Billy Elliot (OST)

The life of 11-year-old Billy Elliot, a coal miner's son in Northern England, changes forever the day he stumbles into a ballet class and realizes his dream is to dance. Set during the turbulent miners' strike of 1984, the critically acclaimed film features a soundtrack loaded with gems of the era, mostly from British and Irish artists -- the only non-Brit in the bunch is singer-songwriter Eagle-Eye Cherry, who contributes the catchy rocker "Burning Up." The album treats us to no fewer than five songs from '70s glam-rock giants T-Rex, including the hits "Get It On" and "Children of the Revolution" and the very fitting "Cosmic Dancer." Amid bits of dialogue from the film are such Brit punk perennials as the Jam (with the exuberant "A Town Called Malice") and the Clash (the angry, anthemic "London Calling"). Interestingly, the Jam's lead singer Paul Weller makes another appearance with his subsequent band, the more R&B, jazz, and soul-oriented Style Council, who offer up two songs, "Shout to the Top" and the U.K. Top 10 hit "Walls Come Tumbling Down." Here's a soundtrack that nails down the film's setting and makes for an inspiring listen to boot.