Rambo: First Blood Part II (soundtrack)

Lore & Background

Jerry Goldsmith returned to compose the score for Rambo: First Blood Part II, reusing the motif "It's a Long Road" from the first film as the main title. The soundtrack was first issued by Varèse Sarabande in 1985 on CDs, LPs, and cassettes, containing 14 cues from Goldsmith's score along with the original song "Peace in Our Life". Silva Screen Records re-issued the album on May 18, 1999, adding six additional tracks. An expanded edition was released on August 8, 2016, through Intrada Records in a two-disc format: the first disc held the complete original score, while the second disc included contents from the 1985 release, unused cues, and music from promotional materials.

Reader's Guide

The soundtrack for Rambo: First Blood Part II is notable as Jerry Goldsmith's return to the franchise, building on his work from First Blood. Critical reception was mixed but generally positive: Christian Clemmensen of Filmtracks described it as "an outstanding action score held back only by its slow start and occasionally obnoxious electronics." Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic called it "an enjoyable work that proves what a facile, agile composer Goldsmith can be." Jeremy Smith of /Film said Goldsmith's "propulsive score gets the blood pumping something fierce," and Samuel Williamson of Collider labeled it "an exciting score." The album's multiple releases—original, re-issue, and expanded edition—reflect its enduring interest among film music collectors.

Did You Know?

• Jerry Goldsmith reused the motif 'It's a Long Road' from First Blood as the main title.
• Frank Stallone, Sylvester Stallone's brother, wrote and performed the song 'Peace in Our Life'.
• The expanded edition released by Intrada Records in 2016 included two discs: the complete score and additional unused cues.