10 Songs From 'Batman' Soundtracks You Probably Forgot About

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by Drew Taylor
July 18, 2012 12:01 PM
21 Comments

One of the more notable aspects, as far as tie-ins go, of the three Christopher Nolan Batman movies, is that there isn't a single pop song in the entire cluster of them. They are entirely pop-song-free, which is really something considering how soundtrack-driven the last batch of Batman movies was (beginning with the Prince-fuelled Tim Burton original and then continuing through the two Joel Schumacher tragedies). In honor of "The Dark Knight Rises" (which really is as good as everyone is saying), we look back to the ten jams that defined the Dark Knight (that you might have forgotten about). All of these tunes are perfect for your next night out in Gotham City.

Prince, "The Future" from "Batman"
The first single from the smash "Batman" album (it was released in Europe, heavily remixed by William Orbit) is a song that we're pretty sure never actually appears in the movie. Still – it totally kicks ass and is easily the highlight of the inescapable Prince tie-in album to the Tim Burton movie. Burton was notoriously unhappy with the synergistic album (and as a stipulation for returning for the sequel, he would exclusively choose all music that went into the film), but that doesn't stop this from being a killer track. Between the squiggly synth line, the foreboding lyrics, and the snippets of dialogue from the movie (ostensibly the entire track is based around Jack Nicholson's villainous line "Think about the future") the song remains a groovy-as-fuck classic. (We remember James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem including it in a mix not too long ago.) This also goes to substantiate the theory that when it comes to Batman soundtrack songs, the more tangential the connection to Batman, the better the song.

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More: Batman, Features, The Dark Knight Rises

21 Comments

| Reply
Sasquatch | July 25, 2012 5:34 PMReply

I prefer "The Beginning is the End is the Beginning" rather than "The End is the Beginning is the End"
crossing the river | July 19, 2012 3:48 PMReply

Actually, "The Future" is played during the casino scene.
Holden | July 19, 2012 6:49 AMReply

Underworld - Moaner (Batman & Robin)
Sam | July 18, 2012 10:32 PMReply

half of these are songs i immediately think of when people say Songs from a Batman Soundtrack. you failed.
Dryer | July 18, 2012 2:55 PMReply

I still laugh thinking about when I was 9 blasting the '89 soundtrack cassette on my parents stereo system and singing along. But one particular song Bat Dance I was completely oblivious to the induendo lyric, let me stick the 7" in your computer. Today kids would probably would pick up on it right away. The soundtrack surprisingly still holds up today, have "Vickie Waiting" on my iPod.
Gabe Toro | July 18, 2012 2:40 PMReply

R. Kelly's "Gotham City" is the greatest thing to ever happen to Batman.
Jonathan | July 18, 2012 2:12 PMReply

What, no Sunny Day Real Estate!? That Batman Forever soundtrack was the greatest thing in the world in 1995. And how could anyone ever forget that "Kiss From A Rose" was on a Batman soundtrack. The music video is burned into my brain.
cirkusfolk | July 18, 2012 1:35 PMReply

It's amazing that U2's song got nomed for a Razzie when it was also nomed for a Golden Globe. Now it didn't get an Oscar nom but imo opinion should've won one. It's an awesome mix of rock/electronic with some cool orchestration and great Bono vocals. Also samples a riff from T. Rex which is a plus.
The Playlist | July 18, 2012 3:48 PM

+1 Fred.
Fred | July 18, 2012 1:49 PM

I can believe it. Such a godawful song.
JD | July 18, 2012 1:26 PMReply

"The Future" actually is in the first Burton Batman--it's in the opening scenes, playing faintly in the background as the family walks through the streets of Gotham City, as if it's on a radio or something.

And yeah, Prince's Batman album deserves a lot more respect. : )
no@youdidnt.com | July 18, 2012 1:21 PMReply

"eye" the smashing pumpkins song they contributed to the david lynch film "lost highway" is actually the first song they recorded after MCIS not the batman song
Marko | July 18, 2012 12:52 PMReply

For a really forgotten pop song from a Batman soundtrack, there's "I Never Even Told You" by Tia Carrere from the Mask of the Phantasm soundtrack.

Of course that song is terrible.
juicebox | July 18, 2012 12:28 PMReply

While I appreciate its inclusion, I would disagree that people don't associate "Kiss From A Rose" with Batman Forever... I remember it being such a weird match as to be unforgettable.
Jesse | July 18, 2012 3:32 PM

That song is the only thing most people remember from that film. In fact, the other day when I brought it up, a friend of mine replied with 'is that the movie with Seal?'
Rodrigo at The Playlist | July 18, 2012 12:25 PMReply

I fucking loathe all these songs and most of these movies. Take that as evidence that we're not a hive mind and our writers have their own say.
rotch | July 18, 2012 12:20 PMReply

great piece, but the headline is not accurate. as you well say, 'kiss from a rose' is far from forgotten, as are most of the tracks. 10 Songs From 'Batman' Soundtracks You Probably Forgot Where From 'Batman' Soundtracks seems more accurate.
cirkusfolk | July 18, 2012 12:17 PMReply

Really cool piece. I love both Partyman and Trust which I felt were always better than the single Batdance. I'm also glad u included the Pumpkins track although I vastly prefer the slow version which we used on the trailer to Watchmen.
Katie Walsh | July 18, 2012 12:15 PMReply

The Batman Forever soundtrack is the first CD I bought. True Story. Also probably still my fave Batman movie-- saw it at a very impressionable age. CALL ME WHEN TDKR FEATURES CHRIS O'DONNELL'S ROBIN CODPIECE.
Arthur | July 18, 2012 3:43 PM

Ha ha! I love it how this post made the Staff all nerdy and sweet instead of.. you know, mean.
Katie Walsh | July 18, 2012 12:16 PM

Someone ban me from commenting on Batman posts.