Top Five Movie/TV Soundtracks of the Eighties
This is a follow-up to Top Ten Must-Have Albums of the Eighties. This list is likely to be controversial for what is and is not on it but I am injecting a large amount of personal bias. Listed in order of release date. Also I have listed the top five movie theme songs (in alphabetical order).
Footloose (2/1984)
Includes the #1 hits “Footloose” by Kenny Loggins and “Let's Hear It for the Boy” by Deniece Williams. Also includes “Almost Paradise” by Ann Wilson and Mike Reno and “Holding Out for a Hero” by Bonnie Tyler. Re-released with bonus tracks.
The Breakfast Club (2/1985)
Includes the hit “Don't You Forget About Me” by Simple Minds. Also includes a minor hit “Fire in the Twilight” by Wang Chung.
Miami Vice (10/1985)
Includes “Smuggler's Blues” and “You Belong to the City” by Glenn Frey, “In the Air Tonight” by Phil Collins, and “Better Be Good to Me” by Tina Turner. Also includes the theme song and original instrumental music by Jan Hammer. An album of covers of Miami Vice songs was released in 2006 and should not be confused with the original. Try a thrift store or flea market as the original is out of print.
Top Gun (5/1986)
Includes the hits “Take My Breath Away” by Berlin and “Danger Zone” by Kenny Loggins. Re-released in in 2006 with ten additional songs from the film.
She's Having a Baby (1/1988)
Includes “Crazy Love” by Bryan Ferry, “Apron Strings” by Everything But the Girl, “Haunted When the Minutes Drag” by Love and Rockets, “This Woman's Work” by Kate Bush, and “Desire (Come and Get It)” by Gene Loves Jezebel.
Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now) - Phil Collins
Footloose - Kenny Loggins
Ghostbusters - Ray Parker Jr.
St. Elmo's Fire (Man in Motion) - John Parr
Weird Science - Oingo Boingo
Footloose (2/1984)
Includes the #1 hits “Footloose” by Kenny Loggins and “Let's Hear It for the Boy” by Deniece Williams. Also includes “Almost Paradise” by Ann Wilson and Mike Reno and “Holding Out for a Hero” by Bonnie Tyler. Re-released with bonus tracks.
The Breakfast Club (2/1985)
Includes the hit “Don't You Forget About Me” by Simple Minds. Also includes a minor hit “Fire in the Twilight” by Wang Chung.
Miami Vice (10/1985)
Includes “Smuggler's Blues” and “You Belong to the City” by Glenn Frey, “In the Air Tonight” by Phil Collins, and “Better Be Good to Me” by Tina Turner. Also includes the theme song and original instrumental music by Jan Hammer. An album of covers of Miami Vice songs was released in 2006 and should not be confused with the original. Try a thrift store or flea market as the original is out of print.
Top Gun (5/1986)
Includes the hits “Take My Breath Away” by Berlin and “Danger Zone” by Kenny Loggins. Re-released in in 2006 with ten additional songs from the film.
She's Having a Baby (1/1988)
Includes “Crazy Love” by Bryan Ferry, “Apron Strings” by Everything But the Girl, “Haunted When the Minutes Drag” by Love and Rockets, “This Woman's Work” by Kate Bush, and “Desire (Come and Get It)” by Gene Loves Jezebel.
Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now) - Phil Collins
Footloose - Kenny Loggins
Ghostbusters - Ray Parker Jr.
St. Elmo's Fire (Man in Motion) - John Parr
Weird Science - Oingo Boingo