Tower Blog

Great Films and Even Greater Soundtracks!

March 28, 2008 by Romy

There has been a rush (an August rush?) of really amazing musicals within the last few months, unconventional and quirky films such as Once and Across the Universe that surprised audiences and box office charts alike. Regardless of whether you consider yourself a musical fan or not, it is almost impossible not to be impressed by this new cinematic trend’s ability to inspire and evoke the musical spirit in even the most die-hard action fan!

In the spirit of these great films (and even greater soundtracks), Tower.com has compiled our list of the top ten most amazing film soundtracks of all time. We hope you enjoy!

1. The Beatles - A Hard Day’s Night
This is a little conventional but how could we NOT agree with every other critic in the world that this soundtrack, the first album of all-original material recorded by the Beatles, is quite possibly the greatest soundtrack ever!

2. American Graffiti - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Not just a great soundtrack but one of the most comprehensive retrospective collections available on music of the 1950s!

3. West Side Story - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Electrifying on stage and screen and one of the most beloved musicals ever created - this film is just as exciting in superb remastered stereo!

4. Prince & The Revolution - Purple Rain
Granted, the film itself may not have been the greatest ever made, but there is no denying the importance of this soundtrack, one of the top selling albums of all time!

5. The Harder They Come - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
This was the album that introduced and defined Reggae music to an entire generation of American listeners!

6. Pulp Fiction - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
One could pretty much select any Tarantino soundtrack for this list, although perhaps no one has more resonance than this era-defining collection!

7. The Graduate - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Not only does it contain some of the greatest songs by Simon & Garfunkel, but this soundtrack marked one of the first and most successful film scores composed by a contemporary pop act. Here’s to you, Mrs. Robinson!

8. Requiem for a Dream - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
A real underdog, this haunting and mildly terrifying score composed by Clint Mansell and performed by the Kronos Quartet had as much to do with the effectiveness of this film as did Ellen Burstyn’s Academy Award nominated performance.

9. O Brother, Where Art Thou - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
One of the key soundtracks to pick up the coveted Grammy “Album of the Year” award back in 2002, this mix of country gospel, blues and roots music introduced many new listeners to the sounds of the true “deep” South.

10. Dirty Dancing - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Guilty pleasures always chart favorably - and there is no denying the nostalgic pleasure that one feels when you “have the time of your life” with this best-selling soundtrack!