…I do it for the love of 90s movie theme songs.

It’s a dying art. Truly it is. That magical moment in a mediocre movie where the music swells and one of the following happens:

1. Lovers reunite.
2. The bad guys lose.
3. Someone dies.
4. All need for an actual story resolution is negated as the lyrics of said song tie it all up with a slo-mo montage.

 
Now I realize there are still theme songs in movies (especially the teen genre), but it’s just not the same.

After many hours spent scanning You Tube for some killer 90s flashbacks, I’ve honed it down to the following list of songs that will rapidly make their way to your itunes list (assuming they’re not already there).

I defy you not to cry, yearn for Kevin Costner in tights or remember that first time you heard Dr.Dre and felt just a little bit cooler.

Top Ten 90s Movie Tracks

“Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing”

Aerosmith - Armageddon

Who can forget the moment in “Armageddon” when Ben Affleck did that creepy dance with animal crackers up Liv Tyler’s stomach?  Was that supposed to be romantic?  Sexy? Cause it was weird. Almost as weird as Liv and her dad faking a connection in the video. Worst of all, it made me not want to eat animal crackers.  And I like animal crackers.

“Secret Garden”

Bruce Springsteen - Jerry Maguire

You complete me. Gag. Vomit. Could there be a more heavy-handed line? Doubtful. Making it worse is the fact that I never actually bought the chemistry between Tom & Renee.  I’ll leave you to determine why that might be. Like the movie or not, it’s a beautiful little diddy. And I love me some Bruce.

“My Heart Will Go On”

Celine Dion - Titanic

Easily the guiltiest pleasure in all of pop music. You can pretend you hate it.  Just like you pretend you don’t like REO Speedwagon, Full House reruns, and Jams, but we all know what you listen to/watch/wear when no one’s looking.  Admit it. You secretly want this song playing at your wedding. It’s okay. The lady’s got some pipes. And who wouldn’t want what Jack and Rose found on that sad little boat?

“Gangsta’s Paradise”

Coolio - Dangerous Minds

That’s right, Coolio. Before he got that reality show on the Oxygen network. I love the beginning of the video with the Michelle Pfeiffer cameo. Nothing creates an ominous scene like a  petite blond lady dressed in leather sitting in the dark with random babies crying. And yes, I do know all of the words.  “…tin in my hand and the gleam in my eye…”

“Keep Their Heads Ringin”

Dr.Dre - Friday

I’m the whitest girl in all the land, but I love that movie.  I have vivid memories of listening to this song in my sweet Mazda 929 in route to what was inevitably a killer gathering in McDonald’s parking lot at the corner of Montgomery and Weller.  Go Aves!

“Kiss From a Rose”

Seal - Batman

Everything about the “Batman” movie franchise got better as soon as Christopher Nolan and Christian Bale took over. With one exception: The cheesey love songs.  I believe this little ballad verbally illustrated the love we were supposed to feel between Val Kilmner and Nicole Kidman.  Movie: D. Theme song: A

“Everything I do, I do it for you”

Bryan Adams - Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves

Lordy my brother & I loved this movie.  I caught it recently on the USA network.  Somehow I missed (the first 20 times I watched it) that Kevin Costner’s tights-wearing Robin Hood had an accent (an indecipherable one at that) for only the first 20 minutes of the film.  And this movie was a drama.  But cue up those first few notes on the piano and I’m putty in Kevin’s hands.  Or maybe its Bryan and his sweet denim uniform that I’m falling for?

Theme from “The Last of the Mohicans”

Randy Edelman & Trevor Jones

This one falls out of the cheesey pop category and into the often missed instrumental only genre. The entire soundtrack for this film is incredible (no sarcasm there). Because it’s not a traditional theme song, there’s no music video to mock.  Only many versions of weird screen grab montages created by YouTubers with too much time on their hands. Try listening to this all the way through and not getting the chills. “No matter what occurs, stay alive. I will find you.”  Swoon.

“I Believe I Can Fly”

R. Kelly - Space Jam

This is guy is a creep. We all know that. This song came out before we were certain of that fact, but I still hated it. It was the anthem for all inspirational pieces on ESPN and Oprah. For some reason it was featured in the the award-winning film “Space Jam” starring Michael Jordan and various cartoon characters. On an unrelated note, why can’t celebrities pick a niche and stick with it?  If you play basketball, play basketball (not play baseball).  If you’re a singer, sing (not act - remember those “Trapped In The Closet” videos?)

“Circle of Life”

Elton John - The Lion King

Full disclosure…I do not like animated films.  I also don’t like films where things that don’t talk in real life are given a voice (see talking pigs, lions, carpets, mice, etc). Having said that, these Disney wonders have produced some killer soundtracks. Though I’ve never seen “The Lion King” in its entirety, I do have this track on my ipod.  I put it on all of my best mix tapes with other gems by Peabo Bryson, Linda Rondstat and Richard Marx.  Enjoy.

What’s your fave?

Like This Post? Share It: