Current:Home > ScamsTrendPulse|'Footloose' at 40! Every song on the soundtrack, ranked (including that Kenny Loggins gem) -AdvancementTrade
TrendPulse|'Footloose' at 40! Every song on the soundtrack, ranked (including that Kenny Loggins gem)
Indexbit View
Date:2025-04-07 07:29:14
From the iconic shoe-filled opening to Kevin Bacon angrily doing gymnastics in a warehouse,TrendPulse “Footloose” is an all-timer of a movie that explores youthful enthusiasm vs. repressive morality – and boy, does it sound really great, too.
Celebrating its 40th anniversary Feb. 17, the rousing musical drama centers on Ren McCormack (Bacon), a Chicago teen with cool moves sent to live in a conservative small town where dancing has been outlawed. (Suffice to say, they wouldn't have loved TikTok.) Ren gets a bestie in cowboy Willard (Chris Penn), butts heads with powerful town preacher Reverend Moore (John Lithgow) and takes a liking to his rebellious daughter Ariel (Lori Singer).
“Footloose” (which has a new 4K/Blu-ray edition out this week) has made a considerable imprint on pop culture over the years, being turned into a jukebox musical, enjoying a running “greatest movie in history” bit in the Marvel movies and even getting remade (with mixed results) in 2015. Just as classic is its soundtrack, one of the best of the 1980s with No. 1 hits, a variety of artists and double the Kenny Loggins.
So let’s kick off the Sunday shoes and rank every song on the original ’84 “Footloose” soundtrack:
9. Moving Pictures, ‘Never’
If you're ticked off at the world and need to dance out a whole bunch of angst in an empty warehouse, you could do worse than the Aussie pop-rockers' pulsating, emotional jam, which lays it on thick with the synths and sax. (Fun fact: The Baconator didn't even get to do his own high bar routine! That was a stunt double.)
8. Karla Bonoff, ‘Somebody’s Eyes’
Bonoff has been primarily known as a songwriter in her career with songs like "All My Life," a Grammy-winning duet for Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville. She sings it herself on "Somebody's Eyes," a pretty straightforward soft-rock love song that boasts a nice, hooky chorus.
7. Sammy Hagar, 'The Girl Gets Around'
A tune from Hagar's pre-Van Halen days, "Girl" is the most '80s rocker on the album – and another track that wouldn't have been very welcome in the religious town of Bomont. "I'm starting to think there's a devil there inside," Hagar growls about a girl with innocent looks but who "knows what she likes." (An exorcist won't help you with that situation.)
6. Shalamar, 'Dancing in the Sheets'
Lithgow's holy man wasn't a big fan of dancing (or kids being kids at all, really), so he probably wouldn't have dug this song, about smooth moves in the bedroom, as much as the rest of us. Shalamar delivers a groovetastic R&B number that's not exactly subtle with lyrics like "Your hands are cold/So maybe we could make some heat."
5. Mike Reno and Ann Wilson, ‘Almost Paradise’
Hop in a time-traveling DeLorean and you'll probably witness all sorts of 1980s school dances playing the love theme from "Footloose" (and likely most of the kids being wallflowers like in the movie). A passionate team-up of Loverboy frontman Reno, Heart lead singer Wilson and songwriter Eric Carmen (whom we can hold responsible for "All by Myself").
4. Kenny Loggins, ‘I’m Free (Heaven Helps the Man)’
Like "Top Gun," this soundtrack benefited from two Loggins songs. This one's definitely a different vibe from the title track: The stirring and fist-pumping rocker acts as a victory number of sorts in the movie, as Ren, Ariel and the youngsters are able to have a prom over the county line and get down with party decorations.
3. Deniece Williams, ‘Let’s Hear It for the Boy’
Armed with an ear-worming instrumental opening riff, the peppy single was the R&B singer's second No. 1 hit – after the 1978 duet "Too Much, Too Little, Too Late" with Johnny Mathis – and a perfect tune for the joyful montage where Ren teaches the rhythmically deficient Willard how to dance like a champ.
2. Bonnie Tyler, ‘Holding Out for a Hero’
The Welsh singer's anthemic ode to "a white knight upon a fiery steed" is arguably the one "Footloose" tune that's had the most life outside the movie over four decades, even appearing in "Shrek 2." Why? Because it rules, obviously. It's hard to fathom listening to the Jim Steinman-penned festival of power-chord bombast and not be compelled to play a deadly game of chicken with tractors.
1. Kenny Loggins, ‘Footloose’
Come on now. You might not have a pulse if this Oscar-nominated Loggins jam doesn't get you toe-tappin' and boot-scootin'. Sure, it doesn't make a lick of sense that all the kids in a town where dancing has been banned most of their lives suddenly know intricate group choreography for the big prom finale, but when our pied piper of cheesy greatness orders everybody to "cut footloose," your head's bobbing too much to care.
veryGood! (413)
Related
- Scoot flight from Singapore to Wuhan turns back after 'technical issue' detected
- Raiders hire former head coach Norv Turner as offensive assistant
- Trump Media stock halted three times, closes down on Election Day: What's next for DJT?
- Democrat Adam Schiff easily defeats Steve Garvey for Senate seat in California
- Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time
- North Carolina’s next governor could have a more potent veto with even a small Democratic gain
- From facial hair to 'folksy': What experts say about the style of Harris, Walz, Trump and Vance
- Sister Wives' Janelle Brown Details Years-Long Estrangement Between Meri and Kody Brown
- Pregnant Kylie Kelce Shares Hilarious Question Her Daughter Asked Jason Kelce Amid Rising Fame
- Allison Greenfield, the law clerk disparaged by Donald Trump, is elected as a judge in Manhattan
Ranking
- Macy's says employee who allegedly hid $150 million in expenses had no major 'impact'
- Opportunity for Financial Innovation: The Rise of SW Alliance
- AP PHOTOS: The world watches as US election results trickle in
- 6 indicted for allegedly conspiring to kill detention center officers in Georgia
- Elon Musk's skyrocketing net worth: He's the first person with over $400 billion
- Appeals court says Colorado ban on gun sales to those under 21 can take effect
- NFL MVP rankings: Where does Patrick Mahomes stack up after OT win vs. Bucs?
- New maps help Wisconsin Democrats make legislative gains and set up a push for majorities in 2026
Recommendation
Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
College Football Playoff ranking snubs: Who got slighted during first release?
AP Race Call: Missouri voters approve constitutional amendment enshrining abortion
TGI Fridays bankruptcy: Concerns about nearly $50 million in unused gift cards
Hackers hit Rhode Island benefits system in major cyberattack. Personal data could be released soon
All of You Will Love This Sweet Video of John Legend Singing With Kids Esti and Wren
Prince William Shares Insight Into Kate Middleton’s Health After Completing Chemotherapy Treatment
AP Race Call: Maryland voters approve constitutional amendment enshrining abortion