80s Film Soundtracks

The 1980s saw many big films and behind most big films was a huge soundtrack which record labels cottoned on to. As a result the 80s saw a huge rise in songs released in conjuction with films to boost the popularity and marketing potential. Some artistes relied solely on the film industry and produced constant scores for them. Where would survivor be without the Rocky films and vice versa? I will take a look at some of the biggest film soundtracks of the 1980s.

Simple Minds - Don't you forget about me (The Breakfast Club)

A huge anthem for the brat pack film, the song intended for Billy Idol and then rejected by Bryan Ferry but was passed to Simple Minds and that decision led to a number one in America. Written by Keith Forsey the song was huge both sides of the pond and in the UK remained in the top 100 for almost 2 years such was it's popularity. It remains one of there most requested songs.

Huey Lewis and the News - Power of Love (Back to the future)

This again was a huge hit and earned Huey Lewis a cameo role in the film and a academy award to sit with a number one in America. The song was co written by Lewis and Colla and remains an integral part of the film.

Ray Parker Jr - Ghostbusters (Ghostbusters)

Probably and arguably one of the biggest films in the 80s behind ET. Written and produced by Parker the song reached number one in America and number two in the UK as Ghostbusters gripped the world in 1984. It was nominated for an academy but fell short at the final hurdle. The song was written to be similar to a advert and was many years used as this for a 118 advert in the UK. The song also courted legal issues as was similar in riff to a Huey Lewis song and was eventually settled out of court.

Irene Cara - Fame and Flashdance

This young lady firmly put the dance floor back into the public conscious with these two huge hits of the 80s. Fame Written by Gore and Pritchard it was wrote for the original film and won the academy award that year as a number one in the UK, it wasn't until the TV spin off series was released in 1982 that the song hit the shores here and again enjoyed a number one success as Fame became a huge success. It remains one of the few songs in the UK to sell one million plus copies. Flashdance written by Miroder, Forsey and Cara again enjoyed huge success topping the charts in America, countless awards and a number 2 in the UK. The song again featured in another film The Full Monty in 1997.

Harold Faltermeyer - Axel F (Beverley Hills Cops)

One of the most recognised names in Film scores and producing synth pop with his German background. This instrumental classic enjoyed number 2 peaks in the UK and America. The song enjoyed a revival by that annoying Crazy Frog but thankfully didn't do too much damage to this synth classic.

Kenny Loggins - Footloose (Flashdance)

Another classic song from the Flashdance film which saw Kevin Bacon dancing mentally to this toe tapper. The song reached number one in America and was a top 10 hit in the UK. The song was written and produced by Loggins and Pitchford. The song has been covered recently in films such as Alvin and the Chipmunks and Glee!

Phil Oakey and Giorgio Miroder - Electric Dreams (Electric Dreams)

This brief partnership produced an absolute gem of a song in the 1980s. Both written and produced by Miroder the song reached number 3 in the UK singles charts and many thought the song actually eclipsed the film itself! Miroder came up with the concept and Director of the film Steve Barron suggested Phil Oakey as he had worked with him on the Human League promo video 'don't you want me' and the rest they say is history.

Joe Cocker - Up where we belong (an officer and a Gentlemen)

A weepy girlie film saw the lead song smash the charts and take the Grammy award for that along with the film success. Joe duetted with Jennifer Warnes. It went to number one in America and number 7 in the UK charts. The song was famously used at the end where Zak would sweep his intended of her feet at the factory thus the tears and cheers. The song was used against the producer and Gere advices but when they saw the final cut they were overwhelmed by the nature of the song.

Vangelis - Chariots of Fire

Arguably the biggest British film of the 1980s and this instrumental classic was pivotal to the ambience of the film. Composed by a Greek man who manages to catch the essence of the film and earned an Oscar for the musical score. The song reached number one in America and number 12 in the UK but the album did reach number in the UK. The song enjoyed a comeback for the 2012 London Olympics when MR Bean played the song at the opening ceremony.

Echo & the Bunnymen - People are Strange (Lost Boys)

This featured heavily on the Lost Boys film and was a cover by the 1970s rockers The Doors. The song was released as a single in the UK and peaked at number 29. The song was ironically produced by Doors keyboardist Ray Manzarek. A classic 2 minute song which is perfect for films and this song proved to be a popular one amongst fans of 80s film music.

Psychedelic Furs - Pretty in Pink (Pretty in Pink)

Another classic gem from the 1980s and this post punk band came to prominence with this track for Pretty in Pink. The song was originally released in 1981 after being produced by Steve Lillywhite of U2 fame and the song just failed the top 40 but was revamped for the 1986 movie and the song made the top 20 in the UK and just outside the top 40 in America. A true pop guitar sound.

Starship - Nothings gonna stop us now (Mannequin)

A huge hit which went number one on both sides of the pond and also the second best selling song in the UK in 1987. It was the main song for the romantic comedy film and was nominated for a academy award in 1987 but unfortunately missed out. The song featured Grace Slick on vocals who at the time was the oldest vocalist to get to number one in America at the time.

Duran Duran - View to a Kill (James Bond Film)

A song written by Duran Duran and John Barry and this song reached number one in America and number two in the UK. At the time Duran Duran were one of the biggest bands at the time and was the last song recorded before the original line up broke up. They met up with Barry who was the Bond composer and came up with this classic song which also saw Simon Le Bon play a James Bond character in the video promo.

A-ha - Living Daylights (James Bond Film) Again

John Barry worked with A-ha on this song and the song didn't fare well in America and didn't make the top 100 but was a top 5 hit in the UK. Despite the lack of success in America it sold over 2 million copies.

Survivor - Eye of the Tiger (Rocky)

A true heart beating song of the 1980s and a must for anyone who deems themselves a underdog in this world. It topped the charts in America and UK and was a last minute song originally when Stallone was unable to get permission to use a Queen song, Survivor came up with this effort and help revolutionise the film. The song alone has sold over 9 million copies such is the popularity of the song.
To purchase some of the 80s movie hits click below: