Today marks 48 years since everyone’s favourite musical, Grease, made its debut on Broadway – but many more will know the greatest hits from its adaptation for the big screen. The 1978 release is known widely for its great soundtrack but, with over 20 tracks to choose from, which are the best and which are the worst?
It’s 1978, its summer and what audiences didn’t know was how much of an impact Grease would have on the film world for years to come. The motion picture starred heartthrob John Travolta as Danny Zuko and the perfect girl next door Olivia Newton-John as Sandy Olsen.
It’s the love story we all dreamt of, a summer romance that – with some bumps in the road – turns into true love and even goes as far as to show how people change for love. Not only was this film popular for its storyline and characters, but more popular for the soundtrack alongside it.
This soundtrack in particular – even if you haven’t watched the film – is one of the most well-known and most popular. It has everything you could want from a soundtrack like the upbeat songs that get you up doing those beloved dance routines such as Greased Lightnin’, or the sadder songs such as Alone at the Drive-in Movie. And how can we forget some of the great duets that make the film what it is such as Summer Lovin’ and the one that many people get their Halloween costume inspiration from in You’re the One That I Want.
There are some tracks on the album, however, that aren’t quite up to par compared to some of the other songs. The scene where Frenchie has decided to quit beauty school suddenly summons her guardian angel – singer Frankie Avalon – who sings Beauty School Dropout. This song may be catchy but when watching it I’ve always wound it on to the next bit because I just thought it was boring and I was never really a big fan of the song.
Some of the less-known soundtracks on the album are considered more background songs, but this doesn’t make them less catchy. Examples include Hound Dog and of course Born to Hand Jive, featured at the televised bandstand.
With a soundtrack that has so many songs on it, it is hard to decide what are some of the best but here is a top five for you:
5. Summer Nights
This is not only the first song in the film but possibly the dream duet for all those budding singers out there. What Johnny and Sandy don’t know yet is they are now at the same school, but when they are both asked what they got up to during the summer queues the Summer Nights backing track.
This song is one of the catchiest and most memorable of the film, so it clearly makes it one of the best. What makes it even better is it sees the full ensemble of both groups, the T-Birds and the Pink Ladies as well as some great vocal performances with Danny and Sandy’s high note at the end.
Rating: 7/10
4. Hopelessly Devoted to You
Sandy’s solo of Hopelessly Devoted to You – whilst at a sleepover with the Pink Ladies – is one of the tracks that you can sing at the top of your lungs as it is one of the most meaningful.
This is Newton-John’s strongest vocal performance throughout the film and is not only again one of the most memorable, but it is potentially one of the saddest. This is simply because Sandy has been humiliated by the way she has been treated in front of the boy she has fallen for and the track shows that despite this, she is still “hopelessly devoted” to him.
In a way, it is a song some of us may be able to relate to if we have been in a similar sort of situation.
Rating: 7/10
3. You’re the One That I Want
If you were going to look at some of the most popular film soundtracks of all time, this duet from the end of the film would probably be one of the top ten. It is the penultimate song that shows us the new Sandy. At first, we think Danny is the one changing for Sandy as he appears in a jock cardigan, then suddenly, Sandy turns up…
This newfound confidence to Newton-John’s character makes the song even better as it comes across in her vocals of the song. Compared to the others, it is the most fun song of the film as it boasts a fast pace and the lyrics are catchy.
Perhaps the only downfall to this song is the relevance to the story as it shows Sandy had to change in order to impress Danny. Despite this, its one of the most likeable songs of the film and sets Danny and Sandy off on their journey into the sky into their flying car. (Crazy, I know…)
Rating: 8/10
2. There Are Worse Things I Could Do
Rizzo is perhaps one of the most underrated characters of the film as she is one of those rare characters who is tough on the outside but has a sensitive side that she doesn’t show to a lot of people.
When she performs her solo of There Are Worst Things I Could Do, it is one of the best scenes and songs that showcases who Rizzo truly is because it again shows this more sensitive side to her as she sings and admires Kenickie in the distance.
The lyrics reflect on the way Rizzo reacts to love and shows us the worst things she could do in love such as staying home every night and “wait around for Mr Right”. Although it may not be one of the more popular songs, I still consider it one of the best as it showcases the talent Rizzo had (something we didn’t see as much compared to Danny and Sandy) and her character development.
Rating: 8/10
1. Grease
Although this song may not be sung by the cast, I still consider it the best song from the soundtrack as it is not only the title song of the film, but it sets the whole mood and atmosphere for the rest of the film.
Sung by star of The Four Seasons, Frankie Valli tells us of how “Grease is the word” and to me, it remains the most catchy and it is one of those songs that not only has a good tune to it but includes the top vocals of a great singer of the time.
Ultimately, the Grease soundtrack is one of those albums that makes a film even better and is full of tracks that is suitable for everyone with a great variety to listen and jam to.
Rating: 9/10
By Katie Green
Feature Image Credit: Universal International Music