The Top 10 Songs Off the ‘Dirty Dancing’ Soundtrack, Ranked

It’s got romance, dancing, Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze — what else can one really want from a movie that Dirty Dancing can’t provide? And with one of the greatest movie soundtracks to boot, you just can’t go wrong.

The film tells the story of Baby (Jennifer Grey), a girl who comes from a privileged background and is headed to spend a vacation with her family at a Catskills resort. It’s there where she meets Johnny, played by Patrick Swayze, a dance instructor at the establishment. When Johnny enlists the help of Baby for an upcoming performance in which his partner can’t participate, the two embark on a path of forbidden romance, set against the backdrop of the perfect summer.

Here, we take a look at the tunes that set the scene for this film in our ranking off the best songs off the Dirty Dancing soundtrack.

10. “Do You Love Me?” by The Contours

While not on the original film soundtrack (it was later added to the 20th anniversary edition), this upbeat track sets the scene for what’s to come for Jennifer Grey’s character of Baby, as it’s the song she sees Penny and Johnny dancing to when she first arrives at the staff quarters.

9. “Cry To Me” by Solomon Burke

Another song later included on the 20th anniversary edition of the soundtrack, this sultry and soulful song plays when Baby finally lets Johnny know how she feels about him, followed by a romantic dance shared between the two.

8. “Hey Baby” by Bruce Channel

Another fun and upbeat song off the soundtrack, this song by Bruce Channel plays during the scene in which Johnny and Baby practice their moves and routine in the woods — We’re still impressed by their balancing act in that moment on the tree trunk!

7. “These Arms of Mine” by Otis Redding

“These Arms of Mine” by Otis Redding plays during a romantic moment between Johnny and Baby, after her father cares for Penny and dismisses Johnny.

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6. “In the Still of the Night” by The Five Satins

This romantic tune is a perfect addition to this beloved soundtrack.

5. “She’s Like the Wind” by Patrick Swayze

A song brought to life by the film’s leading man, “She’s Like the Wind” plays when Johnny is departing the resort. The actor does triple duty in this film — acting, dancing and singing!

4. “Be My Baby” by The Ronettes — Dirty Dancing soundtrack

“Be My Baby” rings in the film, playing during the opening credits, appropriately referencing the film’s lead character, Baby.

3. “Hungry Eyes” by Eric Carmen — Dirty Dancing soundtrack

An iconic song off the Dirty Dancing soundtrack, “Hungry Eyes” sets the scene in which Johnny begins teaching Baby how to dance ahead of their performance together. The upbeat song serves as a perfect background for their chemistry.

2. “Love Is Strange” by Mickey and Sylvia — Dirty Dancing soundtrack

In one of the most beloved scenes from the film, we see Johnny and Baby giving into their attraction to one another, letting loose and playfully dancing with one another (before almost being caught by Neil Kellerman).

1. “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes

The song that defines this film and plays in the iconic finale, “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” rounds out this film as the most beloved song off the soundtrack.

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