James Horner - Batteries Not Included Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Review by Aldi El Gustian

Batteries Not Included: A Soundtrack That Still Glows After All These Years James Horner’s Batteries Not Included soundtrack might not be the first thing people think of when they hear “iconic 80s movie music,” but man, does it deserve some love. Released in 1988 across the US, Japan, and Germany under labels like MCA Records and Intrada, this little gem is packed with warmth, heart, and just enough quirkiness to stick with you long after the credits roll. And trust me, there are moments here that’ll make your chest feel full even if you’ve never seen the film. Let’s talk about two tracks that really hit home for me: "Marisa’s Paintings" and "Times Square and Farewell." “Marisa’s Paintings” is one of those pieces that sneaks up on you. It starts soft, almost hesitant—like Marisa herself trying to find her place in the world—and then swells into this gorgeous tapestry of strings and piano. Listening to it feels like watching someone discover their own strength without realizing how much power they carry. You can almost picture the tiny mechanical creatures from the movie hovering nearby, whispering encouragement. There’s something so tender about it; every time I hear it, I get this lump in my throat. Not sad, exactly, but… hopeful? Yeah, hopeful works. Then there’s “Times Square and Farewell,” which hits completely differently. This track has teeth—it’s big, brassy, and unapologetically cinematic. The orchestration (shoutout to Billy May and Greig McRitchie) gives it an energy that makes you want to grab life by the horns. It’s nostalgic as hell too, conjuring images of neon lights and bustling city streets. But beneath all the dazzle, there’s a bittersweet undertone, like saying goodbye to something you didn’t know you loved until it was gone. Honestly, it’s the kind of song that could soundtrack any major turning point in your life. Breakups? Career changes? Moving cities? Boom, done. What makes this album special isn’t just its technical brilliance—it’s the way James Horner captures humanity. Every note feels intentional, crafted with care by someone who clearly understood the story he was telling. Special props also go to Douglass Fake for wearing multiple hats (producer, editor, mastering engineer—you name it!) and Shawn Murphy for mixing magic into these tracks. Oh, and let’s not forget Kay Marshall’s artwork or Frank K. DeWald’s liner notes, both adding layers of personality to the whole package. Listening to Batteries Not Included now, decades later, feels like revisiting an old friend. Sure, parts of it sound dated, but isn’t that part of the charm? Like flipping through a photo album where everyone’s wearing shoulder pads and acid-wash jeans, it reminds you of simpler times while still feeling relevant today. So yeah, maybe it’s not perfect. Maybe it doesn’t have the instant recognition factor of other Horner scores (Titanic, anyone?). But damn if it doesn’t leave a mark. If nothing else, it proves that sometimes the smallest stories—the ones about hope, resilience, and second chances—are the ones worth remembering. And hey, fun fact: apparently the breadbox in the movie was real. Who knew?

Download James Horner - Batteries Not Included Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Artist: James Horner
Album: Batteries Not Included Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

1987

Rating: 4.0

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Filename: james-horner-batteries-not-included-original-motion-picture.zip

MP3 size: 184.8 mb
FLAC size: 1156.4 mb

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Tracks

Track	Duration	Preview
Out Of The Ashes	2:51
Blocked Plumbing	1:35
The Bread Box	1:41
Getting Old	1:32
Café Swing	3:32
Arson	6:6
Marisa’s Paintings	1:02
Cafe Swing	3:31
Night Visitors	8:47
Carlos	2:11
Aerial Ballet	6:05
The Basement	4:47
A New Family / End Credits	8:30
New Babies	3:44
Times Square And Farewell	6:06
A New Family / End Credits	8:29
Babies Buzz New York	2:26
The Flying Lesson	7:51
Main Title	4:56
Times Square and Farewell	6:6
Riley’s Café	2:52
Hamburger Rhumba	3:39
Arson	6:08
The Morning After	2:46
Marisa And Mason	1:56
Cuban Memories	3:40
Main Title	4:55
Cafe Swing	3:32

Video

Batteries not included/ 01 - Main Title- James Horner

Batteries Not Included (1987) - Full Expanded soundtrack (James Horner)

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Catalog Numbers

Labels

MCA Records
Intrada

Listen online

lyssna på nätet
escuchar en línea
ouvir online
kuunnella verkossa
écouter en ligne
online luisteren
ascolta in linea
online anhören
lytte på nettet

Formats

CD
Album
Vinyl
LP
Promo
Cassette
2 × CD
Reissue
Remastered

Companies

Role	Company
Manufactured By	Warner-Pioneer Corporation
Made By	Warner-Pioneer Corporation

Credits

Role	Credit
Conductor	James Horner
Written-By	James Horner
Composed By	James Horner
Producer	James Horner
Edited By	Else Blangsted, Jim Flamberg
Mixed By	Shawn Murphy
Orchestrated By	Billy May, Greig McRitchie
Artwork	Kay Marshall
Mastered By	Douglass Fake
Executive-Producer	Roger Feigelson
Liner Notes	Frank K. DeWald

Notes

Cassette housed in plastic case with fold out J-card.
CD1 Total Time: 65:57
CD2 Total Time: 69:33
Total Soundtrack Time: 86:42
Original 1987 Soundtrack Time: 45:43

Barcodes

Barcode: 0 76732-6225-2 0
Barcode: 4 988014 459419
Barcode: 4 988014 361736
Rights Society: JASRAC
Other (Released): R•1•25
Other (Price): ¥3,200
Barcode: 02292553661
Barcode: 0 76732-6225-4 4
Barcode (Text): 0 76732-6225-1 3
Barcode: 720258541208

About James Horner

descargar álbum James Horner - Batteries Not Included Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

American film music composer, conductor and orchestrator,.born August 14, 1953 in Los Angeles, California, USA, died in a plane crash June 22, 2015 in the Los Padres National Forest, California, USA. In 1997, he won two Academy Awards for his score and song compositions for the film "Titanic". Horner started playing piano at the age of 5. He studied at the Royal College Of Music in London, under . He received his bachelor's degree in music from the University of Southern California, and eventually earned a master's and started working on his doctorate, studying with , among others. After several scoring assignments with the American Film Institute in the 1970's, he finished his teaching of music theory at UCLA and turned to film scoring. He made his breakthrough in 1982, when he scored "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan". In total, he has scored over 100 films, but he has also done some music for short films, three orchestral pieces and music for television, including the current theme music for the CBS Evening News (beginning September 5, 2006). Horner's most known scores include: "Aliens

Real Name

James Roy Horner

Name Vars

Homer
Horener
Horner
Horner, J.
Horner, James
J Horner
J. Herner
J. Homer
J. Honner
J. Horne
J. Horner
J. Horner & W. Jennings
J. Warner
J.Homer
J.Horner
James Homer
James Honer
James Hormer
James Horne
Jane Horner
Janet Horner
L. Horner
Orchestra Conducted By James Horner
Джеймс Хорнер
Хорнер
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Interesting fact about Album

Here’s something cool: The soundtrack for *Batteries Not Included* was composed by James Horner, the same guy behind iconic scores like *Titanic* and *Avatar*. What makes this one special is how it blends orchestral magic with quirky, heartfelt tunes that perfectly match the movie's mix of sci-fi and warmth. Fun fact—James Horner not only wrote but also conducted the music, pouring his soul into every track. And get this: the album got released in three countries (the US, Japan, and Germany) under two labels, MCA Records and Intrada. It even features a track called "Hamburger Rhumba," which sounds exactly as fun as it reads!

Comments

nssayouth

2025-03-12

that theme Horner uses at 2:01 is near the exact same as found in George Bizet's 'L'arlesienne', Suite 1, Prelude, Allegro deciso. Haunting in both pieces.

letouzel

2025-03-12

00:00 Main Title

info546d4b44085

2025-03-12

An amazing score that certainly heightened the atmosphere of a great film

kulturetasklub

2025-03-11

This really brings me back to being a kid when thus movie was magic to a little kid.

nejikir

2025-03-11

Nice film and top theme music.

heideexpress

2025-03-10

Pity they don't make kid movies like the ones they made in the 80's era....

lovelymakerieb05466040f

2025-03-10

I'm British and I've never visited the U.S. but whenever I hear jazzy, New York sounds it gives me a lovely, warm feeling of nostalgia like I've got memories of a past life there or its some kind of sadness that I've a good idea of what it might have been like living in the old style New York, but it's now a period of time that I've missed out on. I put the main cause of these feelings down to watching this film often as a child. It's great.

aapexposedblog

2025-03-09

Sure does have the feeling of Glen Miller.

billgaylord

2025-03-08

robots & jazz

tacomarketer

2025-03-07

Jessica tandy was so great in this movie. I miss her so much :-(

abnbabl

2025-03-06

Fabulous - just fabulous

sapalakoi

2025-03-05

I was humming his while I was cooking earlier and it took me a while to realise what it was...now this is my cooking music...

chivabeatriceioana

2025-03-05

Those menacingly dark Jazz chords remind me so much of Bernard Herrmann, especially the way they're orchestrated.

poppymisc

2025-03-05

This could be in the tower of terror line music

estilodaduda

2025-03-04

Hearing this soundtrack as a kid made me fall in love with the Big Band era of music.

selvia2124

2025-03-03

this opening title - along with the vintage NYC pictures - is one of the best in movies history...wish they'd do children movies like that nowadays...

yilkut

2025-03-03

Here's to the movie with one of the best soundtracks in theatrical history!

rimma197846

2025-03-03

to matthew robbins please make a batteries not included part 2 I have a great idea for a new movie it should be bassed on mason inheriots the building and the rileys gave him the café because he was the main one who helped them fight lacy off

abbeyldr703

2025-03-03

This film and the music in it are priceless and so under-rated. The 30s/40s feel is brilliantly accentuated by James Horner's work. Don't forget he also did the music for Star Trek 2 - Wrath of Khan....great music.