Friends by Elton and Bernie. Great soundtrack for an under appreciated movie. The soundtrack is around but the movie isn’t anymore. I saw it back in the 70s
Thanks for reading my post! I was too young to see "Friends" in the movie theater, and as you said, it's out of circulation now. I haven't been able to find it anywhere. I've also seen the soundtrack album around at used record stores, but I'm not familiar with any of the music. Next time I see it I'll pick it up based on your recommendation. Thanks!
Yeah. It’s a French movie I believe. I’ve also looked for it but no luck. You should pick up the album. If you like early Elton you will dig it. Really good!
I’ll offer up two, maybe already listed somewhere:
1. “Easy Rider “ - music hand-picked by Dennis Hopper
2. “Performance” - film by Nicholas Roeg. Features “Memo From Turner”. Ry Cooder was a major contributor to the third and most popular version. I believe Keith Richards was greatly influenced by Cooder’s open tunings, referencing this in his autobiography.
Thanks for reading my article! I agree that both "Easy Rider" and "Performance" are great soundtracks. I especially like the music in "Performance" a lot. I think an argument could be made that "Memo From Turner" is really one of the first music videos ever created.
Angel Heart is a mix of black gospel and Candomble vodou, with some sleazy jazz sax thrown in. The Hot Spot has one of the greatest musical lineups in soundtrack history- Miles Davis, John Lee Hooker, Taj Mahal, Roy Rogers and Earl Palmer playing a Jack Nitzsche score.
I've a vague recollection of a great 90's soundtrack that might have been Trespass, where the music and dialogue were mixed together in amazing ways, but when I finally got hold of a copy it was the bland soundtrack version, not the choppy Ry Cooder/ rap soundtrack/ dialogue mix that I'd heard elsewhere. I'd love to hear that proper version again
Great list, fantastic to see Until the End of the World up there as the soundtrack is so much better than the film. Similarly, Angel Heart has an amazing soundtrack that's way better than the movie, as does One From The Heart and The Hot Spot.
The vinyl double album of Apocalypse Now is very different to the CD, which is fine but meh. The vinyl remixes the dialogue into the music and sound effects in a way that few soundtracks have done before or since.
Thanks for reading my article! I actually like the complete 5 hour cut of “Until The End of the World,” but I know it’s not for everyone. Also, I love the music in “One From The Heart” too, but I didn’t include it on my list (or the follow up list) because it’s not a rock soundtrack. I don’t remember the music in “Angel Heart,” so I’ll have to go back and check that out. And, yes, the original soundtrack to “Apocalypse Now” is just mostly the entire soundtrack to the film. In the early 2000s, they put out a new soundtrack that was only the music. Finally, I’ve never seen “The Hot Spot,” but I always find Dennis Hopper an interesting director - I’ll have to find and watch it. Thanks for recommending it!
Thanks for reading my article! Yes, "O Lucky Man!" is a great soundtrack too. If I eventually write a third installment, I should definitely include that one.
Yes, I agree. I wonder how many people under 60 even know about the movie. It hasn't been given a blu-ray upgrade, and really, it should be part of the Criterion collection.
I have that dvd too! I also have the original one sheet and lobby card set in my movie poster collection. Sadly, I think this is pretty much a forgotten film that people need to rediscover.
Wow! A one-sheet and lobby card! It’s truly a forgotten gem. So utterly on its own wavelength. I do prefer “if…” mainly because I think OLM loses its way slightly in the third act, but any time Graham Crowden is on screen as the mad scientist I am grinning ear to ear.
Thanks for reading my article! I've never heard of the movie, "That Summer," before now. I just looked it up and read your link to the soundtrack, which does have an amazing line-up of New Wave artists. Thanks for letting me know about this - I need to see/hear it.
I think it was, but Fun City Editions, which is a small boutique blu-ray distributor, just restored the movie to its original cut and released it on blu-ray. That's how I found out about it. I absolutely love the movie and the music. Thanks for reading my article!
. . kudos for Jonathan Demme’s 1986 Something Wild (Sister Carol East) . . can I include my ‘bonus’ pick . . Grosse Pointe Blank 1997 (music by Joe Strummer) ?
. . kudos for Jonathan Demme’s 1986 Something Wild (Sister Carol East) . . can I include my ‘bonus’ pick . . Grosse Pointe Blank 1997 (music by Joe Strummer) ?
Yes! "Something Wild" is such a great movie and the music adds so much to it. But, lately I've been wondering if it's sort of a forgotten film. Do people under 30 even know about the movie anymore? I'm not sure. Also, of course you can include the soundtrack to "Grosse Pointe Blank," which is another great soundtrack. Thanks for reading!
All of these are great soundtracks! I have a particular fondness for "Xanadu" even though it's not a great film (but it's entertaining). I'm going to write something about it sometime soon. Thanks for reading my article.
Edgar Wright always chooses great music for his soundtracks. I especially like the way he matches music to the action in "Baby Driver." I've never seen "But I'm a Cheerleader" before, although I've heard of the film, of course. I need to watch it. Yes, "Grosse Point Blank" and "Bulworth" have great soundtracks too. Finally, I thought I was the only one who loved (or even saw) "Cecil. B. Demented" and "Absolute Beginners." I especially love "Absolute Beginners," flaws and all, and it's a movie I rewatch pretty often, actually. Originally, my article had 20 movie soundtracks, including "Absolute Beginners," but it ran too long so I cut it. I'm going to write a follow-up article for next week that will include it, along with the other 9 titles I had on my list. Thanks again for reading!
Friends by Elton and Bernie. Great soundtrack for an under appreciated movie. The soundtrack is around but the movie isn’t anymore. I saw it back in the 70s
Hi Bendguy,
Thanks for reading my post! I was too young to see "Friends" in the movie theater, and as you said, it's out of circulation now. I haven't been able to find it anywhere. I've also seen the soundtrack album around at used record stores, but I'm not familiar with any of the music. Next time I see it I'll pick it up based on your recommendation. Thanks!
Yeah. It’s a French movie I believe. I’ve also looked for it but no luck. You should pick up the album. If you like early Elton you will dig it. Really good!
I will. I'm going to our local used record store later today, and I think I saw it there recently. Thanks again!
I’ll offer up two, maybe already listed somewhere:
1. “Easy Rider “ - music hand-picked by Dennis Hopper
2. “Performance” - film by Nicholas Roeg. Features “Memo From Turner”. Ry Cooder was a major contributor to the third and most popular version. I believe Keith Richards was greatly influenced by Cooder’s open tunings, referencing this in his autobiography.
Hi John,
Thanks for reading my article! I agree that both "Easy Rider" and "Performance" are great soundtracks. I especially like the music in "Performance" a lot. I think an argument could be made that "Memo From Turner" is really one of the first music videos ever created.
“Repo Man” is the best soundtrack of the 80s.
Hard stop.
And I would throw “The Crow” soundtrack in there.
Great list either way.
Hi Jafo,
Thanks for reading my article! I love the soundtrack to “The Crow” too, and yes, the soundtrack to “Repo Man” is really great and one of my favorites.
Angel Heart is a mix of black gospel and Candomble vodou, with some sleazy jazz sax thrown in. The Hot Spot has one of the greatest musical lineups in soundtrack history- Miles Davis, John Lee Hooker, Taj Mahal, Roy Rogers and Earl Palmer playing a Jack Nitzsche score.
I've a vague recollection of a great 90's soundtrack that might have been Trespass, where the music and dialogue were mixed together in amazing ways, but when I finally got hold of a copy it was the bland soundtrack version, not the choppy Ry Cooder/ rap soundtrack/ dialogue mix that I'd heard elsewhere. I'd love to hear that proper version again
Great list, fantastic to see Until the End of the World up there as the soundtrack is so much better than the film. Similarly, Angel Heart has an amazing soundtrack that's way better than the movie, as does One From The Heart and The Hot Spot.
The vinyl double album of Apocalypse Now is very different to the CD, which is fine but meh. The vinyl remixes the dialogue into the music and sound effects in a way that few soundtracks have done before or since.
Hi Carl,
Thanks for reading my article! I actually like the complete 5 hour cut of “Until The End of the World,” but I know it’s not for everyone. Also, I love the music in “One From The Heart” too, but I didn’t include it on my list (or the follow up list) because it’s not a rock soundtrack. I don’t remember the music in “Angel Heart,” so I’ll have to go back and check that out. And, yes, the original soundtrack to “Apocalypse Now” is just mostly the entire soundtrack to the film. In the early 2000s, they put out a new soundtrack that was only the music. Finally, I’ve never seen “The Hot Spot,” but I always find Dennis Hopper an interesting director - I’ll have to find and watch it. Thanks for recommending it!
O Lucky Man! soundtrack by Alan Price
Hi Phil,
Thanks for reading my article! Yes, "O Lucky Man!" is a great soundtrack too. If I eventually write a third installment, I should definitely include that one.
It sounds so chipper but the lyrics are so very dark (and practical). I’ve been listening to it for 20 years and it only gets more relatable.
Yes, I agree. I wonder how many people under 60 even know about the movie. It hasn't been given a blu-ray upgrade, and really, it should be part of the Criterion collection.
Yes! I have the long out-of-print Warner DVD from the early 2000s. I sincerely hope Criterion picks it up.
I have that dvd too! I also have the original one sheet and lobby card set in my movie poster collection. Sadly, I think this is pretty much a forgotten film that people need to rediscover.
Wow! A one-sheet and lobby card! It’s truly a forgotten gem. So utterly on its own wavelength. I do prefer “if…” mainly because I think OLM loses its way slightly in the third act, but any time Graham Crowden is on screen as the mad scientist I am grinning ear to ear.
De Tranen van Maria Machita, with Ellen ten Damme and the great Jacques Herb. Obscure enough for ye? It’s Dutch, to start with.
Hi Vollyrocks,
Yep, that's pretty obscure - thanks for the recommendation (and for reading my article too!)
Many thanks, a good list but you've missed the best.
That Summer - 1979 New Wave: Elvis Costello, Ian Dury, Undertones, Ramones, Boomtown Rats, Only Ones, etc, etc.
Never saw the film but my yellow vinyl album is still my Exhibit A for how good the music of that era was!
This is a link
https://www.elviscostello.info/wiki/index.php/That_Summer!_(soundtrack)
Hi Bill,
Thanks for reading my article! I've never heard of the movie, "That Summer," before now. I just looked it up and read your link to the soundtrack, which does have an amazing line-up of New Wave artists. Thanks for letting me know about this - I need to see/hear it.
Certainly an obscure film but a killer soundtrack!
Yes, for sure!
It’s an old one, but a good one. Classic. Check it out.
The soundtrack to the movie ‘Candy’.
Hi Terry,
I've heard of the movie, "Candy," but I haven't seen it, and I'm not familiar with the music in it. I'll check it out - thanks for reading my article!
I thought Breaking Glass and it's amazing soundtrack was long forgotten!
Hi Jennifer,
I think it was, but Fun City Editions, which is a small boutique blu-ray distributor, just restored the movie to its original cut and released it on blu-ray. That's how I found out about it. I absolutely love the movie and the music. Thanks for reading my article!
The first movie I thought of when I read the post title was Breaking Glass.
Hi Rageforthemachine,
That's awesome! Thanks for reading my article!
Some of my favorites here - great piece!
Hi Michael,
I appreciate you reading my article. Thanks!
. . kudos for Jonathan Demme’s 1986 Something Wild (Sister Carol East) . . can I include my ‘bonus’ pick . . Grosse Pointe Blank 1997 (music by Joe Strummer) ?
. . kudos for Jonathan Demme’s 1986 Something Wild (Sister Carol East) . . can I include my ‘bonus’ pick . . Grosse Pointe Blank 1997 (music by Joe Strummer) ?
Hi Cardogsink,
Yes! "Something Wild" is such a great movie and the music adds so much to it. But, lately I've been wondering if it's sort of a forgotten film. Do people under 30 even know about the movie anymore? I'm not sure. Also, of course you can include the soundtrack to "Grosse Pointe Blank," which is another great soundtrack. Thanks for reading!
Trying for obscurity (but perhaps failing with the second):
Suburbia (1983)
Return of the Living Dead (1985)
Not obscure, but nonetheless excellent:
Xanadu (1980)
Risky Business (1983)
🙂
Hi RJ,
All of these are great soundtracks! I have a particular fondness for "Xanadu" even though it's not a great film (but it's entertaining). I'm going to write something about it sometime soon. Thanks for reading my article.
Edgar Wright's movies have great soundtracks--Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, Baby Driver ...
I've never seen a soundtrack album but But I'm a Cheerleader had a great selection of tunes.
I also like Grosse Point Blank, Bulworth, Cecil B Demented, Absolute Beginners ....
Hi Molly,
Edgar Wright always chooses great music for his soundtracks. I especially like the way he matches music to the action in "Baby Driver." I've never seen "But I'm a Cheerleader" before, although I've heard of the film, of course. I need to watch it. Yes, "Grosse Point Blank" and "Bulworth" have great soundtracks too. Finally, I thought I was the only one who loved (or even saw) "Cecil. B. Demented" and "Absolute Beginners." I especially love "Absolute Beginners," flaws and all, and it's a movie I rewatch pretty often, actually. Originally, my article had 20 movie soundtracks, including "Absolute Beginners," but it ran too long so I cut it. I'm going to write a follow-up article for next week that will include it, along with the other 9 titles I had on my list. Thanks again for reading!