Top Gun

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

I don't know if it does much anymore for the score fans of composer Harold Faltermeyer, but Top Gun as a movie was as bulls eye as someone who shoots himself in the foot. Meaning in the case of Faltermeyer, it didn't do a goddamn wise thing for his career. In a way sad for Faltermeyer himself (who seems to have disappeared for good) and sad for the fans that followed his career close by. But if you see that, apart from the successful movie that the soundtrack didn't pay tribute to his work, it might explain some things. Because the true force of the soundtrack album are the songs and these really made it a hit, and I do mean that big, a HIT. Top Gun as an album still sells good and it isn't a surprise that the executive producers released an expanded edition (containing one extra score track and 4 songs). But it doesn't matter because as they stand, one release offers the most material, both contain the best songs of the movie and only that matters at the end of the ride.

Each song on this album rocks, and I mean that literally. Perhaps there are just three tracks noted as being excellent but these are just my true 3 favorites. All the songs are as enjoyable as they come and make sure why Top Gun stills sells so good, it is as cult classic as the movie itself. Now, the score material of Harold Faltermeyer is minimal but enjoyable, since it covers the main theme, also being the best memory of the score when heard during the movie. The songs are the best part and I absolutely love the energetic pop songs of Kenny Loggins and Cheap Trick and the ballad like monsterhit of Berlin namely 'Take my Breath Away'. For score fans, there is not much to find here and if they only search for the score material, a low sale version (being most likely this non expanded edition) is the answer to your prayers. But the overall fan (even me) can't help but like what the songs are bringing, and just as several other releases, they make the soundtrack of Top Gun worth it. More they don't conjure up memories of not having enough score material. Meaning, the songs really make the effort more then time consuming, enjoyable time consuming that is.

Top Gun "Expanded Edition"

The original album sold extremely well and I can call this the best original soundtrack that combines songs and score. In these cases the score is pretty short, barely the purchase worth and offering one single track only. But Top Gun has the most enjoyable songs and for once I loved the songs more then the score. Though Harold Faltermeyer's theme was pretty enjoyable. Columbia made sure that success can be repeated because they produced an expanded edition with 5 bonus tracks, 1 score track and 4 songs and including liner notes, a short interview and the text for all the songs, so an excellent advice to check out this soundtrack if you haven't got it yet. The first 10 tracks are exactly the same as the original album but featuring a bit sharper sound, from track 11 does it deliver new or added material. I have to admit that the first song isn't familiar. 'Memories' features the sad recollection of the deceased Goose by Maverick, I can't believe I still know all those names. Of course Jerry Lee Lewis' song isn't something I have to talk about and 'You've Lost that Lovin' Feeling' is a nice song that was heard at the end of the movie. The Dance Remix of 'Playing with the Boys' is an extra for the devoted fans. This expanded version of Top Gun is definitely a score to buy if you simply love the movie. It features great songs from the 80', my favorite time. And this is all found on this release with some superb songs and a good but short score. This is a good purchase for those who haven't got this score yet or to those who love these songs just in general. In that case I can say that Top Gun features everything that made the movie so damn cool for everyone.

Top Gun: *** Score: *** Songs: *****
Top Gun "Expanded Edition": *** Score: *** Songs: *****

\ЕЕЕ/

Tracks

Single Disc

1. Danger Zone: Kenny Loggins (3.31) Excellent Track

2. Mighty Wings: Cheap Trick (3.49) Excellent Track

3. Playing With The Boys: Kenny Loggins (3.55)

4. Lead Me On: Teena Marie (3.44)

5. Take My Breath Away: Berlin (4.12) Excellent Track

6. Hot Summer Nights: Miami Sound Machine (3.36)

7. Heaven In Your Eyes: Loverboy (4.03)

8. Trough The Fire: Larry Greene (3.42)

9. Destination Unknown: Marietta (3.45)

10. Top Gun Anthem * (4.10)

* Score composed by Harold Faltermeyer & Steve Stevens

Total Length: 38.45

Top Gun "Expanded Edition"

1. Danger Zone: Kenny Loggins (3.36) Excellent Track

2. Mighty Wings: Cheap Trick (3.50) Excellent Track

3. Playing With The Boys: Kenny Loggins (3.59)

4. Lead Me On: Teena Marie (3.47)

5. Take My Breath Away: Berlin (4.15) Excellent Track

6. Hot Summer Nights: Miami Sound Machine (3.38)

7. Heaven In Your Eyes: Loverboy (4.03)

8. Through The Fire: Larry Greene (3.45)

9. Destination Unknown: Marietta (3.48)

10. Top Gun Anthem * (4.11)

Bonus Tracks

11. (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay: Otis Redding (2.43)

12. Memories ** (2.56)

13. Great Balls Of Fire: Jerry Lee Lewis (1.50)

14. You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling: The Righteous Brothers (3.45)

15. Playing With The Boys (Dance Mix): Kenny Loggins (6.41)

* Score composed by Harold Faltermeyer and Steve Stevens

** Score Composed by Harold Faltermeyer

Total Length: 57.03

The use of artwork or photos is posted for non profitable reasons