A film’s soundtrack is a necessary component to the total sum. The best use of music in film is not when its manipulative but rather acting as a character of its own, helping bring to life the filmmakers artistic vision. And earlier this week, we premiered the soundtrack to Park Chan-wook’s upcoming gothic thriller Stoker, from one of the greatest contemporary masters of cinematic sound, Clint Mansell. So, to honor his fantastic score, I’ve compiled some of the greatest film soundtracks of all time for your listening pleasure. Of course there are hundreds to love but here are some that particularly tickle my sonic fancy and hopefully yours. Enjoy.

 

 

Requiem for a Dream, Clint Mansell

Mulholland Drive, Angelo Badalamenti

 

Performance, Various Artists

Trainspotting, Various Artists

Taxi Driver, Bernard Herrmann

A Clockwork Orange, Wendy Carlos

The Graduate, Simon & Garfunkel

Magnolia, Jon Brion

Blue Velvet, Angelo Badalamenti

 

Drive, Cliff Martinez

Nashville, Various Artists

 

Close Encounters of the Third Kind, John Williams

 

Paris, Texas, Ry Cooder

Pulp Fiction, Various Artists

 

Chungking Express, Various Artists

The Double Life of Veronique, Zbigniew Preisner

 

The Social Network, Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross

 

Psycho Beach Party, Various Artists

American Graffiti, Various Artists

Almost Famous, Various Artists

8 1/2, Nino Rota

Goodfellas, Various Artists

Blade Runner, Vangelis

 

Apocalypse Now, Various Artists

2001: A Space Odyssey, Various Artists

 

Superfly, Curtis Mayfield

 

Suspiria, Goblin

 

Harold and Maude, Cat Stevens