Alongside Ghost, another romantic comedy drama, Pretty Woman dominated the box office of 1990. The movie revitalised Richard Gere's career, and made a superstar of Julia Roberts, launching her on a string of hugely success... more »ful romantic comedies including My Best Friend's Wedding (1997), Notting Hill (1999), and, reuniting her with Gere and Pretty Woman director, Garry Marshall, The Runaway Bride (1999). Inevitably the movie's theme song is Roy Orbison's "Oh Pretty Woman", sounding fresh as ever. And if that is a typically male view of feminine attractions, Natalie Cole tells the other side of the story with the unrepentant "Wild Women Do". David Bowie provides an update of one of his greatest hits, with "Fame 90" and Robert Palmer describes "Life In Detail". The remainder of the album is a snapshot of up-and-coming acts at the beginning of the 90s, with Go West's massive hit, "King Of Wishful Thinking" and Roxette's chart smash "It Must Have Been Love" setting the agenda for slick, well produced power-pop. As nostalgia for the time just before dance took over the charts, or simply as a highly polished souvenir of one of the most popular movies ever made, Pretty Woman requires, as Peter Cetera appropriately adds, "No Explanation". --Gary S. Dalkin« less
Alongside Ghost, another romantic comedy drama, Pretty Woman dominated the box office of 1990. The movie revitalised Richard Gere's career, and made a superstar of Julia Roberts, launching her on a string of hugely successful romantic comedies including My Best Friend's Wedding (1997), Notting Hill (1999), and, reuniting her with Gere and Pretty Woman director, Garry Marshall, The Runaway Bride (1999). Inevitably the movie's theme song is Roy Orbison's "Oh Pretty Woman", sounding fresh as ever. And if that is a typically male view of feminine attractions, Natalie Cole tells the other side of the story with the unrepentant "Wild Women Do". David Bowie provides an update of one of his greatest hits, with "Fame 90" and Robert Palmer describes "Life In Detail". The remainder of the album is a snapshot of up-and-coming acts at the beginning of the 90s, with Go West's massive hit, "King Of Wishful Thinking" and Roxette's chart smash "It Must Have Been Love" setting the agenda for slick, well produced power-pop. As nostalgia for the time just before dance took over the charts, or simply as a highly polished souvenir of one of the most popular movies ever made, Pretty Woman requires, as Peter Cetera appropriately adds, "No Explanation". --Gary S. Dalkin
Michele S. from NEWTON, NH Reviewed on 9/23/2013...
Good collection from the movie.
CD Reviews
"He Sleeps" by James Newton Howard
D. Oliver | Macon, GA United States | 03/30/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The music being played when Vivian walks out of the bathroom and kisses a sleeping Edward is appropriately called "He Sleeps/Love Theme". It's by James Newton Howard, who scored the movie, but unfortunately it was apparently never released.
However, if you go to jamesnewtonhoward.com, look under the "discography" heading and go to the year 1990 and you'll see that it appeared as a bonus track on a bootleg double disc CD score of the movies "French Kiss" and "One Fine Day", two other films Howard wrote the music for. There's also a bootleg double disc CD score of the movies "The Trigger Effect" and "My Best Friend's Wedding" which has a bonus track simply titled "Pretty Woman".
I was able to find the song "He Sleeps/Love Theme" on one of the music download services but it's not exactly as it appears in the movie. On the version I have, a flute plays the repeated melody line instead of a piano and the tune takes on a much more jazzy feel. Personally, I prefer the melancholy piano version in the movie--perhaps it's the song "Pretty Woman" that appears on the bootleg "Trigger Effect/Best Friend's Wedding" cd? I don't know, but it's worth looking for sometimes on eBay or through a web site dedicated to finding hard to find CD movie soundtracks/scores.
Hope this helps. Glad to know I'm not the only out there who was so captivated by the song "He Sleeps" the first time I heard it. Good stuff."
It Could've Been Better
goldcoastreviews | 06/27/2004
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Yes the songs are great and they are great because we know where they fit in in the movie, BUT what about the suite from Pretty Woman-remember where they kiss for the very first time? Or what about Richard Gere's piano solo he play before making love to Julia Roberts on the piano? How can you be a Pretty Woman fan when you don't even realize the good stuff is missing? And it's the small things like these songs that made that movie so memorable"
Love it!!!
D. Oliver | 10/15/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I think that this soundtrack is one of the best that I've ever heard. It has a nice mix of songs by many great artists and they all make you feel great. Not only was it a wonderful movie it is also a wonderful soundtrack!!! If you don't already own it, BUY IT TODAY!!!"
Pretty Woman - Great Music
goldcoastreviews | 08/08/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I love the film--I love the music. A great mix of songs that cover pop to standards. When I listen to these tracks I can almost see the scenes of the movie. Especially "It Must Have Been Love". I do miss some of the operatic pieces which were in the flick. As Richard Gere says , " opera, either people love it or hate it--if they love it, they will always love it, if they hate it, they will learn to appreciate it, but it will never be apart of their soul."A wonderfully done soundtrack. Thanks--CDS"
It's very 80s...but its why the 80s existed!
D. Oliver | 07/15/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"What a soundtrack! It ranks up there with the Bodyguard, Dirty Dancing, the Sister Act Movies and Four Weddings: it's the ultimate mix of romantic / cheesy / girl power / male singer-songwriters / female songwriters / golden oldies / hip trendy modern bands. Just like the classic Cinderella-esque movie, this is for the most part a feel-great set of tracks, which make you just wanna fall in love, or if you are, it makes you wanna fall in love all over again. And, if at all possible, to fall in love with the impossible (Fallen, No Explanation, Real Wild Child)- like Vivian and Edward in "Pretty Woman". It also makes you wanna see the film again. Okay, so what's on this fabulous compilation?? Nat's talented daughter, Natalie, gives us a dose of real girl power in "Wild Woman Do"; Go West drum up the incredibly addictive "King of Wishful Thinking"; Jane Wiedlin and especially the amazing Lauren Wood are the consummate representatives of the "go-it-alone woman soloist" club; if you like hip, the Chilli Peppers will never let you down; Roxette's arguably highest point is demonstrated on this album in the huge global hit "It Must have Been Love"; Palmer and Otcasek (no, never heard of him either) give us the brashness and rawness of Hollywood Boulevard with "Life in Detail" and "Real Wild Child"; PeterCetera illustrates his prowess in "No Explanation" (if you liked this, check out "The Glory of Love from Karate kid II, which Cetera also co-wrote); and the legendary Roy Orbison wraps it all up with a 70s classic for the titles track. These are all stunners, but my personal favourites are "King of Wishful Thinking", "No Explanation", "Fallen" and "Real Wild Child". Don't hesitate - get this and get happy!"