After spending an entire month looking back at the 80’s, I realized one thing. I need more. Luckily, a couple of fellow music fans on Twitter came up with the brilliant idea to highlight #30DaysOf80sMovieSongs during the month of April. I couldn’t resist at the opportunity to keep going, to keep listening, and to keep celebrating the decade that has meant more to me than any other from a musical standpoint. Each day I’m playing a different soundtrack favorite on the Mental Jukebox.
Movie: Back To The Future
“The Power of Love” is one of the quintessential songs of the decade. There’s no doubt about it. Every time I hear it, it brings me back, lifts me up and reminds me of that incredible nostalgic high of the eighties. It’s also one of the premier soundtrack theme songs of that period. It opened with those epic synth chords that become the bedrock of the song. It had the mellow bridge. It had the guitar solo. And, of course, it had that awesome vocal performance from Huey Lewis. But while it may be one of the quintessential songs of the decade, one could make the argument that “Back In Time”, the lesser celebrated song from Back To The Future, is actually the quintessential track for the movie. Here’s why:
First off, “Back In Time” is played more times throughout the movie compared to “The Power Of Love”, including two of the movie’s most pivotal moments: the scene where Marty McFly’s alarm clock wakes him up from what he thinks is a nightmare as well as the end credits. Second, the song’s lyrics are tightly connected to the theme and ethos of the movie with lyrics like: “Tell me, Doctor, where are we going this time? Is this the 50’s, or 1999?” “So take me away, I don't mind. But you better promise me I'll be back in time.” “You'd better remember, lightning never strikes twice.” And lastly, “Back In Time” was more of a team effort on the songwriting front. involving Lewis and three other members of the News. It’s an underrated, under-appreciated soundtrack gem. And sometimes, those are the best ones to play nice and loud.
“Don't bet your future on one roll of the dice. You'd better remember, lightning never strikes twice.”