Indiewire Best Scores of the 1980s
- Lukas Kendall
- Aug 17, 2023
- 1 min read
Check it out—but be warned, it’s approaching film scoring from an indie-film perspective. (It is, after all, Indiewire.)
There is some overlap with what soundtrack collectors would pick—The Empire Strikes Back, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Blade Runner, RoboCop—but lots more that film music fans probably don’t know or care about at all.
I mean, I’m me, and I still haven’t heard some of these!
But I appreciate hearing a different perspective.
Quite an interesting and varied list (apparently no room for Jerry Goldsmith though :-), they also did a list for the 90s: https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/best-movie-scores-90s-soundtrack-1234751766/
and the 21st century:
https://www.indiewire.com/feature/best-movie-scores-21st-century-1201918634/
A few great selections, to be sure. But any list of 80s best scores that manages the singular feat to disregard UNDER FIRE cannot possibly be taken seriously.
Don't care for Herzog films, but did note they mentioned the music to Fitzcarraldo, which was done in part by Popol Vuh. That piece Wehe Korazin was always very unnerving. I really like their other soundtracks as well, although I never connect them to the films they were associated with. I found an article on Popol Vuh, Florian Fricke and the choir-organ made famous from Aguirre. https://sanjindumisic.com/popol-vuh-and-the-choir-organ-sound-in-aguirre/
I must admit...Mishima & Do The Right Thing (songs & score!) are essential summertime listens....and huge faves. Gorgeous string writing in THING and great jazz sections. For once, a list I can mostly agree with!
What timing!! I've been listening to Bill Lee's 'Do the Right Thing' score the past couple days in my car. "Mookie Goes Home" is just a mesmerizing tune. :)