Footloose

Shalamar, Footloose (Related Recordings) | Format: Audio Cassette

Product Details

• Audio Cassette (October 17, 1990)
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000025YZ
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MiniDisc  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (67 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #380,899 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm turning it loose, footloose..., July 23, 2003

By 

Daniel J. Hamlow (Narita, Japan) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Footloose (1984 Film) (Audio CD)

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.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The perfect 80's soundtrack!, July 22, 2000

By 

Julie Lovisa (Indiana USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Footloose (1984 Film) (Audio CD)

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.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Almost? It IS Paradise, August 11, 2006

By 

Sushi Girl -Laura (Gainesville, Florida) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Footloose (1984 Film) (Audio CD)

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!!!!