Every film requires the right music to accompany each scene, but the best movie soundtracks ever are more than just background noise. These meticulously chosen songs boost the film to a whole other level, emphasizing tension points, creating the perfect ambience, and underlining plot twists of the movie. And while the timing of each track is just as important as the music itself, there are some films that boast such a powerful soundtrack that it can hold its own without even requiring an image.
A couple of weeks ago we presented you with a compilation of the ultimate heartbreak songs, featuring quite the downer tunes, but this week’s music list is more mash-up than break up. With directors like Quentin Tarantino or Danny Boyle putting their magic to work, you can be certain that some pretty legendary music will be involved. So, without further ado, here are the best movie soundtracks ever (however, not in any order or of preference, because that just doesn’t seem fair).
7. The Graduate
Year: 1968
Key Track: The Sound of Silence
It’s difficult to say this soundtrack belongs to a movie, since it’s mainly composed of Simon and Garfunkel songs, so it could easily be one of their albums. However, given the fact that the cult movie actually propelled songs like The Sound of Silence, Scarborough Fair, or Mrs Robinson to an extraordinary level of popularity, we can put this case to rest.
6. Easy Rider
Year: 1969
Key Track: Born to be Wild
Any movie that encapsulates the spirit of rock and roll needs a killer musical arrangement. Of course, Easy Rider blew its audience away with Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper’s interpretation of an era’s counterculture, but the soundtrack is this movie’s true gem (apart from Jack Nicholson, obviously). From Jimi Hendrix, to Bob Dylan, to the Byrds, this compilation is a true pleasure to our eardrums. Also, it features one of the best rock tracks ever: Steppenwolf’s Born to be Wild.
5. Shaft
Year: 1971
Key Track: Theme Song
When Isaac Hayes set out to compose the soundtrack for this epic 70’s movie, with one supremely cool protagonist, he knew it had to be loud, thumping, and most of all, funky. The result was a double-album with jazzy jams and the smooth tunes of Curtis Mayfield and Marvin Gaye. But the best gift Hayes gave us is Shaft’s theme song, with all the glorious power it carries.
4. A clockwork Orange
Year: 1972
Key Track: Singin’ in the Rain
A cinematic mastermind like Stanley Kubrick certainly doesn’t leave any aspect of his movies to chance, and the soundtrack to A Clockwork Orange was no different. After breaking the rules of classical music in 2001: A Space Odyssey, Kubrik once again took to compositions of Elgar, Beethoven, and Rossini to create the musical magic he needed to support this novel’s compelling character violence. Who else would have thought that pairing the song Singin’ in the Rain with a sexual abuse scene would be a grand idea?
3. Saturday Night Fever
Year: 1977
Key Track: Stayin’ Alive
Who hasn’t busted out in song at the sound of the Bee Gees’ Stayin’ Alive? Possibly the song that most people associate with this movie, it’s truly an ode to life, but this soundtrack offers a lot more than just the Bee Gees. From Yvonne Ellman, to The Trammps, to Tavers, only John Travolta’s swinging hips can carry this album through the legendary movie.
2. The Blues Brothers
Year: 1980
Key Track: Everybody Needs Somebody To Love
With a movie that is already pure love of music, this is not only one of the best soundtracks, but also one of the most awesome blues and soul compilations in general. While John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd showcase their musical talent by covering several tunes, like Gimme Some Lovin’ and Everybody Needs Somebody To Love, the movie also featured guest appearances of some of music’s greatest voices: Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Ray Charles, and Cab Calloway.
1. Pulp Fiction
Year: 1994
Key Track: Misirlou
Considering how many great soundtracks are out there, it’s hard to pick a favourite, but Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction is a cult movie with truly well-chosen music. From the truly epic Misirlou tune, to Kool and the Gang’s Jungle Boogie, Urge Overkill’s Girl You’ll be a Woman Soon, and Dusty Springfield’s Son of a Preacher Man, there’s nothing not to love about this album. A pleasure to listen to and definitely one of the best movie soundtracks ever.
