Beverly Hills Cop II - Shakedown

Beverly Hills Cop is a 1980s Hollywood classic with the perfect blend of script, actors, accent music in a variety of scenes, performance, mix of comedy and action, playing off each other's reactions to heighten each scene, and more than I can name here.  Let's go back to music.

The introduction of synthesizers revolutionized rock music in the experimental age of the 1980s.  I think of Nick Rhodes and how his configurations set Duran Duran up for commercial success among fans (even if there is constructive criticism).  

The soundtrack to the film, Fletcher, starring Chevy Chase took note of its contemporary.  In fact, if you close your eyes and listen to the film's soundtrack, you might be frustrated that it is not linked to Beverly Hills Cop.

Let's get up to speed with Beverly Hills Cop II, a sequel that really should have stopped there (so sorry to Eddie Murphy and the cast).  The new soundtrack is as impressive as that of the first but with an added punch of dance rock and hard rock.  

"Axel F" defined the first film.  "Shakedown" defined the second.

...and go from there.

Released on May 4, 1987

The music was written by Harold Faltermeyer and Keith Dorsey & lyrics were written by Bob Seger.

No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100 & Cash Box Top 100 & Album Rock Tracks 

No. 1 on Canada's RPM 100 national singles chart

No. 1 on Billboard Mainstream Rock 

No. 9 on Billboard Top Pop Singles 

Academy Award for Best Original Song nomination (1988)

Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song nomination (1988)

Point of interest - At the 1988 Academy Awards, Little Richard performed the song.

Glenn Frey was the original choice for recording "Shakedown" as he contributed to Beverly Hills Cop with "The Heat Is On."  However, he turned it down and Bob Seger was the next option.

Personnel -

Harold Faltermeyer - Synclavier (early digital synthesizer)

Keith Forsey - Percussion

Dann Huff - Guitar

Bob Seger - Vocals

(Wikipedia)