Original VHS Soundtracks

Music Featured in New & Unique VHS Videos From the 1980s and 1990s

The Rediscovery of VHS Soundtracks

Now Available at Bandcamp

VHS video soundtracks from the 1980s often featured popular music from the time period. Depending on the genre of the video, the soundtrack might include rock, pop, new wave, hip hop, or other styles of music. Some videos also featured original music or score specifically composed for the video.

VHS video soundtracks were typically produced in a studio, with the music recorded separately from the video footage. The music would then be synced up with the video during the editing process. Some videos, such as concert films, might be recorded live and then edited together afterwards.

Some of the most popular VHS video soundtracks from the 1980s include the soundtracks for films like “Top Gun,” “Dirty Dancing,” and “Footloose.” Music videos and concert films by popular artists such as Michael Jackson, Madonna, and Prince were also popular and iconic.

The Beginning of Music Videos

VHS video soundtracks evolved along with the changing music and video landscape of the 1980s. Early in the decade, music videos were becoming more popular and influential, and videos often featured footage from the videos themselves. Later in the decade, concert films and movies with soundtracks featuring popular songs became more common.

VHS video soundtracks were often similar to other types of soundtracks from the 1980s, in that they featured popular music from the time period. However, VHS video soundtracks had the added element of being tied to a visual medium, and the music was often chosen to complement or enhance the visuals.

Notable Musicians & Composers

Many notable musicians and composers worked on VHS video soundtracks in the 1980s. Some examples include Giorgio Moroder, who composed the soundtrack for “Top Gun,” and Kenny Loggins, who performed the title track for the same film.

The Work of the “Lesser-Knowns”

And then there were the lesser-known musicians such as Richard Jan Plasko, who composed the soundtracks for several New & Unique Videos including “California Big Hunks,” “Massage For Relaxation” and “Soaring in a Sailplane.” His “Dave the Dirty Cowboy” segment has become a true cult classic thanks to Red Letter Media’s Best of the Worst: Black Spine Edition #3 on Youtube.

Another brilliant yet unknown composer is Anthony “Buzz” Barnaba who provided the soundtracks for “The Great Mountain Biking Video,” “Ultimate Mountain Biking” and “Full Cycle: A World Odyssey.” Jazzy pop laced with ethnic sounds from around the world.

The Joyful Sounds of the ’80s and ’90s

VHS video soundtracks were significant in the 1980s because they helped to popularize and promote music and visual media simultaneously. The success of films like “Top Gun” and “Dirty Dancing” was in part due to their iconic soundtracks, and music videos and concert films helped to cement the popularity of many popular musicians.

Soundtracks from home videos generated at that time by independent producers and filmmakers is now being rediscovered by entrepreneurial spirits who are sharing their discoveries with their audiences via a plethora of niches, like Youtube, Facebook, Instagram and all kinds of podcasts.

There seems to be a growing interest and appreciation for the soundtracks from the 1980s and 1990s. Many people who grew up during that time period have a nostalgic connection to the music, and younger generations are discovering the music through streaming services, social media, and popular culture references.

In addition, the music from the 1980s and 1990s has influenced many contemporary artists and genres, so there is also an interest in understanding the roots and evolution of popular music.

Overall, the rediscovery of soundtracks from the 1980s and 1990s seems to be a trend that is continuing to gain momentum and popularity.