Huey Lewis and the News

Lore & Background

The connection between the band and the films goes beyond mere background music; it is woven into the plot. The band's hit single 'The Power of Love' becomes a pivotal plot device in the first film, where its presence on a jukebox in 1985 helps Marty confirm his identity to Doc Brown. Furthermore, their song 'Back in Time' serves as the emotional climax of the trilogy, playing over the final scenes as the characters reconcile and celebrate their journey, cementing the music as an essential character in the story.

In Their Own Story

The jukebox in Lou's Cafe hummed with a familiar rhythm that made Marty's heart skip a beat. It was 1955, yet the song playing was from his own time, a ghost of a future he hadn't lived yet. He watched the patrons sway to 'The Power of Love,' unaware they were hearing a message from their grandson's timeline. For a moment, the barrier between decades dissolved, and Marty realized that music was the one thing that could bridge the gap between who he was and who he needed to be.

Reader's Guide

Director Robert Zemeckis specifically sought out Huey Lewis and the News because he wanted the soundtrack to feel like an authentic representation of mid-80s radio, rather than a generic orchestral score. The collaboration began when Zemeckis asked the band to write a song for the film's ending, which resulted in 'Back in Time.'

The partnership evolved into a full creative alliance where the band wrote 'The Power of Love' specifically as the title track. This song became a massive commercial success, reaching number one on the charts and winning a Grammy Award, effectively launching the band to global superstardom alongside the film's box office triumph. Their influence extended through all three movies, with Zemeckis returning to them for 'Back in Time' in the second installment and ensuring their sound remained central to the trilogy's identity. This unique synergy between a rock band and a sci-fi franchise created an enduring legacy where the music is now impossible to separate from the story of the DeLorean.

Did You Know?

• The song 'The Power of Love' was written specifically for the first film after director Robert Zemeckis requested a title track.
• Huey Lewis and the News won a Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for their work on the franchise.
• The band's music is used as a narrative device to help Marty McFly identify his correct time period in the first movie.
• Their song 'Back in Time' serves as the closing theme for the entire trilogy, appearing in the final moments of the third film.