A Symphony of Synths: 15 Iconic 1980s Movie Scores
Get ready for a nostalgic trip down memory lane as we dive into the 1980s! For those who lived through this golden age of cinema, the iconic sound of synths often takes you right back to those unforgettable moments on the big screen.
While the synth sound might seem dated in 2023, these soundtracks are classics, pushing boundaries and creating some seriously unforgettable movie moments that remain etched in our collective memory. We're talking scores that added that extra something special to the visuals and emotions, so let's celebrate those epic and chilling moments, with this ultimate collection of the 15 best 1980s movie scores!
From Dark and Ominous to High-Octane Fun, the Best Synth Movie Scores
The 80s embraced a lot of cool synth scores. These weren't just your average orchestral scores, no way! The era saw film composers blending the old with the new. Imagine a mix of electric synthesizers with powerful orchestral arrangements, or even a heavy synth dose with those iconic rock guitar sounds - those combinations were everything during this golden age. It's those unique blends, those unexpected fusions, that made those 1980s films so electrifying, so memorable.
And of course, there's the pure excitement of just hearing those catchy synth melodies that defined an era! Those movie scores got stuck in your head, making you wanna rewind and relive those scenes all over again, so it's more than just movie music - it's an adventure! It's like the soundtrack to your inner 80s fan. It's fun!
Tangerine Dream, The Masters of 80s Synths
You just can’t talk about those killer 1980s synths without bringing up the masters of the era – Tangerine Dream! Those Germans are responsible for making the synth world a whole lot more powerful and memorable, especially for the world of Movies. From classic hits like “Thief” to more recent work in the video game world ("Grand Theft Auto 5"), Tangerine Dream has definitely made a mark.
But what’s great is how those synths actually enhance a movie. In a movie like "Legend", they helped create that fantastical and haunting world. You know those mystical creatures and dramatic scenes, Tangerine Dream made it all feel extra cool! Their music was as powerful as the visuals they were backing, that’s what set the 80s sound apart.
Top Synth Soundtracks of the 80s
If there was a movie that nailed that 1980s synth feeling, it was definitely "Blade Runner." The retro-future of that movie ( imagine flying cars in a neon world) totally depended on that awesome soundtrack by Vangelis, a music legend. You're talking powerful futuristic sounds and melody all wrapped up with just the right amount of darkness! It made that whole "future is strange" vibe all the more realistic! It wasn't your average movie score. It made that whole "future is strange" vibe all the more realistic!
Another synth classic that deserves a shout-out is "Chariots of Fire"! It's that movie with the running guys! Vangelis made that score so epic! Those strong, synth-driven themes got us all in that movie's spirit – just those few opening notes were enough! It was so memorable that it’s been parodied, referenced, and celebrated for decades! You don’t get that with every movie soundtrack. You need something powerful and unique.
1980s Films & Synth Masterpieces: A Celebration of Musical Fusion
Some of the greatest movie scores from the 80s were like time capsules of those decades! Remember "Ghostbusters"? With all that cool special effects stuff going on, that movie would have been pretty flat without Elmer Bernstein's soundtrack! Those eerie synths helped make those ghost encounters all the more terrifying. Not to mention that iconic "Ghostbusters" song - pure, 1980s fun!
Those intense sci-fi films like "The Terminator" are not your average popcorn Movies! You're talking dystopian stories, future battles, and Arnold Schwarzenegger! Well, you need a killer soundtrack and Brad Fiedel pulled it off big time! The music in “The Terminator” was everything - like a mechanized beat that really highlighted how terrifying and powerful that killer robot was! And then you’ve got movies that make us feel like the music is as important as the visuals! There was so much going on visually that a lot of movies depended on those synthesizer themes! The synths defined the 80s!
