Most of the movies that I have seen (and that is 42 years of them), even from the early fifties have a musical score accompany the great, not-so-great and even terrible plots; however, some are quite appropriate for the theme. In Pretty Woman you need a lot of women empowerment kind of songs, even if the job this lead actress is doing in the movie. It of course is a less than professionally tasteful career but it was explored in a unique manner.
Songs and performers are found in this order:

#1) ‘Wild Women Do’ by Natalie Cole -- Natalie Maria Cole was born Stephanie Natalie Maria Cole, on February 6, 1950 and is the daughter of crooner Nat King Cole and Orchestra singer Maria Hawkins Ellington Cole(no relation to famous Duke Ellington). The single was released in 1990 and carried on EMI America and EMI USA in both 12” single and compact disc versions. The song was produced by Andre Fischer of Signature Entertainment, mixed digitally by Humberto Gatica of Hum Incorporated Productions and written by Greg Prestopino, Sam Lorber, Matthew Wilder--all of Geffen Music/CBS Music Inc. 

The song was included in the score because it emphasizes, not so positively, the stand a woman must make to hold her own in the world of dominating men and what they expect of ‘their women’, whomever it may be. The tune is catchy and has a good hook but its probably not one of the better songs on the soundtrack. It runs 4min and 4 seconds when using Windows Media Player for an XP experience

Moving on to the next cut by a performer who was not only ‘glam-androgynous’ but completely in touch with his feminine characteristics and how being famous is not always so pretty, Mr. Bowie. #2 ‘Fame’ by David Bowie--(born David Robert Jones on 8 January 1947 somewhere in Britain) is an English performer who lit up the ‘glam rock’ stage back in the late 60 and well into the 70’s decades. When this song was initially released in 1975 and captured a wide audience, the same chord was struck when discovering fame is not that sweet, even though in looked darn good in silver latex spandex tights and chain link tees. Bowie was thrilled it made the movie score. “Is it any wonder?” The song runs 3 minutes and 39 seconds when played on Windows Media Player XP.

#3 ‘King of Wishful Thinking’ by Go West -- was released in 1990 as a hit song by one of Britains’ better pop bands called, Go West who had a few good ones. This single was ranked #8 in the USA during one of my favorite summers, 1990. It was the bands biggest hit ever. It is a bit different from the new version recently released by New Found Glory. It is not as loud, nor fast. Go West added to this soundtrack gives the musical score some vague ‘hope‘ running through it offering a ring of discretion but a tad more of desire than the heart might tolerate. It is ‘wishful thinking’ and perfect for the scene it accompanies in the movie. It runs 4 minutes 3 seconds using the Windows Media Player XP experience.

As the listener rolls into cut #4 ‘Tangled’ by Jane Wiedlin-- same name was born May 20th, 1958 and is American all the way. She sings this song with the intent to let people know about giddy-love. Listeners are brought into the fluffiness of sweet love and the emotions that twist up every good or bad experience involved between two people that feel pulled towards one another for obvious reasons.

‘Tangled’ was released by EMI USA in 1990 and by that time Jane Wiedlin’s fame as a past Go-Go of the GoGo Girls with Belinda Carlisle was successfully behind her but propelling her into some fabulous solo projects she excelled at delivering to an appreciating audience. I for one enjoyed her GoGo contribution and on “Pretty Woman” this is a good choice. The run time for this is 4 minutes 21 seconds using the Windows Media Player XP experience.  

Cut #5 ‘It Must Have Been Love’ by Roxette-- was added to this collection because what the heroine and hero of the movie feel, this song at the time of its playing in the movie, is exceptional. Tailored to mean something, the song lifts the spirit and melts the heart bringing water from my eye. Roxette is a Swedish duo, guy and girl, that sang hit pop songs for awhile and did rather well for an almost ten year run. I find it to be one of the more softer cuts this band ever made famous because Joyride, another favorite, is much faster and wilder. It is considered a pop song written by a guy named Per Gessle.

The love ballad became the duo's 3rd #1 hit in the USA and is still considered one of their best-selling releases. After having appeared on this soundtrack, approached by EMI record label, volumes of sales amassed leading the single to be recognized as a certified gold category holder in many countries. It was not included on the duo’s album, Don’t Bore Us, Get To the Chorus in 1995. The song runs 4 minutes 21 seconds using the Windows Media Player XP experience.

A harder and faster-riffed cut is #6 ‘Life in Detail’ by Robert Palmer-- (who was born Robert Allen Palmer on 19 January 1949 and died 26 September 2003.) He came into this planet on the soil of Batley, Yorkshire in England and as soon as he could learn his voice worked wonders and a guitar in hand he followed the call Eric Clapton had. Robert communicated the beauty of his country through the material he lyrically expressed so well over the years and this particular cut is truly Robert. A dip into the harrowing past of a life less than desired, lived and regretted. Where it appears in the movie is classic for representing the fears . . . This piece runs 4 minutes 11 seconds using the Windows Media Player XP experience.

Another 80’s classic pop performer who also was famous in airplay before “Pretty Woman” used the cut is featured as #7 ‘No Explanation’ by Peter Cetera-- (born September 13th, 1944 in Chicago who is best known for his years in the band Chicago. He is an American performer, songwriter, bassist, and producer now having a successful solo career. It is an okay song, nothing really special other than the performer had his audience captivated by that uplifting voice of his so everything sounds ‘cetarish’. The running time for this cut is 4 minutes 22 seconds using the Windows Media Player XP experience.

Since I have never heard song #8 ‘Real Wild Child’ (Wild One) by Christopher Otcasek, I cannot say too much about it. I did some research on wikipeadia and found that the song is actually pure rock n roll originally written by Johnny Greenan, Johnny O’Keefe, and Dave Owens. The Australian disc jockey from Sydney, Tony Withers was credited with helping to get radio airplay for the song but only after it was featured on the soundtrack of Pretty Woman did it get any more. It is not one of my favorites and I can do with or without this addition. The running time is 3 minutes 41 seconds using the Windows Media player XP experience.

Okay listeners we are slowing down and coming into the final round of three songs that nicely put a happy ending to an almost miserable experience. The music choices greatly enhance this finality of choice ‘careers’. Cut #9 ‘Fallen’ by Lauren Wood-- is pretty vague in the age of the performer, how and where she made her big break which was really nowhere but in adding this song to the musical score of “Pretty Woman“.

If you follow the movie, hear this song you will know it was a great choice because up to this point your getting there, your just afraid because fallin’ is not what you anticipate doing for this soundtrack but its that catchy. The running time is 4 minutes 3 seconds using the Windows Media player XP experience.

The title cut of the movie #10 ‘Pretty Woman’ by Roy Orbison-- (was born Roy Kelton Orbison on April 23, 1936 and we lost him on December 6, 1988). He was considered a most influential grammy award winner in various genres of music. He appreciated many diverse songs and the performers before him who sang them and because of his diverse vocal range, could copy more than his share. For this soundtrack carrying the title of the same name, it is perfect ! Enough said . . . The running time is 2 minutes 58 seconds using the Windows Media player XP experience.

Now as we finish our musical score journey ending with cut #11 ‘Show Me Your Soul’ by Red Hot Chilli Peppers-- seems inappropriate as cut number ten should have really finished the album; but it was added for rolling the credits as those people also need an appreciation of the musical kind. This cut runs 4 minutes 22 seconds using the Windows Media player XP experience.

Overall the soundtrack is better than good, not great, but worth listening too. I enjoy cuts #5, #9 and when it is appropriate to be a pretty woman, #10 is remembered fondly. The two songs on the soundtrack that got the most airplay when the movie was released was cut #5 and cut #10; although cut #2 had been getting airplay for much longer as Bowie was popular long before the soundtrack came out.

What I like most is that this compact disc is simple: cover design colors are complimentary, decades of music used are well suited, popularity of theme a bit over-emphasized but over-all a good soundtrack to accompany a better movie about the oldest profession in the book represented tastefully, by a very Pretty Woman sexy Julia Roberts. A very handsome Richard Gere is the lucky catch !

The cover design features an all white background, texting in pink and black on the left hand side naming off featured artists while the right is reserved for the couple enjoying the right sounds that make this soundtrack appealing to the eye. It is great to know that the music accompanying the cover design is exceptional for the performers singing each cut therefore making it equally appealing to the ear. It can be purchased fairly inexpensively without being in the BMG Music club with whom I was able to procure this compact disc from. 

Enjoy !

Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Driving