Loog Recommends: The 10 Best Movie Soundtracks of All Time

We’re having a real hard time getting excited about the Oscars this year (well, most years) and this led to a passionate discussion here at the Loog office over which movies we liked. After many passionate debates (“What do you mean Goodfellas is overrated, you hipster?!”) and embarrassing confessions (“Guys, I watched Juno five times!”), we finally found some common ground. Our favorite movies are usually paired with an equally amazing soundtrack.

Music can definitely make or break a movie, and the examples below are just ten mind-blowing examples of the more positive side of this. So lo and behold, Loog presents the 10 best movie soundtracks of all time, curated and hand-picked by none other than the Loog team. At least it’ll give you something to do this Sunday while everyone’s talking about the Oscars, amirite? (By the way, they are in no particular order. We didn’t want any inter-office fights.)

A Hard Day’s Night (1964)

The Beatles have done their fair share of movies, but this is probably their most iconic. Plus, it gave us an excuse to listen to the title’s song, which is always welcome

 

Trainspotting (1996)

Juxtaposing disturbing images with upbeat or sweet songs wasn’t new in 1996 but Trainspotting managed to take the most advantage of it. Iggy Pop, Lou Reed, Pulp, Primal Scream, New Order -and, of course, Underworld’s “Born Slippy”- all made sure this movie’s imagery got plastered to our brains.

 

High Fidelity (2000)

Relationships, a record store, John Cusack for the ladies, Jack Black for laughs and what a certain Loog team member argued to be “the soundtrack that molded my music tastes for life”: what’s not to love? And “Dry the Rain” from The Beta Band is just the first song that instantly pops to mind.

 

Easy Rider (1969)

Probably the main culprit behind pop culture’s view on bikers, Easy Rider is as emblematic as its soundtrack. Don’t believe us? Just listen to Steppenwolf’s “Born to Be Wild”, imagine you’re cruising with the wind in your hair and let’s see if you beg to differ.

 

The Virgin Suicides (1999)

A weird and compelling movie with a soundtrack that just makes it slightly weirder. And, somehow, that’s what makes it work. The entire soundtrack -created by french pop band Air- sets the mood all right, but “Playground Love” is definitely the perfect track to really get a feel of what The Virgin Suicides is all about.

 

Patt Garrett & Billy the Kid (1973)

Bob Dylan, ladies and gentlemen. And if that’s not enough, Patt Garrett & Billy the Kid gave the world “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door”, one of Dylan’s most popular songs to this day.

 

The Graduate (1967)

Ben might have been seduced by the first cougar in film but we were all wooed by its Simon & Garfunkel soundtrack. And even though “Mrs. Robinson” is possibly the movie’s most iconic song, we had to go for “Sound of Silence” to show exactly how music and film can go epically together.

 

The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)

The newest of the lot, The Royal Tenenbaums has its classic Wes Anderson appeal to it and the great joy of watching its eccentric characters living to the works of Bob Dylan, Nico, The Clash, The Ramones and, of course, The Velvet Underground.

 

Pulp Fiction (1994)

You knew this one was coming. Dusty Springfield’s “Son of a Preacher Man”, Urge Overkill’s “Girl, You’ll be a Woman Soon” and, of course, the ever-resounding opening theme Miserlou by Dick Dale and his Del Tones.

 

A Clockwork Orange (1972)

Probably the movie that personifies just how long music can go, Clockwork Orange is always among soundtrack lovers’ favorites and is probably the first to include a well-known song from yet another movie and give it an entirely new twisted, twisted twist.

What soundtrack did we miss that you think must desperately be in the top 10? We’d love to know!

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