Movie soundtrack albums have evolved into their own art form, spawning an entirely separate industry within the film industry for promoting new music or reviving forgotten classics in new contexts. Looking back at the history of cinema, there are many pictures with positive soundtracks that have continued to sell millions of copies and have become as culturally significant as the films in which they appear.
saturday night fever is probably the most famous example of this trend, but there is certainly a string of films like: garden state When high fidelityis talked about in a curated playlist of songs as often as the content of the film itself.
The article below contains minor spoilers for the films discussed.
“Saturday Night Fever” (1977)
saturday night fever It’s a 1977 dance film directed by John Badham and starring John Travolta In his breakout role as Tony Manero, a paint shop worker who feels there is no momentum in his life. At night, Tony wears an all-white suit, tearing up the dance floor amid pulsating lights and bodies, his dreams and worries melt away, one disco hit after another, emphasizing the soundtrack. increase.
The Bee Gees-dominated soundtrack is one of the all-time best-selling, body guard It has sold over 40 million copies, making it not only the best-selling movie soundtrack, but also one of the best-selling albums of all time. Featuring iconic tracks like “How Deep is Your Love,” “More Than a Woman,” and of course, “Stayin’ Alive,” the “Saturday Night Fever” soundtrack boosts the film’s legendary culture undoubtedly played a major role in status, and at this point it’s probably been revisited far more than the movie.
“High Fidelity” (2000)
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high fidelity It is an adaptation of the book of the same name by Nick Hornbyfollowed by Rob Gordon (John Cusack), a record store owner who was abandoned by his girlfriend Laura (Eben HaileRob argues with his worker, Barry Judd, about his self-image and encyclopedic knowledge of music.jack black) and a regular customer of his shop.
Before 500 days of summer I came here to give the ‘Indie Sad Boys’ an identity. high fidelity, comes with a soundtrack featuring hits and rarities mostly from the 60’s and 70’s. Featuring bands such as The Velvet Underground, 13th Floor Elevators, Love, Elvis Costello and the Attractions, the soundtrack embodies the box digger’s record culture.
“Easy Rider” (1969)
easy rider was a pioneering film in the soundtrack album realm, Dennis Hopper,Co-star Peter Fonda As a pair of biker hippies addressing prejudices that are still deeply ingrained in modern America. This film is a defining moment in the era of counterculture. It depicts the counterculture movement’s nihilistic view of American traditionalism, failing to understand the struggles faced by those seeking change.
Coming from an era when soundtrack albums were not yet summoned, easy riderA selection of psychedelic, acid rock, hard rock and folk rock has been meticulously crafted to complement the film’s evolving commentary, The Band’s lyrical solemnity, and bob dylan mix with the sound wall of jimmy hendrix and Steppenwolf.
“Garden State” (2004)
Zach Brafftells the story of Andrew, played by Braff himself, who attends his mother’s funeral in his hometown. His return catalyzes a series of reconnections with his old friends and the spark of his new ones.The film shares many comparisons with the work of Wes Anderson, an unmistakable visual style and a quirky cast of characters. However, Braff never achieved the same level of recognition as other American indie filmmakers of the time.
Braff himself wrote the script for the film and edited the soundtrack album. Nick Drake and Simon and Garfunkel, and modern indie group The Shins, whose song News Lang is perhaps the most iconic of cinema. It was later certified platinum and sold over one million copies.
“Thing Street” (2016)
2016 Thing Streetby the director John Carney is the classic story of a boy who starts a band to impress the coolest girl ever. 1980s Dublin, Connor (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo) is a much cooler older brother (Jack Reynor) and television music videos featuring bands such as The Jam, The Cure, Duran Duran and Hall & Oates.
The Sing Street soundtrack celebrates MTV’s ’80s era, specifically the Irish music scene.original tracks composed by a small team including Gary Clark Not only (of Irish pop band Danny Wilson), but also director Kearney himself, highlighted the band’s rapid evolution, featuring standout productions such as ‘Riddle of the Model’, ‘Beautiful Ocean’ and ‘Brown Shoes’. It reflects a roster of influencers. , and fits seamlessly into the era trucks they are mimicking.
“Dazed and Confused” (1993)
Richard Linklaterof The film works like others in the “slacker” genre, but it doesn’t feel as contained. It shows a lifetime captured in an evening and the weight of a world subject to seemingly insignificant decisions.
Set in 1976 in Texas at night, the film’s soundtrack easy riderrock and roll spread to fill the void left by the breakup of the Beatles. Alex Cooper, ZZ Top, Kiss, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, and Southern rockers Lynyrd Skynyrd and Black Oak Arkansas. The soundtrack blares from car radios and party speakers, conveying the continuity of the aimless wanderings of teenage nights.
“American Graffiti” (1973)
Screenplay/Director George Lucas this spiritual predecessor dazed and confused It sets its sights on a group of early ’60s teenagers, the origins of the teenage “rock ‘n’ roll” Americana craze. Focusing on the last day of summer vacation, the film is set in and around a car cruising through the city, accompanied by the voice and tunes of his jockey, a faceless disc, with an overlapping story of his teenage years. It takes the form of a series of vignettes that follow young people. “Wolfman Jack”
The film’s music is diegetic, coming from radios and car speakers, setting a very different mood as the characters interact with the soundtrack so often. buddy hollyBeach Boys, Chuck Berry When Fats Dominoamong many other rock and roll pioneers, one-hit wonders, and deep cuts for avid crate diggers, the film’s soundtrack is as much of an era soundtrack as the film itself, a pre-Beatles time capsule. It does much more than rock and roll line-ups and films to accurately preserve the culture of the era.
“Royal Tenenbaum” (2001)
Royal Tenenbaums It is a film written and directed by Wes Anderson, released in 2001. It’s the story of a quirky and brilliant family torn apart by jealousy, betrayal and failure, only to be reunited through unforeseen circumstances.
The film’s opening features the Mutato Muzika Orchestra’s rendition of “Hey Jude,” an epic track that accompanies the family’s extensive backstory. later, Elliott Smith‘Needle in the Hay’ is Ritchie’s (Luke Wilson) A haunting and devastating moment that attempts to take one’s own life. At the same time, Soft Organ and The Rolling Stones’ “She’s She Smiled Sweetly” is a perfect match for Richie and Margot (Gwyneth Paltrow) express your love for each other. finally, Nico‘s “Fairest of the Seasons” includes Royal’s (Gene Hackman) funeral. This star-studded list doesn’t even scratch the surface of the film’s iconic soundtrack. Paul SimonThe Velvet Underground, Nick Drake, The Ramones.
