Introduction
The 80s gave us some of the most memorable movie songs ever. From emotionally moving ballads to rock anthems, these tracks became inseparable from their movies and even sometimes outlived them. Here are 32 soundtrack songs that helped define the decade.
I'm Alright – Caddyshack (1980)
Kenny Loggins was one the 80s biggest soundtrack hitmakers. Caddyshack was where he started his legendary run of success. He didn't write the song specifically for the golf course comedy classic, but it fit perfectly anyway.
Orion Pictures, Caddyshack (1980)
Axel F – Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
Harold Faltermeyer’s instrumental synth theme became instantly recognizable even with no lyrics. Its futuristic-sounding electronics and catchy melody transcended the movie and became a familiar selection on the 80s airwaves.
Paramount, Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
We Don't Need Another Hero – Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985)
This became one of Tina Turner's biggest hits, with additional singing credits to a London prep school choir. Written by Graham Lyle and Terry Britten, the song won two Ivor Novello Awards: for Best Contemporary Song and Best Film Song.
Tina Turner — We Don't Need Another Hero (Official Music Video) [HD], #NVU Music
Purple Rain – Purple Rain (1984)
This Prince epic is a great performance within the film and a deeply personal ballad. It’s the musical and spiritual centerpiece of the movie and one of Prince's greatest songs.
Warner Bros., Purple Rain (1984)
If You Leave – Pretty in Pink (1986)
OMD’s track became synonymous with teen heartbreak. The song’s synth textures and emotional climaxes echoed the film’s tone and captured the emotional stakes of all-or-nothing teen romance in the 80s.
Paramount Pictures, Pretty in Pink (1986)
In Your Eyes – Say Anything… (1989)
Not written as an original for the film, but a standout track from Peter Gabriel's 1986 album So, this song got new life in Jon Cusack's classic boombox scene. The scene and the song became inseparable as an image of cinematic courtship.
Twentieth Century, Say Anything... (1989)
Cry Little Sister – The Lost Boys (1987)
Gerald McMahon wrote and recorded this dreamlike ballad backed by a children's choir. The soundtrack's record label, Atlantic, felt the song sounded too futuristic, and got Phil Collins and Journey lead singer Steve Perry to record alternate versions; but film producer Joel Schumacher insisted on McMahon's version for the 80s classic that has aged surprisingly well (vampires with mullets aside).
Warner Bros., The Lost Boys (1987)
Up Where We Belong – An Officer And A Gentleman (1982)
This duet between Jennifer Warnes and Joe Cocker closed out the fairy tale ending of An Officer and a Gentleman. The song won a Grammy for Warnes and Cocker; songwriters Jack Nitzsche, Buffy Saint-Marie, and Will Jennings claimed the Oscar and the Golden Globe for Best Original Song. An uplifting 80s movie soundtrack essential.
David Bowie - Putting Out The Fire (Cat People) (1982), Retrospective Soundtrack
Cat People (Putting Out Fire) – Cat People (1982)
This synthesizer-driven song was composed by Giorgio Moroder, with vocals and lyrics by David Bowie. The Paul Schrader-directed film starring Nastassja Kinski is maybe not as well remembered as some of the other movies on our list, but the song is hard to forget.
Universal Pictures, Cat People (1982)
Call Me – American Gigolo (1980)
Another Giorgio Moroder composition that became a big hit for Debbie Harry, who wrote the lyrics in addition to singing. The song spent six weeks at number one on the charts and received Grammy and Golden Globe nominations.
Paramount, American Gigolo (1980)
The NeverEnding Story – The NeverEnding Story (1984)
This fantasy movie for kids yielded the sweet synth-pop song of the same name. Written by Giorgio Moroder and Keith Forsey, the song was sung by Limahl and Beth Andersen. The song is perhaps more iconic now than it was at the time it was released, due to its inclusion on the 2020s throwback series Stranger Things.
Warner Bros., The Neverending Story, 1984
The Touch – The Transformers: The Movie (1986)
Another can't-miss motivational anthem, this rock number by Stan Bush from The Transformers animated movie is guaranteed to bring out your heroic side, whether you're under attack by Decepticons, or dealing with the more mundane challenges of everyday life.
Marvel, The Transformers: The Movie (1986)
Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now) – Against All Odds (1984)
Phil Collins’ ballad plays during the film's climactic scene. Its raw vocal emotion and simple production earned it wide chart success, and linked its name forever to the otherwise average drama that starred Rachel Ward, Jeff Bridges, and James Woods.
Columbia Pictures, Against All Odds (1984)
9 to 5 – 9 to 5 (1980)
An iconic song by an iconic artist; Dolly Parton wrote and recorded this hit, one of her biggest, while adding her comic acting talents to the film as well. The song took two Grammy Awards, and has since gone on to appear on all kinds of other shows, commercials, and even political campaigns.
Twentieth Century, 9 to 5 (1980)
St. Elmo’s Fire (Man in Motion) – St. Elmo’s Fire (1985)
John Parr’s anthem was written for the film’s young adult coming-of-age drama. It topped charts and mirrored the film’s emotional arc of searching for personal identity against a parental backdrop.
John Parr - St. Elmo's Fire (Man In Motion) (Official Music Video), RHINO
For Your Eyes Only – For Your Eyes Only (1981)
Songwriters Bill Conti and Mick Leeson weren't initially very impressed by Sheena Easton, but the singer hit this one out of the park as the song became an international hit and a showcase of Easton's vocal range. The James Bond film starred Roger Moore and Carole Bouquet.
For Your Eyes Only • Theme Song • Sheena Easton, HD Film Tributes, YouTube
I Just Called to Say I Love You – The Woman in Red (1984)
Stevie Wonder's smooth ballad became a global smash, hitting No. 1 in multiple countries. The uncomplicated message and warm production turned it into a romantic standard, and the film starring Gene Wilder and Kelly LeBrock built on that musical success.
Orion Pictures, The Woman in Red (1984)
The Heat Is On – Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
From the heyday of Eddie Murphy and the heyday of great movie soundtracks, this Glenn Frey hit plays over police chase scenes and the opening credits. Its bright pop-rock sound matched the film’s fast-paced, humorous tension, helping Beverly Hills Cop feel like a blockbuster right from the start.
Paramount Pictures, Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do) – Arthur (1981)
This feelgood anthem by Christopher Cross captured the comedic warmth of the film that starred Dudley Moore and Liza Minelli. With songwriting credits to Cross, Burt Bacharach, Carole Bayer Sager, and Peter Allen, the song spent several weeks at the top of the charts that year, as well as taking the Oscar and Golden Globe for Best Original Song.
Eye Of The Tiger – Rocky III (1982)
Survivor wrote and performed this for Rocky III at Sylvester Stallone’s personal request. It became a No. 1 hit, and its driving guitar riff and motivational lyrics made it the ultimate training montage anthem.
United Artists, Rocky III (1982)
Footloose – Footloose (1984)
Another soundtrack hit by Kenny Loggins, this energetic title track channels the film’s rebellious spirit. It temporarily knocked Michael Jackson off the top of the charts, which was quite something at the time.
Paramount Pictures, Footloose (1984)
The Power Of Love – Back to the Future (1985)
This Huey Lewis and the News hit was a perfect piece of rock n' roll optimism to feature throughout Back to the Future. It encapsulated the well-worn 80s movie trope of guys trying and failing with girls before succeeding. It also helped the film become an enormous box-office hit. The infectious song earned an Oscar nod and remains pure 80s magic.
Universal Pictures, Back to the Future (1985)
On The Dark Side – Eddie and the Cruisers (1983)
Performed by John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band, "On the Dark Side" was the heart of the underrated Eddie and the Cruisers. Its driving rhythm and raspy vocals gave it the feel of a long-lost 60s rockabilly classic. The track outlived the film, becoming a genuine radio hit on its own.
Aurora, Eddie and the Cruisers (1983)
Oh Yeah – Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)
This crazy electronic mix ended up being reused in the movie Secret of My Success (1987). The song was part of a great soundtrack for what was maybe John Hughes' best film. Honorable mention goes to the Smiths' "Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want" from the film's art museum scene.
Paramount, Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)
Danger Zone – Top Gun (1986)
Yet another soundtrack breakthrough for Kenny Loggins, the adrenaline-fueled hit was the accompaniment to many of the film’s aerial sequences. The song was written by Giorgio Moroder; Loggins ended up singing it only after the producers tried to farm it out to several other performers, including Toto, Starship, REO Speedwagon, and Corey Hart, who all passed on the song.
Paramount, Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
Ghostbusters – Ghostbusters (1984)
Ray Parker Jr.’s upbeat theme became a radio staple before the film was even released. Its playful tone, and recognizable chorus made it an essential part of the identity of one of the decade's best comedies.
Columbia Pictures, Ghostbusters (1984)
Let The River Run – Working Girl (1988)
Carly Simon wrote and sang this one for the memorable romantic comedy that starred Sigourney Weaver, Melanie Griffith, and Harrison Ford. Simon put it all together on this song; she ended up taking a Grammy, a Golden Globe, and an Academy Award for the song.
Sunset Boulevard, Getty Images
Take My Breath Away – Top Gun (1986)
Berlin’s romantic ballad won the 1987 Oscar for Best Original Song. Teri Nunn's moody vocals shrouded in synthesizers make this song an 80s classic for soundtrack love songs. Another Giorgio Moroder composition, it caused problems among the Berlin bandmates who didn't identify with a song written by someone else. It did revive interest in the group's earlier albums, though.
Paramount Pictures, Top Gun (1986)
Don’t You (Forget About Me) – The Breakfast Club (1985)
Simple but emotional, this song by Simple Minds plays over the closing credits of The Breakfast Club. It became synonymous with teenage insecurity and the film’s themes of identity and belonging.
Universal, The Breakfast Club (1985)
(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life – Dirty Dancing (1987)
Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes’ duet won the Oscar for Best Original Song and became a dancefloor classic. The final lift scene is forever tied to this song, and its high-flying place in 80s soundtrack history.
Vestron Pictures, Dirty Dancing (1987)
Flashdance… What A Feeling – Flashdance (1983)
Irene Cara’s anthem captures the struggle and triumph of artistic ambition in this Adrian Lyne-directed film starring Jennifer Beals. The song topped charts, won an Oscar, and helped the film overcome poor reviews by older boomer critics, who largely looked down their noses at the underdog story.
Flashdance (1983), Paramount Pictures
Look What You've Done To Me – Urban Cowboy (1980)
At first glance, this Boz Scaggs ballad co-written with David Foster seemed out of place for a film about the goings-on in a Texas honky-tonk, but it hit all the right notes with audiences. The film version of the song was performed by Scaggs and the future band members of Toto. A movie and music moment frozen in time from the pre-MTV very early 80s.
Paramount Pictures, Urban Cowboy (1980)
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