Many have given the “King of the Soundtracks” title to Kenny Loggins and I’m not saying he doesn’t deserve it; but, I propose that there shouldn’t have really been a king, but instead a royal court.

Yes, “Footloose” got our toes tapping or doing that toes together/heels together move to slide to the side on the dance floor; “I’m Alright” had us doing a little gopher shimmy and smiling to ourselves over Bill Murray’s antics; and, “Danger Zone” coaxed us to defy the speed limit (or at least max it out) and got us ready to take on the world.  And, who doesn’t think of Val Kilmer, Anthony Edwards and Tom Cruise playing sand volleyball when “Playing with the Boys” pops up on the Sirius/XM 80s channel?

But, what about those hours spent deep within the melancholy world of the teenage crush?  Those summer nights pining over the affection of our own personal versions of the iconic John Hughes heartthrobs: Jake Ryan, Blane McDonough, Ferris Bueller or John Bender.  That is where the other soundtrack gods come into play.  Those warmhearted, profound lyrics came from the men that provided us with tunes that we could put on the repeat mode of our stereo turntables and listen to over, and over, and over again.  Those men deserve a place right up next to Mr. Loggins and his soundtrack genius.  Some of their songs might have ended up in films that might not have as much traction or love as a Footloose or Top Gun garners.  But, I would trade both of those gems for all the schlocky 80s movies.  You know, the ones that in 100 minutes or less were able to get you completely invested in a very improbable cinematic relationship, gave us a little bit of heartbreak as the main conflict, may or may not have ended with a happy ending; and, featured an extremely memorable song or two that stuck with you long after you left the theater – even if the film was below mediocre.  Sometimes a sub-par film can produce a superior soundtrack (i.e. “Just Once”: The Last American Virgin).

There was the versatile Phil Collins who either in his solo career or with Genesis had numerous hits in the Rock, Pop and even the Disney charts.  Of course there was “Separate Lives” from White Nights and “One More Night” from The Color of Money; but, for me, it was his “Against All Odds” that stood the test of time.  I can still recall the frozen image at the end of the film where Rachel Ward looked longingly back at Jeff Bridges knowing they can never be together, despite their emotional connection and deep devotion.  Ugh…heart-wrenching!  (Yes, I cried)

Then, Peter Cetera.  He had a bounty of soundtrack songs that graced our 80s and 90s boy loves girl or girl loves boy rom coms.  One of them leaves the other for whatever reason – there is always SOME silly reason; and then, almost at the last minute and just before the credits roll, luckily, love conquers all!

• “Glory of Love” – Karate Kid, Part II
• “No Explanation” – Pretty Woman
• “After All” – Chances Are

There was even Chicago’s “Prima Donna” which is not really a sappy love song, but was used in Two of a Kind, a movie reuniting John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John – and who doesn’t love THAT concept?  Then, lest we forget, the Chicago song(s) “Hard to Say I’m Sorry” / “Get Away” from Summer Lovers, a very racy movie about a threesome that takes Peter Gallagher and Darryl Hannah to Greece where they meet a new foreign friend, Lina.  To this day, I can’t hear the segue between those two songs without envisioning the end of the film where Peter and the girls jump off the cliff into the ocean.  Seems if you put a fantastic song at the end of the film, using it’s lyrics to wrap everything up, you are likely to leave a lasting impression.

Finally, my favorite of the soundtrack court, Bryan Adams.  Bryan could elevate any film just by providing a song for it’s soundtrack.  If they would make a story of my life, I would want Bryan Adams to supply the end credit song for the film.  “Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman” from Don Juan DeMarco, “When You Love Someone” from Hope Floats, “Everything I Do, I Do for You” from Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves – pearls in the soundtrack world.  And, boy, did he have some excellent people to sing with.  “All for Love” from The Three Musketeers with Sting and Rod Stewart and “I Finally Found Someone” from The Mirror Has Two Faces with Barbra Streisand – you can’t get any better!  And, my list would not be complete without including A Night in Heaven.  Mix two songs from Bryan Adams: “Heaven” and “The Best Was Yet to Come” into a film with Christopher Atkins playing a male stripper.  Umm..as bad as the movie may be, you can’t be too disappointed.

And now, in order to end this post in what I feel is the best manner possible, especially after mentioning Christopher Atkins, I submit a nod to the best of the worst soundtracks, The Pirate Movie.  It does not feature any of my proposed soundtrack court but has provided me with years of memories and smiles.  Kool and the Gang’s “Stand Up and Sing,” two songs by Kristy McNichol, “How Can I Live Without Her?” by Christopher Atkins himself; and, the one song that continually reminds me of all the good things in the world I loved in my frivolous youth…the song, “Happy Ending.”  And, with that, I return to listening to the regular rotation of my iPod (which, of course, is made up of 75% songs that came from some movie at some point anyway).  #50Weeksto50