The Score: Memorable Movie Soundtracks

These films wouldn't have been the same without the music.

Boyz n the Hood - July 9 marks the 23rd anniversary of the release of the soundtrack to the classic film Boyz nthe Hood. The star-studded lineup included hits like Ice Cube's "How to Survive in South Central," Compton's Most Wanted's "Growin' Up in the Hood" and the R&B smash "Me and You" by Tony! Toni! Toné!. As we celebrate this classic release, let's take a look at a more movie soundtracks that made explosive impacts over the years. — Michael Harris (@IceBlueVA)(Photo: Warner Bros.)

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Boyz n the Hood - July 9 marks the 23rd anniversary of the release of the soundtrack to the classic film Boyz nthe Hood. The star-studded lineup included hits like Ice Cube's "How to Survive in South Central," Compton's Most Wanted's "Growin' Up in the Hood" and the R&B smash "Me and You" by Tony! Toni! Toné!. As we celebrate this classic release, let's take a look at a more movie soundtracks that made explosive impacts over the years. — Michael Harris (@IceBlueVA)(Photo: Warner Bros.)

Poetic Justice - The Poetic Justice soundtrack had the summer of 1993 on lock for the Tupac and Janet Jackson starring film. Packed with hits, a few heaters included Mista Grimm, Warren G and Nate Dogg's "Indo Smoke," Tupac's "Definition of a Thug N----a," and Chaka Demus & Pliers' "I Wanna Be Your Man." TLC also ignited the album with a remake of The Time's "Get It Up" and Tha Dogg Pound brought the lyrical ruckus with "N----a Don't Give A F--k."(Photo: Epic Records)

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Poetic Justice - The Poetic Justice soundtrack had the summer of 1993 on lock for the Tupac and Janet Jackson starring film. Packed with hits, a few heaters included Mista Grimm, Warren G and Nate Dogg's "Indo Smoke," Tupac's "Definition of a Thug N----a," and Chaka Demus & Pliers' "I Wanna Be Your Man." TLC also ignited the album with a remake of The Time's "Get It Up" and Tha Dogg Pound brought the lyrical ruckus with "N----a Don't Give A F--k."(Photo: Epic Records)

The Wood - The 1999 soundtrack to the coming-of-age flick included the southern gumbo "Neck Uv Da Woods" with Mystikal and OutKast while Joe laid it down for the ladies with "I Wanna Know." (Photo: Jive Records)

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The Wood - The 1999 soundtrack to the coming-of-age flick included the southern gumbo "Neck Uv Da Woods" with Mystikal and OutKast while Joe laid it down for the ladies with "I Wanna Know." (Photo: Jive Records)

Photo By Photo: Jive Records

Soul Food - This double platinum-selling 1997 soundtrack featured a slew of R&B hits like Boyz II Men's "A Song for Mama," Milestone's "I Care About You" and Monica and Usher's collaborative hit "Slow Jam." Dru Hill, OutKast and Cee-Lo also added some spice to the Billboard topper. (Photo: LaFace Records)

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Soul Food - This double platinum-selling 1997 soundtrack featured a slew of R&B hits like Boyz II Men's "A Song for Mama," Milestone's "I Care About You" and Monica and Usher's collaborative hit "Slow Jam." Dru Hill, OutKast and Cee-Lo also added some spice to the Billboard topper. (Photo: LaFace Records)

New Jack City - This platinum-selling soundtrack topped the charts in 1991 and boasted a ton of hits, including Ice-T's "New Jack Hustler" and Color Me Badd's "I Wanna Sex You Up."(Photo: Reprise Records)

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New Jack City - This platinum-selling soundtrack topped the charts in 1991 and boasted a ton of hits, including Ice-T's "New Jack Hustler" and Color Me Badd's "I Wanna Sex You Up."(Photo: Reprise Records)

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The Best Man - Peaking at No. 2 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts in the U.S., the soundtrack for the 1999 film The Best Man featured songs from Beyoncé, The Roots, Bob Marley, Lauryn Hill and a memorable collaboration on the lead single "The Best Man I Can Be" featuring R&B heartthrobs Case, Ginuwine, R.L. and Tyrese.(Photo: Courtesy Sony Records)

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The Best Man - Peaking at No. 2 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts in the U.S., the soundtrack for the 1999 film The Best Man featured songs from Beyoncé, The Roots, Bob Marley, Lauryn Hill and a memorable collaboration on the lead single "The Best Man I Can Be" featuring R&B heartthrobs Case, Ginuwine, R.L. and Tyrese.(Photo: Courtesy Sony Records)

New Jersey Drive - The fast-paced soundtrack for the 1995 Spike Lee-produced film, which peeked into the lives of thrill seekers who get their kicks joyriding, reached No. 2 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart in the U.S. The album was later certified gold and featured hits like OutKast's "Benz or Beamer" and Ill Al Skratch's "Don't Shut Down on a Player."(Photo: Courtesy TommyBoy Records)

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New Jersey Drive - The fast-paced soundtrack for the 1995 Spike Lee-produced film, which peeked into the lives of thrill seekers who get their kicks joyriding, reached No. 2 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart in the U.S. The album was later certified gold and featured hits like OutKast's "Benz or Beamer" and Ill Al Skratch's "Don't Shut Down on a Player."(Photo: Courtesy TommyBoy Records)

Menace II Society Soundtrack: Where Are They Now? - The soundtrack to the award-winning movie Menace II Society came out twenty years ago, on May 26, 1993. With memorable songs from MC Eiht, Spice 1 and KRS-One, the album captured the sounds of the streets from coast to coast and, like the movie, epitomized the simultaneous derision and celebration of hip hop in that era — an in-your-face mix of profanity, violence and preaching. Here, continuing our "Where Are They Now?" classic-album series (which last checked in with Janet Jackson's janet), we catch up with the rappers, singers and producers who helped give life to O-Dog and Caine. —Alex Gale(Photo: Jive)

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Menace II Society - One of the first and most notable gangsta rap film soundtracks, the Menace II Society-affiliated album was released on May 26, 1993. The platinum-selling album featured Spice 1, MC Eiht, Too Short, Da Lench Mob, DJ Quik, Pete Rock, CL Smooth, UGK and more.(Photo: Courtesy Jive Records)

Shaft - Isaac Hayes set the bar for soundtracks in 1971 during the blaxploitation era. The Shaft soundtrack complemented Gordon Parks's vision perfectly and produced an iconic theme song that later won a Grammy for Best Instrumental Composition and an Oscar for Best Original Song.(Photo: Stax Records)

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Shaft - Isaac Hayes set the bar for soundtracks in 1971 during the blaxploitation era. The Shaft soundtrack complemented Gordon Parks's vision perfectly and produced an iconic theme song that later won a Grammy for Best Instrumental Composition and an Oscar for Best Original Song.(Photo: Stax Records)

Photo By Photo: Stax Records

Lady Sings the Blues - Recorded in conjunction with Diana Ross's motion picture debut for her portrayal of the legendary Billie Holiday, this soundtrack has the distinction of being her only No. 1 CD as a solo artist.(Photo: Motown Records)

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Lady Sings the Blues - Recorded in conjunction with Diana Ross's motion picture debut for her portrayal of the legendary Billie Holiday, this soundtrack has the distinction of being her only No. 1 CD as a solo artist.(Photo: Motown Records)

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Superfly - Taking his cue from Isaac Hayes's Shaft a year prior, Curtis Mayfield released an iconic album of his own in 1972 with Superfly. Rather than relying on mostly instrumentals like Hayes, however, Mayfield performed a nine-song disc centered around characters from the movie. Standouts include "Freddie's Dead," "Pusherman" and "Little Child Running Wild." The soundtrack's been sampled by artists like Busta Rhymes and Snoop Dogg, among countless others.(Photo: Rhino Records)

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Superfly - Taking his cue from Isaac Hayes's Shaft a year prior, Curtis Mayfield released an iconic album of his own in 1972 with Superfly. Rather than relying on mostly instrumentals like Hayes, however, Mayfield performed a nine-song disc centered around characters from the movie. Standouts include "Freddie's Dead," "Pusherman" and "Little Child Running Wild." The soundtrack's been sampled by artists like Busta Rhymes and Snoop Dogg, among countless others.(Photo: Rhino Records)

Krush Groove - Though it chronicled the early days of one of hip hop's pioneering labels, Def Jam, 1985's Krush Groove soundtrack went beyond by featuring songs by Chaka Khan, Debbie Harry — aka Blondie, Sheila E. and The Gap Band in addition to songs by LL Cool J, Beastie Boys and Kurtis Blow.(Photo: Warner Bros)

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Krush Groove - Though it chronicled the early days of one of hip hop's pioneering labels, Def Jam, 1985's Krush Groove soundtrack went beyond by featuring songs by Chaka Khan, Debbie Harry — aka Blondie, Sheila E. and The Gap Band in addition to songs by LL Cool J, Beastie Boys and Kurtis Blow.(Photo: Warner Bros)

Breakin' - 1984's Breakin' soundtrack provided the perfect soundbeds for b-boys to pop and lock everywhere. A few standouts included Rufus and Chaka Khan's "I Feel For You" and Ollie & Jerry's "Breakin'...There's No Stopping Us."(Photo: Polydor Records)

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Breakin' - 1984's Breakin' soundtrack provided the perfect soundbeds for b-boys to pop and lock everywhere. A few standouts included Rufus and Chaka Khan's "I Feel For You" and Ollie & Jerry's "Breakin'...There's No Stopping Us."(Photo: Polydor Records)

Boomerang - Although she'd already recorded prior, 1992's Boomerang served as Toni Braxton's coming out party. In addition to Braxton's "Love Shoulda Brought You Home" and "Give U My Heart" with Babyface, the soundtrack featured a gem from A Tribe Called Quest ("Hot Sex") and Boyz II Men's record-breaking hit "End of the Road."(Photo: LaFace Records)

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Boomerang - Although she'd already recorded prior, 1992's Boomerang served as Toni Braxton's coming out party. In addition to Braxton's "Love Shoulda Brought You Home" and "Give U My Heart" with Babyface, the soundtrack featured a gem from A Tribe Called Quest ("Hot Sex") and Boyz II Men's record-breaking hit "End of the Road."(Photo: LaFace Records)

Juice - Tracks from Big Daddy Kane ("Nuff Respect") Eric B. & Rakim ["Juice (Know the Ledge)"] and Naughty by Nature ("Uptown Anthem") helped make this 1992 album one of the most respected soundtracks in hip hop. Aaron Hall also helped smooth it out on the R&B tip with "Don't Be Afraid."(Photo: MCA Records)

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Juice - Tracks from Big Daddy Kane ("Nuff Respect") Eric B. & Rakim ["Juice (Know the Ledge)"] and Naughty by Nature ("Uptown Anthem") helped make this 1992 album one of the most respected soundtracks in hip hop. Aaron Hall also helped smooth it out on the R&B tip with "Don't Be Afraid."(Photo: MCA Records)

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Mo' Better Blues - Terence Blanchard and the Branford Marsalis Quartet masterfully composed songs for Bleek Gilliam, played by Denzel Washington, and his band. Cynda Williams also showcased her vocal ability on the soulful jazz ballad "Harlem Blues" for Spike Lee's 1990 cinematic classic.(Photo: Sony Music)

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Mo' Better Blues - Terence Blanchard and the Branford Marsalis Quartet masterfully composed songs for Bleek Gilliam, played by Denzel Washington, and his band. Cynda Williams also showcased her vocal ability on the soulful jazz ballad "Harlem Blues" for Spike Lee's 1990 cinematic classic.(Photo: Sony Music)

Above the Rim - Death Row Records held court with this implosive 1994 soundtrack, which featured tracks from heavy hitters like Tupac, SWV and H-Town. The Lady of Rage also made waves with the Snoop Dogg-assisted "Afro Puffs" while Warren G and Nate Dogg made themselves household names with "Regulate."(Photo: Death Row/Interscope Records)

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Above the Rim - Death Row Records held court with this implosive 1994 soundtrack, which featured tracks from heavy hitters like Tupac, SWV and H-Town. The Lady of Rage also made waves with the Snoop Dogg-assisted "Afro Puffs" while Warren G and Nate Dogg made themselves household names with "Regulate."(Photo: Death Row/Interscope Records)

The Bodyguard - Mostly comprised of Whitney Houston songs, including the Top 5 singles "I Will Always Love You," "I'm Every Woman" and "I Have Nothing," 1992's The Bodyguard soundtrack has sold 49 million units to date, making it the best-selling soundtrack of all time.(Photo: Arista Records)

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The Bodyguard - Mostly comprised of Whitney Houston songs, including the Top 5 singles "I Will Always Love You," "I'm Every Woman" and "I Have Nothing," 1992's The Bodyguard soundtrack has sold 49 million units to date, making it the best-selling soundtrack of all time.(Photo: Arista Records)

Waiting to Exhale - Featuring strictly female performers, the 1995 Waiting to Exhale soundtrack bridged R&B's generational gap with songs from Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, Whitney Houston, Mary J. Blige and Brandy, just to name a few. Some of the CD's standouts include Houston's "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)," SWV's "All Night Long," Mary J.'s "Not Gon Cry" and Brandy's "Sittin' Up in My Room."(Photo: Arista)

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Waiting to Exhale - Featuring strictly female performers, the 1995 Waiting to Exhale soundtrack bridged R&B's generational gap with songs from Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, Whitney Houston, Mary J. Blige and Brandy, just to name a few. Some of the CD's standouts include Houston's "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)," SWV's "All Night Long," Mary J.'s "Not Gon Cry" and Brandy's "Sittin' Up in My Room."(Photo: Arista)

Streets Is Watching - It's rare, but sometimes straight-to-DVD flicks become cult classics. Released only six months after In My Lifetime Vol. 1, an LP widely panned by critics at the time, the 1998 soundtrack to this movie helped Jigga bounce back and prepare the terrain for his next opus, In My Lifetime Vol. 2...Hard Knock Life. The collection featured underground classics like "Murdergram" with Jay, Ja Rule and DMX as well as R&B ballads like Rell's "Love for Free" featuring Hov.(Photo: Roc-a-Fella Records)

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Streets Is Watching - It's rare, but sometimes straight-to-DVD flicks become cult classics. Released only six months after In My Lifetime Vol. 1, an LP widely panned by critics at the time, the 1998 soundtrack to this movie helped Jigga bounce back and prepare the terrain for his next opus, In My Lifetime Vol. 2...Hard Knock Life. The collection featured underground classics like "Murdergram" with Jay, Ja Rule and DMX as well as R&B ballads like Rell's "Love for Free" featuring Hov.(Photo: Roc-a-Fella Records)

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Love Jones - Songs from the Love Jones soundtrack made scenes between the film's Darius Lovehall and Nina Mosley that much more enticing. Aside from Duke Ellington and John Coltrane's "In a Sentimental Mood," the 1997 soundtrack introduced new classics from Lauryn Hill ("The Sweetest Thing") and Dionne Farris ("Hopeless").(Photo: Sony)

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Love Jones - Songs from the Love Jones soundtrack made scenes between the film's Darius Lovehall and Nina Mosley that much more enticing. Aside from Duke Ellington and John Coltrane's "In a Sentimental Mood," the 1997 soundtrack introduced new classics from Lauryn Hill ("The Sweetest Thing") and Dionne Farris ("Hopeless").(Photo: Sony)

Purple Rain - Prince may have already been a multi-platinum star, but 1984's Purple Rain gave birth to a legend. Scoring a movie of the same name starring Prince himself, the album produced timeless songs like "I Would Die 4 You," "When Doves Cry," "Let's Go Crazy" and of course, "Purple Rain."(Photo: Warner Bros.)

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Purple Rain - Prince may have already been a multi-platinum star, but 1984's Purple Rain gave birth to a legend. Scoring a movie of the same name starring Prince himself, the album produced timeless songs like "I Would Die 4 You," "When Doves Cry," "Let's Go Crazy" and of course, "Purple Rain."(Photo: Warner Bros.)