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Purple Rain the best soundtrack? Uhh … no.
The folks over at Vanity Fair are bathing in the purple rain, naming that soundtrack the best of all time, according to their new list.
I’d like to take this moment to rain all over that choice. Purple Rain wouldn’t be in my top 20. I have nothing against that soundtrack, or Prince, but number 1? Hardly.
That distinction instead goes to Vanity Fair’s number two pick, A Hard Day’s Night, which will come as no surprise to anyone who’s known me for 30 seconds. I can guarantee you that most people who own that album know all of those tunes by heart (at least the ones that are actually in the film.)
However, can Purple Rain fans hum, oh, say, “The Beautiful Ones” or “Computer Blue” - the two tunes that didn’t get played on the radio? Didn’t think so.
Here’s what rounds out my top 5, in alphabetical order:
Beauty and the Beast: Always lifts me off my feet. If I find out the Vanity Fair editors are too “hip” even to include this in their top 50, I’ll be mad.
Once: Yes, already. Review of film here.
Pulp Fiction: Nobody tops Tarantino for sheer eclecticism. His soundtracks are all over the map in the best possible way. No one else could make Ricky Nelson and Chuck Berry equally cool.
Singin’ in the Rain: Well, gee, it’s only my favorite Hollywood musical. I kinda have to put it here.
Please notice that under Variety Fair’s parameters, song scores like Singin’ in the Rain or The Commitments are eligible, even if few or none of the songs were actually written for the films. However, as best I can tell, film score albums are not, so that rules out Star Wars or Psycho. That, apparently, is a discussion for another day.
So that established, what are you favorite soundtracks?
Permalink | Comments (12) | Categories: Lists
Comments
By Bud Norton
October 26, 2007 12:34 PM | Link to this
Besides A Hard Day’s Night & Pulp Fiction: Repo Man (early 80s punk) and Oh Brother Where Art Thou. Goodfellas and the original Hairspray had great soundtracks in the theater, but the soundtrack albums don’t include half the songs from the movie, so they aren’t as great as they could have been.By Anthony
October 26, 2007 12:01 PM | Link to this
SRCputt, Girl 6 is great. It has a lot of previously released stuff on it. The find on that one is Screams of Passion by The Family! Of course, Prince also had that song from Happy Feet.By SRCputt
October 26, 2007 9:33 AM | Link to this
Allie, I won The Fog of War at an Oscar party a few years ago and have worn it out. Though I would say the best Glass score is one I bought: Koyaanisqatsi.By SRCputt
October 26, 2007 9:31 AM | Link to this
Anthony, thanks for arguing for Prince, one of my favorite artists. I actually would place Parade ahead of Purple Rain, but that’s just me. But you missed that Prince did a song score for Girl 6. Also, Sign O’ The Times shouldn’t count, because the album preceeded the movie by some time. All the movie is is the concert of the album.By Anthony
October 26, 2007 12:21 AM | Link to this
The 5. best soundracks are clearly…1. Purple Rain, 2. Parade (Under the Cherry Moon), 3. Sign O’ the Times, 4. Graffiti Bridge and 5….well Prince hasn’t made any other movies. When he does, that will be No. 5. 0)+>By Allie D.
October 25, 2007 5:47 PM | Link to this
As a fan of Alternative music, I have to name The Crow soundtrack as one of my top favorites. I also love the soundtrack from Lost Highway. I’m an 80s girl, so The Wedding Singer rates way up there as my favorite compilation of tunes from that decade. I don’t know if this one qualifies, but one of my favorite scores, even though it wasn’t written specifically for that movie, is the one from The Truman Show. Phillip Glass is a genius. I also love pretty much anything that Danny Elfman does.By Bob
October 25, 2007 3:21 PM | Link to this
Best sound tracks are The Good, The Bad and The Ugly; To Kill A Mockingbird; Help!; Forbidden Planet; and Wizard of Oz.By Marisa
October 25, 2007 2:37 PM | Link to this
Oh, and I nearly forgot… Snatch. It has a very mixed soundtrack, everything from jazz to hardcore techno to a Latin-sounding piece to 1950’s jukebox music, and it’s nothing less than fun to listen to.By Tommy
October 25, 2007 2:35 PM | Link to this
Oh yeah? How about the soundtrack to ‘Into Great Silence?’ A joke, a joke. Still, if you’re looking for a nearly three-hour, nearly silent documentary on Carthusian monks, you can’t go wrong with ‘Into Great Silence.’ Just saying. TomBy Marisa
October 25, 2007 2:33 PM | Link to this
Almost Famous is at the very top of my list. I’ve worn that CD out on road trips. Number two for me is The Beatles’ Yellow Submarine.By Derwood
October 25, 2007 1:58 PM | Link to this
My favorite is The Wall by Pink Floyd. But, I’m a big Floyd fan. So, no surprise there. Also, Remember the Titans had a good enjoyable soundtrack as well.By ashley
October 25, 2007 12:58 PM | Link to this
my favorite soundtracks are: 1. Gone With the Wind. 2. singin’ in the rain. 3. titanic 4. back to titanic. the scores are amazing. 5. last of the mohicans 6. the patriot 7. pride and prejudice (2005). 8. pirates of the caribbean 9. moulin rouge! 10. chicago