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"The soundtrack album for Girls Just Want To Have Fun features songs you know by artists you don't know. But it sounds great anyway. You don't have to know everything to enjoy music.
The original score for Girls Just Want To Have Fun was composed by Thomas Newman. Thomas Newman is a prolific soundtrack composer; among his many recent film scores include: Desperately Seeking Susan (1985), Fried Green Tomatoes (1991), The Shawshank Redemption (1994) and The People Vs. Larry Flynt (1996)."
Taken from
http://imusic.com.
The Girls Just Want to Have Fun soundtrack is totally 80's! All the songs are uplifting and dance-inspirational--you'll find no ballads here. Although at first glance the album seems to be filled with unfamiliar artists, there are actually some big names and connections behind its songs:
"On the Loose," although performed by the virtually unknown artist Chris Farren, was written by Eagles member Glenn Frey. Frey had several solo hits of his own in the 80's, including "Part of Me, Part of You" (from the box office hit Thelma and Louise), "The Heat is On," and two songs from the Miami Vice Soundtrack--"Smuggler's Blues" and "You Belong to the City." In GJWTHF, "On the Loose" begins when Janey is sneaking out of the house for the first time, and continues playing at The Court where she rehearses with Jeff. It is a perfect theme for the new Janey who dares to disobey her parents and follow her dream.
"Dancing in Heaven," (AKA "Orbital Be-Bop"), a song written and perfomed by the techno pop group Q-Feel, was a hit in the 80's. The song also appears on their self-titled album--a disappointment of synthesized voices and less-than- catchy tunes. "Dancing in Heaven," however, is memorable and energetic. Band members Martin Page (bass, vocals) and Brian Fairweather (guitar, vocals) went on to work with other projects after Q-Feel, mainly Earth Wind and Fire. "Dancing in Heaven" is the lively song danced to by the DTV finalists in the movie.
The movie's title song, "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" was composed by Thomas Newman. Some of Newman's other soundtrack contributions include: Desperately Seeking Susan (1985), Fried Green Tomatoes (1991), The Shawshank Redemption (1994) and The People Vs. Larry Flynt (1996). Cyndi Lauper, Ms. Pop 80's herself, recorded the song originally and would not allow her version to be used in the movie. Ms. Lauper's hesitation is understandable, for GJWTJF the Movie was released just one year after Lauper's smash hit in 1984. In the movie, the song--as recorded by Deborah Galli, Tami Holbrook and Meredith Marshall--is featured in the scene where Janey, Lynne, and Maggie distribute Natalie's fake party invitations to punk rockers, transvestites, and female body builders on the streets of Chicago.
"Dancing in the Street"--co-written by Marvin Gaye--has been recorded again and again by various artists, including Martha & the Vandellas, David Bowie and Mick Jagger, and Van Halen. On the Girls soundtrack, Animotion covers this popular hit, and their version is commendable. Animotion is another popular 80's band, known for their hit songs "Obsession" and "Room to Move." The song is, appropriately, the theme for the DTV auditions.
The remaining songs on the album, although lacking famous musical connections, are enjoyable, nevertheless. "Shout" is the movie opener, our first introduction to DTV. "Shout, break out! Don't be insecure..." encourages Alex Brown in the song, a nice foreshadowing of Janey's character remolding that will follow.
Amy Hart's "Too Cruel" is perfect background music for Jeff and Janey's first rehersal and "Wake up the Neighborhood" sets the scene well for the crashing of Natalie's debutante ball.
The two songs by Rainey--"I Can Fly" and "Technique"--are two of the best on the album. Rainey's voice is strong and has a great range. The songs occur in two of the most memorable parts of the film--during Jeff and Janey's final rehersal scenes ("I Can Fly") and at the DTV danceoff ("Technique").
The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack for Girls Just Want to Have Fun is available on cassette through PolyGram Records and was originally released in 1985.
Interested in purchasing the cassette soundtrack for the film, then try Amazon as someone in the guestbook said they were able to eventually order it from there.
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