Inspired by seeing ET in 1982, Neil Diamond, along with songwriters Carole Bayer Sager and Burt Bacharach, wrote the song “Heartlight” that appeared on the album of the same name.
For 1981’s critically and commercially beloved Dudley Moore comedy Arthur one of the kings of yacht rock, Christopher Cross, provided the smooth, soft rock theme song for the movie that went on to win Best Original Song at the 1982 Oscars.
Coming out a few months before Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, after the movie, BJ Thomas’ song from the soundtrack became one of the biggest hits of the 70’s and won the Oscar for Best Original Song.
The Austin Powers movies have had some massive hits off of their soundtracks from the likes of Madonna, Beyonce and Lenny Kravitz as well as featuring classic tracks like The Austin Powers Theme aka Soul Bossa Nova by Quincy Jones.