The Lost Boys

The Lost Boys original motion picture soundtrack was released on July 31, 1987, on WEA/Atlantic in the United States under catalog number 81767-1. This is the standard domestic LP pressing, distinct from the CD (7 81767-2) and cassette (7 81767-4) versions of the same release. The Discogs matrix data identifies this particular copy as Variant 3, carrying an SRC logo and an ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K. stamp alongside etched markings; the AR suffix in the label matrix confirms an Allied Record Company pressing. Collectors hunting the vinyl specifically should verify those matrix details before buying.

The cover art is straightforward and period-correct for a late-1980s major-label soundtrack. The front face presents a dark, nearly black background with the film title rendered in large, slightly stylized white lettering, "THE LOST BOYS" centered and dominant. Above the title, smaller text reads "Original Motion Picture Soundtrack" in a restrained typeface. Below the main title, the contributing artists are listed in a clean vertical stack of white text: INXS AND JIMMY BARNES, LOU GRAMM, ROGER DALTREY, ECHO AND THE BUNNYMEN, GERARD McMANN, EDDIE AND THE TIDE, TIM CAPPELLO, MUMMY CALLS, and THOMAS NEWMAN. The layout is minimal and typographic, with no photographic imagery on the front cover; the whole design leans on the film's gothic-tinged brand identity. The contrast between the black field and white text gives the sleeve a sharp, if unadorned, look. There is no die-cut, embossing, or foil treatment of any kind, which is consistent with a mass-market pressing of this era. The spine carries the Atlantic logo, the catalog number, and the album title in standard print. The back cover continues the dark motif, listing track credits and production information against a similarly dark background. The inner sleeve, standard for Atlantic pressings of the period, is a plain white paper sleeve without printed graphics or lyrics. There is no insert, no poster, and no booklet included with this pressing. The disc label itself carries the Atlantic design consistent with 1987 domestic releases. Pressing quality on Allied-pressed Atlantic titles from this era is generally adequate but not exceptional; surface noise can be an issue on unplayed copies that were stored poorly, so condition grading matters significantly when buying on the secondary market.

The reason this LP holds enduring collector interest is one track: Echo and the Bunnymen's cover of "People Are Strange," the Doors song originally released in 1967. For collectors who track Doors-adjacent material, this is a legitimate piece of the puzzle. The Bunnymen's version appeared on the soundtrack before it appeared anywhere else, and for many listeners at the time this LP was the only place to find it. That connection to the Doors catalog makes it relevant here alongside official Doors releases; if you follow the band's publishing history carefully, this sits alongside items like Hello, I Love You / Love Street as an artifact of the song's commercial life beyond the band itself. The rest of the tracklist is a solid snapshot of the late-1980s rock landscape: INXS contribute two tracks including "Good Times" recorded with Jimmy Barnes, Roger Daltrey covers Elton John, Lou Gramm turns in a polished album-rock piece, and Gerard McMann's "Cry Little Sister" became one of the more recognizable songs associated with the film. Thomas Newman's instrumental closer rounds out Side Two. None of these tracks were exclusive to the LP format in the long run; the CD and cassette versions carry the identical program. On Discogs, this title shows 2,904 collectors logging ownership and 926 on the want list, numbers that indicate strong ongoing demand without suggesting scarcity. The Allied pressing variant specifically (identified by the AR matrix suffix) is the one most commonly encountered in US thrift and record store finds. Collectors interested in other soundtrack-adjacent or Doors-peripheral vinyl releases may also want to compare notes with the sibling editions cataloged at The Lost Boys (CD) and The Lost Boys (Cassette) on this site, as those entries cover other pressing variants and formats. The "People Are Strange" cover is also the central reason this album is flagged as a hardcore collector recommendation rather than a casual purchase; for anyone building a comprehensive Doors-related library alongside titles like Morrison Hotel Sessions or Live at The Matrix Part 2, this soundtrack fills a specific gap.

This is a common US pressing available through the usual secondary market channels at modest prices. The Allied Record Company variant (AR matrix) is the standard domestic find. The sole reason to own the LP over the CD is format preference or the specific goal of holding a complete physical record of Echo and the Bunnymen's "People Are Strange" on vinyl. For serious collectors building out Doors-related holdings, it earns its place on the shelf; for casual listeners, the CD covers the same ground without the surface noise risk.