When most people think about music in movies they think musicals, which is not the case whatsoever. Excellent music has been incorporated into phenomenal movies over the past 50 years. Here are the top 5 movie soundtracks. (All of these were chosen by opinion).
1. Saturday Night Fever – 1977: Tony Manero has less than nothing for him, especially on the weekdays. Still living at home, he works as a paint store clerk in his Brooklyn N.Y., neighborhood. But his life sure does come alive on the weekends when he, along with friends, go to the local disco and dance the entire night away. A big dance competition is soon announced and he wrangles the very talented Stephanie to be his dance partner. As the pair is prepping for the big night they have an unexpected relationship ahead. Now, the majority of the music within this movie soundtrack is by The Bee Gees. The top songs include, Night Fever by The Bee Gees, Stayin’ Alive by The Bee Gees and If I Can’t Have You by Yvonne Elliman.
2. Grease – 1978: Everybody had their views on high school and this one happens to be the hardest to grasp. In the 1950’s, everyone falls perfectly into a highschool cliche, until the new girl Sandy moves from Australia where she reconnects with her summer lover, Danny, but not instantly. The question is, will their love cross clique lines? Within this film many songs are introduced. The Top songs are Grease sung by Frankie Valli, Hopelessly Devoted To You by Olivia Newton-John and last but not least You’re the One That I Want by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John.
3. Pink Floyd: The Wall – 1982: When this movie was released in 1982 people were speechless. This movie had no actors speaking of any kind as it was just a visual to the album The Wall which was produced and released on November 30, 1979. The movie is an hour and 35 minutes long and contains 26 tracks. Drug addicted musician known as “Pink” is looking back on his isolated, traumatic childhood from his confined LA hotel room. With many unorganized flashbacks and heavy chemical formed hallucinations, he recalls his loneliness and sees how he formed a wall around his life in a way to cope with the death of his father and his overbearing mother. The top 3 songs in this whimsical film are, Mother by Pink Floyd, Another Brick in The Wall Pt. 2 by Pink Floyd and Run Like Hell by Pink Floyd.
4. Flashdance – 1983: Flashdance is a film about a young woman named Alex who works a day job at a steel mill and dances her heart out at night. After getting to know her boss, Nick, she decides, with his encouragement, that it’s time to take her dancing to the next level. She applies to a prestigious dance academy in which she is very hopeful to attend. With many performances throughout the film, music is a must. Flashdance…What a Feeling by Irene Cara, Maniac by Michael Sembello, and Gloria by Laura Ann Branigan are the top 3 songs played throughout the film. Each song has an electronic, pop feeling that just makes anyone wanna get up and dance.
5. Footloose – 1984: The next year, Footloose starring Kevin Bacon was released. It’s a film about a teenage boy moving from Chicago to a new midwestern town, Bomont. He then discovers that rock music and dance is illegal in that town. As he struggles to fit in, he does make some supportive new friends along the way. He tries to loosen up in his new so-called hometown, but it is almost impossible to do so with Reverend Shaw Moore in the way. He starts to rebel, with help from his friends, but there are some bumps along the way. The top songs played in this movie are, Footloose by Kenny Loggins, Holding Out for a Hero by Bonnie Tyler and Let’s Hear it for the Boy by Deniece Williams. This movie is a great must watch for anyone from the age 13+.
6. The Breakfast Club – 1985: In 1985, the biggest sentimental teen related movie was released, The Breakfast Club. Five Highschool students from completely different backgrounds (inside and outside of school) are all forced to attend a Saturday detention under the supervision of their principal who dislikes each of them equally. With the rebellious John, popular princess Claire, outcast Allison, brainy Brian, and the biggest school jock, Andrew. Each of them have a chance to finally tell their story making each of them see each other very differently. Once the day comes to an end they question whether or not school will be the same. The top songs in this movie include Don’t You (Forget About Me) by Simple Minds, Waiting by E.G Daily and Fire in the Twilight by Wang Chung. These 3 songs fit perfectly into the theme of this film expressing the teens emotions through music.
7. Dirty Dancing – 1987: Dirty Dancing was released in 1987 and had every girl in America wanting to be the main character, Baby. Hoping to enjoy one of her last youthful summers, Baby is anything but excited to spend her summer at a sleepy resort in the Catskills with no one but her parents. Her luck seems to turn around when the resort’s dance instructor, Johnny volunteers Baby as his new dance partner. The two immediately click and soon fall in love. Until Baby’s father forbids her from seeing Johnny, but she is determined to make her last dance of the summer happen with her new found love. As this is a dance movie there are many songs played throughout the movie. The top songs include, (I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes, Be My Baby by The Ronettes and Hungry Eyes by Eric Carmen. This film’s box office made over $214 million for a reason, the lively music and intriguing acting by actors Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey.