Soundtracks that were just as awesome or better than the movies

Considered one of the greatest movies of all time, "The Graduate" also boasts a soundtrack that is hard to beat. Mostly because it's loaded with some of Simon & Garfunkel's most popular tunes such as "The Sound of Silence" (used three times in the movie) and the apropos "Mrs. Robinson." Song placement is also critical to the film and direction used by Academy Award-winning director Mike Nichols.

This bittersweet story of black youth in Chicago paved the way for television hits of the same ilk like "Good Times" and "What's Happening!!" From a soundtrack standpoint, it doesn't get much better. It's a Motown mix tape featuring the likes of Diana Ross & The Supremes ("Baby Love," "Stop! In The Name Of Love") and the Four Tops ("Reach Out I'll Be There"). Perhaps the film's most poignant moment is led in by G.C. Cameron's "It's So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday," which was covered by Boyz II Men years later.

Not only was the disco-themed film a huge commercial smash and made John Travolta an international star, it produced the second-best-selling soundtrack ever. More than $50 million units of the double-album soundtrack were sold, and it won a Grammy for Album of the Year. Composed, produced and performed mostly by the Bee Gees, the film is noted for the group's lasting disco classics like " Stayin' Alive," "Jive Talkin'" and "Night Fever."  

Though this underrated early-1980s flick tends to get lost in the shuffle among more popular teen vehicles of the time, it's surprisingly poignant despite the overall theme of trying to score. And for adolescent males, equally relatable. A stellar early-'80s soundtrack courtesy of The Police ("De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da"), The Cars ("Since You're Gone") and even U2 ("I Will Follow") lends credibility to the picture. Other '80s classics like Journey's "Open Arms" and REO Speedwagon's "Keep On Loving You" also give the film a boost.

There are times a soundtrack perfectly fits the mold of a film's plot line. That's the case with "Footloose." Some will argue the music is the best part of the movie. Kenny Loggins struck gold with the title cut, and "I'm Free (Heaven Helps the Man)," while "Holding Out for a Hero" (Bonnie Tyler), "Let's Hear It for the Boy" (Deniece Williams) and "Almost Paradise" (Mike Reno and Ann Wilson) have become staples of the '80s.

Prince's stellar semi-autobiographical drama plays out a like a musical, and it's arguably his best album. The songs help tell the story of a talented, yet complex, young man making his way through life and love. From the opening bars of "Let's Go Crazy" to the emotional title track performance to the "Baby I'm a Star" finale, "Purple Rain" ranks up there with the best soundtracks ever.

This Walter Hill project dubbed "A Rock & Roll Fable" starring Diane Lane and Michael Paré was a box-office dud, but it has earned a cult following. The best part of the experience is its underrated soundtrack. Dan Hartman's "I Can Dream About You" was a top-10 Billboard hit, but the Jim Steinman-penned "Tonight Is What It Means to Be Young" and  "Nowhere Fast" are arguably the musical highlights. "Deeper and Deeper" by The Fixx deserves some love, too.

"Top Gun" was a commercial blockbuster and made Tom Cruise the hottest star on the planet. In a lot of ways, the soundtrack was even more popular. Armed with the Academy Award-winning Berlin hit "Take My Breath Away" and Kenny Loggins' "Danger Zone," the film's soundtrack was a No. 1 smash. However, middle-aged ladies probably still can't hear Loggins' "Playing with the Boys" without thinking about Cruise, Val Kilmer and Rick Rossovich playing some shirtless sand volleyball.

For as good a film "Purple Rain" is, "Under the Cherry Moon" is downright awful. Prince's directional debut was one of the low points during his legendary career as an entertainer. However, the soundtrack, "Parade," does not disappoint. Songs like "Kiss"  and the under-the-mainstream-radar "Girls & Boys" remain the highlights of the album.

Another of John Hughes' best (as a writer), "Some Kind of Wonderful's" soundtrack is severely underrated. It's totally 1980s pop/new wave, complete with The Jesus and Mary Chain ("The Hardest Walk") and Charlie Sexton ("Beats So Lonely"). The hit was "Flesh for Lulu's "I Go Crazy," but covers of the Rolling Stones' "Miss Amanda Jones" (The March Violets) and Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling in Love" (Lick the Tins) are worth a listen.

There's no doubt "Dirty Dancing" is a generational favorite and was an obvious commercial success. It's also because the movie is truly fueled by its music. Specifically, the massively popular, Oscar/Grammy-winning "(I've Had) The Time of My Life" from the famous finale . Eric Carmen's "Hungry Eyes" also enjoyed some commercial love, while star Patrick Swayze even scored a minor hit with "She's Like the Wind."

While opinions of the screen version of Bret Easton Ellis' novel about youthful wealth and decadence vary, the soundtrack went gold. Produced almost entirely by Rick Rubin, the soundtrack is all over the map. The R&B/hip-hop tinged "Going Back to Cali" (LL Cool J), The Bangles' rocked-out cover of "A Hazy Shade of Winter" and Slayer's trimmed-down take on Iron Butterfly's "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" are quite special.

This Christian Slater-led comedy-drama probably should have done better at the box office ($11.5 million made in North America) considering its star. However, "Hard Harry" spun some pretty cool alternative/indie covers like "Everybody Knows" (Concrete Blonde) and "Kick Out the Jams" (Bad Brains & Henry Rollins). Not to mention the Pixies' "Wave of Mutilation (UK Surf)."

Music usually plays a big part in telling the story within Cameron Crowe movies. In the case of "Singles," this soundtrack helped introduce the world to the musical magic that was going on in Seattle and the Pacific Northwest. All the giants of grunge — Alice in Chains ("Would?), Pearl Jam ("State of Love and Trust," "Breathe") and Soundgarden ("Birth Ritual") — had their moments. But the fictional Citizen Dick is the one band we still need to see live.

A smash at the box office (grossed more than $400 internationally) but panned by critics, Whitney Houston's acting debut was as schmaltzy as they come. However, her take on Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You" fueled the soundtrack to the highest-selling album of its kind ever at 45 million copies sold. But there are other highlights, like Curtis Stigers' cover of "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding."

Like most Arnold Schwarzenegger movies of the time, "Last Action Hero" did relatively well at the box office. But this satirical take on the over-the-top production of action films delivered a killer soundtrack. Scored by the great Michael Kamen, the hard-rocking album was highlighted by AC/DC's "Big Gun." Though Queensryche's "Real World" and Def Leppard's "Two Steps Behind" can hold their own hold with any audience. 

Like Cameron Crowe, Richard Linklater makes music an integral part of his films. None more so than this 1970s coming-of-age/stoner classic. On par with the film, is the '70s, arena-rocked-fueled soundtrack whose songs like "School's Out (Alice Cooper) and "Tuesday's Gone" (Lynyrd Skynyrd) are perfectly interwoven into the story of the Last Day of School, May 28, 1976.

A big favorite of the Generation X crowd, "Reality Bites" has actually aged well, especially with recent college grads still wondering what to do with their lives. In reality (pun intended), the soundtrack outshines the movie. Lisa Loeb's "Stay (I Missed You)" and World Party's "When You Come Back to Me" should be considered the best of this alternative-heavy soundtrack. Yet, The Knack's "My Sharona" underlays perhaps the most memorable scene in the film. 

Quentin Tarantino's breakout hit is unique for various reasons. But, the music is responsible for some of the movie's memorable moments. From Mia (Uma Thurman) dancing in the living room to Urge Overkill's cover of "Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon" to Mia and Vincent (John Travolta) twisting to Chuck Berry's "You Never Can Tell," this is one soundtrack that does a strong job of capturing the moment.

"Forrest Gump" is one of the most iconic films of all time, and its soundtrack is a big reason. As whey we follow Forrest's life from child to adult, the music of the times takes viewers on quite the nostalgic ride. The two-disc release is like a greatest hits from the 1950s through the early '80s. Highlights include "Hound Dog" (Elvis Presley), " Fortunate Son" (Creedence Clearwater Revival) and "Against the Wind" (Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band).

Another film that was a commercial success (with Val Kilmer taking his turn as the Caped Crusader), but one where the soundtrack stands out a little more. P.J. Harvey, Mazzy Star, Brandy, Method Man and Sunny Day Real Estate are just a few artists who contribute to the soundtrack. However, U2's "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me" and "Kiss from a Rose" by Seal stand out.

There's good chance not many remember this 1990s comedy about a good-natured, overweight boy trying to fit in at his high school. Though Charlie Talbot in the title lead is genuine and releasable, the soundtrack is a haven for pop-punk/alternative fans with Green Day's "J.A.R," and Love Spit Love's "Am I Wrong." It also features Weezer's highly underappreciated gem "You Gave Your Love to Me Softly."  

This '90s coming-of-age comedy-drama about the lives of record shop employees garnered little critical and commercial success, but it's one of the more notable films for the Gen-X sect. It also boasts an above-average soundtrack featuring Gin Blossoms ("Til I Hear It from You") and Edwyn Collins ("A Girl Like You"). Though, the film version of Coyote Shivers' "Sugarhigh," with Renee Zellweger on backing vocals, is much better than what's on the soundtrack.

The Hughes Brothers' picture did not generate the same critical success as their 1993 debut, "Menace II Society." However, the soundtrack went gold and topped the U.S. R&B charts. Legendary artists like James Brown ("The Payback"), Aretha Franklin ("Do Right Woman, Do Right Man") and plenty of Isaac Hayes ("Walk On By" and "The Look Of Love"). The second volume was released in 1996, but it did not generate the same success.

Zach Braff's baby is not for everybody, but one thing music fans should agree upon is the quality of the soundtrack. Braff's fancy for inde-rock outfit The Shins is evident with the inclusion of the band's "New Slang" and "Caring Is Creepy" on the soundtrack. Coldplay's "Don't Panic" and "I Just Don't Think I'll Ever Get Over You" by Braff favorite and former Men at Work frontman Colin Hay also warrant attention.