What makes your favourite movies great? Maybe it’s the actors, actresses, story, or a favourite line from the movie that you recite over and over again hoping someone will know what you’re talking about. One of our favourite things about movies is the soundtrack! Whenever a new movie came out we couldn’t wait to get down to A & B Sound and pick up a copy of the music to crank.

Soundtracks have always been a great mix of music, and quite often, you’d get cuts of songs unavailable anywhere else (before Spotify and YouTube existed of course). We thought we’d take a look at some of our favourite soundtracks of all-time. We still think they hold up pretty well and will probably break out a few of these at our next party.

1. DIRTY DANCING

This soundtrack was an instant classic. All we have to do is sing “Now I’ve … had … the time of my life” and now it’s stuck in our head! Dirty Dancing sold over 2 million copies and features ’80s heartthrob Patrick Swayze on lead vocals on “She’s Like The Wind”. The movie takes place in 1963 and the soundtrack is perfectly fit to match the era. You can’t “Overload” on this soundtrack, so say “Yes” to Dirty Dancing and look into your partners “Hungry Eyes” and get your groove on! We promise you’ll “Have The Time Of Your Life”.

2. TOP GUN

Whether you’re out playin’ volleyball with the boys or you like to live in the “Danger Zone”, the soundtrack that always takes our breath away is the Top Gun soundtrack. You’ll find us in front of the mirror with our aviators and tennis racket guitars singing as loud as we can when this one comes on! Thank you Kenny Loggins, we hope you’re back to do the soundtrack for the 2nd movie!

3. PURPLE RAIN

This is Prince at his absolute best here. Some of his most classic songs; “Let’s Go Crazy”, “When Doves Cry”, “I Would Die 4 U”,  & “Purple Rain” all on one album!

4. GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY

This is a soundtrack, rather a “mixtape”, that features a wonderful mix of ’70s Top 40. Songs like George Harrison’s “My Sweet Lord”, the Jackson 5 “I Want You Back”, The Sweet’s “Fox On The Run”, 10cc’s “I’m Not in Love”, Fleetwood Mac’s “The Chain” make up just a small sample of hits found on the several volumes of “mixtapes” from the Guardians Of The Galaxy movies. Put these albums on, grab your favourite drink and enjoy the memories.

5. FOOTLOOSE

Kenny Loggins strikes again! Imagine living in a town where dancing was banned, yet some amazing songs were on the radio! We’re sorry Kevin Bacon, we know why you felt the need to rebel. How can you sit still when “Footloose” or “Let’s Hear It For The Boy” or “Holding Out For A Hero” are playing!? You can’t and that’s why there was a movie! Get into your VW Beetle, drive down to the barn tonight, leave the headlights on and dance like there’s no one watching. (But we’ll be watching and making shadow puppets in the headlights).

6. SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER

Saturday Night Fever was released November 15th, 1977 and stayed atop the album charts for 24 straight weeks from January to July 1978 and sold over 15 million copies. The Bee Gees, KC and the Sunshine Band and more contributed to this soundtrack. Go on, put on your white jumpsuit, we’ll wait.

Honourable mention: SINGLES

Grunge was just breaking through when the movie Singles made its debut. The movie, based in Seattle, featured Matt Dillon fronting a fictional band named “Citizen Dick” and made up with members of Pearl Jam. The movie also features cameos by Chris Cornell, Alice In Chains and more. The soundtrack features the Smashing Pumpkins, Paul Westerberg, Chris Cornell, Jimi Hendrix, Mother Love Bone and Pearl Jam, including the only place you could get a full electric version of “State Of Love and Trust”. This soundtrack really helped define the grunge era and remains a favourite from the early ’90s.

How did we do making this list? Is your favourite soundtrack here? If not, tell us yours on Twitter at @JACK929hfx

Filed under: dirty dancing, Footloose, Guardians Of The Galaxy, JACK Likes List, JACK up the '80s , Kenny Loggins, purple-rain, Saturday Night Fever, Soundtracks, Top Gun