80s movies were brilliant, and one of the things that made them brilliant was a string of memorable theme tunes and closing credits songs that movies today are sadly lacking. These power ballads and anthems as much defined the era as the movies that they represented, and in some ways have now eclipsed those self-same movies. So to kick of our minor homage to the epic Culch.ie nostalgia week here’s my Top 5 80s movie tunes.
Number 5: Irene Cara – Flashdance (What a Feeling)
A song that provokes memories of dancing around like a complete idiot at school discos, nightclubs, weddings…generally whereever it has been played since it’s 1983 release Flashdance is a song that has out lived the movie that inspired it. Sure you can vaguely remember Jennifer Beals jumping around in a leotard, but I guarantee you know every single word of this 80s staple.
Ray Parker Jr. – Ghostbusters
A wonderful combined of RnB and pop, ridiculous lyrics and a riff that’s up there with the best this is a song that brings a smile everytime. Ray Parker Jr. knew that he could never top this so he didn’t even try. There’s an invisible hiding under your bed…who you gonna call?
Survivor – Eye of the Tiger
Eye of the Tiger is one of the ultimate 80s movie songs, and utterly, utterly brilliant. Exquisitely used at a pivotal moment in the finale of Rocky 3 it stands apart as a song that epitomises the underdog and the struggle for acceptence. Never have the lyrics so perfectly captured the essense of a movie.
Simple Minds – Don’t You (Forget About Me)
John Hughes knew how to soundtrack his movies, better perhaps than any other 80s director. With Don’t You (Forget About Me) and The Breakfast Club he found his ultimate meld of movie and song, with both enjoying massive success on the strength of each other. Repeated appearances throughout the film reach a crescendo as the credits roll and allow the audience to leave with a sense of great purpose even though they’ve just witnessed a bunch of kids sit around an do nothing for 90 minutes. I still love The Breakfast Club to this day.
Huey Lewis and the News – Power of Love
Being that my top 80s movie is Back to the Future, it’s only fitting that my top 80s movie song would be Power of Love. It doesn’t have the reference to the film that Back in Time has but it’s just so good, and so magically integrated with the skateboard opening that it deserves lavish praise. This song is great, the movie is great, and the video is just so goddamn 80s that it hurts.
