Five Best Film Soundtracks of All Time

Ever since Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in 1937, many films have relied on soundtrack accompaniments to further immerse viewers in its setting and plot. In addition to providing hearty doses of nostalgia, carefully selected soundtracks play a pivotal role in promoting a film’s central theme. These are five excellent films that serve as examples:

The Graduate
One of the most iconic films of all time is largely defined by its soundtrack, which helped make Simon & Garfunkel one of the most prominent acts in folk music. Paul Simon wrote the legendary “Mrs. Robinson” for The Graduate after director Mike Nichols asked for three new songs. Simon only had the time to write one, but “Mrs. Robinson” became a vital part from American culture along with the film. Nichols seemed to be satisfied. Songs recorded prior to The Graduate, like “The Sound of Silence”, also played prominent roles in the movie. When Benjamin watches Elaine from afar, stalking her at university, the sounds of Simon & Garfunkel provide a chillingly haunting accompaniment. The soundtrack contributes immensely as well to the conclusion’s chaotic passion, when both relief and skepticism appear as their expressions. “We’d like to help you learn to help yourself,” Simon sings on “Mrs. Robinson”, a sentiment which coincides with the film’s theme, one of how youthful impulse is stirred by an influential, outdated, and hypocritical older generation.

High Fidelity
Many viewers can easily associate with protagonist Rob Gordon, played by John Cusack. He’s a music nerd and hopeless romantic, with his enormous record collection being the only thing that takes his mind off failed romantic escapades. And sometimes that doesn’t even work. In High Fidelity, Rob tells the audience about his favorite records, and his favorite lovers. He also works at a record store with two music snobs equal in music insight, or at least they fight for that honor. Obviously, music plays a big role. Popular names like The Kinks, Bob Dylan, and Elvis Costello feature in the film, but so do other independent favorites like Plush, Stereolab, and Smog. Many songs are accompanied by Rob’s explanations of why the particular cut has personal relevance. Yet rather than feeling like you’re counseling a depressed friend, High Fidelity takes viewers through a journey of love and music, complemented by a very solid soundtrack that plays like a mix tape compiled by your favorite love-obsessed music geek. In the end, viewers find something heartwarming. The love of your life is like your favorite record; it may have taken decades to find, but once you do – there’s no replacing it.

Almost Famous
Cameron Crowe’s masterpiece had some autobiographical aspects to it, as Crowe was a young music journalist growing up in the same era as the film’s protagonist, played by a wide-eyed Patrick Fugit. In addition to the challenge of writing quality songs for the film’s fictional act Stillwater, Crowe had to piece together songs that defined the ‘70s, and in essence his childhood. The personal nature of it made the process somewhat seamless for Crowe, who included tracks by the decade’s biggest names. The Beach Boys, Led Zeppelin, Elton John, and David Bowie are just a few featured. Quite nicely, the soundtrack plays many lesser-known songs by big-time artists. Crowe was wise in allocating only one song per artist, resulting in an eclectic representation of why the ’70s was one of the greatest decades in music, ever. Oh, and the songs by Stillwater rocked too. Billy Crudup, Jason Lee, John Fedevich, and Mark Kozelek did a wonderful job there.

American Graffiti
Before his Star Wars fame, George Lucas wrote and directed American Graffiti, a 1973 coming-of-age film set in the late summer of 1962. Like Cameron Crowe and Almost Famous, the basis for the film was the director’s upbringing. Lucas was 18 in 1962, and had a hungry desire a decade later to re-capture that period. The soundtrack of American Graffiti successfully gave viewers a heavy dose of nostalgia for a decade earlier, when music that we would classify today as “oldies” were in more predominance than the psychedelic and folk infusions of the ‘70s. It was one of the first instances of audible nostalgia in film. Buddy Holly, Del Shannon, and Chuck Berry are just a few names that helped propel the film’s depiction of the early ’60s, where youth were content driving their cars and listening to the radio all day. The film’s massive soundtrack, 41 Original Hits from the Soundtrack of American Graffiti, remains a soundtrack classic for that very reason; it was one of the first instances of musical nostalgia in film.

Empire Records
It’s a movie about an independent record store, so a quality soundtrack was a must. It was also released smack-dab in the middle of the ‘90s. Despite lukewarm reviews on the actual film, Empire Records did a great job of capturing the rock music scene in 1995, and providing warm nostalgia for the hordes of us that grew up during that time. Alt-rockers like The Cranberries, Gin Blossoms, and Cracker were included, as well as Edwyn Collins’ introduction to U.S. audiences with “A Girl Like You”. Seeing how young Anthony LaPaglia, Renée Zellweger, and Liv Tyler look in Empire Records is somewhat of a shock… this film, and the songs on it, are nearly twenty years old. It feels just like yesterday.