The Most Iconic Movie Soundtracks of All Time
4 min read
There’s something about good movie soundtracks that leaves us with last song syndrome every time, sometimes even more than the movie itself. For people who spend most of their time watching movies, it is one factor that makes a film so great. Just to get it out there, not all movies have great soundtracks. It just sucks when a beautiful scene is paired with a generic track that feels like filler or a whatever track.
But when it does work? It’s magic. If you’re looking for the most iconic movie soundtracks of all time, we’ve got our top 5 picks for you. Most of these movies can be watched on several streaming services, so don’t worry if you haven’t watched them yet. Let’s start!
I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow – Dan Tyminski
O Brother, Where Art Thou? Soundtrack
Some songs just feel like they belong to a story, and this song made most people, including us, feel just that. While the entire soundtrack album is a chef’s kiss (for real), our top pick would be I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow. It’s a song about struggle, pain, and moving through hard times. When it was sung in the movie, it broke many of us, but in a good way.
Especially if you’re someone who’s been through hard times (which most of us actually have been through), you can literally feel the song in your heart. If you haven’t watched the movie, it’s about three men trying to find freedom, purpose, and a little redemption. This film is just so raw, and the story is just beautiful. We hope to see this film available on many streaming platforms, including DISH TV deals, because those with traditional TV also deserve to see this masterpiece.
Derezzed – Daft Punk
Tron: Legacy Soundtrack
You don’t even have to guess who made this track because Daft Punk’s style is all over it. Honestly, Tron: Legacy feels like one big music video that is filled with action, those strobing lights, and EDM. The soundtrack album is great in itself, but we just had to pick Derezzed as the best song on the album, but of course, this is subjective.
We consider it one of the most iconic movie soundtracks because it perfectly fits Tron: Legacy in its entirety. Even though the song is short, it completes the scene when it is played during that arcade-style fight scene. It makes you feel like you’re in the game too.
Just Another Victim – Helmet & House of Pain
Judgment Night Soundtrack
This track right here is one of the boldest things to come out of the Judgment Night soundtrack, and that’s saying a lot. Aggressive, loud, and full of attitude. That’s what this song is. It’s not meant to be catchy. It doesn’t try to be friendly. It straight up punches through your ears with the energy most heavy metal fans look for. It is the perfect representation of what the movie actually is. I highly recommend you to watch this on your next TV streaming session so you can hear the actual masterpiece in its world.
A Hard Day’s Night – The Beatles
A Hard Day’s Night Soundtrack
If you try to search for the best movie soundtrack, the first thing you’ll probably see that most people say is A Hard Day’s Night, yep, both the movie and the soundtrack album. We mean, if it’s THE Beatles, nothing could really go wrong. This song kicked off the film with that iconic opening chord that still gets people hyped and takes them on a trip down memory lane even decades later. We highly recommend you listen to the entire album. It’s a gem.
Cornfield Chase – Hans Zimmer
Interstellar: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Some soundtracks are big and loud. Others are soft and emotional. But Cornfield Chase is both. Interstellar gained a massive following because of its story. But the music made everything feel so much more intense and emotional. If you watched Interstellar, you’ll easily recognize this song playing early in the movie during a chase through a cornfield, literally. Even without words, it pulls you in just right. It is just beautiful.
Conclusion
These are just some of the most iconic movie soundtracks of all time. While we focused on a specific song, the entire album is actually worth listening to. Our list is not as in-depth as other lists, but we will be expanding this list, so make sure to watch out. Happy listening!
::: RenownedForSound.com’s Editor and Founder –
Interviewing and reviewing the best in new music and globally recognized artists is his passion.
Over the years he has been lucky enough to review thousands of music releases and concerts and interview artists ranging from top selling superstars like 27-time Grammy Award winner Alison Krauss, Boyz II Men, Roxette, Cyndi Lauper, Lisa Loeb and iconic Eagles front man/songwriter, Glenn Frey through to more recent successes including Newton Faulkner, Janelle Monae and Caro Emerald.
Brendon manages and coordinates the amazing team of writers on RenownedForSound.com who are based in the UK, the U.S and Australia.
