10 |
“When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going,” by Billy Ocean, from The Jewel of the Nile |
Not, strictly speaking, a rock song. But if you have never seen the video for this song, starring Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner, and Danny DeVito as backing singers, well, your life is just about to get a whole lot better.
9 |
“Eye of the Tiger,” by Survivor, from Rocky III |
The only acceptable song to play when you’re beating up Mr. T.
8 |
“Stir It Up,” by Patti LaBelle, from Beverly Hills Cop |
I love Patti LaBelle, I love this song, and, most of all, I love the moment Eddie Murphy gurns to this song at the end of Beverly Hills Cop.
7 |
“You’re the Best,” by Joe Esposito, from The Karate Kid |
Play this song before leaving the house and you will win every karate tournament that day, and that’s a fact.
6 |
“Footloose,” by Kenny Loggins, from Footloose |
Seriously, how awesome must it be to be Kenny Loggins? The man’s an eighties movie soundtrack legend.
5 |
“The Heat Is On,” by Glenn Frey, from Beverly Hills Cop |
Like the Big Lebowski, I cannot stand the Eagles. But such is the power of Beverly Hills Cop that I cannot resist this song by head Eagle Glenn Frey.
4 |
“Power of Love,” by Huey Lewis and the News, from Back to the Future |
MARTYMCFLY4EVA.
3 |
“Into the Groove,” by Madonna, from Desperately Seeking Susan |
I totally agree with you—there is not enough Madonna in this book. For the moment in Desperately Seeking Susan when she dances to herself on a jukebox, she deserves her own chapter.
2 |
“Danger Zone,” by Kenny Loggins, from Top Gun |
Just listening to this makes me want to ride Val Kilmer’s tail.
1 |
“Don’t You Forget About Me,” by Simple Minds, from The Breakfast Club |
Come on, there is just no competition. Not just the best eighties movie rock song but the best musical moment in an eighties movie. Punch the air, Judd Nelson! Punch it hard!