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Summary
The eighties were truly a fantastic prison term for movie scotch as a contemporary synth way began to take hold and picture show composers experiment with new styles of music - making . While the synth - establish style of so many eighties classics can often date a film to a particular time or situation , this was also part of their good luck charm and an enjoyable face of rewatching old movie . Although synth soundtracks have remained popular in recent release , there was just something so contagiously 1980s about the greatest scores raise during this era .
Thebest scores of all timehave something in coarse : They perfectly encapsulate the aesthetic of the motion-picture show they accompany and added to the overall impact of the narrative . Although much of this music can be savour on its own merits , its role as part of a larger originative project influences the witness ' perception of the tracks as the composer created the work to be used in the flick . conduct all these face into write up , thesesynth soundtracks represent the very best of motion-picture show score during the 1980s .
15Videodrome (1987)
Composed by Howard Shore
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Cast
Videodrome ( 1983 ) is a science fiction horror pic directed by David Cronenberg . The movie stars James Woods as Max Renn , a television set executive who slip up upon a programme sign featuring extreme ferocity and torture . His fixation with uncovering the reservoir lead him into a disturbing and hallucinatory journey , spotlight the destructive potency of media and technology . Debbie Harry also asterisk as Nicki Brand , a radiocommunication personality entangled in the tale .
Howard Shore ’s synth - lumbering score perfectly captured the dark and ominous nature of David Cronenberg’sbody repulsion classicVideodrome . As the unnerving and hallucinatory feeling of its narrative was dribble forward by the eerie nature of this score , the soundtrack forVideodromewas one of the most underappreciated synth scores of the 1980s , and it long remain out of print until it was in the end reissued in 2022 . This was the third score Shore had done for Cronenberg after previously making the euphony forThe BroodandScanners .
14Legend (1985)
Composed by Tangerine Dream
Legend , released in 1985 , is a fantasy film set in a mythic forest where a mystical woodland inhabitant , chosen by fate , embarks on a heroic quest to rescue Princess Lili and baffle the evil Lord of Darkness , preventing the humankind from buckle under to an eternal ice age .
The German electronic isthmus Tangerine Dream was creditworthy for one of the greatest synth scores ever made , and one of their good achievements was for Ridley Scott ’s epic phantasy adventureLegend . However , some viewers were not privy to the hefty atmospheric soundscapes of this musical score asLegendfeatured two soundtracks , one by Tangerine Dream for the US release and another , more orchestral - based one by Jerry Goldsmith for the European vent . Sadly , European viewers miss out on a haunting and dark score that saw Tangerine Dreampushing their soundtracking skills into unexampled , uncharted dominion .
Tangerine Dream was formed in 1967 , and the members have since made a name for themselves as notable movie soundtrack composers . While Tangerine Dream grow some of the great synth soundtrack of the 1980s , their achievement did n’t finish there . They help oneself make the music for everything fromGrand Theft Auto 5to recent releases like the theme tune forStranger Things .
13Ghostbusters (1984)
Composed by Elmer Bernstein
Ghostbusters is a 1984 phantasy sci - fi movie from conductor Ivan Reitman . The movie stars Dan Aykroyd , Bill Murray , Harold Ramis , and Ernie Hudson as Raymond Stantz , Peter Venkman , Egon Spengler , and Winston Zeddemore , paranormal investigators who travel New York hunting and enamour touch . The movie eventually became one of the most iconic films of the ' 80 , spawning a multimedia system enfranchisement including a sequel , spinoffs , books , and video game .
Of of course , most viewers will be well aware of the iconic base Sung fromGhostbuster , but this has dwarf the first-class 1980s synth oeuvre by Elmer Bernstein heard throughout the film . AlthoughGhostbustersalso feature pop artists like the Alessi Brothers and Air Supply , Bernstein offered an suitably otherworldly , eery feeling to his synth - wakeless contributions . With a perfect equalizer betweenGhostbusters’comedic and serious step , Bernstein utilized the ondes Martenot , an electronic keyboard - like instrument , to capture the ghostly ambiance of his grudge .
Ray Parker Jr. ’s Ghostbusters is one of the most iconic movie songs of all fourth dimension , but the Ghostbusters 2 soundtrack managed to exceed it .
12The Lost Boys (1987)
Composed by Thomas Newman
The Lost Boys follows Michael Emerson ( Jason Patric ) and his young brother Sam ( Corey Haim ) after they move to the small California beach Ithiel Town of Santa Carla only to discover that it is overrun with teenage vampires . When Michael falls dupe to the titulary gang and joins their ranks , Sam enlists the help of young vampire hunters the Frog brothers ( Corey Feldman and Jamison Newlander ) for save his brother from caput vampire David ( Kiefer Sutherland ) .
Joel Schumacher captured the stylish revolt of subculture in the eighties with the vampire classicThe missed Boys , and this eery supernatural narration was propped by an original grievance by Thomas Newman . Through a blending of orchestra and electronic organ arrangements as well as synth contributions , Newman brought out the darker and more sinister aspects of this unparalleled coming - of - age horror . Newman ’s score , when paired with other musical contributions from Echo & the Bunnymen , Roger Daltrey , and INSX , madeThe Lost Boyssoundtrack a true eighties classic .
11Thief (1981)
Thief , directed by Michael Mann , asterisk James Caan as Frank , a professional cracksman aiming to hit the hay after one last job . release in 1981 , the motion picture portrays Frank ’s conflict to balance his criminal modus vivendi with his desires for a normal life , as he confront increasing pressure level from both law enforcement and the criminal underworld . The film is observe for its granular realism and Mann ’s signature style , highlighting the complexities of an antihero .
Having already bear witness movie score composer of serious talent , Tangerine Dream returned for their second major moving-picture show grade on the neo - noir crime filmThief . The part of Tangerine Dream was of the essence to the unique belief of this Michael Mann film , and the soundtrack even charted in the UK record album chart at the time of its release . This quintessentially eighties score was packed with fast - paced synths , gamy - octane energy , and data-based ambient sounds .
10Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
Composed by Harold Faltermeyer
Eddie Murphy superstar in Beverly Hills Cop as Axel Foley , a street - saucy Detroit police military officer who travels to California to figure out his friend ’s murder . Directed by Martin Brest , the film was a critical and commercial success , spawning three sequels .
The German composer Harold Faltermeyer produced some of the best synth score of the eighties and was known for his study on movies likeThe Running ManandTop Gun . However , his great achievement add up withBeverly Hills Copin 1984 , which boasted his bad hit , “ Alex F , ” which hand number one around the world . As a catchy and memorable track,“Alex F ” signaled the entire feel of theBeverly Hills Copscore , which was full of straight - up eighties fun .
9Manhunter (1986)
Composed by The Reds
Former FBI profiler Will Graham returns to service to pursue a perturb consecutive killer dubbed " the Tooth Fairy " by the media .
Bruce Cohen and guitarist Rich Shaffer produced much of the medicine for Michael Mann’sManhunterunder the name The Reds . Their effective contributions were pair with songs by the likes of The Prime Movers , Shriekback , and Iron Butterfly to make a soundtrack that was paired perfectly with the intense thrills of this storybased on the novelRed Dragonby Thomas Harris . As the firstmovie to feature Dr. Hannibal Lecter , it was appropriate that the medicine inManhunterwas so intensely eerie .
8Risky Business (1983)
Risky Business is a 1983 clowning - drama film starring Tom Cruise as Joel Goodsen , a high school student who experience a groundless escapade while his parents are off . When Joel ’s desire for freedom leads him to make some confutative decisions , he finds himself entangled in complications that challenge his morals and future . Directed by Paul Brickman , the film explores theme of adolescence , responsibleness , and the pursuit of success .
While the music in Tom Cruise’sRisky Businesswill forever be associated with Bob Seger ’s “ Old Time Rock and Roll,”as the star famously mimed it in his underclothes , the absolute majority of the music featured was actually by Tangerine Dream . The German group ’s synth style paired absolutely with the blues , stone , and pop music littered throughout the film to create a cohesive whole that felt all of the eighties . Risky Businesshad a classic score that will be well - known to lovers of synth - found soundtracks .
7Akira (1988)
Composed by Geinoh Yamashirogumi
A secret military project jeopardize Neo - Tokyo when it turn a biker ring member into a rampaging psychical psychopath who can only be stopped by a teen , his gang of biker friend and a group of psychics .
Through a combination of Indonesian gamelan music , Japanese noh , and synth , the score ofAkirawas a truly unique press release that has been continually try out by subsequent hip joint - record hop and electronica creative person . As a double-dyed histrionics of how a cinema musical score can put up to the alone feeling of a film , the collective known as Geinoh Yamashirogumi captured the intense nature of this anime furor classic . With a memorable theme and some really insane mo , the sexual conquest forAkiracan be fully relish as unbelievable observational music outside of the context of the film .
6The Fog (1980)
Composed by John Carpenter
The Fog is one of John Carpenter ’s supernatural repulsion pic that was released in 1980 . After a strange fog sweeps over Northern California , vindictive ghosts of leprous sea dog wreak havoc on a small coastal town . After starring in Halloween , Jamie Lee Curtis returns to work with Carpenter alongside Adrienne Barbeau , Tom Atkins , and Curtis ' mother , Janet Leigh .
The legend of revulsion John Carpenter has magnificently composed many of his own picture scores and produced iconic track such as the root word toHalloween . Carpenter ’s incredible science in make the utter standard pressure his flick requiredwas also strongly seen in his score forThe Fog . With slow - construction and unnerving tension , this ambient , electronic , and synth score ranked among the best music Carpenter ever made , as he used pilotless aircraft sound to efficaciously capture the feeling of a town overtaken by a mysterious glowing fog .
Custom image by Yailin Chacon.
Videodrome (1983) is a science fiction horror film directed by David Cronenberg. The movie stars James Woods as Max Renn, a television executive who stumbles upon a broadcast signal featuring extreme violence and torture. His obsession with uncovering the source leads him into a disturbing and hallucinatory journey, highlighting the destructive potential of media and technology. Debbie Harry also stars as Nicki Brand, a radio personality entangled in the narrative.
Legend, released in 1985, is a fantasy film set in a mythical forest where a mystical forest dweller, chosen by fate, embarks on a heroic quest to rescue Princess Lili and thwart the evil Lord of Darkness, preventing the world from succumbing to an eternal ice age.
Ghostbusters is a 1984 fantasy sci-fi movie from director Ivan Reitman. The movie stars Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Harold Ramis, and Ernie Hudson as Raymond Stantz, Peter Venkman, Egon Spengler, and Winston Zeddemore, paranormal investigators who travel New York hunting and capturing ghosts. The movie eventually became one of the most iconic films of the ’80s, spawning a multimedia franchise including a sequel, spinoffs, books, and video games.
The Lost Boys follows Michael Emerson (Jason Patric) and his younger brother Sam (Corey Haim) after they move to the small California beach town of Santa Carla only to discover that it is overrun with teenage vampires. When Michael falls victim to the titular gang and joins their ranks, Sam enlists the help of young vampire hunters the Frog brothers (Corey Feldman and Jamison Newlander) in order to save his brother from head vampire David (Kiefer Sutherland).
Thief, directed by Michael Mann, stars James Caan as Frank, a professional safecracker aiming to retire after one last job. Released in 1981, the film portrays Frank’s struggle to balance his criminal lifestyle with his desires for a normal life, as he faces increasing pressure from both law enforcement and the criminal underworld. The film is noted for its gritty realism and Mann’s signature style, highlighting the complexities of an antihero.
Eddie Murphy stars in Beverly Hills Cop as Axel Foley, a street-smart Detroit police officer who travels to California to solve his friend’s murder. Directed by Martin Brest, the film was a critical and commercial success, spawning three sequels.
Former FBI profiler Will Graham returns to service to pursue a deranged serial killer dubbed “the Tooth Fairy” by the media.
Risky Business is a 1983 comedy-drama film starring Tom Cruise as Joel Goodsen, a high school student who experiences a wild adventure while his parents are away. When Joel’s desire for freedom leads him to make some questionable decisions, he finds himself entangled in complications that challenge his morals and future. Directed by Paul Brickman, the film explores themes of adolescence, responsibility, and the pursuit of success.
The Fog is one of John Carpenter’s supernatural horror films that was released in 1980. After a strange fog sweeps over Northern California, vengeful ghosts of leprous mariners wreak havoc on a small coastal town. After starring in Halloween, Jamie Lee Curtis returns to work with Carpenter alongside Adrienne Barbeau, Tom Atkins, and Curtis' mother, Janet Leigh.
