Movie soundtracks as albums were just beginning to take off by the 1970s. Of course, there were earlier examples, The Graduate featuring Simon and Garfunkel from 1967 for example. The 1970s though, especially the latter half, were when they started selling in much bigger numbers.
The 1970s, as the title indicates, had five multiple platinum-selling albums, as awarded and ranked by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). That number rose in the 1980s which had 17 multiple platinum soundtrack albums from the big movies of the time. By the 1990s the upward trend was soaring higher, that decade had a staggering 40 multiple platinum-selling film albums.
The 1970s may have had smaller numbers, but was very much a remarkable period for great music in the movies. The likes of the themes created by John Williams for Star Wars and Superman or the award-winning soundtrack for The Godfather by Nino Rota come to mind. As does The Last Waltz, featuring The Band, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Quite a variety in style and type of music.
The top five multi-million selling 1970s movies soundtracks
Those soundtrack albums though didn’t hit anywhere near 1m and platinum sales, never mind the multiple platinum status of the top five. FM, the 1978 movie based on a radio station, had many great tracks making an attractive record package to release. I recall buying it myself at the time for that reason. It was slightly more successful achieving over 1 million sales, but still below that multiple platinum level.
So let’s focus on those top five for 1970, it may not be many for a list, but they sold in hefty numbers. As you’d expect, they came from big-hitting movies. The soundtracks are powerful and many have iconic songs within them.
No. 5 - The Rose
A drama loosely based on Janis Joplin with Bette Midler making an impressive acting debut. Released in 1979 the story was of a rock star struggling with her success and Midler portrayed it very well. She picked up a Best Actress Golden Globe and a load of other nominations for her performance.
The soundtrack was very much Midler-led, she sang on all the tracks bar an instrumental piece. Most of the soundtrack album was recorded live in concert and in character, which makes it even more impressive. The album sold over 2 million copies with the title track, “The Rose,” becoming a top 3 hit as a single. Listen out though for one of Midler’s own favourites, the bluesy "Stay With Me".
No. 4 - American Graffiti
This 1973 film is often cited as being one of the most profitable movies made. A tiny budget and a cast of young hopefuls combined magnificently under the supervision of Francis Ford Coppola and George Lucas to huge box office success. Those hopefuls included Ron Howard, Richard Dreyfuss, and Harrison Ford.
Set in 1962 California the music was integral to the movie and at times the actors interacted with it. The songs were all radio-friendly tunes of that era with The Big Bopper and The Beach Boys among those featured. However, that low-cost budget ruled out paying a hefty fee for the rights to anything from Elvis Presley. He may have been all across the airwaves at that time but didn't make the film. The album name tells of a packed song list anyway - 41 Original Hits from the Soundtrack of American Graffiti. With over 4 million copies sold, it was a very popular collection of songs.
No. 3 - A Star Is Born
Another big box office musical for Barbra Streisand who starred alongside Kris Kristofferson in this 1976 film. This version was the third time the story had been told on film. The Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper version followed in 2018, also very successfully.
Streisand had a big hit and her second number-one with the single “Evergreen” from the film. The song was also awarded an Oscar at the Academy Awards. The soundtrack album also hit number one on the Billboard 200, holding its place there for six weeks. The album went on to sell 4 million copies.
No. 2 - Grease
Everyone knows this 1978 film and its music. It’s bright, full of great memorable songs, and led to a whole host of hits. John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John lead the way, but with several other artists from the cast adding songs to the soundtrack.
The soundtrack album had six singles released from it. They included a number one for Frankie Valli with the title song “Grease”. Hits followed around the world for "Hopelessly Devoted to You", "You're the One That I Want", "Summer Nights", “Sandy” and “Greased Lightning”. What a hit-packed album! It’s no surprise then that it’s clocked up 8 million sales in the US and even more worldwide.
No. 1 - Saturday Night Fever
It’s hard to read this 1977 film title without seeing John Travolta strutting down the street. Or perhaps in his white suit on that coloured square nightclub dance floor arm aloft. Not to mention hearing “Staying Alive” playing in your head.
The film is full of disco songs with the Bee Gees to the fore. That wasn’t the case when it was being shot though as the Bee Gees didn’t get involved until after filming. Travolta revealed later that he was strutting his stuff to Boz Scaggs and Stevie Wonder songs while being filmed for all those memorable scenes.
The Bee Gees were approached to create some songs for the movie, but they didn’t know much about the story, other than a Saturday night out vibe. They wrote several songs quickly while away recording an album in France and hit gold with their work. The film’s success was backed by their great music and led to a resurgence in their career.
The movie was incredibly successful as was the soundtrack album. It rose to A long number one on the Billboard 200 a few weeks after release, knocking Fleetwood Mac and Rumours off the top. It remained at number one for 24 weeks. With 16 million in sales, it is comfortably the top movie soundtrack of 1977.