Customer Reviews

Footloose (15th Anniversary Collectors' Edition)

5 star:		(52)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The 1980's were a great period for soundtrack songs but also soundtrack albums. Heavy Metal, Rocky IV, Top Gun, Ghostbusters, and then the soundtrack for the movie Kenny Loggins thought should've been called A Snowball's Chance In Hell, because that's what he thought it had at the box office. Well, that wasn't the case for Footloose or the soundtrack, which spawned five hit singles, one of which was sung by him and spent 4 weeks at Billboard's #1 spot.

Yes, Mr. Soundtrack himself, Kenny Loggins, scored yet another hit soundtrack song after Caddyshack's "I'm Alright." I can't decide which is bigger, "Footloose" or "Danger Zone" from Top Gun. Well, the former's dramatic opening thudding drums and heavy surf guitars, sports a rollicking upbeat rhythm that'll light the spark of any party, calling all in sundry to cut footloose, kick off those Sunday shoes.

Another hit single, with the funky "Lucky Star" style beat, was R&B singer Deniece Williams' "Let's Hear It For The Boy" which is a song of support for an underdog sort of man, a guy who sings off-key, who isn't too rich, or a good dresser, but counts him in for being a loving one-man show.

"Almost Paradise," such a wonderful classic 80's song. The slow love power ballad duet between Loverboy's Mike Reno and Heart's Ann Wilson, with its organ-like synths and pounding drums, is very well the first drop of rain that propelled Heart to its 80's success. I notice that Keith Olsen, who produced Passionworks, produced this song as well. And Loverboy would do a similar style power ballad, "Heaven In Your Eyes" for Top Gun.

Then comes Jim Steinman's second most famous client, Bonnie Tyler, doing a rousing 80's techno-disco, "Holding Out For A Hero," the song done during the tractor chicken contest in the movie. Love those operatic backup vocals, including Rory Dodd. This deserved to hit the Top 5 instead of stalling in the Top 40.

More 80's style R&B-pop with Shalamar. The moog funk of "Dancing In The Sheets" has some overtones of Prince's "1999" and what Phil Collins would later do with "Sussudio." He's got it right when he sings, "we got the rhythm, we've got the music on our side."

Loggins's second song here, "I'm Free (Heaven Helps The Man)", is a fast paced affair sporting snarling guitars and a chorus that smacks of Journey. Love "The Screamers," the group of backing vocalists who shout out the title, and David Foster's bouncy synthesizer.

"Somebody's Eyes" is similar in sound and rhythm to Journey's "Who's Crying Now" and also reminds me slightly of Quarterflash's "Take Me To Heart." Karla Bonoff sounds like a more tempered version of Laura Branigan. Gotta find some of her stuff soon.

Two years before checking into 5150 with the brothers Van Halen, Sammy Hagar did "The Girl Gets Around", a rocker as rowdy as "I Can't Drive 55." When he sings the title, followed by "round round round around," I am reminded of the song "Runaround" he did with Van Halen.

Typical 80's-style synth pop, "Never" by Moving Pictures might be considered a second-rate "Separate Ways" by Journey, even down to the opening synth, with Alex Smith sounding like Mike Reno, but the catchy chorus makes me forget the derivativeness of this track.

Three well-established hits that need no introduction were added as bonus tracks for this 15th anniversary collection--Quiet Riot's "Bang Your Head," John Cougar's "Hurt So Good", and Foreigner's "Waiting For A Girl Like You." And they help make Footloose one of the best 80's soundtracks ever.

Wow, does this music bring back great memories! I loved the movie then and I love it now...what really makes it sparkle is the music that accompanies it. The soundtrack king of the 80's, Kenny Loggins is at his best on the title track, "Footloose," and almost tops it on "I'm Free." Throw in a little Deniece Williams, Bonnie Tyler, Sammy Hagar, and Shalamar, and you have a recipe for 80's greatness! The 2 ballads "Almost Paradise" by Mike Reno of Loverboy and Ann Wilson of Heart, and "Waiting For A Girl Like You" by Foreigner took me back to the gym during school dances when I was a total wallflower and watched the boys I had crushes on dancing with someone else <<sigh>>. The 4 bonus tracks don't hurt either! I had forgotten about the glam rock classic "Bang Your Head" by Quiet Riot and had a little chuckle when it started playing. Those were the days! If you are an 80's lover like me, then do yourself a favor and indulge yourself in this CD - trust me you won't regret it.

This has got to be one of the #1 best all around soundtracks of all time. There is not one throw away track; there isn't one song I have to skip. This movie was such a huge turning point for me as a child, I begged my mom to let me take dance classes other than ballet and she let me take a freeform dance class and I was obsessed with the song "dancing in the sheets" so that was my song of choice, I tore those mats up.

1. Footloose - Kenny Loggins.... Yes its played a lot on the 80s stations, Yes its Kenny Loggins but it's a great wedding song! Its addictive and I dare you not to sing along!

2. Let's Hear It For the Boy - Denise Williams .... I lip-synched this song to Kevin Ashley at summer camp, its good clean teeny bop fun.

3. Almost Paradise (Love Theme) - Ann Wilson/Mike Reno ...Wow, this is such a school dance song, smell the polo cologne while you lean against that boy crushes shoulder song

4. Holding Out For A Hero - Bonnie Tyler ...Bonnie has a sweet voice, its harsh but powerful and this song showcases that talent

5. Dancing In The Sheets - Shalamar ....I still remember the choreographed dance that Michelle MacAdams and I did on her trampoline to this song, its so good. My favorite out of this soundtrack.

6. I'm Free (Heaven Helps The Man) - Kenny Loggins ...When I hear this song, I think of them on the motorcycles in the movies, and the kids go by on the bikes, Kenny is a genius!

7. Somebody's Eyes - Karla Bonoff ...although a bit weak, it's my least favorite, it still gets to me as a good 80s ballad

8. Girl Gets Around, The - Sammy Hagar .....Who doesn't want to play chicken with a semi when they hear this song

9. Never - Moving Pictures....The song where Kevin, and fake Kevin shake their tight jeans around some random industrial complex, they still never explained how he knows all the gymnastics!

10. Bang Your Head (Metal Health) - Quiet Riot .....ahhhhh love this song

11. Waiting For A Girl Like You - Foreigner ......This song is so hauntingly lovely, like an old flame coming back into your life, so many memories

12. Hurts So Good - John Cougar Mellencamp ....back when he still was a cougar....

Buy this soundtrack, Don't Ban dancing ever!!!!

First of all, this album became more well-known than than the movie itself. I can very well gurantee you will enjoy this album. Let's take a look at this, song by song.
1. Footloose
The title track of the album is one of the most memorable songs from the movie. This was the opening theme from the movie. This is a fast-tempo song that is great to dance and listen to.
2. Let's Hear It For The Boy
This up-tempo song is more in the synth-pop field of 80's music. This is another great dance tune to listen to. This song was featured in the part of the movie where the main character, Kevin Bacon, is showing his friend how to dance.
3. Almost Paradise
This is the other very well-known song from "Footloose". This is a great ballad hit. This was featured at the end of the movie at the school dance. However, the song featured on the soundtrack is different than what is featured on the movie. Personally, I like the soundtrack version better.
4. Holding Out For A Hero
This is the fastest song on the album which is performed by Bonnie Tyler. Yes, you probably know Bonnie Tyler from "Total Eclipse Of The Heart" or just as the lady with raspy vocals. This is a great song featured when Kevin is trying to win a tractor race. This song promotes the fast action in the movie very well.
5. Dancing In The Sheets
Back into synth-pop mode, "Dancing In The Sheets" is a great instrumental dance song. The constant synth-overtone made this song the hit it became. This song was featured when the preacher's daughter was playing this on the radio at a parking lot with friends.
6. I'm Free (Heaven Helps The Man)
The rock of Kenny Loggins. Call this song a louder, powerful, and more driving rock than the song, "Footloose". This song was featured in the movie when the preacher granted permission to the students to have a school dance.
7. Somebody's Eyes
This is a laid-back song with a fun melody. The staccatos sound great on the keyboards. Karla Bonoff's vocals also are relaxing and unique. This was featured in the movie during a love scene.
8. The Girl Gets Around
The hard-guitar rock song of the album. This is actually performed by the singer who became the lead singer of Van Halen 2 years after this album was released. This was featured in the movie where Lori Singer was trying to move from truck to truck. That had a lot of excitement.
9. Never
The last synth-pop song on the album. This has great chords played throughout the song and a wonderful saxophone. This was featured in one of the best parts of the movie. There was great choreography to this song.
BONUS TRACKS:
10. Bang Your Head (Metal Health)
One of the first metal rock songs of the 80's. This was what Kevin Bacon blasted in his car all the time.
11. Hurts So Good
Here we are, our second Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp. This is a lighter classic rock song with a great beat. This is featured in the bar scene.
12. Waiting For A Girl Like You
This song is very similar to "Somebody's Eyes" except with longer keyboard sounds. The tempo is the same. This was featured at the school dance at the end of the movie.
13. Dancing In The Sheets (Extended Remix)
Personally, I have never liked remixes. I guess this song would be good for you if you think "Dancing In The Sheets" ends too soon. There are just longer parts in the song. There is also a different sound quality with the drums and keyboards.

Overall, you should definitely buy this album. If you do, please enjoy! Also, watch the movie if you can. The movie promotes the songs so well.

This is the quintessential soundtrack to the 1980's and contains signature tunes that covers a wide varied of genres from a varied group of artists that appeared on the multiplatinum soundtrack. Kenny Loggins is represented with the energetic title track, which quickly shot to #1 on the charts, quite impressive for one of his first forays into rock and roll. "I'm Free" is equally as good, bursting with energetic, feel good rifts.

On the R&B front, the collection contains the consummate dance number "Let's Hear It From The Boy," from Denise Williams and "Dancing In The Sheets" from Shalamar (the remastered updated 2000 version contains an extended dance remix of the song as well)

Hot on the heels of her classic epic "Total Eclipse Of The Heart," Welch singer Bonnie Tyler gives her trademark raspy, energetic, and emotional performance on "Holding Out For A Hero." Sammy Hagar, who fronted the group Van Halen in the mid '80's, rocks with "The Girl Gets Around."

The most exceptional ballad featured in the movie is the union between Ann Wilson (of Heart) and Mike Reno (of Loverboy). "Almost Paradise" is the beautiful love theme from the movie that is a modern contemporary classic. Singer/songwriter Karla Bonoff's "Somebody's Eyes" shines with her crystalline vocals. The original collection closes with Moving Pictures' moving ballad, "Never."

The extended CD contains some notable bonus tracks that appeared in the film..."Hurts So Good" is a classic rocker that was a breakout making John Cougar a household name. "Waiting For A Girl Like You," from Foreigner is a welcomed edition to the collection. (That track was #2 on the pop charts an unprecidented 10 weeks!) Heavy metal's Quiet Riot perform the title track to their platinum 1982 album "Mental Health."

A worthwhile eclectic mix of dance, rock and roll, pop, adult contemporary styles...Footloose is a fun and energetic collection that will make you want to get up and dance.

This is the kind of music that you just can't keep still when it's playing. It puts you in a good mood. I especially love it in the car, and I use it to excercise to all over the living room, because it's such an upper and makes you feel alive! If you don't like it, better take your pulse. (a 63 year old woman who has liked this album a long time)

Like "Saturday Night Fever," released by the same studio seven years before, Herbert Ross' beloved "Footloose" used dancing as metaphor for personal expression, energy, youth and rebellion (against quasi-religious authority, yet). It traded flannel-shirted Kevin Bacon for polyester-suited John Travolta, a farm tractor for a four-door sedan, the sun-kissed, nameless heartland for grimy New York streets and glittery nightclubs. Most notably, not far in time or distance from Comiskey Park's infamous "Disco Demolition," it traded cool, clear, carbonated, sincere 80s rock for that genre's dark, impersonal 70s inferno.

The songs for the "Footloose" soundtrack, all co-written by Dean Pitchford, cover the gamut of early 80s production styles. Fast or slow, dance or rock, they kick from the speakers with artificial, undeniable energy. The sound is big and booming as 1984's infamous hairstyles, requiring musical costume changes for some of the players. Kenny Loggins and Karla Bonoff, two mellow, late-70s singer-songwriters, slip into synthesized clothes (Bonoff more comfortably) on "Somebody's Eyes," "I'm Free" and the overblown rockabilly #1 title hit (featuring Tris Imboden's trademark kickoff drums).

The film celebrated and exaggerated the "little guy," so did the soundtrack. Bonnie Tyler wails and wishes for the "streetwise Hercules" on "Holding Out For A Hero," featuring Jim Steinman's operatic, Spectorized production and "Bat Out of Hell" vocalist Ellen Foley arranging vocals. Niecy Williams praises "my loving one-man show" in her #1 "Let's Hear It For The Boy." (George Duke's empathetic if still synthesized production makes this, with Bonoff's track and Shalamar's snaky "Dancing In The Sheets," the CD's best, freshest tracks).

Like "Saturday Night Fever," this soundtrack has been revived on stage and as a pillar of the new 80s hits radio format. (This has been helped by adding 1982's John Cougar Mellencamp and Foreigner heartland-style rockers, featured in the film.) "Footloose" serves as signpost among that decade's most popular music ("Purple Rain," "Born In The USA," "Thriller" ) in its best year when rap, dance, new wave, and heartland rock energies intersected in the theater and on the radio. A fun listen, and recommended.

I bought this album recently after seing the movie and getting interested in Footloose the musical. The added tracks are great as well as each and every one of the tunes on this cd. I'm really satisfied with it and i have to say that i didn't waste a penny buying it. YOU GOTTA HAVE THIS ONE!

When Footloose came out in 1984, it was an instant hit. Everybody I knew raced out to see it, and a lot of the tunes from it became hits. Well, celebrating the 15th anniversary of the release of the movie, this CD was released with all of the tunes digitally remastered! In fact, as a bonus, this CD has four tracks that were not on the original album.

OK, what can I say? This CD isn't just the soundtrack of the movie Footloose, it's almost a soundtrack of 1984! Among its great tunes are Footloose, Let's Hear It For The Boy, and a tune I really love, Holding Out For A Hero. Yep, I love this CD. If you are into 1980s music, then this is a great album to get!

I LOVED this movie and I also LOVED the soundtrack with a purple passion (especially Almost Paradise & The Girl Gets Around with the former being by Ann Wilson and M.Reno , while the later was by Sammy Hagar). I loved Kevin Bacon. I know in real life he a nice guy. I know he's married and has two kids from what Ive read in magazines. And, in this movie I thought he was a totally macho to say the least. He way succeeded in acting like a hard ass/bad ass through out the movie and you could see it. Especially the scene in the movie where he is taking a drag of his cigarette and cocking his head back taking a swig of his booze while running his fingers through his hair with the song Footloose blasting. You could tell by the look on his face that he is a total renegade who likes the taste of booze. This movie and soundtrack is awesome and it ROCKED. Want to watch a feminine dance movie from the 80's???? I have a two sylible word - FLASHDANCE!!!!!!!!! I LOVED THIS MOVIE.