Top 10 Movie Soundtracks

TV & Film

May 30

Howard Shore Conducting — Image Source: Composer Magazine

Music can make or break a movie, but which soundtracks have gone above and beyond? Which films have produced compositions and compilations so good that audiences scrambled to listen to them after the picture ended? Here is our top ten:

10) Cruel Intentions (1999)

Cruel Intentions is often forgotten about because of its status as a teen movie, but the track list is phenomenal. It’s a snapshot of late-nineties alt-pop featuring Blur, Fatboy Slim, Placebo, The Verve and even Skunk Anansie. For the big number, Director Roger Krumble originally wanted The Smashing Pumpkins, To Shelia, but the band refused to give permission. Luckily, Counting Crows were recording locally and Krumble was able to visit to hear their brand-new ballad. Colourblind proved to be a perfect replacement.

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9) The Last of the Mohicans (1992)

Director Michael Mann originally told Trevor Jones to compose an ‘electronic score’ for The Last of the Mohicans. It became clear this was a horrendous idea, but by the time Mann requested a full orchestra, there was very little time left in production. Randy Edelman was called in to help Trevor Jones finish on time (which made the score ineligible for an Oscar). What the pair produced in the time was astonishing. The fiddles and drums merged the Cherokee and Colonial cultures in music, and this score is now one of the greats.

8) Tron: Legacy (2010)

Although Daft Punk had frequently been featured on movie soundtracks, they’d never written an entire score before. Director Joseph Kosinski wanted them so badly for the Tron reboot that he put off production until their tour had finished. The result was stunning. One of the standout tracks was The Grid, which featured speech from Jeff Bridges, who played Kevin Flynn/Clu in the movie.

7) Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring — Image Source: YouTube

Howard Shore composed most of the tracks, performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, with the assistance of various British choirs. However, two of the biggest songs, May It Be and The Council of Elrond were written and performed by Clannad lead singer and Irish megastar, Enya. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring was a huge critical hit, walking away with the Oscar and Grammy for best original score that year. But despite being a mostly instrumental album, it achieved success on the US Billboard and international charts also. The soundtracks of the rest of the trilogy also managed to hit it big, but this movie was the trailblazer.

6) Dirty Dancing (1987)

Not only was this number one on the US Billboard chart, but it also took the top spots in Australia, Canada, Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands. I’ve Had The Time Of My Life (the new title track composed by Franke Previte, John DeNicola and Donald Markowitz.) blended seamlessly into the 60s Americana. I’ve had the Time of My Life won the Oscar and Golden Globe for best original song that year. And singers, Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes received a Grammy for their vocals. Such was the popularity of the songs used in the movie that it spawned a second album, an anniversary edition, and a successful Broadway musical.

5) The Crow (1994)

This tragic Brandon Lee horror flick has one of the best rock soundtracks out there. Inspired by The Crow graphic novel which featured lyrics from The Cure and Joy Division, the track listings is a veritable who’s who of nineties metal, including Pantera, Nine Inch Nails and Rage Against the Machine. The film is famous for its spectacular visuals, and the gothic compositions bring out the drama in every moment.

4) The Bodyguard (1992)

Whitney Houston produced the music much like a studio album, and gathered a stable of her favourite writers, including Kenneth ‘Babyface’ Simmons, Lisa Stansfield and Jud Friedman. The result. The soundtrack was a huge commercial and critical success. It walked away with three Grammys, including album of the year and record of the year. Unusually, two songs (I have Nothing and Run to You) from the film were nominated for a Best Original Song Oscar. The Bodyguard became a popular Broadway musical due to the success of Houston’s score.

3) Trainspotting (1996)

Danny Boyle’s black comedy spawned not one but two albums, as the first one went triple platinum in the UK (gold in the US). Trainspotting seamlessly curates the best 80s with Brit Pop and dance. Debbie Harry’s Atomic sits comfortably beside Underworld's Born Slippy. The soundtrack is an addictive listen and feels more like a personal playlist than something chosen by the film industry. But that’s probably the Danny Boyle touch

2) Flash Gordon (1980)

Composed entirely by the British rock band Queen. Freddie Mercury and Brian May were responsible for a large part of the composing, although Roger Taylor, John Deacon and Richard Wagner did make significant contributions. Taylor was responsible for the love theme that was reprised several times throughout the movie. Additionally, British composer, Howard Blake was also brought on to assist with the arrangements, and orchestral compositions. The Flash Gordon score is groundbreaking; it’s reminisces of 60s sci-fi with it’s synth while bringing in the 80s rock Queen is known for.

Queen followed up with Highlander which could have also easily been in this list. But there was only room for one.

1) The Lost Boys (1987)

Director Joel Schumacher was heavily involved in the selection of the music, and asked Ray Manzarek from The Doors personally for permission to re-record People Are Strange for The Lost Boys. Joel Schumacher was so happy with the Echo and the Bunnymen version that it appeared twice in the film.

Gerard McMann reportedly signed up without having seen any footage and wrote Cry Little Sister in two hours. Performer Tim Cappello got a cameo in the movie, energetically singing and playing the sax parts of I Still Believe on the boardwalk. The result was a haunting and unapologetic soundtrack that hasn’t aged a bit. The Lost Boys is without a doubt the best soundtrack out there.

What do you think of our list? Is there anything that you think we’ve missed? Feel free to stop by our socials and let us know!

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