Top 5 Best Film Soundtracks!

Here is a list of my top five film soundtracks I recommend to you.

5. Blues Brothers (1980)

A distinctive film for me regarding music is that of Blues Brothers, directed by John Landis, which includes a range of blues classics alongside a musical appearance of Aretha Franklin. The film stars Dan Aykroyd as Elwood and Jon Belushi as Joliet Jake.

I read an article about the film and it’s significance of music which discussed the success of their first album compared to the soundtrack of the film ( second album) insightful to read the actor/musician’s thoughts on how big their personas became. The film involves great music from start to finish, a feast for the ears. We’re treated with songs like Think by Aretha Franklin and Dimples by John Lee Hooker.

4. Almost Famous (2000)

Directed by Cameron Crowe, Almost famous follows a young man hired to write a story for a magazine on a 1970s rock band. Faced with the harsh realities of the music industry, we witness an honest interpretation of the lives of musicians in that time.

William Miller, played by Patrick Fugit, grows up listening to his older sisters’ records of iconic albums by artists like Simon and Garfunkel and Yes. We watch him flicking through his sisters’ vinyl and see ourselves in his reactions to these powerful albums such as Tommy by The Who.

3. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)

Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas, directed by Terry Gilliam, is one of those movies that you need to watch before you die. So rare, so strange, and so confusing that you’ll rewatch it straight away to try to understand what just happened. Johnny Depp stars as Raoul Duke and unleashes a polished performance of a drug obsessed journalist on a trip to Las Vegas. He narrates his intoxicated actions throughout the film beautifully, unraveling ungodly decisions in an eloquent tone.

I particularly enjoyed watching a behind the scenes video of them working on the film, you can see Johnny Depp trying to articulate and copy the voice and actions of Hunter S.Thompson ( who Raoul Duke is based on). The voice change that Depp does, transforming himself into the character is intense and once heard the voice of Thompson proves sheer perfection in his representation.

Thankfully, the soundtrack is a variety of songs that fit the narrative well and that you wouldn’t mind listening to over again. The film includes music by a diverse range of musicians, such as Jefferson Airplane and Tom Jones.

2. Baby Driver (2017)

You saw this one coming, Baby Driver, directed by Edgar Wright. Had to be included for its’ absolutely sensational collection of music. This film brought together the young and the old to enjoy the power of engaging audio and visual art. Starring actors Ansel Elgort, Jon Bernthal, Lily James, and Jamie Foxx, the hit movie instantly became a family favourite.

Runaway driver Miles (Ansel Elgort), also known as Baby, lives for music through his headphones at all times. Which, we as an audience hadn’t seen before but fully supported after hearing his most spontaneous song choices. These being songs such as Bellbottoms by The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Nowhere To Run by Martha & the Vandellas, and Brighton Rock by Queen. The introduction to the film including the previously mentioned song by the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion has become one of the most outstanding opening scenes of a film, thrilling and exciting it uses the song, timed synchronistically with the visuals were watching.

1. Northern Soul (2004)

One of the best films for its soundtrack, Northern Soul, directed by Elaine Constantine, is a masterpiece dedicated to the music history of the early 1970s. Including songs like The Night by Frankie Valli and I’m Comin’ Home In The Morning by Lou Pride, the soundtrack explains precisely why the characters obsess over this music genre in the film.

The film follows two young boys who find this genre and dream of becoming professional DJs, whilst struggling through the drug scene that comes with it. I felt the same excitement as the main character John Clark, played by Elliot James Langridge when he was first introduced to these songs. I found an interesting interview with the two actors discussing the creating of the film and the importance of learning the northern soul dance style. Whilst being asked which songs stuck out most to them Josh Whitehouse who plays the role of Matt in the film states ‘They’re all bangers!’ which sums up the film perfectly.

This concludes my tier list. Thank you for reading, any feedback would be much appreciated.