Santa Ana Orange County Register
October 11, 1996
Alternately inspirational, weepy and amusing, the “First Wives Club” soundtrack reflects the mood of the hit movie – if you’ve just suffered a messy breakup, this CD is for you. Mostly it’s a compilation of oldies and remakes with a few upbeat tracks thrown in.
The best cut by far is “Heartbreak Road,” a slow-burning song by Dionne Ferris that heats up to a Chaka Khan-style funkfest.
And there are a few “breaking up is hard to do but you’ll get over it” numbers: Puff Johnson’s “Over and Over,” Brownstone’s “Game of Love,” Martha Wash‘s “I’m Still Standing” and Billy Porter‘s “Love Is On the Way.”
Aretha fans will enjoy “Sisters Are Doin’ It For Themselves” by Franklin and Eurythmics, and “Think” – not the first time this tune has been used in a movie.
From the oldies bag there’s the Rascals’ “A Beautiful Morning” and “Wives & Lovers” – yes, it’s impossibly dated, but great to hear Dionne Warwick‘s sparkling young voice.
The fun tunes are the “danceable “Moving On Up” by M People and “You Don’t Own Me,” the girl-group number sung by the film’s stars, Bette Midler, Goldie Hawn and Diane Keaton.
Overall, the soundtrack steers clear of the revenge theme from the film; I guess feminists aren’t as angry as they used to be. Janis Joplin’s screeching rocker “Piece of My Heart,” is turned into a reggae tune by Diana King. And “I Will Survive” has gone from Donna Summer‘s disco scream to Chantay Savage‘s slow-jam whine.
You might enjoy If you like: Compilations, soundtrack albums, R&B
