My all time favorite movie is a little known film called "Local Hero". The music for the film was written by Mark Knofler of Dire Straights. One song in particular, "Waiting on the Beating of my Heart" sung by Gerry Raferty is really special as was the closing theme song. Also, and since James Bond movies are back in the news, was there any better opening theme than "Goldfinger" sung by Shirley Bassie?
Did you know they made a musical of Local Hero? It played to sold-out audiences in England, and was supposed to open in the West End (London's equivalent to Broadway) until the pandemic happened. 19 new songs! I'm hopeful they'll do a CD.
That final scene when when the protagonist comes home and calls the phone booth in the village with "Going Home" slowly building then exploding at the credits is classic.
Within the past month, the telephone company wanted to really destroy that phone booth, but there was such a huge public outcry, they not only backed down on removing it, they agreed to keep it as a working phone booth? The cell phone signal there is terrible and the locals simply refused to allow anything to be done to it.
My top 3 movie soundtracks 1) A Bronx Tale - led by Wilson Pickett "Ninety-Nine and a Half", Dion & the Belmonts "I Wonder Why", The Four Tops "Baby I Need Your Loving" 2) Goodfellas - led by The Cadillacs "Speedo", Aretha Franklin "Baby I Love You", Muddy Waters "Mannish Boy" 3) The Urban Cowboy - led by Boz Scaggs "Look What You've Done to Me", Bonnie Rait "Don't it Make Ya' Wanna Dance, Bob Segar "Nine Tonight", & the Eagles "Lyin' Eyes..... however, all are good
#1 Will always be (Everything I do) I do it for You, by Bryan Adam's, from the Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves sdtk. Sure, the song kinda-sorta didn't really fit the movie at all, but 13-year-old me will forever be in awe of the lyrics, the guitar riff and Bryan Adam's gruff yowl. A close second is Danny Elfman's "The Bateman Theme" from the original 1989 Batman. Chills every time the few bars open, and the crescendo? Whoo!
Damn, way too many to choose from! The whole Goodfellas soundtrack was awesome! Same with Pulp Fiction but those two have the most songs that I enjoy, I can put on both and just let them roll. :)
One of my earliest memories is riding on the back of my dad as Henry Mancini’s soundtrack to the movie Hatari played. In particular the song Baby Elephant Walk. I was fortunate to make the same memories with my kids.
The way Adagio for Strings (Samuel Barber) was used in Platoon was incredibly moving. The beauty of the music contrasted with the horrors of the Viet Nam war left me (not so) silently sobbing in the theater. I love classical music and knew this piece before I saw the movie. But even now, when I hear that song I am transported back to that moment, it was so imprinted on my mind.
The whole soundtrack to Harold and Maude (1971).
You can't go wrong with Cat Stevens.
I’ll second that!
When doves cry from Purple Rain
My all time favorite movie is a little known film called "Local Hero". The music for the film was written by Mark Knofler of Dire Straights. One song in particular, "Waiting on the Beating of my Heart" sung by Gerry Raferty is really special as was the closing theme song. Also, and since James Bond movies are back in the news, was there any better opening theme than "Goldfinger" sung by Shirley Bassie?
"Local Hero" is a favorite of mine. So much heart.
Yes it does....a very underappreciated film
Are you familiar with other Knopfler music? I'd love to hear (read) your thoughts about "Baloney Again" and "Song for Sonny Liston".
Did you know they made a musical of Local Hero? It played to sold-out audiences in England, and was supposed to open in the West End (London's equivalent to Broadway) until the pandemic happened. 19 new songs! I'm hopeful they'll do a CD.
I was not aware of that...thanks for letting me know
My pleasure. Goin' Home is my ring-tone! And we've pre-ordered that new box set - due to release here on Oct. 1!
That final scene when when the protagonist comes home and calls the phone booth in the village with "Going Home" slowly building then exploding at the credits is classic.
Within the past month, the telephone company wanted to really destroy that phone booth, but there was such a huge public outcry, they not only backed down on removing it, they agreed to keep it as a working phone booth? The cell phone signal there is terrible and the locals simply refused to allow anything to be done to it.
Oh I'm sure that phone booth is quite a landmark.
My favorite all-time is probably Super Fly (all hail Curtis Mayfield).
Some honorable mentions:
The Twin Peaks soundtrack.
Lots of early Scorsese (Mean Streets, the Bernard Hermann score to Taxi Driver, the score to Raging Bull).
The Jackie Brown soundtrack introduced me to Philadelphia Soul like The Delfonics so that soundtrack will always have a special place in my heart.
Of course, there’s the Morricone scores. They’re so iconic.
Lots of John Carpenter scores (Assault on Precinct 13, Escape from New York, Halloween).
Whenever Tangerine Dream did a score (notably the score to Michael Mann’s Thief).
When I was younger I really liked the Wes Anderson soundtracks (like Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums).
I love the Phillip Glass scores too (The Qatsi trilogy, Mishima and The Hours).
Anyways, that’s just to name a few!
"Super Fly" is super good.
Yep, Delfonics! Jackie Brown is a date night movie!
The first thing that popped in my mind was the entire soundtrack of Almost Famous, and the especially moving cast singalong to "Tiny Dancer."
That is an awesome choice!
My top 3 movie soundtracks 1) A Bronx Tale - led by Wilson Pickett "Ninety-Nine and a Half", Dion & the Belmonts "I Wonder Why", The Four Tops "Baby I Need Your Loving" 2) Goodfellas - led by The Cadillacs "Speedo", Aretha Franklin "Baby I Love You", Muddy Waters "Mannish Boy" 3) The Urban Cowboy - led by Boz Scaggs "Look What You've Done to Me", Bonnie Rait "Don't it Make Ya' Wanna Dance, Bob Segar "Nine Tonight", & the Eagles "Lyin' Eyes..... however, all are good
If You Wnt to Sing Out, by Cat Stevens from Harold and Maude
#1 Will always be (Everything I do) I do it for You, by Bryan Adam's, from the Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves sdtk. Sure, the song kinda-sorta didn't really fit the movie at all, but 13-year-old me will forever be in awe of the lyrics, the guitar riff and Bryan Adam's gruff yowl. A close second is Danny Elfman's "The Bateman Theme" from the original 1989 Batman. Chills every time the few bars open, and the crescendo? Whoo!
loving the Shang-Chi soundtrack
The Lady Is A Tramp: Pal Joey; Burning Bridges: Kelly's Heroes; Shout!: Animal House; A Hard Day's Night: A Hard Day's Night.
Superfly and Freddy's Dead - Superfly
Unchained Melody - Ghost
Complete soundtrack - Local Hero
Complete soundtrack - Alta Mira (terrible movie, but Mark Knopfler's music. . .)
Puttin' On the Ritz - Young Frankenstein
“I’ll Go My Way by Myself” - Bandwagon
Damn, way too many to choose from! The whole Goodfellas soundtrack was awesome! Same with Pulp Fiction but those two have the most songs that I enjoy, I can put on both and just let them roll. :)
One of my earliest memories is riding on the back of my dad as Henry Mancini’s soundtrack to the movie Hatari played. In particular the song Baby Elephant Walk. I was fortunate to make the same memories with my kids.
The way Adagio for Strings (Samuel Barber) was used in Platoon was incredibly moving. The beauty of the music contrasted with the horrors of the Viet Nam war left me (not so) silently sobbing in the theater. I love classical music and knew this piece before I saw the movie. But even now, when I hear that song I am transported back to that moment, it was so imprinted on my mind.
Pretty much the entire Mo Better Blues soundtrack.