Flashdance – Original Soundtrack from the Motion Picture (1983)
“$1 for eternal happiness? I’d be happier with the dollar.”
– Mr. Burns, S8E7
Well, I may not have purchased eternal happiness last week, but I did make perhaps the happiest 10¢ purchase of my life thus far.
At the semi-annual Kingston Symphony Association Record Sale last Thursday, I invested an entire dime in the soundtrack to the film Flashdance.
Now I’ve yet to see the film, but after listening carefully to the seemingly-entire-movie-summarizing lyrics of Maniac, I feel like I have!
There are smile out loud moments throughout the running order:
-I’m convinced the Love Theme from Flashdance is a keyboard cover of Hotel California
-Whether it’s a cowbell or woodblock on Seduce Me Tonight, I gotta have more of it!
-If you can listen to the opening track, Flashdance…What a Feeling, especially the chanted background vocals, “I am Rhythm Now,” and somehow not feel better about the world? To borrow a Steven Tyler line, well Mr. You’re a Better man than I
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Whenever I contemplate buying something, I inevitably think of the estimated Return on Investment (ROI).
The reason I’m so jazzed about this purchase (and maybe slightly saddened about all future purchases) is that I don’t think I’ll ever top the ROI found through Flashdance.
To get a bit formula-y:
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So, like Mr. Burns, would I be happier keeping the money?
Not unless I can somehow find a better than 10,000% happiness return elsewhere.
What a feeling indeed!
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This review was part of the November Film [Soundtrack] Festival, graciously hosted by my friend Bruce @ VinylConnection.
I can promise high happiness returns on your time invested checking out all the other soundtrack reviews at his site, enjoy!
1001albumsin10years 
Smiling out loud… feeling better about the world… OK. But did you break out into an epic dance? That’s what we all want to know.
As I read also happened in the film, I arranged for a body double to dance the more elaborate moves on my behalf!
Wouldn’t be an option for me, thanks to my incomparable physique.
Fortunately in my case, expertly dancing 34-year olds who look like 12-year olds were readily available!
I don’t look 12yo in fairness. But I probably dance like one!
One word: Marvellous
One emoji thingee: 🙂
Cheers Bruce – I appreciate both the kind word & emoji thingee!
Not to mention your hosting of the series, it’s been a fun start to November!
Ok enough of the math, my head hurts! 😉
Seriously though, I watched Flashdance this summer…it had been a long time…and I thought it held up really well! Music’s great.
As a gesture of gratitude for all your wonderful logos Sarca, I solemnly swear to make my next review (relatively) formula-free!
Ok. Gumball or Glashdance. Tough call.
I think I’d go Flashdance too.
A tough call, but you made the right call!
You’d enjoy the movie. The cinematography is a treat and a few scenes are very memorable. I love the ROI. A 10,000% happiness return is most impressive indeed.
Thanks Danica – I think when I finally see the film, I’ll feel like I’ve seen it before. I think it’s one of those movies that’s been parodied so frequently that I’ll recognize many of the scenes already!
That looks like a ‘sound’ investment…
… I’ll get my coat.
Such wordplay is always welcome here J!
Excellent fancy-pants math post, but I say it was still $0.10 too much! 🙂
Fancy-pants math is the only way I roll – thanks Aaron!
Someone described the film as a long music video, and that is more or less accurate. But the dance sequences are amazing, understandably iconic. I don’t know how to link it here as I’m writing this on my phone but check out British comedian Robert Webb’s comic relief performance of What a Feeling if you can. It’s competent and hilarious. Imagine Marc Bolan in leotards…
That performance sounds unforgettable Amrita, I’ll check it out!
Here’s a link.
Fun – the welding intro was a nice touch!
The welding part has a comedic backstory to it. It makes more sense of the madness you witnessed! Here’s a link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pwfa04iQyZI
“I live to weld” – nice to see the performance context!
Isn’t he brilliant? He and his comedy partner always have me in splits. I highly recommend the sitcom they did together called Peep Show.