The Fast Times at Ridgemont High soundtrack is full of great songs by such legendary musical artists as Led Zeppelin and Stevie Nicks. The movie charts a year in the lives of a group of students at the titular high school as they endure strict teachers, entry-level jobs, and awkward early sexual encounters. Cameron Crowe adapted the script from his book of the same name, which was based on Crowe’s experiences undercover at Clairemont High School in San Diego. Since Fast Times at Ridgemont High is loosely based on a true story, drawn from real-life experiences and its characters are fictionalized versions of actual people, the movie is a lot more authentic than the average teen movie.
In lieu of a traditional musical score, the Fast Times at Ridgemont High soundtrack features some timeless classics that are still popular to this day, from the likes of Tom Petty and Darlene Love, as well as some deep cuts that remain obscure and underappreciated. Like American Graffiti or Dazed and Confused, Fast Times at Ridgemont High is a loosely plotted hangout comedy with a sprawling ensemble of lovable adolescents. And, just like those movies, Fast Times at Ridgemont High has an awesome soundtrack that immerses audiences in the contemporary youth culture. The reckless antics of ‘80s teens are underscored by the pop music their generation was listening to.
This is every song in Fast Times at Ridgemont High, in order:
- “We Got the Beat” by The Go-Go’s
- “I’ll Leave It Up to You” by Poco
- “Love is the Reason” by Graham Nash
- “American Girl” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
- “Somebody’s Baby” by Jackson Browne
- “Raised on the Radio” by Ravyns
- “Winter Wonderland” by Darlene Love
- “Uptown Boys” by Louise Goffin
- “Kashmir” by Led Zeppelin
- “Love Rules” by Don Henley
- “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” by Sammy Hagar
- “Fast Times (The Best Years of Our Lives)” by Billy Squier
- “Don’t Be Lonely” by Quarterflash
- “Never Surrender” by Don Felder
- “Moving in Stereo” by The Cars
- “The Look in Your Eyes” by Gerard McMahon
- “Waffle Stomp” by Joe Walsh
- “Sleeping Angel” by Stevie Nicks
- “Speeding” by The Go-Go’s
- “I Don’t Know (Spicoli’s Theme)” by Jimmy Buffett
- “Life in the Fast Lane” by Reeves Nevo & the Cinch
- “Wooly Bully” by Reeves Nevo & the Cinch
- “So Much in Love” by Timothy B. Schmit
- “Goodbye, Goodbye” by Oingo Boingo
When Exactly Each Song Plays In Fast Times At Ridgemont High
“We Got the Beat” by The Go-Go’s – This is the first song that plays in the movie. It can be heard during the opening scene as the Fast Times at Ridgemont High characters are introduced at the mall.
“I’ll Leave It Up to You” by Poco – This song is playing on the Fast Times at Ridgemont High soundtrack during Stacy’s shift at Perry’s Pizza when she takes an order from an older guy, Ron Johnson, and lies about her age so he’ll ask her out on a date.
“Love is the Reason” by Graham Nash – This song can be heard when Damone is talking to Mark in his bedroom.
“American Girl” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers – This Tom Petty classic plays on the first day of school as Stacy is trying to find her American history class.
“Somebody’s Baby” by Jackson Browne – This song can be heard as Stacy loses her virginity to Ron.
“Raised on the Radio” by Ravyns – Brad listens to this song as he washes his car. The lyrics highlight the importance of music in these characters’ lives; they were raised on popular tunes.
“Winter Wonderland” by Darlene Love – This yuletide classic can be heard briefly when it’s Christmastime at the mall and kids are lining up to see Santa. Fast Times at Ridgemont High doesn’t dedicate a lot of screen time to its Christmas scenes; this Darlene Love song instantly puts the audience in the holiday spirit for this fleeting seasonal sequence.
“Uptown Boys” by Louise Goffin – This song is playing when Damone is giving Mark dating advice. He outlines his five-point plan for winning somebody’s heart.
“Kashmir” by Led Zeppelin – Some of Led Zeppelin's best songs have featured in several iconic movies, and Fast Times at Ridgemont High is no different. "Kashmir" plays on the Fast Times at Ridgemont High soundtrack when Mark takes Stacy to a restaurant on their first date.
“Love Rules” by Don Henley – This love-themed hit plays when Stacy takes Mark to her bedroom, shows him her photo album, and they begin kissing before Mark gets nervous and leaves.
“Fast Times at Ridgemont High” by Sammy Hagar – Sammy Hagar’s title theme can be heard when Spicoli and Jefferson’s brother are driving the silver Camaro and getting high before accidentally crashing the car.
“Fast Times (The Best Years of Our Lives)” by Billy Squier – This song plays during the football game between Ridgemont High and Lincoln.
“Don’t Be Lonely” by Quarterflash – This song can be heard when Stacy and Linda are talking by the pool. As Stacy worries about her romantic future and Linda begins to doubt her fiancé Doug’s commitment to their relationship, they both try to take the song’s advice and avoid loneliness.
“Never Surrender” by Don Felder – This song is playing when Mark and Damone stop by to hang out with Stacy and Linda by the pool.
“Moving in Stereo” by The Cars – This song plays over the iconic fantasy sequence as Brad imagines Linda, played by Phoebe Cates, climbing out of the pool in slow-motion.
“The Look in Your Eyes” by Gerard McMahon – This song plays on the Fast Times at Ridgemont High soundtrack when Damone walks Stacy home and hangs out with her behind Mark’s back.
“Waffle Stomp” by Joe Walsh – This solo hit by Joe Walsh is playing when Brad is wearing his Captain Hook Fish & Chips pirate uniform and gets laughed at by a beautiful woman.
“Sleeping Angel” by Stevie Nicks – This Stevie Nicks song plays when Stacy is waiting for Damone to arrive to give her a lift to the abortion clinic and he never shows up, so she asks Brad to take her instead.
“Speeding” by The Go-Go’s – The Go-Go’s return to the Fast Times at Ridgemont High soundtrack when Damone finds that his locker has been vandalized. His locker has graffiti, with the words, “Little Pr*ck”, sprayed across it in in retaliation for his disrespectful treatment of Stacy during her pregnancy.
“I Don’t Know (Spicoli’s Theme)” by Jimmy Buffett – This song is playing when Mr. Vargas and his students are leaving the hospital after a field trip and the school gets ready to begin final exams.
“Life in the Fast Lane” by Reeves Nevo & the Cinch – This is the first song that plays during the graduation prom sequence.
“Wooly Bully” by Reeves Nevo & the Cinch – This is the second song that plays at the prom.
“So Much in Love” by Timothy B. Schmit – This song plays on the Fast Times at Ridgemont High soundtrack when Stacy sees Mark at the entrance to the movie theater and tells him to call her for a second date over the summer.
“Goodbye, Goodbye” by Oingo Boingo – This is the song that plays out the movie over the end credits of Fast Times at Ridgemont High.