Back in the day, a great movie meant a great theme song. If a potential summer blockbuster was on the horizon, it was almost guaranteed to be packaged with an entertaining music video featuring clips from the movie while the musician knocked around with the film's stars performing goofy dance moves. Or maybe it was a drama and the video highlighted the best scenes of the feature while the singer belts out notes over key moments of the film. In the '80s, epic theme songs, power ballads, and title tracks were a big part of MTV's rotation, especially during the summer movie season.
Here is a look at iconic theme songs that continue to live rent-free in our noggins despite the 30-plus year gap in release. Please vote up the theme songs and title tracks that are the most recognizable tunes to ever promote an '80s pic.
1Ghostbusters
Ray ParkerFilm: Ghostbusters
Ray Parker Jr.'s only No. 1 hit earned him both an Academy Award nomination and a lawsuit from fellow soundtrack heavy-hitter Huey Lewis and the News, who claimed that the song sounded too similar to “I Want A New Drug.” The suit was settled out of court.
- Year: 1984
2Footloose
Kenny LogginsFilm: Footloose
Just one of the many No. 1 singles spawned by the Footloose soundtrack, the title song from the album was hitmaker Kenny Loggins's first and only No. 1 hit.
- Year: 1984
3Don't You (Forget About Me)
Simple MindsFilm: The Breakfast Club
Written by Keith Forsey and Steve Schiff for the film The Breakfast Club, the song was shopped around and rejected by many artists, including Bryan Ferry and Billy Idol, before it was taken to Simple Minds. The band initially rejected the song as well, as they preferred to record their own material. The song would go on to become their biggest hit.
- Year: 1985
![Eye of the Tiger]()
4Film: Rocky III
Rocky III star and director Sylvester Stallone reached out to Survivor for a theme song to the new Rocky Balboa film after he was allegedly rejected by Queen to use “Another One Bites the Dust.” According to the band, the lyrics, title, and even the chord changes are meant to reflect moments from the movie. The theme was nominated for best original song from a film at the Oscars.
- Year: 1982
![The Power of Love]()
5The Power of Love
Huey Lewis and the NewsFilm: Back to the Future
Written for the soundtrack of Robert Zemeckis's Back to the Future, the song became forever linked to the sci-fi comedy as it also became Huey Lewis and the News's first No. 1 single on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. When originally approached to write the theme song, Lewis almost rejected the offer as he did not want to write a song titled “Back to the Future,” as it would not feel “organic.” Zemeckis assured the musician he could write any song he wanted, and the result was “Power of Love.”
- Year: 1985
![(I've Had) The Time of My Life]()
6Film: Dirty Dancing
Written by Franke Previte, John DeNicola, and Donald Markowitz, the song was used in the finale of 1987's Dirty Dancing, in which Johnny and Baby perform their big dance number in front of all the guests of the Kellerman Mountain House before the end of summer. The song racked up a number of awards, including an Oscar, a Grammy, and a Golden Globe
- Year: 1987
