Ten Soundtracks I Can’t Live Without

This week’s theme on Top Ten Tuesday is all about the audio; audiobooks you recommend, audio books on your TBR, soundtracks to go to your favorite books, etc. I chose to do a list of my Top Ten Soundtracks that I can’t live without. I listen to most of these on a regular basis, and if you’re looking for some beautiful and uplifting new music, I highly recommend all of these!

1. Fellowship of the Ring

I’m not sure there’s any other soundtrack I’ve listened to as much as the Fellowship soundtrack. The music (composed by Howard Shore) ranges from gorgeous and pastoral to terrifying. One of my favorite soundtracks for one of my favorite movies.

2. The Two Towers/Return of the King

And of course, where you have Fellowship, you have to follow it up with Two Towers and Return of the King. Both of these soundtracks are lovely and amazing, and I can’t get enough of them. Still. Over ten years later. Also, this song is not only my favorite song on The Two Towers soundtrack, its the best scene in the entire trilogy.

3. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

All of the Harry Potter soundtracks are fun, but this is the one that started them all. John Williams is great at making recognizable and memorable themes, and this is probably one of the most recognized of all of his work (certainly with my generation).

4. Spirited Away

Spirited Away remains one of my very favorite movies, for multiple reasons. The art is gorgeous, the soundtrack is wonderful (thank you Joe Hisaishi), the story is zany and fascinating, and it’s a great story of perseverance and doing what’s right. If you’ve never seen it, I highly recommend it (watch it in Japanese with subtitles!).

5. Howl’s Moving Castle

Another Studio Ghibli! I adore the music in HMC. It’s different from Spirited Away, but still has that sort of ethereal feel when you hear it. This one is just as zany as Spirited Away, but the plot/conflict is decidedly more westernized, so if you’ve never seen a Studio Ghibli, it might be smart to start with this one.

6. Pride and Prejudice

Dario Marianelli is responsible for so many gorgeous soundtracks these days. I especially love the mellow piano of the Pride and Prejudice soundtrack.

7. Princess Mononoke

I haven’t seen this movie in probably ten years, so I hardly remember anything about it, but I still have the music on my iPod and it’s GORGEOUS. Studio Ghibli really knows how to produce a soundtrack.

8. Pocahontas

I always adored Pocahontas when I was growing up. While I wouldn’t say it’s my favorite Disney movie, the soundtrack is wonderful, especially this song (one of my very favorite orchestral pieces):

9. Anastasia

Who doesn’t love this movie? If you raised your hand, you’re wrong. Everything about this movie is great.

10. Pippin (2013 Revival)

I had to have a Broadway CD in here, now didn’t I? I know, I know, I don’t understand the greatness that is Ben Vereen, BUT LISTEN PEOPLE. I saw this revival on Broadway with Ciara Renee as the Leading Player and she SLAYED. So please stop telling me I don’t understand. I have great respect and awe for Ben Vereen. But I ADORED the revival. It was spectacular.

What music do you have on repeat?

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted weekly by The Broke and the Bookish.