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Best Film Scores of the 1980's


Post your favorite film scores of the '80s with links if possible.


Once Upon a Time in America by Ennio Morricone http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0jFrXO22_o

The Untouchables by Ennio Morricone http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsT-0vhkxsg

Cinema Paradiso by Ennio Morricone http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYWFv4dqTU0

The Professional by Ennio Morricone http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rcm969T5HM4&feature=related

The Mission by Ennio Morricone http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ixby9BzJfEo&feature=related

The Empire Strikes Back by John Williams http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91_Iqg8GYTM

Raiders of the Lost Ark by John Williams http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjAYZ9Pkv4Y

E.T. – The Extra-Terrestrial by John Williams http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYrgHuV9rAE&feature=related

Return of the Jedi by John Williams http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OT4PfjRzru4

The Accidental Tourist by John Williams http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoQAiO4xFoU

A Zed and Two Noughts by Michael Nyman http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHW5G6JD0Ro&feature=related

The Cook, the Thief, His Wife, and Her Lover by Michael Nyman http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZG_-iTyQdog

Drowning by Numbers by Michael Nyman http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GNMwepKFsc&feature=related

Laputa: Castle In The Sky by Joe Hisaishi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfRecbWWINs&feature=related

My Neighbor Totoro by Joe Hisaishi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SL0GSXylCZ0

Kiki’s Delivery Service by Joe Hisaishi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpwshkqpP0E

Batman by Danny Elfman http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4ydxgekFls&feature=related

Beetle Juice by Danny Elfman http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3mGqK_cSHI&feature=related

Pee Wee’s Big Adventure by Danny Elfman http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_IpJEARz0Q

Out of Africa by John Barry http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__Yxl1MNbp0

Body Heat by John Barry http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E76QQVdCaxM

Under Fire by Jerry Goldsmith http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-j03UPaOCo&feature=related

Gremlins by Jerry Goldsmith http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSG5lghZANg

The Thin Blue Line by Phillip Glass http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxhUPZiMh8I

Koyannisqatsi by Phillip Glass http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFnmH9a2RkE

Cocoon by James Horner http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmpLx6UcynY&feature=related

Aliens by James Horner http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-jGrL7U09Y&feature=related

Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence by Ryuichi Sakamoto http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwkuS9FlB7M

Diva by Vladimir Cosma http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN_8qFinDBM

Blue Velvet by Angelo Badalamenti http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKECGqR5JmU

Paris Texas by Ry Cooder http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b44paD20O3M

The Terminator by Brad Fiedel http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68I3j2luW64&feature=related

Blade Runner by Vangelis http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbWNZkoQHuE&feature=related

The Shining by Wendy Carlos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iw23KM3-Ry8

Rain Man by Hans Zimmer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-61pYCe6po

Ran by Tôru Takemitsu http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpINMj9oXH0&feature=related – go to the 2 minute mark

Dressed to Kill by Pino Donaggio http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0A4bsN4tx0

Thief by Tangerine Dream http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TMnXTkBP20&feature=related

Manhunter by Michel Rubini and The Reds http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKkm2SugfgM&feature=related

Conan the Barbarian by Basil Poledouris http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JH00B8X4Uo&feature=related

Chariots of Fire by Vangelis http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-7Vu7cqB20&feature=related

The Natural by Randy Newman http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L--AiPGAqSY

The Elephant Man by John Morris http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jYMHb1mtvw

Coup De Torchon by Philippe Sarde http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vCmTbN1VHg

Gandhi by George Fenton & Ravi Shankar http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJhBG16e80g


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You missed out On Golden Pond by Dave Grusin. :(

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLa7kMIUAaI

__
Thorpe89

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I thought Ghostbusters by Elmer Bernstein was great. It had an erieness quality that I liked.

The entire score is on youtube.

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How could you miss out Lethal Weapon and Die Hard? Or Beverly Hills Cop.

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Thank you for sharing this list. Here's another one with a few deserving additions, some instrumental scores but also songs as original soundtracks.


"The Last Emperor" (1987) by Ryuichi Sakamoto - Won Oscar, Golden Globe, Grammy, BAFTA, etc. awards for the score.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcGY0dStHuA

"Les fugitifs" (1986) by Vladimir Cosma (Full Version)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wI_9gdnyLDU

"La Boum 2" (1983) by Vladimir Cosma - IMO a great song for making love.
Your Eyes (sung by Cook da Books): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3X7eQEdmqLE

"Tchao Pantin" (1983) by Charlélie Couture - This is the main theme in French, entitled "Tchao Les Nuits Sont Trop Longues". The music is very haunting and perfectly adapted for a truly great, underrated "noir" movie.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Cy5hGR5syw

"Flashdance" (1983) by Giorgio Moroder
Love Theme: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9Iz4i4aLDA
Lady, Lady, Lady (sung by Joe Esposito): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C526lxeHo-M

"De Kassière" (1989) by Dave Stewart & Candy Dulfer - Dutch movie
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/kyFi3tEZWvxBp9oOQz

"Dune" (1984) by Toto, one track by Brian Eno
Big Battle Theme: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pj9UcKj7Dxo
Paul Meets Chani: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gFN6LD_WMI
The Floating Fat Man-The Baron: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNn2MMrinl8
Prophecy Theme (by Brian Eno): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4SwFhfNh1w

"Highlander" (1986) by Queen
Princes of the Universe: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lfv1dE3OjD8
Who Wants to Live Forever: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_Qe6yDz1HI

"We Children From Bahnhof Zoo" (1981) by David Bowie - German movie originally entitled "Christiane F.", way underrated and still even better about drug addiction than "Requiem for a Dream" and "Trainspotting".
Heroes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8_escanpGs
Sense Of Doubt: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHYvQxyy6yA

"Bagdad Cafe" (1987) by Bob Telson & Jevetta Steele
Calling You: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nk7mCmgzpPE

"Paris, Texas" (1984) by Ry Cooder
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TCRe3tkYe8

"Brazil" (1985) by Michael Kamen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EfgZ2oImXk&feature=related

"Year Of The Dragon" (1985) by David Mansfield
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbrXJV0RoN4

"Birdy" (1984) by Peter Gabriel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6aoTsKDfm8


Enjoy!


Edit: I'm looking for the OST of "Moon Child" (1989) by Dead Can Dance. The original title of this movie is "El niño de la luna". It's a rarity and I would be very glad if you can find it. Here's a trailer:
http://vimeo.com/11503563

___
"The eyes are the windows to the soul ; cinema is the mirror outside of these windows."

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This list is incomplete because it lacks Basil Poledouris' score for Conan the Barbarian

http://www.last.fm/user/399796kms/

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It's on my list

Visit my film site here:
http://www.notesofafilmfanatic.com/

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Empire Strikes Back- John Williams
ET:The Extra Terrestrial- John Williams
Legend- Jerry Goldsmith
Cry Freedom- George Fenton
The Untouchables- Ennio Morricone
Batman- Danny Elfman
The Dark Crystal- Trevor Jones
The Elephant Man- John Morris
Gandhi- George Fenton
The Land Before Time- James Horner










"Life after death is as improbable as sex after marriage"- Madeline Kahn(CLUE, 1985)

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BATMAN (best score)
The Empire Strikes Back
Return Of The Jedi
ET
Star Trek 2: The Wrath Of Kahn
Star Trek 4: The Voyage Home
Star Trek 5: The Final Frontier
Superman 2
Superman 4
Never Say Never Again (main title tune only)
A View To A Kill
Sudden Impact
When Time Ran Out
Witches Of Eastwick
Jaws 4 (main title tune only)
The Outsiders
Edge Of Sanity (lesser known score for 1989 film)
The Untouchables
Psycho 2
Twilight Zone: The Movie
Raiders Of The Lost Ark
The scores in the first eight episodes of "Star Trek: The Next Generation"




PS
The theme music to the tv series "Dynasty 2: The Colbys", don't laugh, this tune is just soooo good and MIGHTY sounding! I listen to it once a month. Or once a week.


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