Music in the 1980s was all about synthesizers, saxophones, and lots of dancing. Today, the era is notoriously meme-friendly, with netizens still being rick-rolled from time to time. The genre of dance dramas grew in popularity, with films such as Dirty Dancing, Footloose, and Flashdance becoming commercially successful. In several cases, the songs aged even better than the movies since music became one of the pivotal promotional strategies to invite people to the theaters. Even slow romantic ballads found their groovier versions as films and music underwent a cultural change. Here are 10 catchy tunes from ‘80s movies that still live in our minds rent-free.
10 The Time of My Life from Dirty Dancing
The Academy Award-winning song from Dirty Dancing is the perfect ode to a summer romance. The film stars Jennifer Grey as Frances Houseman, who finds love in the unexpected summer of 1963. The film was released in 1987, and the soundtrack comprised dance numbers and romantic ballads, including a few chart-topping original songs. The story starts with Houseman hoping for an exciting holiday but eventually spending time in a boring resort with her parents. However, things take a sensual turn when she joins the resort’s dance sessions and gets chosen as her handsome instructor’s new dance partner. Her father opposes their relationship, but the two are determined to give the performance of a lifetime.
They dance to the tune of “The Time of My Life,” sung by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes, where Frances floats above the ground as her partner balances her body. The choreography became iconic and has been replicated in several wedding dance performances. The song has a unique blend of a ballad song with the upbeat tempo of the ‘80s, making it an irresistibly groovy number.
Footloose is based on real events that took place in Elmore City, Oklahoma, where dancing was banned since 1898 to reduce alcoholism among its residents. In the film, Kevin Bacon plays Ren McCormack, a young man from Chicago who moves to a small town in the Midwest. To his shock, the town banned dancing and rock music, which he finds hard to swallow. He wants to be an agent of change in the town and, hence, revolts against the archaic rules. He is joined by his friends to change the rigid mentality of the town, but convincing the local Reverend proves to be a Herculean task.
The musical drama has become a cult classic, and its theme song, “Footloose,” is synonymous with the ‘80s zeitgeist. The song won the Golden Globe for Best Original Song and was used for the film’s promotion prior to its release. The song captures the spirit of dancing enough to prove that a world without dancing cannot exist.
8 9 to 5 from 9 to 5
Dolly Parton’s song “9 to 5” doubles as an energizer and an anti-bully anthem if one has a horrible boss. The song was written as the theme song for the film 9 to 5, focusing on the frustrations of three women working under a bigoted boss. The women are played by Jane Fonda, Dolly Parton, and Lily Tomlin, as they plot to give it back to the bully.
The story was inspired by Fonda’s experience with a woman-based organization called Nine to Five and the complaints made by its employees regarding their working conditions. The song is an extension of the women’s disdain as it scorns not being paid for what one is worth. As Parton puts it, “It’s all takin’ and no givin’,” summing up the perils of capitalism. However, the tone of the song is more cheerful than its message.
7 Take My Breath Away from Top Gun
Top Gun’s soundtrack is as critically acclaimed as the film. The aviation drama stars Tom Cruise as Maverick, who has a hard time following rules in his training drills. He has the reputation of a rebel at The Top Gun Naval Fighter Weapons School, where he has made several enemies, except for his right-hand man, Goose. He is tested by his intelligent flight instructor, Charlotte, who develops feelings for him. However, things get dramatic when Goose loses his life flying behind Maverick in his aircraft while competing for the Top Gun Trophy. The film is scenic, with several scenes of Maverick flying through a picturesque orange sky or whooshing through his motorcycle.
The song “Take my Breath Away” plays as Charlotte and Maverick begin a relationship. It was composed by the Italian composer Giorgio Moroder and sung by the band Berlin, who won an Academy Award for Best Original Song. The feather-footed and breezy music makes one instantly reminisce about one’s first love.
6 Danger Zone from Top Gun
Top Gun was responsible for encouraging several young Americans to join the Air Force, made possible by the film’s romanticism of the hyper-masculine spirit, especially seen in military films. It is seen in the film’s imagery and music, with “Danger Zone” being the voice of its free-spirited characters. The song was sung by Tom Whitlock and composed by Giorgio Moroder and has been used several times in other films. The song captures Maverick’s recklessness and his rule-breaking persona. It is fittingly used in almost all the scenes involving montages of fighter planes flying or launching from the base.
5 Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now from Mannequin
Truth be told, several films from the ‘80s were far from being masterpieces or even good films but had their hearts in the right place. One such film was Mannequin, starring Andrew McCarthy as Jonathan Swifter, a window dresser for a store. His nights at the store get surreal as one of the mannequins named Emmy, played by Kim Cattrall, comes to life. An unusual love story blossoms between the two as they fool around across the streets and role-play in the malls at night.
The film was panned by critics for its silly premise, but what resonates is the dream-like chemistry between Jonathan and Emmy. The song “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” plays in one of the montage sequences as the quirky couple goofs around in their secret world. The passionate song popularized the film and was even nominated for an Academy Award. The song encapsulates the couple’s innocence and complements the electrifying attraction between the gorgeous leads.
4 Twist and Shout from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off shows teenage escapism from rules and establishment through a class-bunking teenager named Ferris Bueller, played by Mathew Broderick. Bueller has a you-only-live-once attitude toward life and has missed school nine times in one semester alone. He plans for his last rendezvous before his final graduation and drags his ever-panicky friend Cameron and his girlfriend on his day off. The three explore the city, visit the Art Institute of Chicago, unethically dine in a high-class restaurant, enjoy a ball game, and attend the Von Steuben Day Parade. Bueller grabs the mike and lip-syncs to the popular Beatles song, “Twist and Shout,” to a dancing crowd.
The moment is a tribute to the era, with a group of dancers showing off their dance moves from Michael Jackson’s Thriller. The sequence symbolizes American optimism and a celebratory outlook of one’s youth, making the film and the scene cult classics.
3 The Heat is On from Beverly Hills Cop
“The Heat is On” was sung by Eagles member Glenn Frey when the Hotel California-famed band was on a break. The song was released as a single as well as included as the sixth track in the album of the film Beverly Hills Cop.
The film stars Eddie Murphy as a stubborn cop named Axel Foley. His childhood friend is murdered, making him track leads that take him to the Beverly Hills in California. He meets up with his old friend and is hinted that her art dealer boss might be involved with the case. He is faced with resistance from Ltd. Bogomil from the Beverly Hills Police Department, making it impossible for him to secure evidence. The song’s intensity aptly sums up the obstacles Axel fights his way to avenge his friend’s death.
2 Purple Rain from Purple Rain
The titular song sung by Prince in the film Purple Rain dwells on forgiveness and reconciliation. The film stars Prince as an impulsive and eccentric musician named ‘The Kid.’ The character sings with his band, the Revolution, as he steers away from his problematic father. He is determined to not follow in his father’s footsteps and wants to live life on his terms, pursuing music. However, his musical career comes with its own villains as his relationships and talent gear up for new challenges. The Kid sings “Purple Rain” as he redeems his career and life, hoping for his father’s happiness.
The song expresses how he never wanted to hurt him and wants him to have a fulfilling life. According to Prince, Purple Rain meant being with loved ones on one’s last day, which the song captures poetically.
1 Maniac from Flashdance
“Maniac” is another example of when a song from a particular film becomes the pull factor for theater audiences. The song was written for the film Flashdance, which tells the story of an ambitious dancer, Alex Owens, who works at a steel mill for her day job and moonlights as a dancer at night. Her friend pitches to support her passion, and she hopes to get accepted into an elite dance conservatory.
The montage sequence of Owens dancing passionately, expressing her athletic moves, is seen in the music video of “Maniac,” which was promoted on MTV. This strategy was later adapted by films such as Footloose, Purple Rain, and Top Gun. The song won an Academy Award for Best Original Song and is a suitable example of the dance-obsessed ‘80s.
