Behind every great movie is a great soundtrack.
Truly memorable music is what makes a movie stick with you, with certain tunes guaranteed to always transport you back to the film where you first heard it.
Seeing as BARQ is going to be performing their own unique reimagining of the iconic Pulp Fiction soundtrack as part of the Smithwick’s Soundtrack Series in Opium Rooms, Dublin, on November 2, which you can pick up tickets for HERE, we thought we’d look at the some of the best-selling soundtracks of all time.
There have been some sensational musical accompaniments to films in the last decade — Drive, (500) Days Of Summer and Baby Driver to name but a few — but our list is made up of more classic entries.
So strap yourself in and prepare yourself for a trip down memory lane…
7. Grease (1978) — John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John
Movie synopsis: Set in 1950s California, tough guy Danny Zuko and good girl Sandy Olsson fall in love during their summer holidays thinking they’ll never see each other again — only to discover they attend the same high school. Now it seems that their two worlds can only be reconciled in one way — through elaborate song and dance numbers.
Copies sold: 8 million
Best track: ‘Greased Lightning’
6. Titanic (1997) — James Horner & Celine Dion
Movie synopsis: Eighty-four years after the sinking of the Titanic, a survivor of the disaster named Rose DeWitt Bukater tells the story of how she met the love of her life on that ship, fled her suffocating upper-class family and how her heart managed to go on…
Copies sold: 11 million
Best track: ‘My Heart Will Go On’
5. Dirty Dancing (1987) — Various Artists
Movie synopsis: When Baby goes with her family to a Catskill Mountain resort, she develops a crush on the camp’s dance instructor, Johnny. When Johnny needs a replacement dance partner, Baby steps into the role, only to find herself falling in love. Spoiler alert: there’s some dirty dancing.
Copies sold: 11 million
Best track: ‘I’ve Had The Time Of My Life’
4. Forrest Gump (1994) — Various Artists
Movie synopsis: This is the story of a man with a low I.Q. but a big heart, whose rollercoaster of a life includes a lonely childhood, heroism in Vietnam, sporting glory, entrepreneurial success and many more adventures which cement his legend. But all he’s really searching for is love.
Copies sold: 12 million
Best track: ‘Respect’
3. Purple Rain (1984) — Prince
Movie synopsis: The Kid is a young musician who discovers there’s more to life than music when he meets the love of his life, Apollonia. But his world is threatened when a new star arrives on the scene who is out to steal his thunder and his girl.
Copies sold: 13 million
Best track: ‘Purple Rain’
2. Saturday Night Fever (1977) — The Bee Gees
Movie synopsis: Tony Manero is stuck in a dead-end job and gets no respect at home from his father — but on the dance floor on Saturday night, he’s a king. When he spots an equally talented dancer at club, he sees a way to win an upcoming dance competition and earn himself a way out of his humdrum life.
Copies sold: 15 million
Best track: ‘Stayin’ Alive’
1. The Bodyguard (1992) — Whitney Houston
Movie synopsis: When a pop singer starts receiving threatening messages, she hires a reputable bodyguard to protect her. His cautiousness seems over the top to his new employer — until the stalker strikes close to home.
Copies sold: 17 million
Best track: ‘I Will Always Love You’
Now imagine iconic soundtracks played live… You won’t want to miss BARQ and Le Galaxie perform their interpretations of Pulp Fiction and Apocolypse Now as part of the Smithwick’s Soundtrack Series in some of your favourite music venues across the country. Tickets are €15 and you can pick them up HERE.
Tour dates are:
BARQ at Opium Rooms, Dublin, performing Pulp Fiction — Thursday, November 2
BARQ at The Fiddler’s Creek, Sligo, performing Pulp Fiction — Friday, November 3
Le Galaxie at Cyrus Avenue, Cork, performing Apocalypse Now — Friday, November 10
Le Galaxie at The Black Box, Belfast, performing Apocalypse Now — Friday, November 24
Drink responsibly. Visit www.drinkaware.ie