Some readers confessed to by no means having seen the movie whose soundtrack they love; others even reported disliking it. It doesn’t matter what they thought in regards to the film, nevertheless — together with nothing — they had been passionate in regards to the music.
Lastly, a shout-out to Carole Barrowman of Wauwatosa, Wis., for introducing me to “Bellbottoms” by the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, from “Child Driver.” It’s enjoying as I write this.
Right here’s a sampling of reader submissions:
It Began Early
Fran Cameron of Longmeadow, Mass., on “The Tougher They Come” (1972):
I used to be 12, my brother 14. We walked previous the theater poster for “The Tougher They Come.” The selection to make use of lunch cash for an R-rated film about gangsters in Jamaica was easy. It was the primary elaborate lie I instructed my dad and mom. The songs opened the door to world music. Fifty years on, I don’t tire of this soundtrack.
Ferris Kerr of Halifax, Nova Scotia, on “The Aristocats” (1970):
I watched this film feverishly as a child, memorizing each catchphrase and tune. My favourite observe as a baby was “All people Desires to Be a Cat,” a basic. Now, as a grown grownup, I often play “Cat’s Love Theme,” a delicate romantic leitmotif for the 2 essential characters. Annually, Spotify jogs my memory of my barely odd obsession by bumping it into my top-played songs of the yr.
Lauren Rankin of Longmont, Colo., on “That Factor You Do!” (1996):
I used to be fully obsessive about the Beatles and ’60s popular culture, which was bizarre for a 10-year-old. I begged my mother to get me the CD. I listened to it obsessively over time and nonetheless do to today. The music is so catchy, so heat, so nostalgic, so good, that it has stayed with me for almost 30 years.
Spencer Glesby of Santa Barbara, Calif., on “Marie Antoinette” (2006):
I used to be a fourth grader, inexperienced and desperate to study extra about music. A household pal (who to me gave the impression to be the best particular person on this planet) gifted me the soundtrack, and I spent the subsequent yr listening to it on repeat on my moveable CD participant, confused and excited in regards to the seemingly anachronistic combine of recent wave, post-punk, ambient and baroque songs. How on earth might this film work? After I lastly received my arms on a DVD, I used to be floored.
Michael Adams of New York on “Ben-Hur” (1959):
Noticed it within the first run of the movie as a baby whereas my household was visiting Cincinnati. Had by no means been so overwhelmed by the narrative sweep and visible splendor of a movie. And the music! The soundtrack was issued in two separate LPs, and I wore the vinyl of each to mud. Even now, a digital model of every observe lives fortunately on my telephone.
The Soundtrack of My Life
Susan Campbell of Rockford, In poor health., on “Valley Lady” (1983):
I principally keep in mind watching it on VHS time and again with highschool girlfriends through the mid-80s. I like the efficiency by the Plimsouls, particularly, however all of the songs take me again to being a brand new waver and wishing a younger Nicolas Cage was my boyfriend.
Debi Bass of Bridgewater, N.J., on “The Large Chill” (1983):
I noticed “The Large Chill” in 1983 in Boston after I was younger and single and in search of love. As we speak, after I hear any of the songs, so many recollections come flooding again about previous boyfriends, relationship, happening women’ holidays and lots of extra.
Lori Rhodes of Lisbon, Portugal, on “Fairly in Pink” (1986):
Beloved the soundtrack greater than the movie — and was pleasantly stunned after I met my husband-to-be a number of years later and he performed this cassette on our first street journey collectively.
Grace Bosley of New York on “William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet” (1996):
This soundtrack holds a particular place in lots of still-brooding, angsty and lovelorn Xennial hearts.
Mary Beth Reece of Boulder, Colo., on “Physician Zhivago” (1965):
This was my mother’s favourite film; launched the yr I used to be born. She died in 1973 after I was solely 7 years previous. I like the film too, nevertheless it’s actually the soundtrack that may carry me to tears (in a great way, I believe, and pretty shortly). Generally, it’s good to recollect on this method. Maurice Jarre’s rating is gorgeous, jarring, unique and scary suddenly.
Emily Chang of Los Angeles on “Chungking Categorical” (1996):
I used to be 19, it was my first spring at U.C.L.A., and I used to be a lonely particular person in a brand new metropolis. The “Chungking Categorical” soundtrack will at all times carry me again to that campus and that spring. To being younger sufficient to romanticize something, even loneliness, with a music. To sketching up new desires, and sharing them with new pals, pals with distinctive desires of their very own.
Heather Mead of Seattle on “Singles” (1992):
I used to be a freshman in faculty, a child riot woman with purple hair, floral clothes, flannel and military surplus boots — obsessive about all the things musical from Seattle. I wore out the cassette, dreaming of the day I’d transfer to Seattle and get to see these golf equipment and bands and the entire Seattle scene. Which I did 4 years later.
Christina Crowley of Georgia on “The Lego Film” (2014) and its sequel:
Noticed each motion pictures in theaters with my son. We listened to the soundtracks on a regular basis. Within the automobile, at house, enjoying outdoors, enjoying inside, on walks, at bedtime, on birthdays, after faculty, earlier than mattress, whereas preparing for varsity. On a regular basis.
Hooked on a Feeling
Dana Nonetheless of Parksville, British Columbia, on “Native Hero” (1983):
A Mark Knopfler masterpiece. The primary time I ever performed the entire album, I listened to it alone whereas mendacity on the ground. Proper up till the two minute and 28 second mark of the ultimate observe, “Going Dwelling,” after I was pushed to my ft and impelled to bounce across the room with joyous tears streaming till the tip, after which I simply began the album once more.
Kevin Fox of Nashville on “Till the Finish of the World” (1991):
The continuity of vibe, not a skipper on the entire CD. So, nice to have on when making out 🙂
Carole Barrowman of Wauwatosa, Wis., on “Child Driver” (2017):
That is my go-to soundtrack after I’m in a temper. Doesn’t matter what form. It’s a “kitchen sink” compilation. It’s received all the things. Rock, blues, jazz, plus T. Rex and the perfect opening music ever: “Bellbottoms” by Jon Spencer Blues Explosion. Attempt to keep underneath the pace restrict.
Laurie Lynn Berger of Clarkston, Wash., on “8 Mile” (2002):
I keep in mind driving round in my Miata with the highest down, jamming to that CD and marveling at a white man who might rap with such originality and keenness. The tracks comprise a lot pathos, humor and freshness. To today I take pleasure in these tracks and gleefully rap alongside (badly!).
Kelly O’Brien of Seattle on “Into the Wild” (2007):
Eddie Vedder’s voice is a present. I hearken to it often when climbing. The music seems like being within the mountains, like being immersed in nature. To me, it’s half-hour of pleasure.
Virginia Lawro of Hilton Head Island, S.C., on “The E book Thief” (2013):
When the e book grew to become a film, I went to see it in Orlando, Fla., in 2013. Afterwards I usually performed the soundtrack in my classroom when the scholars had been doing quiet work. The soundtrack captures the thrill of youth, and the ache and struggling dying brings to the village throughout WWII. The soundtrack takes me again into my classroom, a spot the place I so loved my college students and seeing them fall in love with literature.
Donna Verteramo of Rosendale, N.Y., on “Rushmore” (1999):
I liked the film, however I liked the music extra.
Movie? What Movie?
Alex Abrams of Winston-Salem, N.C., on “If Beale Avenue Might Speak” (2018):
Having by no means seen the movie hasn’t stopped me from loving the soundtrack. It’s my go-to after I want some enjoyable music. I’m listening to it now whereas a child is crying on my flight to Chicago.
Brigid Riley of Minneapolis on “One From the Coronary heart” (1982):
I’ve by no means truly seen the movie by Francis Ford Coppola, however a pal launched me to the soundtrack within the mid-80s and it’s been on my go-to listing ever since. My pal and I each had kiddos on the time, so our excursions had been auditory whereas in her front room in south Minneapolis with the little ones sleeping close by. The mix of Tom Waits’s and Crystal Gayle’s voices is so unexpectedly proper.
Stephen Kitts of Galveston, Ind., on “The Rose” (1979):
The soundtrack incorporates full performances that solely appeared within the movie as snippets. I gleaned nothing from the album in regards to the movie’s contents apart from its ending, however I used to be mesmerized. In fact I finally noticed the movie, which can be mesmerizing, however I’m nonetheless, to today, at all times somewhat disenchanted after I watch the movie, as a result of the album is so burned into my mind.
Daniel Evans of Brooklyn on “Tron: Legacy” (2010):
The film is memorable just for being considerably unhealthy, a spinoff stab into the uncanny valley that didn’t fulfill anybody. The soundtrack although, arguably one among Daft Punk’s most interesting albums, is all lovely strains of digital music that mixes a few bangers that can get your blood thumping with some beautiful atmospheric items that call to mind a film that might have been however by no means was.
Brian Beer of Dalton, Ga., on “Judgment Evening” (1993):
I’ve by no means seen the film! The soundtrack’s good pairings of punk rock-metal and rap stars stands so properly by itself.
Allyson Martel of Rochester, N.Y., on “Chelsea Partitions” (2002):
I’ve but to see this film, however I nonetheless need to. It’s Ethan Hawke’s directorial debut. I discovered the soundtrack at a document retailer and acquired it with out previewing it. The songs nonetheless pepper my life. It’s Wilco-filled, atmospheric and features a cowl of John Lennon’s “Jealous Man.” The opening and finish instrumentals had been lined at my wedding ceremony.
