Forty years ago, in 1985, Back to the Future arrived in cinemas — a film that profoundly shaped the imagination of generations of viewers. As we celebrate this anniversary, it’s impossible not to pay tribute to one of the elements that most contributed to its success: the soundtrack, a mix of energy and emotion capable of amplifying every scene. Without that orchestral power, Marty McFly’s journey would not have had the same impact.
The musical heart of the film is composer Alan Silvestri, young at the time but already well established. Until then, he had mostly worked with electronic and rhythmic sounds, so when Robert Zemeckis asked him for a monumental orchestral score, the proposal took him by surprise. The result was an epic and instantly recognizable theme: an explosion of brass, strings, and percussion that conveys adventure, wonder, and the tension of time travel.
The Main Theme has become one of the most famous motifs in contemporary cinema, alongside those of Superman, Indiana Jones, and Star Wars.
In addition to the orchestral music, Back to the Future owes much of its identity to its pop songs, icons of both the ’80s and the ’50s.
“The Power of Love” — Huey Lewis and the News
Written specifically for the film, it reached the top of the U.S. charts. Its lively rhythm perfectly captures Marty McFly’s spirit and instantly became part of popular culture.
“Back in Time” — Huey Lewis and the News
Composed after the band saw the film, it tells the story with irony and lightness. It plays over the end credits and has become another iconic piece of its sonic universe.
“Johnny B. Goode” — Chuck Berry
The “Enchantment Under the Sea” dance scene, where Marty plays this rock’n’roll classic, remains one of the most famous sequences in cinema history.
If you want to relive the emotions of this timeless classic, watch the video below:
