movies/tv

From Tarantino to Titanic: The Most Epic 90s Movie Soundtracks & Film Scores

Musicnotes

Aug 21, 2023 • 4 min read

With some films, the experience goes beyond the screen. The soundtrack that comes along with the film is just as captivating and engaging. This was especially true in the 1990s when studios invested heavily in music to go with their films. During the decade, audiences got to enjoy some amazing 90s movie soundtracks. Here are a few that have stood the test of time.

In our list of some of the best soundtracks from the 90s, there is something for every type of music lover. You can explore these albums and find songs you love and want to learn to play.

Titanic

Thanks to the massive popularity of the lead song "My Heart Will Go On" by Celine Dion, the soundtrack to the romantic drama Titanic has earned a place among the best 90s movie soundtracks. The iconic ballad perfectly captures the love story of the lead characters and feels appropriate for the time setting of the movie. This compilation also inspired a new generation to explore period music from the early 1900s.

The Lion King

Disney movies in the 90s were known for their catchy and well-written songs, so it makes sense that a Disney film would make this list. The Lion King soundtrack has such great music, the original song "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" even earned an Oscar. The beloved song "Hakuna Matata" was also nominated. The opening sequence of the film and its songs "Circle of Life," "I Just Can't Wait To Be King" and "Be Prepared" have become iconic for audiences of all ages.

This soundtrack introduced African rhythms and choruses to audiences who hadn't heard that style of music much before. The songs and the score combine to bring joy to the film while helping viewers follow the main character's journey.

Pulp Fiction

Quentin Tarantino is considered a film visionary partly because of the way he uses music in his films. Pulp Fiction is the perfect example of this, which is why it is one of the best 90s movie soundtracks. Tarantino made the rare move to skip a traditional score for the film. Instead, he curated a unique mix of songs from different genres, including rock and roll, soul and pop. By using these songs as the backdrop for the plot, they become part of the story.

The opening sequence with Dick Dale's "Misirlou" is still instantly associated with the film by many movie lovers. Even as unique as the film is, the soundtrack stands out in its own right.

Waiting To Exhale

During the 90s, singer Whitney Houston was making a big impact on screens, with major films such as The Bodyguard and The Preacher's Wife. Each has a great soundtrack, but the compilation created for Waiting To Exhale stands out. Houston sings on several of the album's songs, including the lead single "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)." It's an anthem for the four women in the film who are trying to find their way as they deal with life's changes.

The soundtrack was put together by A-list R&B producer Babyface, giving it a soulful feel. Aside from Houston, the Waiting To Exhale soundtrack includes songs from stars such as Mary J. Blige, Brandy, Chaka Khan and Toni Braxton. It's also one of the few soundtracks entirely led by women.

Romeo + Juliet

Romeo + Juliet hit theaters as a bold and highly-stylized take on the classic Shakespeare play, and the soundtrack maintained the same daring energy. It pulled songs from various genres, pairing them with scenes in the movie to capture the tumultuous emotions of the lead characters. In this group, the soulful single "Kissing You" by Des'ree stands out with its haunting yet romantic tone that fits perfectly with the forbidden love the lead characters are experiencing. The soundtrack also served to modernize the story, which had been told for hundreds of years in dozens of different ways.

Forrest Gump

In the movie Forrest Gump, the songs the viewers hear as the main character navigates major moments in history from the 1950s through the 1980s helped create the atmosphere just as much as the visuals on screen. Each scene uses music appropriate to that era of the story. Songs such as Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama" and "Go Your Own Way" by Fleetwood Mac would have really played on the radio in the 1970s, so they intensify the mood of the story by transporting the viewers.

The songs not only add background, but context. In parts of the movie where war is discussed, the real socially conscious songs of that time are used to express the uneasiness some people had with overseas conflicts.

What Makes a Soundtrack Good?

Why are some 90s movie soundtracks so good while others are forgettable? There are a few factors that help people connect to a soundtrack separately from the film itself. An important one is featuring songs that have their own emotional resonance. These songs tell the story or emotion of a character, but they also feel like songs that relate to everyday life. A strong lead song, such as "My Heart Will Go On," feels timeless for anyone who has experienced love lost.

The best soundtracks are also cohesive. Sometimes this means staying with one genre, but it can also mean staying with a central theme. As long as the songs feel like they are part of the same story, the audience can connect.

Find New Ways To Enjoy The Best 90s Movie Soundtracks

These are just a few of the amazing soundtracks that came out in the 1990s. If you haven't listened to any of these in a while, now is the time to add them back to your rotation. You can even take it a step further and learn how to play your favorite songs. At Musicnotes, you can find sheet music for hundreds of songs from the 90s. Get arrangements for your favorite instrument or vocal arrangements for those famous 90s ballads. Check out the options and start enjoying the 90s movie soundtracks in a new way.

Sources:

https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/quentin-tarantino-soundtracks-ranked-worst-to-best/
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110357/awards/
https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1998/feb/20/titanic-soundtrack-making-its-own-waves/
https://www.platformmagazine.co.uk/music/the-lion-king-1994-soundtrack-from-great-to-greatest/
https://www.npr.org/2017/09/13/549731082/shocking-omissions-waiting-to-exhale-original-soundtrack-album
https://screenrant.com/romeo-juliet-1996-movie-soundtrack-guide-every-song/
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_many_emotions_can_music_make_you_feel
https://medium.com/rewindr/how-forrest-gump-mastered-musical-storytelling-526358230090