Spinning The Silver Screen: My Top Soundtrack Vinyls
When I buy vinyl records, I often gravitate toward movie soundtracks. My passion for film has deep roots, stemming from my grandfather's immense collection of movies on VHS and DVD. He had a profound love for cinema and an appreciation for classical composers like Beethoven and Mozart. As I have previously mentioned, I plan to share more about his influence on my taste in classical music in a future post.
Today, I want to share my top five favorite movie soundtracks on vinyl. Choosing just five has been challenging, given the extensive soundtrack collection I've built over the years, so I will probably revisit this topic in a future Part II.
Soundtracks are a vital element of what makes a movie memorable. There are certain pieces that instantly transport you back to the film where you first heard them.
The records I’m about to list, in no particular order, are stunning editions of popular soundtracks that captured my heart and inspired me to add them to my vinyl collection.
1) The Godfather OST: this soundtrack belongs to one of the most famous and beloved movie trilogies produced by Paramount Pictures. Composed by Nino Rota, this score is released under the Universal Music label. Its music has become some of the most iconic and recognizable in cinematic history, with the Love Theme from The Godfather standing out as its most famous track. I love playing this record on a hot summer afternoon; it creates the perfect atmosphere.
I’m a huge fan of The Godfather trilogy, and while it might seem unusual for a woman, I’ve always had a soft spot for gangster films and 007. I also plan to write an essay about the trilogy in a future newsletter post.
I found this vinyl on Amazon; initially, it seemed to be discontinued, but then it came back in stock, and I was fortunate enough to snag a copy. It's a must-have for any movie soundtrack collector!
2) La La Land OST: I can’t even recall how I stumbled upon this La La Land Limited Edition Blue Disc on the Italian version of Amazon, especially since they were offering two different editions at the time. Released in 2017, this film quickly became one of my favorites of the year. Directed by the immensely talented Damien Chazelle, La La Land beautifully explores themes of Hollywood, love, dreams, and, of course, music!
It stands as one of the most successful musicals ever made, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it eventually makes its way to Broadway. The songs are so captivating that I can’t pick a favorite. This record is one I play the most throughout the year; even before I owned the soundtrack on vinyl, I often listened to the songs performed by Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling on Spotify.
The brilliant Justin Hurwitz composed memorable pieces like Mia & Sebastian’s Theme, and the soundtrack was released by Interscope Records. If you’re interested and have seen the movie, the black-disc version is still available for purchase!
3) The Great Gatsby Deluxe Edition: I had some difficulty finding this soundtrack on vinyl, but I finally managed to snag it on Amazon about four years ago. Today, the site only stocks a couple of import copies at a steep price. However, I was over the moon when I unboxed it! This two-disc edition comes in a stunning golden case, and upon opening it, you’re greeted by the iconic image of eyes against a shimmering gold background.
This is the soundtrack to Baz Luhrmann’s 2013 adaptation of The Great Gatsby. While I adore the 1974 version featuring Robert Redford, which my grandfather gifted me on DVD in high school, I find Luhrmann’s film aesthetically perfect. The sets are incredible, and the cast is exceptionally talented, especially considering that Leonardo DiCaprio received an Oscar nomination for his role as the main character.
Released by Interscope Records and manufactured and distributed by Universal Music, this two-disc album features a total of 21 tracks. The album was executive-produced by Jay-Z, who helps infuse modern vibes into the film, reminiscent of Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette (which reminds me, I still need to get the CD soundtrack of that one!).
Some of my favorite tracks include Bang Bang by will.i.am and A Little Party Never Killed Nobody by Fergie, Q-Tip & Goonrock. Additionally, Lana Del Rey’s Young and Beautiful deserves a special mention for its poignant use in several movie scenes.
4) American Hustle OST: the soundtrack to David O. Russell’s film is one of the records I splurged on. This edition features two colored vinyl discs—one red and one blue—and has since been discontinued. I purchased it back in 2016 when it was still available. The soundtrack perfectly captures the ‘70s vibe, reflecting the era in which American Hustle is set.
It’s one of my favorite movies, thanks to its humorous scenes, stunning costumes, and brilliant performances (Christian Bale is fantastic in his role). The record includes a mix of jazz and blues tracks, like Duke Ellington’s Jeep’s Blues, which contributes to the overall uplifting feel of the soundtrack. I typically play it during the winter, and it’s also a great choice for a rainy day, especially with Elton John’s Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and the Bee Gees’ How Can You Mend a Broken Heart.
Another standout track is Live and Let Die by Wings, which serves as background music for a hilarious scene featuring Jennifer Lawrence; it’s executed perfectly!
While you might still find this record on eBay, most of the songs are available on various streaming services.
5) Drive Original Motion Picture Soundtrack – Special Anniversary Edition: this lavish double-disc edition was released to celebrate the fifth anniversary of Drive, directed by Nicolas Winding Refn. I bought this record in 2016, and it features a striking pink vinyl set housed in a sleek blue cover, with the movie title elegantly written in pink. My father and I absolutely loved watching Drive together! He hasn’t seen The Neon Demon, another film by the same director, but I have, and I own that soundtrack on vinyl as well. However, I slightly prefer the music in Drive.
I really need to rewatch the film since it’s been ages, but I vividly remember how well the songs complement each scene. The soundtrack includes some fantastic, almost psychedelic tracks like Nightcall by Kavinsky & Lovefoxxx, Tick of the Clock by Chromatics, and Under Your Spell by Desire.
This special edition is sold out everywhere, but I believe the soundtrack has since been reissued on vinyl. I’m not sure if the new version is still pink, but I’ve heard it’s semi-transparent, so they’ve added an artistic touch to the reissue as well.