THE 50 MOST ESSENTIAL MOVIE SOUNDTRACKS. Today: #30-26. More: tomorrow.

Caffè Lattè presents:

THE MOST ESSENTIAL

MOVIE SOUNDTRACKS

For decades, songs and movies have been matched. The most successful are effective tools, cross-promoting both the music and the film in which they are featured; giving one or both longevity. Here are 50 Motion Picture Soundtrack Albums that evoke memories of the films they appeared in. The criteria was to include only movie soundtracks which consisted largely of new material, rather than a compilation of older songs or remakes.

 

30

FIFTY SHADES OF GREY

2015

Controversy preceded the release of this erotic screen adaptation of the E. L. James novel of the same name. The soundtrack for the first film in the franchise included new tracks by The Weeknd, Ellie Goulding and Sia alongside older tracks by Frank Sinatra and Beyoncé.

29

THANK GOD IT’S FRIDAY

1978

With disco enjoying its peak period, this film revolves around the Zoo discotheque. Donna Summer and The Commodores -both represented on the soundtrack- also appear in the film. While the motion picture is unremarkable, its music also includes songs by Diana Ross, Thelma Houston, Santa Esmeralda, Paul Jabara and Pattie Brooks. Summer earned an Academy Award for “Last Dance”. 

28

SHAFT  

1971

Isaac Hayes made history with his score for the film ‘Shaft’. He became the first person of colour to earn an Oscar in that category. The soundtrack was a watershed, ushering in a series of blaxploitation films. Both the album and single reached #1. 

27

PRETTY IN PINK 

1986

John Hughes brought a series of classic films to the screen that included ‘Sixteen Candles’, ‘Some Kind Of Wonderful’, ‘The Breakfast Club’ and ‘Pretty In Pink’. The latter starred Molly Ringwald and Andrew McCarthy. Its soundtrack offered 80s gems such as “If You Leave” (Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark), “Shellshock” (New Order), “Left Of Center” (Suzanne Vega & Joe Jackson) and the title track (Psychedelic Furs). 

26

PHILADELPHIA

1993

The 1993 legal drama tackled A.I.D.S. Its powerhouse ensemble included Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington and Antonio Banderas. The former collected a well-deserved Best Actor Academy Award for his moving performance. Such a heavy topic required a soundtrack with identical gravitas. The album boasted one of Bruce Springsteen’s best compositions: the Oscar-winning “Streets Of Philadelphia” and Neil Young’s poignant title song.