Movie fans, music fans, here’s a list that could provide hours of time-wasting fun. And I’m not just talking about its potential as an argument-starter, though there’s plenty of "Huh?" built into this AOL Music list of the 77 most memorable uses of pop songs in movies. Starting with: Why 77? It’s an unusual number and probably way too large; there are only a handful of directors whose ears for pop are so good that you can’t hear a certain song anymore without envisioning a sequence from the film, or vice versa. You could make a whole list of such song/scene pairings from Martin Scorsese and Jonathan Demme movies alone, but these directors get only a mention or two each on this list, while other filmmakers (Cameron Crowe, Wes Anderson, Sofia Coppola, Quentin Tarantino, John Hughes) get more shout-outs. All deserving folks, but still, this list skews young (only a handful of pre-1980 movies), American (I spotted just two foreign films), and lowbrow (lotsa superhero movies and action blockbusters, for which the soundtracks were chosen more by the marketers than the directors).
I won’t spoil the list’s No. 1 movie song, but I’ll be very surprised, PopWatchers, if any of you agree with it. My pick would have been "As Time Goes By" from Casablanca; it’s simply impossible to imagine one without the other. And where’s Stanley Kubrick? No other director has ruined more cheerfully innocent songs ("Singin’ in the Rain," "We’ll Meet Again," the Mickey Mouse Club theme) by marrying them to unforgettably horrifying scenes. Hmm, maybe it’s a good thing, then, that he’s not here.
The chief selection criterion here seems to have been songs whose movie moments are available as YouTube clips. So that’s hours of procrastination right there, plus some fun sidebars, like a gallery of the 24 on-screen bands we wish were real. Plus, I’m happy to cut slack to any list that includes the Pixies, whose "Where Is My Mind?" (as used in this music video montage of Fight Club moments, at No. 71) is a welcome addition to anyone’s day.
Comments (1-30) of 60 Add your comment
Whenever I hear “Wise Up,” I’m forced to grapple with the same question: Is this not the greatest composition of my lifetime?
Wow, that is one lazy list. Armageddon? Space Jame? Daredevil?
And it’s just wrong to put “Hero” from Spider-man above “Kiss from a Rose” from Batman Forever, since Nickelback’s song robs the melody and bridge from Seal’s song almost note for note.
someone who watched the clip tell me #1!!! Im too lazy to watch.
Wow…there is SO much wrong with this list…a few things:
-Stephen: “Bohemian Rhapsody” from Wayne’s World is #1.
-I totally agree with Dan Daoust…Aimee Mann’s “Wise Up” is gorgeous…say what you will about Magnolia, but that song and sequence just work for me. The fact that it’s behind Space Jam and others made me throw up in my mouth a little bit.
-I would’ve put Tom Jones’ “You can leave your hat on” with The Full Monty not 9 1/2 weeks
-The main problem I have with the list is that a lot of the entries aren’t exactly pre-existing pop songs that were cleverly incorporated in the films…they’re stuff from the soundtracks (Maniac, Kiss from a Rose, “Footloose”, etc) Also, a lot of the songs don’t even appear DURING the film…they’re on just on the soundtrack.
-”Hero” being in the top 10 made me throw up in my mouth A LOT…I’m gonna go clean up my laptop now.
-(A random entry that I like “Time ison my side” (not sure if that’s the title) from Fallen.)
The first song that came to my head was No. 1, so I guess I have to disagree with Gary… The second song that came to mind was listed as No. 24.
…and speaking of The Full Monty, Donna Summer’s Hot Stuff totally reminds me of the film.
Well, to be fair (why am I being fair to AOL?) their text for their list says “Most unforgettable movie songs”, which is not the same as “most unforgettable use of pop song in a movie”. Their criteria pretty much includes the whole soundtrack, and not only a pre-existing pop song used in a witty/ironic/dramatic montage.
Personally I’d add another limitation: the song should not be part of the action, but comments on it. So if they dance to it or sing it or hear it on the radio, it’s out. It has to be a pop song used as underscore.
“Pretty Woman”; “Eye of the Tiger”; “Unchained Melody”. Almost the whole soundtrack to “Stand By Me” (I think they actually hear “Lollipop” on the radio, so…) She may not be “cool”, but she’s good at this: Nora Ephron movies. I’m thinking specifically “Back in the Saddle” in “Sleepless in Seattle” and “Winter Wonderland” in “When Harry Met Sally”.
I’d say they were a lot more interested in putting together a list of things they thought kids these days would know than an actual thoughtful assessment of pop music in film. Plus, they have a serious consistency problem: they list actors singing in character (Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe) but otherwise totally ignore the entire era of movie musicals (many of which featured pop hits of the time). Honestly, check back in thirty years and we’ll see if that Nickleback song has lasted anywhere near as well as, say, White Christmas.
Nix…
I was too horrified to see what the AOL list actually said, so i just went by what the link said, which was “best use of pop songs…” Otherwise, your suggestion would be pretty cool…
Also, good call by Billiam on “Hot Stuff” in “Monty”…and to a lesser extent “You sexy thing.”
I agree with the other posters here, the list should not have included scenes with the characters singing, or in one case, a Muppet.
My vote is for “Head over Heels” from Donnie Darko.
I admit there were a few head-scratchers in there, but all-in-all, the songs I immediately thought about were there.
The first one that came to mind was “Don’t You Forget About Me.” Which popped up somewhere in the top 20.
I would, however, change the choice for Garden State. In MY opinion, one of the best soundtracks ever compiled – I would probably go with “The Only Living Boy in New York” by Simon and Garfunkel or “Let Go” by Frou Frou.
I haven’t looked at the list, but I need to state that if “Say Anything” is not at or near the top, this is a crime.
While I agree with AOL that Trainspotting is full of great songs, “Perfect Day” as the most memorable? I agree that it’s an excellent montage, but Iggy Pop’s “Lust For Life” kicks off the movie in an utterly *perfect* way. Can’t get better than cops chasing Renton through Edinburgh to the sound of the drums and Iggy’s shouts. Bonus points for being one of the few – and the first – uses of “Lust for Life” that actually remembered that … it’s a song about DRUGS. (Royal Caribbean, I’m looking at you.)
“Oh Yeah” by Yello in Ferris Beuller’s Day Off needs to be up there. Ditto for Peter Gabriel in Say Anything.
There are some iconic songs in there, but the list is pretty lite and poppy peppy. Gary is probably right – maybe leaving Singing in the Rain from A Clockwork Orange out of the list is a good thing, but it is utterly iconic.
Shout (Animal House) and In Your Eyes (Say Anything) are right on – and they’re in the list.
But one of the most arresting uses of a song, which I remember to this day nearly 30 years after seeing the movie, is Sympathy for the Devil (Rolling Stones) in the movie Coming Home with Jon Voight.
Yow – that song and the scene it accompanies are totally, totally unforgettable. Netflix it and see if you don’t agree.
“Uninvited” is just plain HAUNTING. I play if every Halloween in the haunted house.
The first song I thought of didn’t make the list. Night Ranger’s “Sister Christian” was used perfectly in “Boogie Nights” firecracker scene.
I don’t think that the AOL writer has seen it (and he saw Magnolia?)
the only reason to watch xXx is when Xander cage(vin diesel) jump out of the plane and causes an avalanche to “before i die” by mushroom head. the movie itself is an abomination but i can watch that secene a 1000 times.
I know this probably won’t be a popular, hip, choice, but it is thge right one: Celine Dion’s ‘My Heart will Go On’ in Titanic was perfectly placed. Also how about Flashdance in the movie Flashdance????
Dear sweet God. I’m female, straight, and young(ish), and I can’t hear the Cars’ “Moving in Stereo” without thinking of Pheobe Cates’ breasts. Can someone please explain how that gem was left out?
Has everyone forgotten the best pop song ever used in a movie: “Tiny Dancer” by Elton John in Almost Famous? It’s one of the best movie moments ever. The entire band was pissed at Russell, but that song made them realize life’s not so bad. They can all get along. “You are home.” COME ON, PEOPLE!!! Get with it.
Where the heck is Michelle Pfeiffer doing “Makin’ Whoopee” in FABULOUS BAKER BOYS?
My favorite movie moment (that didn’t make the list) is “Bittersweet Symphony” (Verve) at the end of Cruel Intentions … Sarah Michelle’s character gets her comeuppance, and Reese Witherspoon drives off into the sunset.
How the cast of the 40 year old virgins rendition of “The Age of Aquarius” didn’t make the list is a mystery to me. Perfect ending for that movie.
Also, “I’ll stop the world to melt with you” by Modern English from Nick Cage’s Valley Girl….no one remembers the film, but the music is still alive.
For me Tiny Dancer was the best movie moment on the list. Unchained Melody and Bohemeon Rhapsody became huge hits for a second time because of the films. But, what about Stuck In The Middle With You? I don’t hear that song without thinking of gasoline and ears.
For Office Space, I would have said “Damn it feels good to be a ganster”. I love that song.
Where the hell is Casablanca and “As Time Goes By”?? “Streets of Philadephia” should have been higher.
From Ferris Bueller, I would have suggested “Dankeshe” or how ever you say it. It is the song he sings before “Twist and Shout”.
Nickleback???? Nickelback??? That alone sums up so much wrong with this list. EEWWW…
No argument for number 1 though. This is always a road trip song for me.
Now that I think of it, the list actually did a decent job of including famous movie music moments…the main problem, as gary pointed out, is that 77 entries is too damn many.
When Springsteen’s “Secret Garden” starts up in “Jerry Maguire” I get misty every time so it deserves a place on this list without question. Perfect timing.
But some of these songs were written specifically for that movie so they can’t really be considered. Can they? I think I need clearer guidelines.
As most of you pointed out, this list should NOT include songs that only appear on the soundtrack and not in teh movie. My personal favorite musical moments in film (in a very particular order):
5. Jamiroquai’s “canned heat” – NAPOLEON DYNAMITE
Dance, Napoleon!Dance!
4. Caetano Veloso’s “cucurrucucu paloma” – Almovodar’s TALK TO HER
Deep, moving, heartbreaking. I love this sequence. Best musical moment in an Almodovar film.
3. Peter Frampton’s “oh, baby I love your way” – HIGH FIDELITY
Some people consider this song cheesy. I tell the those people to go screw themselves!
2. Wreckless Eric’s “whole wide world” – STRANGER THAN FICTION
When Ferrell’s geeky, awkward Harold Crick finally gets the girl–nerds everywhere stand up and cheer!
1. Julie Delpy’s “waltz” – BEFORE SUNSET
This is one of the main reasons why I consider the last 5 minutes of this movie one of the greatest endings of all time.