I Feel The Need For Speed. (Top Gun - Soundtrack)

Member Name: daseaford

Product:	Top Gun - Soundtrack
Date:	27/11/01 (217 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Very Powerful Music.

Disadvantages: None.

This album brings to life all of the memories of speed, power, determination and pure adrenaline that the film Top Gun portrays. The film follows the life of American Navy pilot Pete Mitchell, who is brilliantly played by Tom Cruise.

In the film there are supersonic dog-fights, drama, death, romance and real macho speed scenes. The music plays a tremendous part in the film by accompanying some terrific filming and adding real atmosphere throughout the whole movie.

To fully appreciate this album you do need to have watched the film although the music does stand up on it’s own merit as it is so powerful and well performed.

Most of the tracks are performed by artists who you may have never heard of, with the exception of Berlin and Miami Sound Machine who have both had a number of other hit singles.

Danger Zone. (performed by Kenny Loggins).
This is one of the real classics tracks from the film and accompanies shots of speeding motor cycles, and F15 fighter aircraft in air-to-air conflicts. There is such a feeling of speed and power to this track that you can’t help but feel that you should be listening to this in an open topped sports car at high speed on the open road. This is a great track to start this album off with.

Mighty Wings. (performed by Cheap Trick).
Another very powerful track that keeps the volume turned up full as you imagine the fighter pilots speeding through a clear blue sky.

Playing With The Boys. (performed by Kenny Loggins).
This is an OK track but not really one of my favourites. It is a bit more vocal than the first two very powerful tracks, but I suppose the contrast is welcome.

Lead Me On. (performed by Teena Marie).
There is a romantic story line in the film between Pete Mitchell and Charlotte Blackwood (played by Kelly McGillis) and this is one of the tunes during one of their scenes. It is a good rock and roll number.

Take My Breath Away. (pe
rformed by Berlin).
This powerful love theme from the film became a big hit single in it’s own right and of course is now well known for a television car commercial. This track is so well written and performed it always deserves a second play when listening to this album. It really does stir up emotions and has some very excellent lyrics.

Hot Summer Nights. (performed by Miami Sound Machine).
This a fast, very pleasant track, but although I have watched the film many times I can never remember hearing this track in the movie. Oh well, perhaps that is the sign of a good sound track when the music has set the scene, but not been over intrusive.

Heaven In Your Eyes. (performed by Loverboy).
This is one of the romantic songs from the film and is sung really well and with a terrific amount of passion and feeling. Unfortunately there does seem to be a feel of the Eurovision Song Contest about this song, but it really is not that bad.

Through The Fire. (performed by Larry Greene).
This definitely is a ‘lads’ song with all the adrenaline flowing, with such lines as ‘Live your life as if each second was the final one’. Another powerful production with a full orchestral backing.

Destination Unknown. (performed by Marietta).
I must admit that I have never heard of Marietta, but I really do like the sound of her voice on this fast, passionate song, about the destiny of life. The song is sung strongly with great feeling and is very good to listen to.

Top Gun Anthem. (performed by Harold Faltermeyer and Steve Stevens).
The film starts with this track as the sun rises over an American aircraft carrier somewhere on the high seas, preparing for the launch of F15 fighter aircraft. It is a great scene setting piece of orchestral music that creates just the right atmosphere at the start of the film and makes a great final track to this album.

I suppose the only disappointment fro
m this album is that it does not feature the Righteous Brothers song “You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling” that Tom Cruise sung to Kelly McGillis in the film, and is now such a great Karaoke favourite.

Overall this is a very powerful album that really captures the mode of the movie, but is also an album that can be listened to even if you have not seen the film, as all the music is so good.

My favourite tracks are definitely ‘Danger Zone’ and ‘Take My Breath Away’ although there are no tracks that I dislike. This is a great collection for playing in the car, although it does make you feel the need for speed!

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