When the music makes the movie

By Stacey
May 19, 2008 | 6:45 am CDT

My husband and I went to see Iron Man last night. It’s a great movie featuring a flawed lead who reassesses his ways and tries to make good from his previous shortcomings. Amazing summer flick (as the box office sales are still proving), and it is helped tremendously by the choice of music (Black Sabbath, AC/DC, Suicidal Tendencies). As we left the theater and finished discussing our thoughts on the movie and their music selection, I got thinking: What are the movies that have musical moments that just become scenes that stay with you for life?

Granted, my list is probably not one in which everyone will agree. However, I’d like to think there are a few on there that most people would consider to be classic moments.

The Top 10 music moments in the movies:

1. Say Anything - In Your Eyes (Peter Gabriel) - Lloyd Dobler (John Cusack) wants to get the girl (Ione Skye) back. Four words: Boombox over the head.
2. Reality Bites - All I Want is You (U2) - Lelaina Pierce (Winona Ryder) and Troy Dyer (Ethan Hawke) suffer a setback in their relationship, All I Want is You chronicles their separation and ultimately, their reunion.
3. Almost Famous - Tiny Dancer (Elton John) - The singing bus ride is infectious and optimistic.
4. A Life Less Ordinary - Leave (R.E.M.) - Climatic moment of the movie in which Celine (Cameron Diaz) and Robert (Ewan McGregor) face impending death. The car chase set to the song is brilliant.
5. Trainspotting - Lust For Life (Iggy Pop) - Best intro to a movie, ever.
6. Any James Bond theme (with a few exceptions) - You can’t hear the songs on the radio without imagining the suave James Bond.
7. The Breakfast Club - Don’t You Forget About Me (Simple Minds) - Best roll the credits song choice, ever.
8. Pulp Fiction - Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon (Urge Overkill) - The lead-up to Uma Thurman’s overdose is a sensual masterpiece thanks to UO’s remake of the Neil Diamond classic.
9. Romeo + Juliet - Kissing You (Des’ree) - The gorgeous introduction of the two star-crossed lovers, Juliet (Claire Danes) and Romeo (Leonardo DiCaprio).
10. Wayne’s World - Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen) - An entire generation rocked out to this hit in their car with their friends after seeing this movie.

It was hard making the list and focusing only on popular songs. We often brought ones up that didn’t quite fit into the popular music theme we were going for. However several of those movie score songs are as memorable if not moreso, than when an existing song is used. Think about first time you hear the Star Wars theme; the pressure-building da dun, da dun of Jaws; the creepy urgency of the Halloween theme; the victorious Rocky theme.

Everyone’s movie going experience is different; I’d love to hear your thoughts on your Top 10 Movie/Music moments. What songs/movies would you include? Which do you think creates the best moments, scored music or popular songs?

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Add a CommentCOMMENT (51)

Jbev said:

Pretty comprehensive list. I would include “Moving In Stereo” from Fast Times, “Sister Christian” from Boogie Nights, and just about any song from Rushmore, with “Oh, Yoko” my personal favorite. There are alos about a million choices from Martin Scorcese films. And, considering you mentioned Trainspotting, what about “Perfect Day”, also from that movie from the scene when Ewan McGregor OD’s? Still, you hit a lot of the greats.

Douglas said:

Great list. From “Romeo + Juliet” I would add Exit Music (for a film) by Radiohead. Perhaps my favorite use of music in a film is Nat King Cole’s Spanish tunes from “In the Mood for Love” by Won Kar Wai. The lush cinematography, stunning costume design, and Aquellos Ojos Verdes. Sublime! Jbev mentions Rushmore. My fav song from that film is “Nothing In This World Can Stop Me Worrin’ Bout That Girl” by the Kinks.

Stephen said:

Love your list….I would add The Doors “The End” and Wagner’s “Ride of the Valkyries” both featured in classic scenes from Apocalypse Now

Ste said:

I can’t believe you left out, Pixies - Where is My Mind from Fight Club. End scene, where the buildings collapse, got to be one of the most perfect uses of music within film!

Also, its a wicked tune too.

David said:

Hello…. Rick James… “Superfreak”… Little Miss Sunshine !

Stacey said:

All great additions, although I have to admit… I haven’t seen Rushmore (hangs head in shame) - always meant to, just haven’t gotten around to it yet.

I forgot Exit Music in Romeo and Juliet! Another very good selection. For the most part, I thought all of the songs used in that movie were amazing and it still is one of my favorite soundtracks.

Excellent suggestions from Apocalypse Now and for the life of me I can’t believe I forgot Where is My Mind from Fight Club - good call!

Stacey said:

Lol, good call David =)

Reclaimer said:

I was thinking the same thing Ste! Those snare hits banging out almost right on beat with the chain reaction explosions that set about a brave new world. With Marla and the newly dubbed Tyler watching as if it was a sunset over an ocean. I remembered that song long after the credits rolled!

Jesse said:

Dude! how could you forget Mortal Combat?!

mark said:

Any tune from forrest gump

Laura said:

Also the scene in “She’s Having a Baby” (80s flick) with “This Woman’s Work” by Kate Bush was amazing. I cry every time I see it!

Ashley said:

I actually associate “My Sharona” with Reality Bites more than U2…thanks for reminding me about Romeo & Juliet though. I’ll have to watch it again.

Douglas said:

I loved all the Elliott Smith songs in Good Will Hunting but “Angeles” seemed to flow the best.

Douglas said:

Nevermind, didn’t know it had to be pop music…

Vincent Perez said:

Requiem For A Dream has one of the most powerful soundtracks of any film I’ve ever seen. It MADE that movie that much more intense and heart-wrenching. It wasn’t a pop music filled fun fest but it was amazing, one of the few original soundtracks that I can listen to freely.

Atom said:

This is a great list, but what about “Cry Little Sister” (I think that’s the title) from The Lost Boys soundtrack? That song still haunts me to this day.

Jeri said:

i agree with the pixies comment. dirty dancing has some signature songs as well.

there have been a few movies for me where the music completely MADE the movie. elizabethtown, wicker park, and garden state are great examples of that. they’re not pop music, but fantastic soundtracks, nonetheless.

Jamie said:

I like the music from American Beauty. Lots.

Salvster said:

I think the tunes from Brassed Off make the film in that case as well, and while the music doesn’t make the movie in Schindler’s List, it just emphasises the message of the film

peter said:

Jerry Maguire - Secret Garden (Bruce Springsteen). A very tender song absolutely appropriate for a turning point in the film.

Drunk said:

As soon as i read the 1st paragraph the 1st thing that popped into my head was Tiny Dancer from Almost Famous, glad it was on your list. I think a lot of people are forgetting this is your top 10 and not a definitive top 10.

conspiracy said:

just stumbled this and i have to say i think this is a great list, well written and most of all the comments. this has to be the first blog i looked at and the comments where all written by adults……bravo people, there may be hope for us yet

Phoenix said:

I think you meant Top 10 *Licensed* Music Moments. You also definitely have a certain type of music in mind. There’s plenty of films with original soundtracks that really make the film stick with you (someone mentioned American Beauty, for example).

A couple of films that pop to mind, however, would be Run Lola Run and also Philadelphia for its opening theme.

Willis said:

I’m personally not a big fan of soundtracks. Original scores have, and always will be better. You think the Godfather would have been as good without Nino Rota? The Good the Bad and the Ugly without Ennio Morricone? Psycho without Bernard Hermann?

My two cents of course, but the the score is dying, and it’s a terrible thing.

Shannon said:

WOW! This is a great list! And I agree so much with every one of them, especially the Wayne’s World Bohemian Rhapsody. I can remember, age 15, going absolutely nuts with my friends in a car when this song crossed the radio. Such a great song choice for that particular scene.

I might also add that when I hear a popular song that was from a movie, I ALWAYS associate the two. I can never again listen to “Running on Empty” without thinking of Forrest Gump. RUN FORREST, RUN!!

I am glad I stumbled upon this site! HIGHLY ENJOYABLE!!

TheMovie Whore said:

I love that list. You picked some great ones. One of my favorites has always been It’s a kind of Magic which is the soundtrack to the original Highlander.

There is also the Queen song One Vision used in the fighter scenes in Iron Eagle.

You can never forget Rocky Horror Picture Show

Nadim said:

All nice picks there!!!
They have awards for this every years and we’re trying to pick only ten from years and years of great music for films.
Still the first one that pops into my head is the tango music “Por Una Cabeza” in “Scent of a Woman” when Al Pacino tangos with Gabrielle Anwar… Great scene… don’t you think?

natasha said:

“Tiny Dancer” was the first thing that came to mind. What about “Needle In The Hay” in the Royal Tennenbaums’ suicide scene? Are the songs from Moulin Rouge eligible? also - “I Wanna Know What Love Is” in the Swedish film called Show Me Love.

Gemma said:

‘Bring Sally Up’ by Moby… Intro to ‘Gone In Sixty Seconds’ w/ Nicholas Cage and Angelina Jolie.

tim said:

I really like Rage against the machine’s ‘wake up’ at the end of the Matrix. Really fitting music and lyrics.

Eric said:

the pop genre limits out my personal favorite, Down in Mexico, from DeathProof. During the lapdance. Perfect song choice for the moment.

sean said:

I have to say that fight club should have topped this list. Where is my mind was so perfect…. the music in general on fight club is phenomenal! (the beginning credits starts with slow classical, and suddenly morphs into metal..)

joe said:

Mad World in Donnie Darko. Nothing better sums up that movie.

PixelGurl said:

I have always loved the soundtrack from Reality Bites (I guess it’s the 90’s grunge rocker in me!), and am glad to see All I Want is You (U2) on your list. Great choice.

sofia said:

All the Simon and Garfunkel in “the Graduate” is sheer classic .
The Sound of Silence, Mrs. Robinson,Parsley, Sage, Rosemary & Thyme etc

Kami said:

Head on with “Tiny Dancer” and “Bohemian Rhapsody,” I must say. But what about the memorable scene from Shaun of the Dead?

You know what I’m talking about. If they didn’t play “Don’t Stop Me,” that scene wouldn’t be NEARLY as hilarious as it is.

jonathan said:

Predator - Long Tall Sally by Little Richard in the chopper scene - just perfect. Also all the Yann Tiersen from Amelie is really good.

Suzanne said:

I have to say that three music moments that really stick out to me are:

1. We Are The Champions at the end of Mighty Ducks it really sums up the movie and my entire generation knows that song because of the movie.
2. We Will Rock You at the beginning of A Knights Tale, that is the moment when you realize this isn’t your mother’s Chaucer.
3. The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, and Beauty and the Beast. Any song from those three films.

Jadedlemming said:

Great idea, and really good picks. “Cry Little Sister”, “Mad World”, and Down in Mexico” being my fave picks. “Where is my Mind?” introduced me to the pixies. I thought “Grosse Point Blank” used music very effectively in the whole film to set the tone of the main character leaving his life for 10 years and then returning. All of Resevoir Dogs too, with “Stuck in the Middle” by Stealers Wheel being the most classic. I can’t ever hear that song without picturing Michael Madson’s sadistic dance. I also agree that the score is very important as it gave Star Wars (even the new ones to some diminished degree) that great feeling of magnitude. The score turned what might have been an overlooked B movie into an epic adventure.

that guy said:

“Any James Bond theme (with a few exceptions)”

that’s some good writin’, Lou.

A Life Less Ordinary?

SacredEuphoria said:

“Mad World” by Gary Jules, in Donnie Darko.
“Wave of Mutilation” by Pixies and “All These Things That I’ve Done” by The Killers, in Southland Tales.
“Miserlou” by Dick Dale and the Del-tones, in Pulp Fiction.

Mastry said:

Wayne’s World certainly shows a good choice of music but it didn’t exactly do much to invoke any feelings or further the movie. Your list seems to be of things that you have simply deemed awesome.

One that should certainly be on the list is Komm, Susser Tod from the End of Evangelion. How about Also Sprach Zarathustra from 2001: A Space Odyssey?

Nick said:

Good break down … one thing missing is there is a key moment in the fight in Mr. and Mrs. Smith where funky, Kool and the Gang style jams break in, preventing the scene from being what it actually is … a man being the living hell out of a woman, and turning it instead into a comedy. Music is really important to keep the right tone to the movie.

Angelique said:

The “Lowrider” song intro to ‘Up in Smoke’ and ‘Aint no Mountain High Enough” in ‘Stepmom’.

Sam said:

Scorsese movies generally have excellent soundtracks with defining musical moments. A few examples just from Goodfellas that spring to mind are when Ray Liotta says, “As far back as I can remember I’ve always wanted to be a gangster…” and it goes into Rags to Riches, or when joe pesci beats the shit out of a guy in a bar all to the strains of Donovan’s Atlantis, or the point in the film where Henry Hills life starts to unravel and bodies start to appear in dumpsters while the piano intro to Layla plays in the background.

natasha said:

whoa, what about “the end” by the doors at the beginning of “Apocalypse now”?

glenn said:

lowrider from gone in 60 seconds

But how about the soundtrack from “Blade Runner”?

adam said:

A few things:
1. Snatch - Massive Attack, Angel. Background music while the minivan is burning. amazing scene! great track
2. High Fidelity - The Beta Band, Dry the Rain. Played in the record shop with Jon Cusack saying “Look how i sell 5 beta band records”
3. A Clockwork Orange - The rendition of Beethoven’s 9th in the bedroom. slightly pornographic, but a very compelling scene. the music adds so much.
4. Napoleon Dynamite - Jamiraquai, Canned Heat. WOW! One of the funniest moments in music history.

And lowrider is much better in Richard Linklater’s Dazed and Confused, the scene outside the “club” with the introduction of Matthew McConaughey.

relentl3ss said:

The song that always sticks in my head is ‘Little green bag’ from Reservoir Dogs - It’s impossible to walk down the street as a group of blokes without that song getting stuck in your head…

Antiques said:

I love the Low Rider song, it reminds me so much of the movie Love Potion #9 every time I hear it. Funniest movie!! Tiny Dancer from Almost Famous was also a great song since they played it along with an awesome scene when Kate Hudson watched the guy with the two girls.

peter john said:

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