Top 10 80s Movie Songs You Forgot Were Awesome

“Purple Rain’ (1984)

To paraphrase Jay from “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back,” Morris Day and The Time are indeed “the mad note.” “Jungle Love” is unequivocally the group’s legacy and calling card, but this isn’t a bad thing. After all, any ‘80s funk band worth their salt would kill for Prince to write a song this good for their catalogue. “Jungle Love” hinges upon that ultra-synthesized ‘80s production, that smooth bassline and backing vocals that become immediately stuck in listeners’ heads. Meanwhile, the song’s appearance in Prince’s own “Purple Rain” allowed Morris Day and The Time’s amazingly cool choreography to swing for the fences.

“To Live and Die in L.A.” (1985)

Director William Friedkin struck gold once again with 1985’s “To Live and Die in L.A.,” yet another standout from a filmography that included both “The Exorcist” and “The French Connection.” Wang Chung’s theme to the film updates its crime, mystery and thriller themes with a sound that’s vast and expansive. “Dance Hall Days” and “Everybody Have Fun Tonight” may be the songs most associated with Wang Chung’s chart success, but “To Live and Die in L.A.” deserves to be equally remembered. The modulated section that occurs shortly before the three minute mark ramps up the tension a little bit, while the song as a whole is a smooth synth pop song with style to spare.

“Vision Quest” (1985)


The history of “Only the Young” is an interesting one, because its composers in Journey actually sold off the rights to Patty Smyth and Scandal, who recorded the first version in 1984. That said, most listeners are probably more familiar with the version that Journey themselves released as a single, in conjunction with the 1985 film “Vision Quest.” There’s certainly no shame in Scandal’s game, but there’s few that would deny Steve Perry all of the flowers when it comes to Journey’s version. Co-songwriter Neal Schon also adds some tasty guitar accents to the chorus, while Jonathan Cain’s keyboards create urgency and drama. This latter sentiment ties into “Vision Quest” as a character piece concerning love, challenge and competition.

“Fast Times at Ridgemont High” (1982)

You could be forgiven for spacing on this Jackson Browne soundtrack cut for “Fast Times at Ridgemont High.” After all, this was a movie soundtrack that was absolutely STACKED with killer cuts. “Somebody’s Baby” is a case of musical kismet, a tune where the lyrics resonate with those awkward moments of first love, romance and heartbreak. Meanwhile, Browne and his band craft a main melody that’s wistful and slightly melancholic, a nostalgia-fueled trip back for fans who remember watching “Fast Times” for the first time. It’s virtually impossible, at this point, to separate “Somebody’s Baby” from its filmatic source material. And this is a good thing.

“The Lost Boys” (1987)

The soundtrack to “The Lost Boys” is another release that’s chock full of bangers. “Cry Little Sister” from Gerard McMann serves as the film’s outstanding main theme. However, there’s little that can stand in the way of Tim Cappello’s blaring saxophone, oiled up physique and gyrating masculinity. “I Still Believe” is actually a cover, the original of which was written and recorded by a group known as The Call. Cappello brings his own, inimitable style of swagger to the tune, however, as well as a nice dose of hard rock attitude. This results in a cover that’s as slick and MTV-friendly as “The Lost Boys” was for kids in the late ‘80s.

“Streets of Fire” (1984)

There’s just no other way to say it: “Streets of Fire” goes HARD. The soundtrack is equally dense, featuring a bevy of songwriters, studio musicians and singers working together to get the project off the ground. “Tonight Is What It Means to be Young” is pantomimed/performed by Diane Lane’s character in the film, but the recorded version was by a session group called Fire Inc. The song was written by frequent Meat Loaf collaborator Jim Steinman, and its vibe embodies everything that name entails. This is big, bombastic and gothic rock, full of grandeur and with absolutely ZERO sense of irony. It’s a vision that’s as ambitious as Walter Hill’s script and direction for “Streets of Fire.” In other words, it’s a true cult classic.

“Footloose” (1984)


Man, they just don’t make ‘em like this anymore. It’s difficult to replicate a song like “Almost Paradise” in the modern day, since there’s just so much sincerity at play within the songwriting. Eric Carmen and Dean Pitchford struck gold with their music and lyrics, respectively, with “Almost Paradise” being an earnest love theme for a movie soundtrack that was already bursting with hits. The “Footloose” soundtrack may be remembered today for its more upbeat numbers, but Mike Reno of Loverboy and Ann Wilson from Heart absolutely kill it with this mid-tempo ballad. This is pure, unfiltered ‘80s schmaltz, mainlined straight into the rose-colored hearts of “Footloose” fans around the world.

“Rocky IV” (1985)

We honestly could’ve populated this list solely with amazing, pumped-up montage tunes from the world of ‘80s action flicks. But you know what? “No Easy Way Out” by Robert Tepper would STILL rank way up there: that’s how hard this song jams. Tepper contributed this song to the soundtrack for “Rocky IV,” and it goes broke right from jump street. The vocals are brutally emotive and passionate, while the synthesizer stabs and a fantastic bass line anchors the entire affair. “No Easy Way Out” isn’t only one of the best “Rocky” soundtrack cuts, it’s one of the best songs from the entire 1980s.

“Top Gun” (1986)

A lot of classic soundtracks have those tentpole cuts that become inseparable from the film. Berlin’s “Take My Breath Away” and “Danger Zone” by Kenny Loggins do that sort of work for 1986’s “Top Gun.” That said, we’d argue that “Mighty Wings” from Cheap Trick is the dark horse hero from that OST. Maybe it’s due to the fact that the full version of the tune didn’t get played until the film’s closing credits? All we know is that this Harold Faltermeyer-Mark Spiro composition gets the Cheap Trick treatment of raging guitars and a lead vocal to die for. Oh, and apparently “Mighty Wings” also influenced the composition of Ken’s theme from “Street Fighter II.” Now that we know that, we can’t unhear it!

“Highlander” (1986)

There’s no denying that Queen’s “Who Wants to Live Forever” sounds great in a vacuum, away from the 1986 film “Highlander.” That said, the song takes on a whole new meaning as viewers watch the film, since its placement occurs during a montage of Connor MacLeod and his wife Heather. The former is a Highlander, destined for immortality or the blade, while his wife is a mortal. Connor is forced to watch his beloved age, while he remains young, making the Queen tune feel like a heartbreaking concerto for this tragedy. “Who Wants to Live Forever” asks this question of its audience, while the story on screen acts as a bittersweet cautionary tale.


Is there a particular decade that you feel LOCKED-IN the art of the film soundtrack? Let us know in the comments!