Pretty in Pink Soundtrack

From LoveToKnow Music

The Pretty in Pink soundtrack showcases a variety of bands that were influential during the new wave and alternative music scene in the 1980s. The songs were carefully chosen to fit both the theme and the atmosphere of the movie, which focused on a high school girl who struggled to fit in with her wealthy peers.

About Pretty in Pink

Pretty in Pink was released in 1986, and is one of the best-known films from writer, producer, and director John Hughes. Hughes was the man behind a string of movies based on teen angst during the 80s, including:

The Breakfast Club
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Sixteen Candles
Some Kind of Wonderful

Pretty in Pink starred Molly Ringwald, Jon Cryer, and Andrew McCarthy. The movie deals with Ringwald's character, Andie, in a coming-of-age story where she faces pressure from high school cliques, and struggles to find her niche.

The Pretty in Pink Soundtrack

With ten songs that all tie in with the theme of the film, the soundtrack to Pretty in Pink is a time capsule from the post punk era when British bands were breaking through at dance clubs and on the radio.

Pretty in Pink

The title track on the Pretty in Pink soundtrack was originally recorded by The Psychedelic Furs in 1981, and appeared on their album Talk Talk Talk. The song itself was Hughes' inspiration for the movie, and the Furs re-recorded it especially for the soundtrack.

If You Leave

If You Leave, recorded by Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark (OMD), became one of the biggest hits from the soundtrack. The song was written and recorded just for the film, and reached number 4 on the Billboard chart. If You Leave can be found on the OMD Greatest Hits album, as well as their singles' collection.

Left of Center

Left of Center is a duet by Suzanne Vega and Joe Jackson, with Vega on vocals and Jackson on piano. The track can also be found on Vega's two greatest hits collections, Tried and True (1988), and Retrospective (2003).

Get to Know Ya

Get to Know Ya is an R&B inspired tune recorded by Jesse Johnson. Johnson was previously the lead guitarist for the band The Time, who recorded songs for the soundtrack to Prince's movie Purple Rain. Johnson also appears on the soundtrack for The Breakfast Club.

Do Wot You Do

Do Wot You Do was written and performed by INXS, just before their monster hit record Kick was released to worldwide acclaim. The song never appeared on an INXS first-run release, nor was it released as a single.

Shellshock

Shellshock, by New Order, was released as a single prior to the movie's premiere. In the United States, b-sides included the instrumental Thieves Like Us, which was also featured in the movie, but not included on the soundtrack.

Round, Round

Round Round was recorded by British musician Belouis Some. While Belouis Some was a hit on the indie and college radio circuits, he never quite achieved mainstream success in the way that other artists on the Pretty in Pink soundtrack did.

Wouldn't It Be Good

Wouldn't It Be Good is a remake of the 1984 hit by Nik Kershaw. The version that appears on this soundtrack was recorded by the Danny Hutton Hitters, led by Hutton, the former vocalist for Three Dog Night.

Bring on the Dancing Horses

Bring on the Dancing Horses was one of the biggest singles for Echo & the Bunnymen, a new wave band from Liverpool. The song was written and recorded specifically for Pretty in Pink, but was released as the only new song on Echo & the Bunnymen's compilation disc, Songs to Learn and Sing, in 1985.

Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want

This song, by The Smiths, was originally issued as the b-side to their single William It Was Really Nothing in 1984. The song also appeared on The Smiths' album Hatful of Hollow in the same year. A cover version of Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want was also used in the film Ferris Bueller's Day Off.

A Soundtrack of Nostalgia

For those who remember the Pretty in Pink film, the soundtrack encompasses all of the musical and emotional elements of both the movie and being a teen in the 1980s. With an eclectic collection of both haunting lyrics and melodies, and upbeat fun songs, this is one soundtrack that should be in everyone's collection.

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