Music has always been a very important part of my life. I've seen hundreds of concerts. Bought ten times as many albums/tapes/CDs/mp3s. Sang in bands. Played in bands. Done the college dj thing. Nowadays, I make up silly songs for the kids.
Certain songs have special meanings for me. Some songs become personal theme songs. Some songs put me in a good mood. Some songs put me in a sad mood. Some songs take me back to a particular moment in my life. While there was no song playing during my first kiss, I can you tell you at least twenty songs that were popular that week.
Some songs take me to the movies.
TOP FIVE SONGS FROM MOVIES
I thought it would be fun to list the top five songs that, when I hear them, immediately take me to the movie scene in which they were featured.I made two rules for myself when I did this:
- The song had to be somewhat popular. Today's song of the day came from Some Kind Of Wonderful. I love this song and that movie, but this is not a song you can hear on the radio, so it was not considered.
- The song could not have been recorded specifically for the movie. Most movie theme songs are memorable, so that's too easy. Hearing "I ain't afraid of no ghosts" will instantly remind you of Ghostbusters. And bad 80s fashion.
Stuck In The Middle With You from Reservoir Dogs
This song would probably come in at number six.
My Way/Layla from Goodfellas
They seamlessly went from Sid Vicious to the piano part from Layla. I love this! But since it's actually two songs, I didn't put it on the list.
Purple Rain
The entire album could be on this list, especially the title track. But it didn't pass the second rule I made for myself.
Fight The Power from Do The Right Thing
This song should've won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar, it was used so much in the film. But since I couldn't tie it to a particular scene, I didn't include it on the list despite it being one of my favorite songs and one of my favorite movies.
Intentionally Omitted Because They Suck
Unchained Melody from Ghost
Yeah, this song makes me think of the stupid pottery scene. But the song sucks and the flick sucks more.
Old Time Rock And Roll from Risky Business
Great flick, but one of the worst songs of all time. And I don't want any song making me think of Tom Cruise in his underwear.
Ok. Here's the Top 5:
5. 99 Luftballons from Grosse Pointe Blank [view clip]
This scene actually opens with John Cusack's character killing the hit man to the tune of The English Beat's Mirror In The Bathroom. But then Minnie Driver's character comes in and finds what he's done. Her jaw drops and Nena starts playing. Cusack gives a small speech to Jeremy Piven as the drums kick in. And as the song speeds up, they are shown carrying the body down the steps. It's almost as if this song was written for the movie. Hell, it's in German so maybe it was.
This entire movie makes good use of the music that plays in the background.
4. Where Is My Mind? from Fight Club [view clip]
Buildings crumble over Frank Black's falsetto. Roll credits. I don't know if you could've found a better song to be the theme for this scene and the movie.
3. In Your Eyes from Say Anything [view clip]
Seriously, who doesn't think of John Cusack holding the boombox over his head when they hear this song?
2. A Quick One, While He's Away from Rushmore [view clip]
Songs are characters in Wes Anderson's movies. This flim was his crowning achievement and one of my favorite movies of all time.
1. Bohemian Rhapsody from Wayne's World [view clip]
I never said these songs conjured up good images!
I love this song but every time I hear it, I can't help thinking of Wayne and Garth headbanging. I wish I could unremember this scene.
So what songs make you think of particular movie scenes?
Song of the day: Can't Help Falling In Love by Lick The Tins
