you must remember these: my favorite movie theme songs
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There is a difference between movie themes and movie theme songs. Though both are part of a soundtrack ( if the music featured in the movie is released as a recording), themes are mostly instrumental while theme songs are, well, songs - with lyrics. But's that's just me trying to sound like I know all there is to know about music in movies. But what I do know for sure is that some of the most beautiful songs I that I know were written for movies. Alrhough it could happen too that a theme song was written independently of the movie, was picked up, put in the soundtrack and guess what? a perfect match.
Anyway, below are some of my favorites. There are 13 in all - an odd number for a list hub but I had to cut it somewhere or ran away with a "1,000 theme songs you should listen to before you die" sort of, kind of list. And that would probably be all theme songs except Xanadu.
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(i've) had the time of my life
fr dirty dancing (1987)
Composers: Franke Previte, John DeNicola, Donald Markowitz
Artists: Bill Medley, Jennifer Warnes
Shall we (dirty)dance?
mrs robinson
fr the graduate (1967)
Composer: Paul Simon
Artists: Simon and Garfunkel
This remains one of Simon's greatest and most popular songs.
into the west
fr lord of the rings - the return of the king (2003)
Composer: Howard Shore
Artist: Annie Lennox
The evocative melody and lyrics and Lennox's haunting vocals always make me stay through the end credits every time I watch this film.
(video below)
beautiful maria of my soul
fr the mambo kings (1992)
Composers: Robert Kraft, Arne Glimcher
Artists: Antonio Banderas, Los Lobos
I love the fusion of latin beat and olf-fashioned sentimentality of the lyrics.
moon river
fr breakfast at tiffany's (1961)
Composers: Johnny Mercen, Henry Mancini
Artist: Audrey Hepburn
I prefer Hepburn's version over Andy Williams' - it's simpler but more heartfelt. This is a classic.
streets of philadephia
fr philadelphia (1993)
Composer: Bruce Springsteen
Artist: Bruce Springsteen
The message is amplified by Springsteen's powerful vocals and the stripped down production.
lose yourself
fr 8 mile (2002)
Composer: Emimem
Artist: Eminem
The edgiest song to ever win an Oscar for best theme song - it's eminem, what do you expect?
love song for a vampire
fr bram stoker's dracula (1992)
Composer: Annie Lennox
Artist: Annie Lennox
This goth-flavored song rocks.
when doves cry
fr purple rain (1984)
Composer: Prince
Artist: Prince
Spiritual and sexual...what's not to like?
the rose
fr the rose (1979)
Composer: Amanda McBroom
Artist: Bette Midler
I heard this song before I saw the movie. Then I had to see the movie.
the hands that built america
fr gangs of new york (2002)
Composers: Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, Larry Mullen Jr
Artists: U2
An electro-rock homage to the city of New York. Powerful stuff.
don't you (forget about me)
fr the breakfast club (1985)
Composers: Keith Forsey, Steve Schiff
Artists: Simple Minds
Definitely an 80s anthem - New Wave music at its unforgettable best.
as time goes by
fr casablanca (1942)
Composer: Herman Hupfeld
Artist: Dooley Wilson
This song must be on everybody's list of top movie songs. An all-time classic...surely you remember this?
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Dirty Dancing: Original Soundtrack From The Vestron Motion Picture
Price: $3.94
List Price: $7.99 |
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The Mambo Kings: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Price: $18.99
List Price: $11.98 |
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The Breakfast Club: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Price: $4.58
List Price: $9.98 |
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8 Mile: Music from and Inspired by the Motion Picture
Price: $5.98
List Price: $13.98 |
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THE GRADUATE
Price:
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The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Price: $8.49
List Price: $19.98 |
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Casablanca: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Price: $3.75
List Price: $7.98 |
soundtracks
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Breakfast At Tiffany's: Music From The Motion Picture Score
Price: $4.89
List Price: $7.99 |
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Philadelphia
Price: $3.32
List Price: $6.99 |
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Gangs of New York
Price: $10.28
List Price: $20.98 |
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Music from the Motion Picture "Purple Rain"
Price: $6.84
List Price: $11.98 |
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Bram Stoker's Dracula: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Price: $17.85
List Price: $9.98 |
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The Rose: The Original Soundtrack Recording
Price: $5.30
List Price: $9.98 |
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Comments
dohn
I'm glad you find my choices agreeable. btw, you're looking um yellow. too much beer lao? :D
thanks for checking out the list :D
What a great Hub! I would have to agree with dohn in terms of favorites - "As Time Goes By," and then "Mrs. Robinson."
Hope you do a part 2 sometime soon!
=D Great job Cris!! Many of these are my favorite songs and movies.
Catlyn
yeah, i wish they'd make more critical and commercial themes like those you mentioned.
a part 2?! okay, we'll see :D
sandy
It's ncie to hear that! Thanks for dropping by :D
Oh, some of my favorite movies! Good choices :)
Awesome job, Cris! I must confess that I prefer the older ones, but that video was beautiful, too. Annie Lennox is such a versatile talent. I think she could sing right from a thesaurus and make it sound great.
Interesting hub, with some really good song selections. Great video too. Saw most of these movies and remembered most of the theme songs.
Great selection, Cris. I love Anne Lennox's misic as well! :)
Great stuff. Some I knew and some I didn't know. Thanks!
A few of the movies I haven't seen and will have to add to my list! :) Some great music...and I'll prolly have to go with Breakfast Club for my favorite of the bunch...but had probably already guessed that! :D
I have to agree that movie themes are underrated, I love the symphonic stuff, especially when it comes to movies like Star Wars, but I guess admitting those preferences is like admitting I like pop music over Bach. I can't help it, symphonic soundtracks have a beginning and an end and the good ones have a special moment where it all comes together in the middle. Good thoughts on an obscure subject.
I adore Annie Lenox and that is one of my favorite songs! Well done hub!
Nice I agree...but I must tell you a quick story...."The Graduate" My ex hubby was a pot smoker and when we went to see this movie one day and we were inside he complained about how dark the movie was...I looked at him and replied "if you take off your sunglasses it might not be" and then I roared at the wrong time....I Loved this movie though thought it was super...:O) Hugs
janetta
glad to know we kind like the same things.
B.T.
And I do, too. But I decided to kinda mix it a bit. Yeah, Annie's the bomb!
alek
And sometimes its the songs that we remember more.
invictus
yeah, it seems Ms Lennox is well liked by many.
Tom
Thanks, it's my pleasure to introduce you to some you're not familiar with.
Tracker
Yeah do that. And I'm not surprised by your pick. Besides John Hughes movies have great soundtracks always. Remember Pretty in Pink? Some Kind Wonderful?
Alexander
They are indeed. Sometimes you have to wait till the end credit to hear the words to a theme you've heard all throughout the movie. But generally, music makes a lot of difference in a movie.
Candie
Thanks, glad you liked it. Annie rocks!
G-Ma
LOL that was funny! What a jerk your ex was (but it must be l'amour). Thanks for dropping by as always. Hugs back!
Thanks everyone for dropping by and commenting :D :D
Moonriver, As Time Goes By? Don't tell me you're a romantic at heart =). Time of My Life in Dirty Dancing is my favorite (although I never saw the movie). Thanks for placing it first.
great, great choices - and as always packaged and presented sooooo well! Thanks Cris - now you've got 'don't you forget about me' playing in my mind :D
Howdo, Cris! That is quite an ecclectic list! You remind me of, well, me! Laugh! Anyhow, I like the mix of oldies, not so oldies and downright recent theme songs. I was thinking if any of these would have made it to my list? Maybe 'as time goes by'? Hmmm, don't know. I'm actually going to have to think about it, and we all know the hard time I have with lists, so I'm not sure I'll reach any conclusions any time soon! Thanks for the entertainment :-)
I love your choices Chris. As Time Goes By and Moon River are my favorites.
You have some excellent movies there.
I like Top Gun's "Danger Zone".
How unforgettable is Moon River? Such a haunting, lovely tune. Great list Chris...only you could make a hub about music look as good as it sounds! :)
emi
you made me think...i'll get back to you on that! Huuuwhat? Try to catch it and you'll the song even better!
Shalini
You gottta get a hold of all those John Hughes movie soundtracks!
elena.
Do I now? The only difference, when it comes to listing, is that I can make up my mind quite easily while you um procrastinate. LOL
jill
Glad to know we share the same favorites.
Pete
Hey thanks, I appreciate that.
alta
I think Danger Zone was part of the soundtrack but the main theme song (as always is the case, the love theme gets the credit/attention) of the movie was Take My Breath Away by Berlin. But just the same, that Kenny Loggins song is indeed great.
FP
Ah what a nice thing to say. I'll keep at it if you promise to keep on coming on back.
Thanks everyone for the visit :D :D
Cris count me In for "Mrs Robinson " I always and still do love that song . And the song by Simple Minds Is definitely an 80s classic. Good choices.
And that does not surprise me, brother! I know your type by now! Ha! LOL thanks for always dropping by.:D
Cris, LOL, defensive! I'll try to get hold of a DVD of that movie.
emi
I'm still not telling! LOL Yeah you should and you'd know why nobody puts Baby in the corner :D
wow i remember loving that of The Lord of the rings and 8 mile... :D nice picks Cris...I'll have to check the others around and tell you what i think...I trust your choice so you'll probably see me here soon. LOL
I loved the first picture!! AMAZING!!!!!!!!! and i am so stealing it :$ hey at least i am coming cleaning and telling you i am stealing your wallpapers and putting them as wallpapers on my Laptop :D ~ loved it :D
Okay, I'm interested to know your take on the other songs.
It's not stealing as you have my permission and you know you needn't ask! :D
Hey Cris, you had me on---Dirty Dancing. I would like to think that "I've had the time of my life," as my theme--song. Loved it!!!!
Ms Ginn
You never fail to surprise me. I would've thought you're the As Time Goes By type but of course not, you'd rather be shimmying! And thinking about it, it is so apt with you! Thanks for dropping by and keep having the time of your life and sharing every bit of it :D
How could you forget Footloose? Or Danger Zone from Top Gun?
I don't know, I just did! LOL You must like Kenny Loggins a lot, huh? Somebody else came looking for Danger ZOne and I said it was part of the soundtrack but was not the theme song because the distinction belongs to Take my Breath Away by Berlin - the love theme always wins out I guess :D
Cris,
This hub, just like your other hubs, is another lesson in Humanities 101. LOL.You have hubbed about "Casablanca" and now it's in this hub again. But even if it's written about again and again and again, I'll never have enough of it.
Humphrey Bogart died in January 14, 1957 (aged 57)of cancer,
but with "Casablanca" he never died. Ingrid Bergman, for me, never died either, even if she died in 1982, strangely, of cancer too.
I love "The Rose" and how can I forget "Mrs. Robinson"? We were advised by the Sisters who were our teacher in college not to watch Mrs.Robinson because it was an x-rated.LOL!
After watching the State of the Nation Address this evening, I enjoyed listening to your compilation of movie themes. Thanks for this collection again, Cris. Mabuhay ka!
pretty cool photo up top. I'll have to revisit "Gangs of New York" as I missed hearing the U2 song
hey france
Spoken like a true Casablanca fan! And interesting anecdotes there including the personal tidbit. Sometimes I think we all can segment our lives through songs, more than photographs. Anyway, glad to be of service to you when you most need it. :D
jcales
Cool! being reminded of the songs we like is always a nice thing Thanks for dropping by :D
Some beautiful songs there Cris.Sheer nostalgia. Hadn't heard that one-beautiful maria of my soul.
you are quite the music aficionado with eclectic taste. :)
diana
And Placido Domingo perfomed that song on Oscars Night (it lost out to Aladdin's A Whole New World). Maybe you could find something in YouTube. Thanks for dropping by :D
Oh Cris lovely lovely songs you have great taste. I love the whole lot.I am even tapping my feet. I have a rose between my teeth, care to tango?? xo
you mean virtually? Sure, by all means! LOL thanks for reading :D
Sigh yes it has to be virtual..dang.. but am thinking of buying that half finished time machine on Ebay, then I could travel LMAO. Oh by the way I love all your creative artwork you have been doing. You are the man Cris!!!! xo
Great selection of songs. I still love Moon River best, though there are several wonderful songs in there. I never connected 'the Gangs of New York' with any song at all. I'll have to give it a listen.
BP - yeah I've read about that! I hope they mass produce it! LOL
Dolores - Go ahead. Hope you enjoy it :D
Now you have chosen some of the best of the best! I love the oldies and "Moon River" is one of my all time favorites. :)
AE
That's nice to hear. Glad you liked the list :D
dohn121 says:
4 months ago
Great choices / picks, Cris A. I especially liked the your selection (in which of course you picked the best for last) "As Time Goes By," from my all-time favorite movie Casablanca. The same song is used in every opener of every Warner Bros. movie.