MovieChat Forums > Soundtracks and Scores > Best Film Scores of the 1980's

Best Film Scores of the 1980's

posted 14 years ago by matviola
8 replies | jump to latest

[–] fass99 14 years ago

You missed out On Golden Pond by Dave Grusin. :(

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLa7kMIUAaI

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Thorpe89

[–] ryhoyarbie 14 years ago

I thought Ghostbusters by Elmer Bernstein was great. It had an erieness quality that I liked.

The entire score is on youtube.

[–] dykesy30 14 years ago

How could you miss out Lethal Weapon and Die Hard? Or Beverly Hills Cop.

[–] nooware 14 years ago

Thank you for sharing this list. Here's another one with a few deserving additions, some instrumental scores but also songs as original soundtracks.

"The Last Emperor" (1987) by Ryuichi Sakamoto - Won Oscar, Golden Globe, Grammy, BAFTA, etc. awards for the score.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcGY0dStHuA

"Les fugitifs" (1986) by Vladimir Cosma (Full Version)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wI_9gdnyLDU

"La Boum 2" (1983) by Vladimir Cosma - IMO a great song for making love.
Your Eyes (sung by Cook da Books): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3X7eQEdmqLE

"Tchao Pantin" (1983) by Charlélie Couture - This is the main theme in French, entitled "Tchao Les Nuits Sont Trop Longues". The music is very haunting and perfectly adapted for a truly great, underrated "noir" movie.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Cy5hGR5syw

"Flashdance" (1983) by Giorgio Moroder
Love Theme: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9Iz4i4aLDA
Lady, Lady, Lady (sung by Joe Esposito): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C526lxeHo-M

"De Kassière" (1989) by Dave Stewart & Candy Dulfer - Dutch movie
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/kyFi3tEZWvxBp9oOQz

"Dune" (1984) by Toto, one track by Brian Eno
Big Battle Theme: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pj9UcKj7Dxo
Paul Meets Chani: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gFN6LD_WMI
The Floating Fat Man-The Baron: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNn2MMrinl8
Prophecy Theme (by Brian Eno): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4SwFhfNh1w

"Highlander" (1986) by Queen
Princes of the Universe: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lfv1dE3OjD8
Who Wants to Live Forever: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_Qe6yDz1HI

"We Children From Bahnhof Zoo" (1981) by David Bowie - German movie originally entitled "Christiane F.", way underrated and still even better about drug addiction than "Requiem for a Dream" and "Trainspotting".
Heroes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8_escanpGs
Sense Of Doubt: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHYvQxyy6yA

"Bagdad Cafe" (1987) by Bob Telson & Jevetta Steele
Calling You: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nk7mCmgzpPE

"Paris, Texas" (1984) by Ry Cooder
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TCRe3tkYe8

"Brazil" (1985) by Michael Kamen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EfgZ2oImXk&feature=related

"Year Of The Dragon" (1985) by David Mansfield
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbrXJV0RoN4

"Birdy" (1984) by Peter Gabriel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6aoTsKDfm8

Enjoy!

Edit: I'm looking for the OST of "Moon Child" (1989) by Dead Can Dance. The original title of this movie is "El niño de la luna". It's a rarity and I would be very glad if you can find it. Here's a trailer:
http://vimeo.com/11503563

___
"The eyes are the windows to the soul ; cinema is the mirror outside of these windows."

[–] RandolfCarter 14 years ago

This list is incomplete because it lacks Basil Poledouris' score for Conan the Barbarian

http://www.last.fm/user/399796kms/

[–] matviola 14 years ago

It's on my list

Visit my film site here:
http://www.notesofafilmfanatic.com/

[–] TheLittleSongbird 14 years ago

Empire Strikes Back- John Williams
ET:The Extra Terrestrial- John Williams
Legend- Jerry Goldsmith
Cry Freedom- George Fenton
The Untouchables- Ennio Morricone
Batman- Danny Elfman
The Dark Crystal- Trevor Jones
The Elephant Man- John Morris
Gandhi- George Fenton
The Land Before Time- James Horner

"Life after death is as improbable as sex after marriage"- Madeline Kahn(CLUE, 1985)

[–] StuOz 12 years ago

BATMAN (best score)
The Empire Strikes Back
Return Of The Jedi
ET
Star Trek 2: The Wrath Of Kahn
Star Trek 4: The Voyage Home
Star Trek 5: The Final Frontier
Superman 2
Superman 4
Never Say Never Again (main title tune only)
A View To A Kill
Sudden Impact
When Time Ran Out
Witches Of Eastwick
Jaws 4 (main title tune only)
The Outsiders
Edge Of Sanity (lesser known score for 1989 film)
The Untouchables
Psycho 2
Twilight Zone: The Movie
Raiders Of The Lost Ark
The scores in the first eight episodes of "Star Trek: The Next Generation"

PS
The theme music to the tv series "Dynasty 2: The Colbys", don't laugh, this tune is just soooo good and MIGHTY sounding! I listen to it once a month. Or once a week.