The other day while watching Love & Basketball and listening to Fool of Me by Me'Shell NdegeOcello, it occurred to me that "I love the soundtrack to this movie and I haven't played it in years". When I listen to a soundtrack that really connects with a movie, it allows me to revisit the feelings I experienced during that movie. If those feelings are worth revisiting, then that soundtrack stays in my CD player long after that particular movie has left the theaters and after it's DVD release. It's as if the song or soundtrack takes on a life of it's own by interpreting the movie in question through song.
That is my definition of a great soundtrack.
To this day if you mention Neutron Dance by The Pointer Sisters, the first person that comes to mind is Axel Foley in a powder blue Mumford High School T-shirt. If Beverly Hills Cops is too dated for you to share my fond memories, perhaps Old Times Sake by Sweet Sable from the Above The Rim soundtrack in 1994 is more your style. Even though I seldom listen to rap anymore, the Above the Rim soundtrack remains at the top of my favorite soundtracks released during my lifetime. As a teen, when I did indulge in Warren G, Lady of Rage and TuPac, the music from this movie was my perfect fix.
The 90's were synonymous with great movies and even greater music (at least in my eyes). Sister Act 2 is another movie with a soundtrack that pretty much defined my teen years. This 1993 sequel featured many breakout performers including Lauryn Hill and Tanya Blount, but it was future City High member Ryan Toby's rendition of Oh Happy Day that had my friends and I attempting to emulate that high note during the song as if our vocals were on his level.
Last but very worthy of being on my list of great soundtracks is the music of John Singleton's Higher Learning. Released in 1995, standout track, Ask of You by Raphael Saadiq went as far as to incorporate one of the characters name in the lyrics. With songs from Tori Amos, Outkast and Ice Cube, this album is the most diverse album on this list.
Whether the above songs were recorded with their perspective movies in mind or simply borrowed because someone thought it was necessary for a successful album, the mere mention of the songs conjures up memories of some of my favorite movies. A movie without a great soundtrack is nothing more than a movie without sound.
What's your favorite soundtrack?
