10 Film Soundtracks Every Record Collector or Audiophile Should Own

Nothing enhances the cinematic experience quite like a great soundtrack.

Nothing enhances the cinematic experience quite like a great soundtrack.

From car chases to tense stand-offs to the most romantic of embraces, the perfect needle drop elevates those moments. They shape what we see on screen and, in many cases, fuel our interpretation of the emotions communicated on screen. As an old university professor of mine was fond of saying, we “see” the soundtrack and “hear” the visuals. He’s not wrong.

Film soundtracks can often serve as compilations for a particular genre or musical era. It’s safe to say that each of these LPs has transcended the confines of the film’s initial theatrical run and permanently impacted pop culture.

In no particular order, here are 10 of my favorite film soundtracks:

1. “2001: A Space Odyssey” (1968)

The word “iconic” gets tossed around a lot (some might say needlessly), but that’s the correct term for the 2001: A Space Odyssey soundtrack. The first time you see the film, it is a sensory experience like no other, largely thanks to the classical music needle drops. The famous opening sequence, featuring "Also sprach Zarathustra," has become so well-known it’s now a shorthand to describe a feeling of grandeur and infinite possibility. György Ligeti’s avant-garde compositions, such as "Atmosphères" and "Lux Aeterna," also add an otherworldly element to the soundtrack.

The 2001: A Space Odyssey soundtrack set a new standard for the use of existing classical music in film and remains a must-have for any record collector or pop culture enthusiast.

2. “The Big Chill” (1983)

When I was a kid, this was the 60s nostalgia machine all the parents in the neighborhood swore by. It’s not hard to see why, either. You’ve got hits from the Temptations, Aretha Franklin, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, and one of my mother’s favorites, Procol Harum’s “A Whiter Shade of Pale.” Beyond simply running through aural cultural touchstones, the film uses music effectively to transmit non-verbal exposition to viewers, as in the masterful opening sequence, cut to Marvin Gaye’s “I Heard It Through The Grapevine.”

Often credited with revitalizing classic Motown and rock and roll, The Big Chill soundtrack is an essential record in the soundtrack wing of my collection.

3. “Purple Rain” (1984)

I’ve written about Prince’s best work before, and unsurprisingly, Purple Rain remains the apex of his considerable discography. The soundtrack has become much more than a companion to the film—it’s one of the defining pop music moments of the 20th century. It’s by far his best-selling album, featuring chart-toppers like “Let’s Go Crazy” (with the corresponding sequence from the film still standing up as my favorite all these years later), “When Doves Cry,” “I Would Die 4 U,” and, of course, the epic title track.

You don’t need me to tell you Purple Rain is legendary, do you? If it’s not in your collection yet, stop reading this now and get yourself a copy. I’ll wait.

4. “The Graduate” (1967)

If you’re talking about a movie soundtrack that epitomizes the uncertainty and nihilism of youth, you can’t go wrong with The Graduate. From the chilling opening tracking shot set to Simon & Garfunkel’s “The Sound of Silence” to the climactic dash to the wedding day underscored by “Mrs. Robinson,” they’ve become pop culture touchstones that immediately bring your senses back to a specific time and place. Though not quite Simon & Garfunkel’s peak (for me, that’s their 1970 swan song, Bridge Over Troubled Water), it catches the duo at the apex of their pop-folk songwriting acumen.

More than just a great film, The Graduate's soundtrack is a document whose influence over the industry still looms large today.

5. “Saturday Night Fever” (1977)

With its infectious energy and sweaty disco beats, the Saturday Night Fever remains a somewhat improbable cultural phenomenon. Most people remember the Bee Gees hits that grace this LP, and for good reason. "How Deep is Your Love," "Night Fever," and "More Than a Woman" features gorgeous harmonies from the trio, while "Stayin’ Alive" and the Trammps’ "Disco Inferno" are all-time nightclub stompers. Even among those hits, some underrated tracks remain, like Yvonne Elliman’s rendition of "If I Can’t Have You" and David Shire’s blissful orchestral piece, "Manhattan Skyline."

For more on what makes this record a must-own, check out my long-form essay on the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack.

6. “Superfly” (1971)

The Blaxploitation film boom of the early-’70s gave us so many great recordings, which means there are at least a half-dozen other albums I could’ve picked out of that lineup. That said, I’m sticking with the OG in this subgenre, Curtis Mayfield’s masterful Superfly. It perfectly balances soul-funk grooves and biting, socially conscious lyrics, like on “Little Child Runnin’ Wild” and what’s arguably the LP’s best cut, “Pusherman.” The album's success solidified Mayfield's status as a soul music virtuoso and paved the way for future soundtracks to call out injustices happening in our backyards.

Superfly's influence has endured for more than a half-century with the help of hip-hop sample culture as well, gracing tracks by Eminem, Snoop Dogg, LL Cool J, Mary J. Blige, and many more.

7. “Baby Driver” (2017)

Baby Driver is, without a doubt, a soundtrack built for the music nerds out there. Edgar Wright’s film serves up a seamless blend of eclectic song choices that, more than any other aesthetic element, become the film's heartbeat. From The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion’s "Bellbottoms" to the soulfulness of "Easy" by The Commodores, every moment is carefully crafted to enhance the action and emotion on screen. There’s even a scene that drives the plot forward through song discovery—how cool is that?

The soundtrack's diverse range of genres and ability to bolster the film's narrative make it a must-have for any record collector (or, at the very least, playlister).

8. “Vanilla Sky” (2001)

For some, this pick may be off the beaten path, but I think Cameron Crowe does an incredible job amplifying emotion and stakes with his soundtrack choices in Vanilla Sky. In a film that purposely jumps between timelines and features an enigmatic storyline, the songs also ground the narrative in some reality, though it’s more abstract than literal. From Radiohead’s "Everything in Its Right Place" to the melodic groove of "Good Vibrations," there’s something here for everyone.

Like his work in Almost Famous (which would make a fascinating double feature with this movie), the soundtrack's ability to evoke a sense of nostalgia and its seamless narrative integration make for a captivating experience.

9. “The Harder They Come” (1972)

When it comes to sheer vibrancy, you’d be hard-pressed to outcharm the soundtrack for The Harder They Come. This collection of songs practically introduced the world to the richness of reggae music and gave these artists a platform to bring attention to the social issues that plagued the country at that time. Sadly, many of those themes are still relevant today. Featuring incredible performances by the likes of Jimmy Cliff and Toots and Maytals, this soundtrack is worth adding to your collection on its merits as a historical document alone.

Also, if you can track it down, there’s an excellent video interview with Island Records founder Chris Blackwell on the original Criterion DVD release of the film. It adds more background and context to the soundtrack’s production.

10. “Above the Rim” (1994)

I went back and forth on a hip-hop soundtrack to include on this list. Juice, Boyz N’ Tha Hood, and even Do the Right Thing were in the running, but no soundtrack of its era packs the kind of punch that Above the Rim does. Released at the height of the G-funk era, it features an impressive roster of contributors from SWV, Warren G, and Al. B Sure! to the subgenre’s most recognizable name, 2Pac. A little over two years later, ‘Pac would be dead, and hip-hop irrevocably altered, making this one of G-funk's most essential time capsules.

The soundtrack’s grittiness perfectly balances the smooth, soulful production and samples. Simply put, it's a terrific collection of 90s-era rap classics.

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Which soundtrack is your favorite? Which one should’ve made this list? Sound off in the comments.