The 1980s were known for big hair, big crucifixes and most notably, big cinematic power ballads.
The decade also seemed to have the unique ability to complement a movie with just the right soundtrack and when done correctly, a soundtrack wasn’t just a bunch of songs played in the movie, the soundtrack WAS the movie.
Ultimately it was the genius of the movie maker who paired the right song to the right movie and in doing so, captivated our attentions, seized our hearts and left us unconsciously associating a specific song with a specific movie.
You can’t hear I’ve had the time of my life, without thinking of the movie, Dirty Dancing.
And you have to remember that back in the '80s, we didn't have YouTube or Spotify. If we wanted to hear our favourite song, we had to wait around listening to Take 40 Australia, one hand hovering over the record button on our double tape decks, hoping Barry Bissell didn’t talk over the beginning of our favourite songs.
If we wanted to watch the videoclip of our favourite soundtrack, it was also quite difficult, once again having to get out of bed early on a Saturday to watch Video Hits and wait for them to play us some Kenny Loggins.
In honour of this unparalleled decade, we have carefully selected the best 25 Movie Soundtracks from the '80s and collated them here into one post. Tell us what we've missed, and what you loved, and what you hated. Let the debate begin.
1. Danger Zone - Kenny Loggins
Movie: Top Gun (1986)
2. St Elmo’s Fire (Man in Motion) - John Parr
Movie: St. Elmo’s Fire (1985)
3. Get into the Groove - Madonna
Movie: Desperately Seeking Susan (1985)
Top Comments
Queen - Highlander and Flash Gordon!
Melt with you - Modern English
Johnny are you Queer? - Josie Cotton
Valley Girl - moon unit Zappa
Angst in my pants - sparks
All from the movie Valley Girl