Well, it's not hard to do, given that movies play a very big part in the common North American life. They tell stories, they captivate you, they pull you in and never let go. And a big part of why movies do that is the soundtrack. So today, in honour of soundtracks, here are my Top 10!
10. The Graduate
When you're ordering a soundtrack for your movie, a good thing to remember is to go heavy on Simon & Garfunkel. That's exactly what The Graduate did, and it truly paid off for the film and for the duo, skyrocketing the soundtrack to the top of the album chart and raising the profile of Simon & Garfunkel.
9. The Bodyguard
Yeah, sing it, Whitney! It'd be a crime for me not to include this soundtrack on the list. Not only is it the best-selling soundtrack of all time, it helped turn already-superstar Whitney Houston into a viable movie star. Of course, the soundtrack is carried by the song above, but that's perfectly okay in my eyes. Whitney's magnum opus on a soundtrack is just what it needs to get it this far.
8. Magical Mystery Tour
Roll up for the magical mystery tour! Not the film, which was a complete flop, but the soundtrack that came with it. Magical Mystery Tour remains one of my favourite Beatles albums, and that's not a differing opinion from the public. The soundtrack was far more well received than the film, nearly earning The Beatles a Grammy for Album of the Year in 1968. Only The Beatles could have their soundtrack outshine the film it appears on.
7. Frozen
Perhaps I'm still reeling off of love for the movie, but Frozen's soundtrack is damn good. Not only does it have "Let it Go", but "Do You Want to Build a Snowman?" and "For the First Time in Forever" are both equally solid tunes, if not better. Kristoff's song "Reindeers Are Better Than People" is also a sweet little song. Between all its songs, Frozen is probably Disney's sweetest soundtrack yet, actually. Makes me want to build a snowman. No, no it doesn't. Good riddance, winter.
6. Saturday Night Fever
If you're going to make a dance film with John Travolta, it better have some jivin' tunes. So you should call in the recently disco-turned Bee Gees, who will be more than happy to supply you with plenty. Before disco died, this movie helped to peak its popularity in the late 70s with its jive talkin' and alive stayin'. And stay alive it does, as the soundtrack has been added to the Library of Congress's National Recording Registry. Disco may be dead, but Saturday Night Fever lives on.
5. Titanic
Say what you want about Celine Dion. Hell, I don't even particularly like Celine Dion. Seriously, say what you want. Too much fluff, and not enough substance for me. But "My Heart Will Go On" is fantastic for Titanic's soundtrack. James Horner creates a masterful soundtrack to frame the movie, going from wistful and dreamlike to to intense and throbbing to sad and remorseful. There's a reason Titanic won so many awards, and there's a reason why Best Original Score was one of them. This movie and soundtrack are masterpieces alike.
4. This is Spinal Tap
This is Spinal Tap was a brilliant satire of the hard rock and heavy metal bands at the time, and the soundtrack says it all. With songs like "Tonight I'm Gonna Rock You Tonight", "Big Bottom", and "Gimme Some Money", the soundtrack made the movie. In fact, it was so spot-on that it left many wondering if Spinal Tap were a real band. I figure they may as well be.
3. 8 Mile
A movie starring Eminem is obligated to have a forceful, pounding soundtrack, starring Eminem as well. And 8 Mile certainly doesn't disappoint, with not only Eminem, but also 50 Cent, Jay-Z, Rakim, Nas, and many others contributing blistering rap songs to the soundtrack. 8 Mile rocks as hard as its star's premise promises, and its songs help to move along the tale of B-Rabbit.
2. The Lion King
Seriously, is there a single song from The Lion King that isn't good? You have to give Elton John credit for making the greatest Disney soundtrack of all time, bar none. Obvious choice? Yeah. But I also feel it's the right one. The chilling sinisterness of "Be Prepared". The unbridled optimism and fun of "I Just Can't Wait to Be King". The classic "Hakuna Matata". The Lion King truly is king when it comes to Disney music.
So, it takes a lot to top The Lion King. But I think that a soundtrack that has not one, but two of my favourite 80's jams deserves it. And there were a lot of rockin' 80's soundtracks. But this one, I feel, stands head and shoulders above the rest. Here it is, my number 1 pick for the best movie soundtrack:
1. Flashdance
Flashdance accomplished everything it said it would in the title; it was flashy, and it was dancey. And of course, this includes the soundtrack. Who doesn't like "Flashdance"? Not only that, but it also includes "Maniac", one of my other favourite songs from the 80's. Actually, '83 was just an all-around good year for music. And Flashdance's soundtrack was the centerpiece of it all. What a feeling!
And that's my list! Agree, disagree? Other soundtracks worth mentioning? Leave 'em in the comments, people! Ciao for now.
3. 8 Mile
A movie starring Eminem is obligated to have a forceful, pounding soundtrack, starring Eminem as well. And 8 Mile certainly doesn't disappoint, with not only Eminem, but also 50 Cent, Jay-Z, Rakim, Nas, and many others contributing blistering rap songs to the soundtrack. 8 Mile rocks as hard as its star's premise promises, and its songs help to move along the tale of B-Rabbit.
2. The Lion King
Seriously, is there a single song from The Lion King that isn't good? You have to give Elton John credit for making the greatest Disney soundtrack of all time, bar none. Obvious choice? Yeah. But I also feel it's the right one. The chilling sinisterness of "Be Prepared". The unbridled optimism and fun of "I Just Can't Wait to Be King". The classic "Hakuna Matata". The Lion King truly is king when it comes to Disney music.
So, it takes a lot to top The Lion King. But I think that a soundtrack that has not one, but two of my favourite 80's jams deserves it. And there were a lot of rockin' 80's soundtracks. But this one, I feel, stands head and shoulders above the rest. Here it is, my number 1 pick for the best movie soundtrack:
1. Flashdance
Flashdance accomplished everything it said it would in the title; it was flashy, and it was dancey. And of course, this includes the soundtrack. Who doesn't like "Flashdance"? Not only that, but it also includes "Maniac", one of my other favourite songs from the 80's. Actually, '83 was just an all-around good year for music. And Flashdance's soundtrack was the centerpiece of it all. What a feeling!
And that's my list! Agree, disagree? Other soundtracks worth mentioning? Leave 'em in the comments, people! Ciao for now.
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