Editor’s Note: The Albumism staff has selected what we believe to be the 100 Greatest Soundtracks of All Time, representing a varied cross-section of films and musical genres. Click “Next Soundtrack” below to explore each soundtrack in the list or for easier navigation, view the full introduction & soundtrack index here.
Boogie Nights
Capitol (1997)
Selected by Sarah Paolantonio
I first heard the soundtrack in the car when I was being driven to a piano lesson. Too young to see the movie, or even to be told what it was about, I fell in love with the sound of Boogie Nights. It’s full of ‘70s hits from almost every year of the decade including Chakachas’ “Jungle Fever” from 1970, “Machine Gun” by The Commodores from 1974, Marvin Gaye’s “Got To Give It Up - Pt. 1” from 1977. The music follows the story into the ‘80s as the characters fall from grace, landing on Night Ranger’s “Sister Christian” from 1983.
Boogie Nights captures the culture of disco—the dancing, the clothes, the cars, the parties, the cocaine—and the soundtrack echoes these images. The opening long shot is synched to The Emotions’ “Best of My Love” (from 1977) as we enter and twist around a nightclub meeting the characters. Eric Burdon & War’s “Spill the Wine” (1970) plays endlessly as the camera leads us through a pool party in the Hollywood Hills.
Paul Thomas Anderson is a unique filmmaker and has a specific touch of marrying story and sound. The soundtrack is bright and bouncy, but the story of Boogie Nights is dark and commands your attention. As a snapshot of the 1970s, the soundtrack is a perfect match.
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