The music of Pretty In Pink wasn’t an afterthought. “The tracks in this album and film were chosen because Howie and I respect and believe in these artists. We are also proud to have teamed up with them.”
A person who is of an older age may recall a wide range of fond memories when they hear the phrase, “John Hughes films”.
Hughes worked in many genres as a writer/producer during the 1980s, but his films about teenagers are the most famous.
The films I was referring to shared many common features – an acknowledgment of class and the seriousness of the issues facing young people, Molly Ringwald, but most importantly to me were some of the best soundtracks ever recorded on celluloid.
Hughes’ movies have not aged very well. The Sixteen Candles is a particularly cringeworthy film these days. But the music remains amazing. The Pretty In Pink album was released in 1997. I remember reading the notes in the liner note (which I could type from memory), and being blown away by the music. Even if Hughes didn’t make a film I liked, I would still enjoy the music.
The John Hughes Mixtapes (available now from Demon Music), contains all the most iconic songs of Hughes’ movies. It’s not all here (“Twist and shout” from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, is noticeably but not surprising, missing) but complaining about it seems churlish when there is so much good stuff.
The word “mixtape”, which appears in the title of the set is not just a marketing trick. It’s a way to describe the fact that the songs are interspersed throughout the entire set. The box set includes all the hits from your childhood – such as “Don’t You Forget About Me” from The Breakfast Club and “If You Left” from Pretty in Pink, and the title track of Weird Science.
The deluxe version is where the true value lies. Hughes would joke that he made films only to include music, and the deluxe set functions like a great mixtape, mixing up songs that you love and know with other great tracks. The familiar is comforting, but you also get to discover a brand new song. The Rezillos’ “Rev Up!” and the Rave Ups’ “Positively Lose Me” aren’t as popular on 80s throwback radio stations like some of the other hits, but that doesn’t make them any less great.
The soundtrack includes tracks by The Association, Marvin Gaye and Ray Charles, as well as the 80s classics. Life Moves Pretty Quickis more than just a collection of throwbacks. It juxtaposes several genres, and lets the different styles highlight their best features.
Demon Music did not skimp here on packaging. If you are going to buy physical media, it’s nice that it’s beautiful. The set includes images of tapes and mixtapes made by John Hughes. Matthew Broderick and James Hughes are featured in exclusive interviews, along with Tarquin Getch, Ron Payne, and sleeve-by-sleeve sleeve-notes.
The quote from Ferris Bueller that gave this collection its name states, “Life moves pretty quickly.” This amazing music collection was a great way to relax.
Curated By Tarquin Getch
Composed and recorded by Various Artists
CD & Vinyl available (deluxe/regular editions)
Demon Music Group UK Released