Sounds of the silver screen: The first movie soundtrack to top the charts
The hit movie soundtrack has long been a fixture of popular culture. Whether it be the many influential scores that Hans Zimmer has produced or the scintillating many extracted from the mind of auteur-cum-composer John Carpenter, the list of significant sonic accompaniments to features is extensive. Yet, like every familiar aspect of the movie industry, it had to start somewhere.
Through the annals of film history, a series of notable soundtracks have shot to the top of the charts, as they acted as the perfect thematic and emotional accompaniment to the dramatic pull on display. For instance, hit 1990s blockbusters such as The Bodyguard and Titanic would not have become the cultural and commercial behemoths they were without the force of the score.
The soundtrack of 1992’s romantic thriller The Bodyguard was so impactful that it spent 20 weeks at number one. Starring the leading man of the era, Kevin Costner, alongside chart-topping vocalist Whitney Houston in her screen debut, it was the latter who was on hand to bring the album to life. Arriving six years after Whitney lost out on ‘Album of the Year’ at the Grammys, this would finally see her get the plaudits she deserved.
Containing three of her most well-known hits, including the cover of ‘I’m Every Woman’ and ‘I Have Nothing’, it was her version of Dolly Parton’s ‘I Will Always Love You’ that resonated with audiences most. Bringing the tear-jerking finale of the movie to life, this ballad saw The Bodyguard soundtrack stay at number one for an extensive five months.
Furthermore, although it was the only song on the soundtrack featuring vocals, Celine Dion’s performance on ‘My Heart Will Go On’ echoed the heartbreaking essence of James Cameron’s romantic drama. A resounding effort, it played a major role in the album selling over ten million units and spending six weeks at the top spot.
So, the first movie soundtrack to top the charts?
The first movie soundtrack to reach the top of the music charts was that of 1958’s romantic musical South Pacific. An immense hit, it was this record that demonstrated to the industry and the world just how critical a score could be in a movie’s success. The film was based on the 1949 musical of the same name by Rodgers and Hammerstein. In turn, it was loosely adapted from James A. Michener’s 1947 collection of short stories, Tales of the South Pacific, which he collated when stationed in Vanuatu during the Second World War.
Featuring classics such as ‘There Is Nothing Like a Dame’, ‘I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair’ and ‘Balli Ha’i’, in every aspect, this was the movie soundtrack taking things up a gear. Notably, both composers had a significant say in the recording, with most songs performed by successful singers rather than actors, giving the music extra vitality. These vocalists were Giorgio Tozzi, Muriel Smith and Bill Lee. The only two stars of the film to perform on the album were Mitzi Gaynor and Ray Walston. The latter performed on the original tour of the musical, as well as in London.
The album reached number one in the US and UK and stayed at the top of the American charts for seven months, making it the fourth-longest run in history. In the UK, it sat in the top five for 27 weeks before finally pushing to the summit in November 1958, where it stayed for a record 115 weeks.
Listen to the South Pacific soundtrack below.
