group missing from this soundtrack is Nirvana. Some of the best of alternative rock bands of the 1990’s are on this soundtrack. Even though this wasn’t the best movie, the music made up for it.
Pearl Jam “Just Breathe”
200 Cigarettes – the year was 1999 when this movie came out but it is based in 1981 on NYE. This movie has a group of big name actors and actresses in it. I really do love it. It’s so bad, it’s good. And this soundtrack had Blondie, Kool and the Gang and even the Ramones. If you’ve never seen it, you gotta Netflix it. Totally worth it.
Ramones “I Don’t Care”
Office Space – the year was 1999 when this movie came out but I didn’t see it until about 2005. I am glad I saw it later, because when I finally watched it, I was able to relate to it so much more. And I couldn’t help but love how the soundtrack didn’t go with the movie AT ALL. But it works nonetheless. This soundtrack has Geto Boys, Ice Cube and, randomly enough, Dolly Parton. If you have ever worked in an office with cubicles, you need to see this movie.
Geto Boys “Damn It Feels Good to Be a Gangsta”
Grease – the year was 1978 when this movie came out but I was only a year old. By the time was at 9, I was in love with this movie and wishing I had grown up in the 50’s. Even though I HATE pink, I always wanted to be a Pink Lady. From Frankie Valli to Sha Na Na to John Travolta. Grease really is the word.
The Cast of Grease “Summer Nights”
That Thing You Do – the year was 1996 but movie was based in 1964. It follows four friends on their summer rise to fame off one hit song that took them from Erie to Hollywood. Tom Hanks, who also plays a part in this movie, really started a record label called Playtone Records because of this movie. It is a must.
The Wonders “That Thing You Do”
Romeo Must Die – the year was 2000 and this movie is the perfect blend of hip hop music and martial arts. This soundtrack makes you wanna dance and then kick some ass… From DMX to Aaliyah, it is the bomb dot com.
Aaliyah feat. DMX “Come Back in One Piece”
Empire Records – the year was 1995 and record stores were on the way out, if not gone already. If we still had them around, I would wanna work at Empire Records. This soundtrack has so many great bands from Gin Blossoms to Cranberries to Toad the Wet Sprocket. It’s a great movie with a young Hollywood cast. “Damn the Man. Save the Empire.”
Coyote Shivers “Sugar High”
The Big Chill – the year 1983 and I was like 6 years old but the music from this movie was just amazing and still is. Though I was too young to watch it (and still haven’t), you are never too old or too young to enjoy music. This soundtrack has everything from Mick Jagger to Aretha Franklin to Three Dog Night to Steve Winwood to (my favorite) Smokey Robinson.
The Miracles “The Tracks of My Tears”
Dirty Dancing – the year was 1987 and “NOBODY PUTS BABY IN A CORNER”. This movie was based in the 50’s and dancing was waltzing, cha-chas and the fox trot, but when no one was watching the youngin’s were getting’ their freak on. Or should I say their dirty dance on. Haha. This soundtrack has The Drifters, Eric Carmen, Otis Redding and Patrick Swayze.
Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes “The Time of My Life”
Good Will Hunting – the year was 1997 and this movie was best movie ever made by two best friends. They even won an Oscar for it. This soundtrack is also amazing. From Luscious Jackson to Al Green to Elliott Smith, who has 5 songs on the soundtrack.
Elliott Smith “Miss Misery”
Reality Bites – the year was 1994 and I guess for a 20-something, reality did bite. I don’t know… I was in high school. But this soundtrack was pretty awesome. From Squeeze to Big Mountain to Social Distortion to New Order to Lenny Kravitz to the stars of the movie, Ethan Hawke and Ms. Wynona Ryder.
Squeeze “Tempted”
Twilight – the year was 2008 and everyone was in love with a sparkly vampire named Edward Cullen (ok, maybe not everyone… there are some people who like puppies… puppylove. FAIL!) Anyhow… I love this soundtrack to no end. It has some of the best songs on it and to this day this is my #1 out of all the Twilight Saga’s soundtracks. From Paramore to Linkin Park to Muse to even one of the actors in the movie. (No need to say his name. Lol.)
Paramore “Decode”
Coyote Ugly – the year was 2000 and we were all still here… There was no Y2K shutdown, but there was this little movie that has chicks dancing and singing on a bar. #Score. This soundtrack a great mix from Leanna Rimes to INXS to Def Leppard to Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock to Kid Rock to my favorite band growing up, The Stray Cats.
The Stray Cats “Rock This Town”
Pretty Woman – the year was 1990 and this movie was one of the best Cinderella remakes EVER. This soundtrack still had a bit of the 80’s feel with some of the early 90’s mixed in. From Go West, Roxette, Natalie Cole, Kenny G and Robert Palmer. It also has Prince!! (Not on YouTube and I still think that blows dirty donkey balls.)
Roy Orbison “Pretty Woman”
Pitch Perfect – the year was 2012. I don’t know why but I effin’ love this movie soooo much. It is just amazing to me. And this soundtrack a-freaking-mazing as well. The group of actors and actresses are really talented and great singers. The Barden Bellas and The Treblemakers own this soundtrack but there is an extended version that also includes The Footnotes, The Sockepellas, High Notes and Hullabahoos.
The Cast of Pitch Perfect “The Riff-Off (Songs About Sex)”
Since there is no Prince on YouTube, I guess this is it… I am stopping there ‘cause I could go and on. 8mile, The Step Up movies, Hair, The Goonies, Moulin Rouge, Glitter (Shut up. The soundtrack was good. Lol.) So tell me what I missed? What’s your favorite soundtrack? Let me know below.
