Harold Faltermeyer - Beverly Hills Cop (Music From The Motion Picture)
Released in December 1984, the Beverly Hills Cop soundtrack is one of the defining musical statements of the decade. Compiled to accompany the smash-hit Eddie Murphy comedy thriller, the album blends synth-pop, pop rock, dance and R&B into a cohesive, era-defining collection that went on to reach number one on the Billboard 200 and earn 2× Platinum certification in both the US and Canada.
German composer and producer Harold Faltermeyer is the central musical figure behind the soundtrack. Born in Munich in 1952, Faltermeyer came to prominence in the late 1970s after working with legendary producer Giorgio Moroder. His skills as a session musician, arranger and synthesiser specialist brought him to Los Angeles, where he contributed to films including Midnight Express before landing the Beverly Hills Cop assignment. His composition “Axel F”, the pulsing, instantly recognisable theme for detective Axel Foley, became a worldwide hit single and remains one of the most celebrated pieces of film music from the 1980s. It earned Faltermeyer a Grammy Award in 1986 for Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media, shared with Keith Forsey and other contributors.
Beyond Faltermeyer’s instrumental work, the soundtrack features an outstanding roster of artists. Patti LaBelle contributes two high-energy tracks, “New Attitude” and “Stir It Up”; Glenn Frey (of the Eagles) delivers the propulsive “The Heat Is On”; The Pointer Sisters bring the irresistible “Neutron Dance”; and Danny Elfman, Shalamar, Junior and The System round out a stellar line-up. The album’s eclectic yet cohesive feel perfectly mirrors the film’s tone, energetic, fun, and unmistakably eighties.
This special pressing presents the soundtrack on Palm Tree coloured vinyl, making it a must-have collector’s item for fans of the film, of 1980s soundtracks, and of coloured vinyl in general.
Track Listing
- New Attitude - Patti LaBelle (4:36)
- Don’t Get Stopped in Beverly Hills - Shalamar (4:20)
- Do You Really (Want My Love?) - Junior Giscombe (3:44)
- Emergency - Rockie Robbins (3:28)
- Neutron Dance - The Pointer Sisters (4:12)
- The Heat Is On - Glenn Frey (3:45)
- Gratitude - Danny Elfman (5:04)
- Stir It Up - Patti LaBelle (3:35)
- Rock ‘N’ Roll Me Again - The System (3:15)
- Axel F - Harold Faltermeyer (3:00)