This site was conceived as a side project by a "tekkie" friend of mine who suggested I use my journalistic experience to write about something I love. We bandied about some ideas before settling on this one - largely because I had collected movie soundtracks for much of my life and thought I could write about them. We wanted the site to be user friendly, well-written and reliable.
Over time, I hope to attract other writers keen to contribute to the site, who don't mind foregoing the financial benefits they may be used to in the short-term for something that may, or may not, be profitable further down the line.
The gradual demise of the cd format, re-emergence of vinyl, along with the expansion of blu-ray dvd and downloads translate to an ever-changing market place; despite this, most of us still buy cd's and dvd's and I hope that you will use the Amazon links on this site to buy online.
We have also included mini YouTube video links that accompany the reviews, so that you can listen to your favourite theme music while watching a related trailer or clip from the movie; because film is a visual medium, there seems no better way of presenting it.
Finally, a note on the type of soundtracks featured. Though purists generally view albums such as "Top Gun", "Flashdance" and others like them, as unworthy of coverage on a film soundtrack site, preferring instead to focus on orchestral scores, we have taken the view that these albums have earned their place based on their continued saleability and affection with a large section of cinema-goers. We wanted to reach as broad an audience as possible and have developed the site with this in mind, without forgetting those fans for whom composers such as Bernard Herrmann and Jerry Goldsmith, among many others, are considered on a par with the master composers. We hope you can find your best movie soundtracks on this site.
Paul Williams wrote the songs for Alan Parker’s film musical about racketeering in prohibition America, with children taking the principal roles. The soundtrack contains all the songs from the film, including ‘So You Wanna Be A Boxer’, ‘You Give A Little Love’, a young Jodie Foster singing ‘My Name Is Tallulah’ and the title song sung by Happy Day’s Scott Baio as Bugsy; incorporating an appealing mix of ragtime, flapper and pop stylings. There is a lot to like here; every song has its own charm and they are performed with gusto - it also has the added attraction of being as appealing to adults as it is to kids. A Winner. Bugsy Malone Movie Soundtrack. Review: Tim Mowbray.
Track Listing:
1. Bugsy Malone.
2. Fat Sam’s Grand Slam.
3. Tomorrow.
4. Bad Guys.
5. I’m Feeling Fine.
6. My Name Is Tallulah.
7. So You Wanna Be A Boxer.
8. Ordinary Fool.
9. Down Had Out.
10. You Give A Little Love.
Released in 1978, the film version of Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey’s stage musical, Grease, turned out to be a big hit despite the general feeling at Paramount that it would just about cover its costs. The double album, released later the same year proved equally successful, shooting up the charts in Britain and spawning several top ten hits, including the excellent ‘You’re The One That I Want’, which remained at number one for nine consecutive weeks, ‘Summer Nights’ and ‘Hopelessly Devoted To You’. In the movie, John Travolta stars as ‘greaser’ Danny Zuko who falls for the naive new girl at school played by Olivia Newton-John. A strong supporting cast, led by the sassy Stockard Channing as Betty Rizzo, brings a little edge to the proceedings, as do guest appearances from the likes of 1950s icons Frankie Avalon, Joan Blondell and Sid Ceasar. Songs written especially for the film by Barry Gibb (‘Grease’) and John Farrah (‘Hopelessly Devoted To You’ and ‘You’re The One That I Want’ among others) were added to the original Jacobs/Casey line-up and some rock n’ roll classics thrown in for good measure, performed by 1970’s cover band, Sha Na Na. The result is a highly entertaining sprint through the 1950s via the 1970s. Grease Movie Soundtrack. Review: Tim Mowbray
Track Listing:
1. Grease (Frankie Valli).
2. Summer Nights (Cast).
3. Hopelessly Devoted To You (Olivia Newton-John).
4. You’re The One That I Want (John Travolta/Olivia N.John).
5. Sandy (John Travolta).
6. Beauty School Drop-Out (Frankie Avalon).
7. Look At Me, I’m Sandra Dee (Stockard Channing).
8. Greased Lightnin’ (John Travolta).
9. It’s Raining On Prom Night (Cindy Bullens).
10. Alone At The Drive-In Movie (Instrumental).
11. Blue Moon (Sha Na Na).
12. Rock’n'Roll Is Here To Stay (Sha Na Na).
13. Those Magic Changes (Sha Na Na).
14. Hound Dog (Sha Na Na).
15. Born To Hand Jive (Sha Na Na).
16. Tears On My Pillow (Sha Na Na).
17. Mooning (Louis St. Louis/Cindy Bullens).
18. Freddy My Love (Cindy Bullens).
19. Rock’n'Roll Party Queen (Louis St. Louis).
20. There Are Worse Things I Could Do (Stockard Channing).
21. Look At Me, I’m Sandra Dee (Reprise) (Olivia Newton-John).
22. We Go Together (Cast).
23. Love Is A Many Splendored Thing (Instrumental).
24. Grease (Reprise) (Frankie Valli).
Other Versions Available:
RSO, LP, 1978, Deluxe Double, RSD 2001. Rating: Track Listing:
Side One:
1. Grease
2. Summer Nights
3. Hopelessly Devoted To You
4. You’re The One That I Want
5. Sandy
Side Two:
1. Beauty School Dropout
2. Look At Me, I’m Sandra Dee
3. Greased Lightnin’
4. It’s Raining On Prom Night
5. Alone At The Drive-In Movie
6. Blue Moon
Side Three:
1. Rock n’ Roll Is Here To Stay
2. Those Magic Changes
3. Hound Dog
4. Born To Hand Jive
5. Tears On My Pillow
6. Mooning
Side Four:
1. Freddy My Love
2. Rock n’ Roll Party Queen
3. There Are Worse Things I Could Do
4. Look At Me, I’m Sandra Dee (Reprise)
5. We Go Together
6. Love Is A Many Splendored Thing
7. Grease (Reprise)
POLYDOR, CD, 2003, B0001011-02 Rating: Track Listing:
Disc One:
1. Grease (Frankie Valli).
2. Summer Nights (Cast).
3. Hopelessly Devoted To You (Olivia Newton-John).
4. You’re The One That I Want (John Travolta/Olivia N.John).
5. Sandy (John Travolta).
6. Beauty School Drop-Out (Frankie Avalon).
7. Look At Me, I’m Sandra Dee (Stockard Channing).
8. Greased Lightnin’ (John Travolta).
9. It’s Raining On Prom Night (Cindy Bullens).
10. Alone At The Drive-In Movie (Instrumental).
11. Blue Moon (Sha Na Na).
12. Rock’n'Roll Is Here To Stay (Sha Na Na).
13. Those Magic Changes (Sha Na Na).
14. Hound Dog (Sha Na Na).
15. Born To Hand Jive (Sha Na Na).
16. Tears On My Pillow (Sha Na Na).
17. Mooning (Louis St. Louis/Cindy Bullens).
18. Freddy My Love (Cindy Bullens).
19. Rock’n'Roll Party Queen (Louis St. Louis).
20. There Are Worse Things I Could Do (Stockard Channing).
21. Look At Me, I’m Sandra Dee (Reprise) (Olivia Newton-John).
22. We Go Together (Cast).
23. Love Is A Many Splendored Thing (Instrumental).
24. Grease (Reprise) (Frankie Valli).
Disc Two:
1. Grease (Instrumental Version).
2. Summer Nights (Sing-A-Long Version).
3. Hopelessly Devoted To You (Sing-A-Long Version).
4. You’re The One That I Want (Sing-A-Long Version).
5. Sandy (sing-A-Long Version).
6. Greased Lightinin’ (Single Version).
7. Rydell Fight Song (Previously Released Instrumental).
8. Greased Up And Ready To Go (Previously Unreleased Instrumental).
9. Grease Megamix.
10. Grease Dream Mix.
11. Summer Nights (Martian remix).
12. You’re The One That I Want (Martian Remix).
Panned on release, Olivia Newton-John’s worst movie moment (and there have been a few) is a cheesy love story between a graphic artist named Sonny Malone (Michael Beck) who makes a living painting album covers, and the muse Kira (Newton-John) sent down by the Gods to make his dream of owning his own night club (the Xanadu of the title) come true. As ridiculous as it sounds, Xanadu, also stars Gene Kelly, completely wasted as Beck’s business partner. The music, penned by Newton-John’s long time record producer and composer of Grease’s ‘You’re The One That I Want’ among others and rock band ELO is a mixed bag. The strongest tracks, ‘I’m Alive’, ‘All Over The World’ and ‘The Fall’, performed by ELO make it worthwhile and the main theme ‘Xanadu’ is great pop. ‘Magic’, performed by Newton-John is also above average, though duets with Cliff Richard and Gene Kelly let the whole thing down terribly. Xanadu Movie Soundtrack. Review: Tim Mowbray
Track Listing:
1. Magic (ONJ).
2. Suddenly ONJ/Cliff Richard).
3. Dancin’ (ONJ/The Tubes).
4. Suspended In Time (ONJ).
5. Whenever You’re Away From Me (ONJ/Gene Kelly).
6. I’m Alive (ELO)
7. The Fall (ELO)
8. Don’t Walk Away (ELO)
9. All Over The World (ELO)
10. Xanadu (ONJ/ELO)
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