Movie soundtracks are an essential part of the filmmaking process. Who hears “Stuck In The Middle” by Stealers Wheel and doesn’t immediately think of Reservoir Dogs? With that in mind, let’s look at some of the best curated soundtracks of all time – any original soundtracks are disqualified (sorry, Purple Rain); we’re looking at compilations that were put together to serve as the soundtrack for the film in question. These films used songs both old and new as ways of illustrating what certain scenes were supposed to represent, and they did so brilliantly.
Guardians Of The Galaxy (2014)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLKeZukedZo
This was one of the most popular soundtracks of all time, topping the charts in August 2014. It’s not hard to understand why it was so popular, as it was able to replicate the intimacy of the mixtape. Plus, several of the songs here were put to excellent use in the movie. This was especially true of 10cc’s “I’m Not In Love,” which was used in the opening scene, when young Pete Quill’s mom dies before he has the chance to tell her how he feels. It’s not all gloomy, though, as we also get joyful moments involving “Cherry Bomb,” and “Hooked On A Feeling.”
The Big Chill (1982)
This soundtrack could best be described as Everything Good About The 1960s. We get Motown classics like “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg,” and “My Girl,” along with with British Invasion hits like “Good Lovin’ ” by The Rascals. They even manage to fit in the proto-prog of Procol Harum’s “A Whiter Shade Of Pale.” This soundtrack is a must-have for anyone with even a passing interest in ’60s music.
Trainspotting (1996)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SapClGprE2A
Everyone knows this one for “Lust For Life,” which is used brilliantly in the movie, but it’s not the only great song here, or even the only great Iggy Pop song (don’t sleep on “Nightclubbing”). There’s also Lou Reed’s “Perfect Day,” Blur’s “Sing,” and Brian Eno’s gorgeous “Deep Blue Day.” The rare soundtrack to be just as cool as the film it comes from.
Goodfellas (1990)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QufdEIThuW8
This might be the biggest no-brainer of the entire list, as we get great tracks from every direction. Harry Nilsson’s “Jump Into The Fire” is put to excellent use here, as is Cream’s “Sunshine Of Your Love.” There’s also a ton of killer ’60s soul tracks here, including Aretha Franklin’s “Baby, I Love You,” and “Look Into My Eyes,” by The Chantels. And, of course, because it’s a Scorsese film, “Gimme Shelter,” which strangely, does not appear on the actual soundtrack album.
24 Hour Party People (2002)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6DYbzygrjc
The point of this movie was to document Manchester’s legendary party scene in the ’70s and ’80s, so it makes perfect sense that it would have a ridiculously good soundtrack. Joy Division and New Order classics abound throughout, as we get “She’s Lost Control,” “Love Will Tear Us Apart,” “Temptation,” and “Blue Monday.” There’s also a few killer punk tunes, like “Janie Jones” by The Clash, and “Anarchy In The U.K.,” by the Sex Pistols. Finally, there are great late-period tracks like “Loose Fit” by Happy Mondays, and “Pacific State,” by 808 State.
500 Days Of Summer (2009)
This soundtrack is certainly indie-friendly, but it’s also surprisingly diverse, as we get the heavy metal of Wolfmother’s “Vagabond,” along with the ultra-catchy pop fun of Hall & Oates’s “You Make My Dreams.” We also get two of the best Smiths songs ever (“There Is A Light That Never Goes Out,” and “Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want”), along with Doves’ desperate “There Goes The Fear.” Tons of great songs, from a surprisingly high number of genres.
Garden State (2004)
Regardless of whether “New Slang” by The Shins is as life-changing as Natalie Portman proclaims it to be, there are a lot of great songs on this one. There’s great folk music from the past as well as the modern era, as we get “One Of These Things First” by Nick Drake, along with Iron & Wine’s take on “Such Great Heights.” Even if the film itself is a little too precious for you, it’s hard to deny how awesome the soundtrack is.
Boogie Nights (1998)
As great a compilation of the ’70s and ’80s as you’ll ever hear. This one has soul (The Emotions’ “Best Of My Love,” Marvin Gaye’s “Got To Give It Up”), ’60s pop (The Beach Boys “God Only Knows”), power ballads (Night Ranger’s “Sister Christian”), and just about anything else you could think of.
Pulp Fiction (1994)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6r8ETsOib0
This movie gave us dozens of great oldies from the ’50s and ’60s and presented them in bold new contexts. Neil Diamond’s “Girl, You’ll Be A Woman Soon” is put to incredible use, as Uma Thurman sings along to it before nearly dying of a heroin overdose. This is a fine example of a how a song’s usage in a film can permanently change how you view that song.
American Graffiti (1973)
A thoroughly comprehensive compilation of killer old school rock ‘n’ roll tracks, this song 41-song set is a near perfect rock history lesson. Classics abound left and right, including “A Teenager In Love” by Dion And The Belmonts, “Runaway” by Del Shannon, and “That’ll Be The Day” by Buddy Holly & the Crickets. Really, there’s not a single bad song on this thing, and anyone with even a cursory interest in early rock ‘n’ roll should own it.
