It has been said that music is the soundtrack to our lives. Maybe that’s pushing it a little, but music in the movies has certainly influenced generation after generation.
The latest hip-hoppin’ soundtrack to hit the boards comes from the indie gem Hustle & Flow, a story about a Memphis pimp (Terrence Howard) who wants to break out of his meager existence and break into the world of hip hop. To make his dreams come true, he lays down rudimentary tracks with the help of some friends and his small stable of women, producing a raw mix of rap and crunk–a subdivision of southern hip-hop. The result is a pulse-pounding marvel, reflective of today’s times.
Here’s a look at 10 other cool movie soundtracks that have rocked our world:
10. Save the Last Dance (2001)
How the disc spins: A former ballet prodigy (Julia Stiles) moves to the inner city to live with her father after her mother dies–and falls for a guy (Sean Patrick Thomas), who exposes her to the world of hip-hop. Through music and dancing, the two realize that it shouldn’t matter what other people think, just as long as they are happy.
Why we love the tunes: With artists such as, Fredro Starr (who also stars in the movie), Snoop Dogg, and Q-Tip, this soundtrack shows heart as well as gets you to dance. Pink’s “You Make Me Sick” relates to many girls out there all while still getting the party started, and the Notorious B.I.G Featuring 112’s, “Only You” is a great love song with a slammin’ beat.
Favorite soundtrack moment: Stiles and Thomas tearing up the dance floor to Ice Cube’s “You Can Do It,” dancing circles around everyone there.
9. Pulp Fiction (1994)
How the disc spins: Quentin Tarantino‘s off-the-wall but timeless flick interweaves the crime-driven, drug-laden, shoot ’em up stories of two career hit man, a mob boss’ wife and a boxer. It also stars a stellar ensemble cast, including John Travolta, Uma Thurman, Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson. Along with the help of its hip soundtrack, Pulp Fiction captured a rapt audience and has never let go.
Why we love the tunes: If Tarantino is involved, you know great music isn’t far behind. With his off-beat tastes, Pulp Fiction‘s soundtrack features classic such songs as Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together,” Kool and the Gang’s “Jungle Boogie” and Dusty Springfield’s “Son of a Preacher Man.”
Favorite soundtrack moment: What else? Thurman and a href=”/celebrities/194853/john-travolta” >Travolta twisting in the Jack Rabbit’s Twist Contest to Jerome Patri Hoban’s “You Never Can Tell.”
8. Empire Records (1995)
How the disc spins: When an independent record store is in danger of being taken over by a larger chain, the store’s young employees, lead by their manager (Anthony LaPaglia), throw a monster bash in order to raise enough money to save their beloved store. Along the way, they learn some valuable lessons about themselves. Also starring Liv Tyler and Renee Zellweger.
Why we love the tunes: Seeing as how Empire Records was not a mainstream hit, it is hard to understand how it became so popular among America’s teens–that is, until you hear the soundtrack. With artist such as the Gin Blossoms and Toad the Wet Sprocket, this is one that shouldn’t leave your CD player.
Favorite soundtrack moment: When Zellweger shows of her vocal skills, singing the Coyote Shiver’s “Sugarhigh” on the record store’s roof-top. What a set of pipes.
7. Moulin Rouge (2001)
How the disc spins: Christian (Ewan McGregor), a young Bohemian poet living in 1899 Paris, enters the dark, fantastical underworld of Paris’ now legendary Moulin Rouge and falls in love with a beautiful but doomed courtesan, Satine (Nicole Kidman). In this seedy but glamorous haven of sex, drugs and newly-discovered electricity, the music and the scenery actually place you back in 1899, right in Moulin Rouge.
Why we love the tunes: With the vocals of Kidman and McGregor, this soundtrack takes contemporary as well as original songs and energizes them. With songs from such artists as Beck, David Bowie and the pulsing song “Lady Marmalade,” featuring Lil’ Kim, Aguilera, Mya and Pink, make this soundtrack a must have.
Favorite soundtrack moment: McGregor as Christian spinning a compilation of love songs to woo his lovely lady, ranging from Paul McCartney’s “Silly Love Songs” to U2’s “In the Name of Love.” Very sweet.
6. High Fidelity (2000)
How the disc spins: John Cusack plays Rob, the owner of a record store, who is consistently unsuccessful at relationships. So he re-examines his past failed attempts at romance by creating a list of his top-five break-ups, including the one in progress. Also co-starring the hilarious Jack Black, the movie pokes fun at fear of commitment and being out of luck with love.
Why we love the tunes: The soundtrack seems to meld with Rob’s ever-changing moods. Like a mix tape you would make for yourself, it includes songs that you have loved and lost, including tunes from Jack Black‘s group Tenacious D as well as classics from The Kinks, The Velvet Underground, Stevie Wonder, and more.
Favorite soundtrack moment: Any rant Black goes on–either about the top five songs about death or the top five musical crimes perpetuated by Stevie Wonder in the ’80s and ’90s. If he is there, you’re gonna laugh.
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5. Grease (1978)
How the disc spins: When bad boy Danny (John Travolta) meets squeaky clean Sandy (Olivia Newton-John) during the summer, it is love at first sight. Back at school, however, Danny realizes that his relationship with Sandy is not exactly an image-booster for him. Their roller coaster courtship, simplified by song and dance, thankfully ends on a happy note.
Why we love the tunes: Unless you have been hiding under a rock your entire life, you’ve either seen Grease and/or heard its soundtrack plenty of times. With songs such as “Summer Lovin’,” “Hopelessly Devoted to You” and “Grease Lightning,” the ’50s bee-bopping flick made us all want to go to high school and fall in love.
Favorite soundtrack moment: It’s hard to pinpoint one moment that defines the music in this movie, but if we had to pick one, it’s the final scene in the movie. As Danny sings “You’re the One That I Want” to the newly dolled up Sandy, the musical number wraps up the movie in a way in which everyone wins.
4. Garden State (2004)
How the disc spins: Andrew Largeman (Zach Braff) shuffles through life in a lithium-induced stupor until his mother’s death inspires a vacation from the pills to see what might happen. Returning home for the funeral, Largeman has a further twist of fate–he meets Sam (Natalie Portman), a girl who is everything he isn’t.
Why we love the tunes: Writer/director/star Braff, of TV’s Scrubs fame, personally compiled the quirky soundtrack to blend perfectly with the movie. In fact, when Braff was shopping the script around to studios, he included a copy of the soundtrack, just to get the execs in the groove. It worked. The Shins “Caring is Creepy,” Nick Drake’s “One of These Things First” and Coldplay’s “Don’t Panic” supply soft techno touches, while Iron & Wine’s “Such Great Heights” and former Men at Work singer Colin Hay’s “I Just Don’t Think I’ll Ever Get Over You” offer understated angst.
Favorite soundtrack moment: Zero 7’s “In the Waiting Line,” slowly lulls you as the camera spins around Largeman going into an ecstasy haze.
3. Dirty Dancing (1987)
How the disc spins: While spending the summer at a Catskills resort with her family, Baby (Jennifer Grey) only has eyes for the handsome Johnny (Patrick Swayze), the resort’s dance instructor. But after seeing him bump and grind with the other dancers, she doesn’t think she stands a chance with him. That is until he has to teach her a dance routine for a crucial performance and he sees the inner-Baby. Then nothing can stop their love.
Why we love the tunes: With songs like “Hungry Eyes,” and “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life,” the soundtrack became a sure-fire cult hit for all those dirty dancers out there.
Favorite soundtrack moment Baby and Johnny finally getting to show off all their hard work by flawlessly performing their dance at the talent show. “Nobody puts Baby in a corner.”
2. Purple Rain (1984)
How the disc spins: Prince’s semi-autobiographical account of a young rock star’s setbacks amidst his meteoric rise to fame.
Why we love the tunes: Yeah, we think it sounds kinda lame, too. But the story was only an excuse to hear the pounding Oscar-winning soundtrack–including classic Prince songs “When Doves Cry,” “Let’s Get Crazy,” and of course, “Purple Rain.”
Favorite soundtrack moment: Pretty much anytime Prince is onstage.
1. 8 Mile (2002)
How the disc spins: 8 Mile is a semi-autobiographical take on bad boy rapper Eminem‘s humble beginnings. Set in Detroit, Eminem stars as Rabbit is a white guy desperate to break out of his life on the wrong side of the tracks by trying to make it in the predominantly black world of rap music.
Why we love the tunes: With the likes of Eminem behind it, you just know this best-selling soundtrack is going to be good. In fact, the song, “Lose Yourself,” won an Oscar for best original song. Other artists on the disc include, 50 Cent, Jay Z, Macy Gray, NAS, and Xzibit.
Favorite soundtrack moment: Even though the rap battles did not make the cut for the soundtrack, when Eminem gets back up on stage after choking, and blows all the people who doubted him away, it’s a classic moment of heart, courage and a display of one hell of a talent.
