Hollywood hits
When it comes to crafting a watchable, let alone successful movie, numerous elements must come together, and one of the most essential is the score. Just imagine watching Rocky Balboa’s relentless training in “Rocky III” without the triumphant anthem of “Eye of the Tiger” accompanying his journey. It would be nothing more than Sylvester Stallone sweating and breathing heavily onscreen.
Certain songs have become inseparable from the movies that birthed them, while others have taken on a life of their own as cultural touchstones and musical anthems. Here are some of the most iconic movie songs in cinematic history.
1. ‘(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life’ from ‘Dirty Dancing’ (1987)
“Dirty Dancing” is abundant with catchy songs and even catchier dance moves (though attempting them at home might not end well). But, obviously, it was this one song that succeeded in getting Baby out of the corner, making cinematic history, and serving as an everlasting source of memorable, albeit occasionally disastrous, wedding dances. The energetic track by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes became a massive hit, ultimately winning the Academy Award for Best Original Song.
‘Footloose’ from ‘Footloose’ (1984)
A coming-of-age flick centered around music and dance set against the backdrop of a town grappling with tragedy demands a standout soundtrack. And Kenny Loggins more than delivered. The upbeat song that is guaranteed to make you jump out of your seat and groove along skyrocketed to the number one spot on American charts, but it was defeated in the Best Song Oscar category, losing out to Stevie Wonder’s heartwarming ballad, “I Just Called To Say I Love You.
‘Don’t You (Forget About Me)’ from ‘The Breakfast Club’ (1985)
Whether you were the brain, the athlete, the basket case, the princess, or the criminal (or a mix of them all) in High School, there’s no chance you haven’t seen the iconic 80s teen flick. There’s also no chance that upon hearing the title track performed by the Scottish sensation Simple Minds you are not imagining Judd Nelson’s fist-pumping moment on the football field.
‘Over the Rainbow’ from ‘The Wizard of Oz’ (1939)
The very epitome of a classic movie hit, “Somewhere over the Rainbow” performed by 16-year-old Judy Garland has transcended the 1939 film, inspiring countless cover versions that have taken on lives of their own. One of the most memorable renditions by the late Hawaiian artist Israel Kamakawiwoʻole has over one billion views on YouTube.
‘I Will Always Love You’ from ‘The Bodyguard’ (1992)
While Dolly Parton penned and sang the heartfelt ballad, it was the tearjerking final scene in the 1992 “The Bodyguard” when Whitney Houston poured her heart that took it to new heights in the 1992 film. Even after 30 years since the film’s release, Houston’s rendition remains the highest-selling movie soundtrack of all time.
‘Moon River’ from ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ (1961)
Few moments in cinematic history are as perfect as Audrey Hepburn strumming her guitar on a fire escape, performing “Moon River” so sweetly and sparingly, filling it with a romantic yearning for a simpler life in the 1961 film “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” Composed by Henry Mancini with lyrics by Johnny Mercer, the song took home an Oscar and two Grammys and was recorded over 500 times by the likes of Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan, and Judy Garland. Even Joan Rivers gave the tune a funny twist, singing, “Joan Rivers, older than the sky…” to the iconic song.
‘Mrs. Robinson’ from ‘The Graduate’ (1967)
During the final stages of film production, “The Graduate” was still in need of that special musical touch when director Mike Nichols accidentally heard a snippet of an intriguing little tune that Simon (of Simon & Garfunkel) had written as a tribute to Eleanor Roosevelt. And with a little “deet-da-dee-dee” here and “coo, coo, ca-choo,” the former First Lady “Mrs. Roosevelt” evolved into the complex character of “Mrs. Robinson,” and the iconic 1967s movie ” found its essential musical theme. The Simon & Garfunkel song became the first to win Record of the Year at the Grammys while also topping the Billboard charts.
‘Purple Rain’ from ‘Purple Rain’ (1984)
In 1984, when Prince was at the peak of his career, he did something that rarely happens in cinematic history: he scored a soundscape that was far superior to the movie itself. While the title track served as the centerpiece of the film and won an Academy Award for Best Original Song Score, it became more popular as a standalone song.
‘Unchained Melody’ from ‘Ghost’ (1990)
The steamy scene in the 1990 film “Ghost” featuring Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze engaging in one of the most sexually charged versions of a pottery tutorial would have been considerably awkward if not for the accompaniment of this sweet track. Performed by The Righteous Brothers, the song became a timeless classic and remains one of the most beloved love songs of all time.
‘Take My Breath Away’ from ‘Top Gun’ (1986)
As Maverick (Tom Cruise) and Charlie (Kelly McGillis) finally act on the built-up tension and indulge in what, from this perspective, is a bit of a cringe-inducing love-making scene, a romantic power ballad by one-hit wonders Berlin plays in the background. This song, which won an Oscar and Golden Globe for Best Song in 1986, became one of the most romantic songs of the decade.
‘Maniac’ from ‘Flashdance’ (1983)
While Irene Cara’s “What a Feeling” was the movie’s official theme, Michael Sembello’s energetic pop-rock anthem, “Maniac,” became synonymous with the upbeat dance sequences and one of the most iconic movie montages of all time.The song, written by Sembello and Dennis Matkosky, achieved chart success and became a staple in the ’80s music scene.
‘As Time Goes By’ from ‘Casablanca’
“Play it Sam. Play ‘As Time Goes By’,” Isla Lund, portrayed by Ingrid Bergman, pleads with the pianist Sam portrayed by Dooley Wilson while humming to the melodramatic tune in what will become one of the most quoted moments in history of film. The track from the timeless 1942 film was honored with induction into the esteemed Grammy Hall of Fame in 2010.
‘Stayin’ Alive’ from ‘Saturday Night Fever’ (1977)
The Bee Gees’ disco hit, ‘Stayin’ Alive,’ perfectly captured the energy and vibrancy of the disco era. The song became synonymous with the film and John Travolta’s iconic dance moves, solidifying its status as a disco classic.
‘Eye of the Tiger’ from ‘Rocky III’ (1982)
Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger” almost didn’t happen if Freddie Mercury hadn’t turned down the license for Queen’s “Another One Bites the Dust” as a soundtrack in the iconic training montage in Rocky III. Luckily, he did and Stallone asked Jim Peterik and Frankie Sullivan instead. They accepted the offer and wrote the song, timing the guitar and drum hits to coincide with Rocky’s punches. It became an instant motivational anthem and went on to become one of the most recognizable and inspiring songs in popular culture.
Methodology
To identify the best movie songs, we looked around the Billboard charts and researched IMDB to identify critically acclaimed tracks that left a lasting impact on audiences.
This story was produced and syndicated by MediaFeed.
