Celebrating 40 years since its release, “Footloose” remains a cultural touchstone, synonymous with youthful rebellion, the joy of dance, and an undeniably fantastic soundtrack. This movie, showcasing Kevin Bacon’s iconic warehouse gymnastics and exploring the timeless clash between youthful spirit and restrictive authority, gifted the 80s – and subsequent generations – with some truly unforgettable music. The “Footloose” soundtrack, a vibrant collection of Footloose Songs, topped charts and solidified itself as one of the best soundtracks of the decade, boasting multiple hits and a double dose of Kenny Loggins magic.
Let’s kick off our Sunday shoes and dive into a definitive ranking of every song on the original 1984 “Footloose” soundtrack.
9. Never – Moving Pictures
For those moments when you’re brimming with teenage angst and the only cure is to unleash pent-up energy through dance in an abandoned warehouse, “Never” by Moving Pictures provides the perfect pulsating backdrop. This Australian pop-rock track, drenched in synthesizers and saxophone, is pure 80s emotional intensity. It’s the sound of frustration finding its rhythm. Fun fact for movie buffs: while Kevin Bacon’s raw emotion is real, his gravity-defying high bar moves were actually executed by a stunt double.
8. Somebody’s Eyes – Karla Bonoff
Karla Bonoff, celebrated primarily as a songwriter behind hits like Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville’s Grammy-winning duet “All My Life,” steps into the spotlight herself with “Somebody’s Eyes.” This song is a classic example of soft-rock balladry, a tender love song anchored by a genuinely catchy and memorable chorus. It’s a gentle, heartfelt addition to the otherwise high-energy soundtrack, showcasing Bonoff’s delicate vocal style.
7. The Girl Gets Around – Sammy Hagar
Before Sammy Hagar was fronting Van Halen, he delivered “The Girl Gets Around,” a quintessential 80s rocker that injects a dose of rebellious energy into the “Footloose” mix. This track, with its driving beat and Hagar’s signature raspy vocals, likely wouldn’t have found many fans in the religiously strict town of Bomont. Lyrically, it explores the allure of a captivating girl who, beneath an innocent façade, knows exactly what she wants. It’s a playful, slightly edgy rock anthem that adds a different flavor to the soundtrack.
6. Dancing in the Sheets – Shalamar
Reverend Moore, the antagonist of “Footloose” and staunch opponent of dancing and youthful expression, would undoubtedly disapprove of Shalamar’s “Dancing in the Sheets.” This smooth, groove-laden R&B track is all about after-hours romance and suggestive moves behind closed doors. Shalamar, known for their sophisticated and funky sound, delivers a song that’s far from subtle, with lyrics explicitly hinting at steamy encounters. It’s a sensual counterpoint to the film’s themes of repression and liberation.
5. Almost Paradise – Mike Reno and Ann Wilson
Imagine yourself transported back to a 1980s high school prom; chances are “Almost Paradise,” the love theme from “Footloose,” would be serenading couples (and wallflowers) across the dance floor. This power ballad is a collaboration between Loverboy’s dynamic frontman Mike Reno, Heart’s legendary vocalist Ann Wilson, and songwriter Eric Carmen, the man behind the melancholic classic “All by Myself.” Their combined talents create a passionate duet, perfectly encapsulating the tentative romance blooming amidst the rebellious atmosphere of “Footloose.”
4. I’m Free (Heaven Helps the Man) – Kenny Loggins
Just like the soundtrack to “Top Gun,” “Footloose” benefited immensely from having not one, but two Kenny Loggins tracks. “I’m Free (Heaven Helps the Man)” is distinct from the title track, offering a more anthemic and rock-oriented vibe. This rousing, fist-pumping song acts as a musical embodiment of victory within the movie. It soundtracks the scene where Ren, Ariel, and their friends triumphantly organize their prom just outside the town limits, celebrating their newfound freedom to dance and express themselves.
3. Let’s Hear It for the Boy – Deniece Williams
Instantly recognizable from its infectious opening instrumental riff, “Let’s Hear It for the Boy” is pure pop perfection. This upbeat single became R&B singer Deniece Williams’ second No. 1 hit, following her duet with Johnny Mathis, “Too Much, Too Little, Too Late.” In “Footloose,” this song is perfectly synced to the joyous montage where Ren patiently teaches the rhythmically challenged Willard how to dance. It’s an earworm of a track, radiating pure joy and optimism, and a highlight of the soundtrack.
2. Holding Out for a Hero – Bonnie Tyler
Bonnie Tyler’s powerhouse anthem, “Holding Out for a Hero,” is arguably the “Footloose” song that has transcended the film most significantly over the past four decades. Its inclusion in movies like “Shrek 2” further cemented its place in popular culture. This is because “Holding Out for a Hero” simply commands attention. Penned by Jim Steinman, known for his dramatic and bombastic style, this song is a power-chord extravaganza that makes it virtually impossible to resist the urge to engage in some high-stakes, tractor-fueled game of chicken – or at least dramatically lip-sync along.
1. Footloose – Kenny Loggins
Come on, was there ever any doubt? If Kenny Loggins’ Oscar-nominated title track “Footloose” doesn’t get your feet tapping and your body moving, you might want to check your pulse. While it might stretch credibility to imagine an entire town, previously devoid of dance, suddenly mastering intricate choreography for a prom finale, when Loggins belts out “cut footloose,” logic takes a backseat to pure, unadulterated musical joy. It’s the ultimate celebration of liberation and the undeniable anthem of the movie, securing its place as the number one footloose song.
This soundtrack, brimming with iconic footloose songs, is more than just a collection of hits; it’s the beating heart of a movie that continues to resonate. Forty years later, the energy, emotion, and sheer fun of the “Footloose” soundtrack remain as infectious as ever.
Brian Truitt USA TODAY
