What’s That Sound? Songs From Movies That Are Forever Ingrained Into Our Minds
There’s good music and there’s bad music, and it all really comes down to taste. Some of the good music comes from bands like the Foo Fighters, and then there are people like Paris Hilton who should have never entered the recording studio.
But, that’s not the case when producers decide which movies to use in their films. One Reddit user asked the question about which songs from movies are forever stuck in your head. Trust me, the songs on here will be in your mind for the next week or two.
Danger Zone- Top Gun
Outside of the song “Footloose,” this is Kenny Loggins’ other well-known hit. The song came from the soundtrack of the 1986 motion picture, and it remains an artifact of the mid-80’s.
The other song to be featured in the film was “Take My Breath Away” by Berlin. It won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.
I Believe I Can Fly- Space Jam
Although R. Kelly had other songs appear on the pop chart, “I Believe I Can Fly” is his most successful single.
It topped the charts in eight countries and won three Grammy Awards. Since its release in 1997, it’s become associated with Michael Jordan and the NBA.
Scotty Doesn’t Know- Eurotrip
In Eurotrip, Scotty gets dumped by his girlfriend Fiona for the lead singer of Lustra.
The song was performed at a party Scott was attending and the frontman of the band was played by Matt Damon. The classic hit didn’t do so well on the charts due to the high amount of digital downloads. The next song ahead comes from a hilarious Will Ferrell Saturday Night Live skit.
Don’t You (Forget About Me)- Breakfast Club
Anytime this song is played, I immediately flashback to that group of teenagers serving detention on a Saturday.
John Hughes did a very good job at selecting this song for the opening and closing credits of the iconic film. As of 2017, the music video on YouTube has been viewed over 100 million times.
Eye Of The Tiger- Rocky III
I think we all know the theme song from Rocky III. Survivor recorded the single at the request of Sylvester Stallone after Queen denied the actor permission to use “Another One Bites The Dust.”
The song gained tremendous airplay on the radio an on MTV, and it went certified platinum in August 1982 by the RIAA.
What Is Love?- A Night At The Roxbury
The Eurodance song by Haddaway is recognizable for its line “What is love? Baby don’t hurt me, don’t hurt me, no more.”
The song would enjoy a revival from the Saturday Night Live skit “Roxbury Guys.” Of course, it would appear in A Night At The Roxbury with Will Ferrell and Chris Katan nodding their heads to the jam. Another hilarious film that came from an SNL skit is just ahead. The song will forever be a classic by Queen.
All-Star- Shrek
Smash Mouth’s most successful song appeared in Shrek. Since its association with the franchise, it’s become a popular internet meme.
However, the single was also played in the film Mystery Men, as well as in the final scene in Rat Race with the group performing at a charity concert.
A Thousand Miles-White Chicks
The debut single by Vanessa Carlton became her signature song. The song has been covered by numerous artists, and even by the cast of Glee.
Of course, Carlton’s hit was used in White Chicks. Anytime the song is on the radio, Terry Crews always come to mind.
Bohemian Rhapsody- Wayne’s World
Queen’s song enjoyed a renew in popularity thanks to the SNL skit-turned-movie Wayne’s World. “Bohemian Rhapsody” was re-released to commemorate the death of Freddie Mercury, with proceeds going to the Magic Johnson Foundation.
Following the release of the film and Mercury’s death, the single re-entered the Billboard Hot 100 after 16 years. Fun fact: A British rapper took North America by storm after Seth Rogen featured her song in the trailer for his stoner-comedy film.
Mrs. Robinson- The Graduate
The song was written by Paul Simon as he pitched it to The Graduate director Mike Nicols. The single contains a famous reference to Yankee great Joe DiMaggio.
In 1969, it became the first rock song to win the Grammy Award for Record of the Year.
Where Is My Mind?- Fight Club
Although the Pixies never released this as a single, it’s one of the band’s signature songs.
In 1999, Fight Club featured the song during the final scene, along with the ending credits. The film’s usage of the 1988 song initially garnered a massive interest in the song.
Paper Planes- Pineapple Express
The British rapper MIA received wide acclaim upon the release of the song. The chorus, lyrical humor, and the backing track is a sample of the song “Straight to Hell” by The Clash.
MIA’s song gained popularity in North America following its appearance in the trailer for Pineapple Express. Another Seth Rogen movie is just ahead, and you might remember the scene with Michael Cera especially.
My Heart Will Go On- Titanic
Everyone should know the song, along with the Canadian musician who performed it. The romantic song became an international hit thanks to James Cameron’s blockbuster film.
The single would become Celine Dion’s biggest hit, as well as one of the world’s best-selling singles of all-time.
Tiny Dancer- Almost Famous
The song features a timeless piano tune with incredible verses. The single was never released as a single in the UK, but the song did well over in Canada, where Elton John had much of his early commercial success.
Despite the song being released in 1972, it made a revival after being featured in Cameron Crowe’s Almost Famous.
These Eyes- Superbad
Superbad should come to mind with this song, especially the part when Michael Cera has to sing the song in a room full of people.
“These Eyes” became a breakthrough success for The Guess Who. It would be their first single to reach the top ten on the Billboard Pop Singles chart. Which Creedence Clearwater Revival tunes are in Forrest Gump and The Big Lebowski? That’s still on the way.
Stuck In The Middle With You- Reservoir Dogs
The song was used in Quentin Tarantino’s 1992 film debut Reservoir Dogs. During the scene in which it plays, Mr. Blonde taunts and tortures the policeman Marvin Nash while singing and dancing to the song.
In an episode of It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia, Charlie re-enacts the scene.
Banana Boat Song- Beetlejuice
The Jamaican folk tune is a work song. Daylight has come, the shift is over, and they want their work counted so that they can go home.
The song was used in Beetlejuice in a dinner scene in which the guests are compelled to dance along to the song by the film’s protagonists.
Any Song By CCR (Forrest Gump And The Big Lebowski)
There are many movies to feature a song from the American roots band, but we’ll stick with two. “Fortunate Son” in Forrest Gump is such a good song that even Forrest himself would rock out to that music.
Then, there’s “Run Through The Jungle” in The Big Lebowski. But nothing said, “let’s get ready to fulfill a mission” like Jeff Bridges and John Goodman.
I Got You Babe- Groundhog Day
The single by Sonny and Cher has been in plenty of films and television shows. The song would make a comeback when it was used continuously in Groundhog Day.
It was the first single from their debut solo album Look At Us. Their single spent three weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
Footloose Song
Kenny Loggins released two singles from Footloose, with the other single being “I’m Free (Heaven Helps the Man).”
The song was well received, and in 1985, was nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Song. Unfortunately, he lost to Stevie Wonder’s “I Just Called To Say I Love You.”
