So a little while ago, while trying to think of music to download, I asked (on Facebook) what the best movie soundtracks were. I actually got a pretty good response from people, and after perusing through the list, I decided to make a list of my own. Here is my list of what I believe to be, the best movie soundtracks of all time. Leave a comment and tell me what you think I missed
Best Disney movie soundtrack: Mary Poppins (1964)
Sorry Alayna, I chose this over Tarzan. It was a close call.
Highlights: Well other than A Spoonful of Sugar, I rather like the song Sister Suffragette, sung by Mrs. Winnifred- "Though we adore men individually, we agree that as a group they're rather stupid!" The song about the crazy bird lady (Feed the Birds) also has a habit of getting stuck in my head. Yes, even amidst all of the soundtracks to animated Disney films, the Mary Poppins soundtrack is my favourite.
Best "Oldies" soundtrack: Stand By Me (1986)
Highlights: The Bobbettes - Mr. Lee, Buddy Holly - Everyday, The Chordettes - Lollipop
Best 70's soundtrack: Almost Famous (2000)
This whole soundtrack is really, really meaningful to me- perhaps my favourite movie soundtrack of all time.
Highlights: Original music from Stillwater. The songs that incite the most emotion within me from this soundtrack are: Simon and Garfunkel - America, Feel Flows - The Beach Boys, Elton John - Tiny Dancer and Mona Lisa's and Mad Hatters, Led Zeppelin - Tangerine
Best 80's soundtrack: Pretty in Pink (1986)
Highlights: Orchestral Manoeuvers in the Dark - If You Leave (Nada Surf do a great cover of this song), The Psychadelic Furs - Pretty in Pink, The Smiths - Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want
Best 90's soundtrack: Clueless (1995)
Another personal favourite soundtrack.
Highlights: The Muffs - Kids in America, World Party - All the Young Dudes (A David Bowie cover), Radiohead - Fake Plastic Trees (acoustic)
Best early 2000's soundtrack: Garden State (2004)
This is the soundtrack that I thought was the best soundtrack of all time, when I was 14.
Highlights: Cary Brothers - Blue Eyes, Simon and Garfunkel - The Only Living Boy in New York, Iron and Wine - Such Great Heights
Best Punk soundtrack: SLC Punk (1998)
This may seem super cliche but when I was younger, this movie was everything to me. The soundtrack gives me a lot of nostalgic feels.
Highlights: Blondie - Dreaming, Generation X - Kiss Me Deadly, Dead Kennedys - Kill the Poor
Best 90's Alt-rock soundtrack: Singles (1992)
This is the ultimate grunge movie. Set in Seattle, with appearances by members of Alice in Chains.
Highlights: Paul Westerberg - Dyslexic Heart, The Lovemongers - Battle of Evermore (Led Zeppelin cover), Paul Westerberg - Waiting for Somebody (okay I really like Paul Westerberg)
Best Rock & Roll soundtrack: Dazed and Confused (1993)
The best "school's out" movie.
Highlights: Rick Derringer - Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo, Sweet - Fox on the Run, Lynyrd Skynyrd - Tuesday's Gone
Best Rap/R&B soundtrack: The Wackness (2008)
Strangely enough, I haven't seen this movie. But I've recently read good things online about it and the soundtrack sounds amazing so I downloaded it and I plan to watch it soon
Highlights: A Tribe Called Quest - Can I Kick It?, Biz Markie - Just a Friend, Wu-Tang Clan - Tearz
Best Motown soundtrack: The Big Chill (1983)
My dad's favourite movie soundtrack, so naturally one of mine as well.
Highlights: The Young Rascals - Good Lovin', Lesley Gore - You Don't Own Me, The Rolling Stones - You Can't Always Get What You Want (church version)
Best Rock Musical soundtrack/album: Purple Rain (1984)
I'll never forget the first time I saw this movie. I wasn't huge into Prince before that, but I emerged a changed woman. Now I worship him! There were a lot of other considerations for this category, but Prince rules all.
Highlights: Prince - Let's Go Crazy, When Doves Cry, I Would Die 4 U
Best Musical soundtrack: Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
This is a no-brainer. Also quite possibly one of the best movie soundtracks of all time. I'm proud to say I know just about all the words to every song from this movie.
Highlights: Science Fiction/Double Feature, Hot Patootie - Bless My Soul, Rose Tint My World
Best Original soundtrack: Dirty Dancing (1987)
Okay, here's another crazy fact: I've never seen the movie Dirty Dancing. However, based on the responses I got from others, and from what I read online, apparently the Dirty Dancing soundtrack is absolutely amazing. Also on my to-watch list this summer. I promise
Best new movie soundtrack: Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
Surprisingly, a Marvel movie provided one of the best soundtracks of 2014. It was interesting how they managed to fit a bunch of 60's and 70's dance songs into a film about aliens in space - but it actually worked.
Highlights: David Bowie - Moonage Daydream, Elvin Bishop - Fooled Around and Fell In Love, Redbone - Come and Get Your Love
Which producer has the best movie soundtracks altogether: Quentin Tarantino
Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs, Jackie Brown, Death Proof, Kill Bill, the list goes on... Quentin Tarantino, or whoever does the music for his movies, really knows how to choose appropriate songs for the characters and plot line.
Highlights include: The beginning of Reservoir Dogs when all the men are walking to Little Green Bag by George Baker Selection. Also in Reservoir Dogs when Mr. Blonde cuts off the cops ear, and Stuck in the Middle With You by Stealers Wheel plays. In Pulp Fiction when Mia Wallace dances to Girl, You'll be a Woman Soon. Jackie Brown running through the airport to Bobby Womack - Across 110th Street
Best Quentin Tarantino soundtrack: Pulp Fiction (1994)
Highlights: Dick Dale - Misirlou, Dusty Springfield - Son of a Preacher Man, The Statler Brothers - Flowers on the Wall
Runner-up: Wes Anderson
The Royal Tenenbaums, Moonrise Kingdom, Rushmore, The Grand Budapest Hotel. Music plays an important role in all Wes Anderson movies, he has a knack of finding the perfect score to fit the films.
Highlights include: Seu Jorge - Queen Bitch from The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, The Rolling Stones - Street Fighting Man from Fantastic Mr. Fox, Francoise Hardy - Le Temps de L'amour in Moonrise Kingdom
Best Wes Anderson soundtrack: The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
Some of my favourite bands and favourite songs of all time are on this soundtrack.
Highlights: The Clash - Police and Thieves, The Ramones - Judy is a Punk, The Velvet Underground - Stephanie Says
Honorable mentions:
American Graffiti (1973)
Rock and Roll High School (1979)
Now and Then (1995)
Romeo and Juliet (1996)
Can't Hardly Wait (1998)
Never Been Kissed (1999)
Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001)
24 Hour Party People (2002)
