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)
4. Up Where we Belong - Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes
Movie: An Officer and a Gentleman (1982)
5. Footloose - Kenny Loggins
Movie: Footloose – (1984)
6. If you Leave - Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
Movie: Pretty in Pink (1986)
7. When the going gets tough (the tough get going) – Billy Ocean
Movie: The Jewel of the Nile (1985)
8. Take My Breath away - Berlin
Movie: Top Gun (1986)
9. Kokomo - Beach Boys
Movie: Cocktail (1988)
You might like: Remember when women in music videos kept their clothes on?
10. (I've Had) The Time of My Life - Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes
Movie: Dirty Dancing – (1987)
11. Against all Odds (Take a look at me now) - Phil Collins
Movie: Against all Odds (1984)
12. Shake a tail feather - Ray Charles
Movie: Blues Brothers – (1980)
13. Stand by Me - Ben E. King
Movie: Stand by Me (1986)
14. Eye of the Tiger - Survivor
Movie: Rocky III (1982)
15. Slave to Love - Bryan Ferry
Movie: Nine ½ Weeks (1986)
16. Wind Beneath My Wings - Bette Midler
Movie: Beaches (1988)
17. What a Feeling - Irene Cara
Movie: Flashdance (1983)
18. Old Time Rock and Roll - Bob Seger
Movie: Risky Business (1983)
19. The NeverEnding Story - Limahl
Movie: The NeverEnding Story (1984)
20. Nothing’s Gonna Stop us Now - Jefferson Starship
Movie: Mannequin (1987)
21. The Power of Love - Huey Lewis and the News
Movie: Back to the Future (1985)
22. Don’t you (forget about me) - Simple Minds
Movie: The Breakfast Club (1985)
23. Together in Electric Dreams by Philip Oakey and Giorgio Moroder
Movie: Electric Dreams (1984)
24. Glory of Love by Peter Cetera
Movie: Karate Kid II (1986)
25. The Heat is on by Glenn Frey
Movie: Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
What would be in your top 25? Did we miss any?
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