One of my favorite parts of films is the music, from the songs that become music while driving to the beautiful score evoking the story’s emotions that I reserve for nature drives. Over the decades, many original songs have been made for movies that were — so good — they remain on music playlists today. According to an online music forum, here are just a handful of the best.
1. Flash — Queen
Queen provided the music for Flash Gordon (1980) with their ninth studio album, Flash Gordon. While only two songs had lyrics, the entire album is fantastic. The only single, “Flash’s Theme,” was released from the album as the title — “Flash.”
2. Stayin’ Alive — The Bee Gees
While The Bee Gee’s had many amazing songs, what they did for the soundtrack for Saturday Night Fever (1977) is insurmountable. That movie without the music is nothing. The soundtrack was the best-selling album in music history and remains top ten today.
Michael Jackson’s Thriller eventually secured the title. “Stayin’ Alive,” “Night Fever,” and “How Deep Is Your Love” are still played in heavy rotation in my home. Another track, Yvonne Elliman’s “If I Can’t Have You,” is great, but The Bee Gee’s version is better. To be fair, this music was before my birth, so I hope I didn’t just offend someone with that confession.
3. Power of Love — Huey Lewis and the News
Huey Lewis and the News make the Back to the Future (1985) soundtrack with their hits “Back in Time and “Power of Love.” The latter was the first chart-topper on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 for Huey Lewis and the News and became certified gold. It was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song — but lost to “Say You, Say Me” by Lionel Richie.
4. Take My Breath Away — Berlin
Berlin’s song “Take My Breath Away” perfectly highlighted the hottest scene in 1986’s Top Gun. The song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song and the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song in 1986. Shout out to Kenny Loggins, “The Danger Zone” and “Playing with the Boys” from that soundtrack, too. Both were written for the film.
5. Mrs. Robinson — Simon & Garfunkel
Folk-rock duo Simon & Garfunkel made the music for and performed five songs on the iconic soundtrack for The Graduate (1968). The tracks “The Sound of Silence” and “Scarborough Fair” were written for the film, but “Mrs. Robinson” went on to receive the Grammy for Record of the Year.
6. Ghostbusters — Ray Parker Jr.
“Who you gonna call?” That’s right, “Ghostbusters” by Ray Parker Jr. from the legendary 1984 film of the same name. The theme song was Parker Jr.’s only number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100, and it stayed there for three solid weeks. “Ghostbusters” was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song but ultimately lost to “I Just Called to Say I Love You” by Stevie Wonder.
7. Don’t You (Forget About Me) — Simple Minds
“Don’t You (Forget About Me)” by Simple Minds plays during the opening and ending credits in the cult classic — The Breakfast Club (1985). The track hit number one on The Billboard 100. It was also Simple Minds’ biggest hit.
8. On the Dark Side — John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band
“On the Dark Side” from the fictional band Eddie and the Cruisers from the 1983 film of the same name was performed by John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band in real-life. The song spent five weeks at number one on the Billboard Rock Tracks chart and hit number seven on the Billboard 100. Several forum members suggest the entire soundtrack is great.
9. (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life — Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes
The entire Dirty Dancing (1987) is fantastic, including “She’s Like the Wind” by Patrick Swayze,” which hit number three on the Billboard 100. However, the main track, “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes, won several awards: Academy Award for Best Original Song, the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song, and the Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.
10. The Goonies ‘R’ Good Enough — Cyndi Lauper
“The Goonies ‘R’ Good Enough” by Cyndi Lauper is one of my favorite songs from the 80s. It was Cyndi Lauper’s fifth single to hit the top ten on the Billboard 100 and was only featured on The Goonies (1985) soundtrack.
11. Lose Yourself — Eminem
Eminem wrote “Lose Yourself” during filming breaks on his semi-autobiographical movie, 8 Mile (2002), and it was a groundbreaking success. It became the first hip-hop song in history to receive the Academy Award for Best Original Song while also winning Grammy Awards for Best Rap Song and Best Rap Solo Performance. “Lose Yourself” was also Eminem’s first number one on Billboard 100, and remained there for 12 consecutive weeks.
12. My Heart Will Go On — Celine Dion
Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On” is the only song on the Titanic (1997) soundtrack, and it was played everywhere, all the time, and deserves its spot on this list. The track is it is the world’s best-selling single of 1998 and the second-best-selling single by a woman in music history.
Its accolades include an Academy Award for Best Original Song and a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song. Celine Dion made history by being the first Candian to win Song of the Year at the Grammys. She also grabbed Best Female Pop Vocal Performance and Best Song Written Specifically for a Motion Picture or Television.
13. Blaze of Glory — Jon Bon Jovi
Jon Bon Jovi’s “Blaze of Glory” for the Young Guns II (1990) soundtrack is the only number-one hit Jon had solo from his band Bon Jovi. I remember the music video played on repeat back when MTV played videos. It won a Golden Globe Award for best original Song and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song but lost to Madonna’s “Sooner or Later” on Dick Tracy.
14. 9 to 5 — Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton wrote her hit song “9 to 5” for the 1980 film she stars in by the same name. The song hit number one on the Billboard 100, Billboard Adult Contemporary, and Billboard Hot Country Songs. Dolly secured Grammy’s for Best Country Song and Best Country Vocal Performance, Female, but lost the Academy Award nomination to “Fame” by Irene Cara from the film Fame.
15. Accidentally in Love — Counting Crows
“Accidentally in Love” by Counting Crows was written for the opening sequence of Shrek 2 (2004), and I agree with many in the forum who suggest this soundtrack had no business being so good. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song but lost to “Al otro lado del río” by Jorge Drexler from The Motorcycle Diaries (the second song with non-English lyrics to win).
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Featured Image Credit: Paramount Pictures.
Elizabeth Ervin is the owner of Sober Healing. She is a freelance writer passionate about opioid recovery and has celebrated breaking free since 09-27-2013. She advocates for mental health awareness and encourages others to embrace healing, recovery, and Jesus.