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Are these the top 10 songs in movies?

Dorothy Snarker

Another list? Darn tooting! This time it’s about two great things that go great together: movies and music. CNN’s Screening Room has named its Top Ten Songs in Movies. Not soundtracks, not scores, but singles used during a particular scene. As expected, the list is heavy on the male-dominated scenes and, somewhat less expectedly, fairly violent.

Their Top 10:

10. Trainspotting, “Lust for Life” by Iggy Pop (opening scene)
9. Dr Strangelove, “We’ll Meet Again” by Vera Lynn (atomic ending)
8. The Royal Tenenbaums, “Needle in the Hay” by Elliot Smith (Richie’s suicide attempt)
7. Say Anything, “In Your Eyes” by Peter Gabriel (Lloyd’s boom box serenade)
6. Almost Famous, “Tiny Dancer” by Elton John (bus sing-along)
5. Muriel's Wedding, “Waterloo” by ABBA (talent show triumph)
4. Apocalypse Now, “The End” by The Doors (awaiting orders in Saigon)
3. Goodfellas, “Layla” by Eric Clapton (Jimmy’’s murder spree)
2. Reservoir Dogs, “Stuck in the Middle With You” by Stealers Wheel (ear slicing)
1. Easy Rider, “Born to Be Wild” by Steppenwolf (opening scene)

Now, I love Nos. 7–5. I had a poster of Lloyd’s grand romantic gesture from Say Anything on my dorm room wall. And I dare you not to feel unbridled joy as Muriel and Rhonda come out in their white ABBA outfits in Muriel's Wedding. This movie made me forever love Toni Collette and Rachel Griffiths. Heck, let’s watch it again, just because we can.

As for the other selections on CNN’s list, I would have picked a scene from Wes Anderson’s film Rushmore instead of Tenenbaums. And I would have gone for the “Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon” Uma scene from Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction instead of the unfortunate Van Goghing of a victim’s ear in Reservoir Dogs. Also, no mention of The Graduate anywhere on this list? Didn’t that film practically pioneer the use of popular music in movies?

To balance out the bloody and the manly, I thought I’d add some gay, girly and (whenever possible) gay girly selections to the list. Since CNN’s list makers seemed impressed by showy outer death and destruction, how about some quiet inner devastation? In Love Actually, Emma Thompson realizing her husband is being unfaithful — set to Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now” — will break your heart, guaranteed.

To unbreak your heart (without the help of Toni Braxton), try the sheer joy of the moment in Harold & Maude when Maude takes to the piano for Cat Stevens’ “If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out.” When she gets up from the piano to dance and it keeps playing, my heart definitely sings out.

For more joy tinged with absurdity (and again featuring the unstoppable Ms. Collette), how about Olive’s dance in Little Miss Sunshine to Rick James' “Superfreak.” Oh, heavens, the giggling.

And, since I promised you a gay girly one, too, how about more quiet devastation? When Claude (Alison Folland) puts on Patti Smith’s “Pissing in a River,” things get intense. You also get to see cute pink-haired punk Leisha Hailey. (Note: some NSFW language, so beware.)

Are there others? Certainly. The love scene between Paulie and Tori in Lost and Delirious to Meshell Ndegeocello’s “Beautiful” is, well, beautiful. Bill Murray karaoke-ing to Roxy Music’s “More Than This” in Lost in Translation was a sublime snapshot of connection set to some really bad singing. And then there are my favorite ending credits ever, the last scene in When Night Is Falling, set to a jubilant choir singing Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.” I cannot tell you how happy I was to see that the little dog lived.

So, what are your favorite songs in movies? Do you agree with CNN? Do you disagree with me? Discuss or, better yet, sing it.

Dorothy Snarker's blog

Submitted by

Dorothy Snarker

on March 25, 2008 - 5:03pm.

TAGS ::

Wow, that CNN list is

Submitted by

Through_the_Rye (116 posts)

on March 25, 2008 - 5:18pm.

Wow, that CNN list is terrible! You're right - where was "The Graduate"? That movie was legendary in every single way, and introduced a ton of people to Simon & Garfunkel.

This CNN list is worse than the list that MENSA guy made of the ten supposedly smartest TV shows of all time --> http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/02/18/mensa-chairman-picks-the-ten-smartest-...

I think the Bette Midler

Submitted by

incurablygay (289 posts)

on March 25, 2008 - 5:30pm.

I think the Bette Midler song "Wind beneath my wings" from the movie, Beaches, definitely needs to be added. Not only does the movie have a bit of a gay theme running underneath it but its an awesome example of the closeness and intimacy of female friendships.

C'mon...

Submitted by

Josella (15 posts)

on March 25, 2008 - 5:33pm.

...he's a boy. He only made the "Easy Rider" reference so that he'd sound cooler.

Muriel rocks!!!!

Submitted by

chequered (16 posts)

on March 25, 2008 - 5:46pm.

I love Muriel´s Wedding, me and my friends we watched it like 50 times and can do the ABBA-Moves at sleep! ;D

Sketchy ...

Submitted by

Pirategrrrl (1994 posts)

on March 25, 2008 - 5:58pm.

The list started out iconic with Easy Rider, then faded into obscurity. I really like Elliot Smith's "Needle in the Hay" from Royal Tenebaums (though that's also one of my favorite movies ever), but I don't know if it's top 10 material!

What about Moon River from Breakfast at Tiffany's?

What about Dueling Banjos from Deliverance? (even though it's instrumental, it was released on the soundtrack and has become a cultural icon)

My all time favorite single in a movie:

Carly Simon, Let the River Run (New Jerusalem) from Working Girl.

For whatever we lose (like a you or a me)
It's always our self we find in the sea

Agree with Let the River Run!

Submitted by

janneke (54 posts)

on March 27, 2008 - 5:34am.

If only I knew how to put a YouTube thingy in a post... Well, just YouTube it yourself everyone... Thanks for mentioning it, I had a ball. What a voice, what a song!

I'd go with the piece from

Submitted by

WonkoTheSane (74 posts)

on March 25, 2008 - 6:02pm.

I'd go with the piece from 'The Marriage of Figaro' in The Shawshank Redemption.

Maybe my age is showing a bit

Submitted by

chloe121212 (273 posts)

on March 25, 2008 - 6:38pm.

or maybe my complete cluelessness here, but I couldn't tell u the first thing from any of those movies... well with the exception of All Over Me, When Night is Falling, and Little Miss Sunshine. But I always kind of liked Bittersweet Symphony from Cruel Intentions.

"I don't kiss girls who wear doilies"

Maybe my age is showing too

Submitted by

Blueline (7 posts)

on March 25, 2008 - 8:48pm.

Harold and Maude has always held a special place in my heart. Ruth Gordon was brilliant. If you like films that are off the beaten path, rent it. You won't be disappointed.

http://imdb.com/title/tt0067185/

I totally agree

Submitted by

Zillah (62 posts)

on March 25, 2008 - 9:31pm.

'Harold and Maude' is one of the best movies ever.

there is only one song on the CNN list

Submitted by

yael (248 posts)

on March 25, 2008 - 6:58pm.

that i actually agreed with, and i thought it should've been no.1, that's tiny dancer from almost famous. that's one of the most genius scenes ever!!

also thinking of love actually the song at the end, God only knows by the beach boys fits really well!

also suddenly i see in the beginning of the devil wears prada, but that may be because i'm a massive KT Tunstall fan!

i'm sure there are many more great movie music moments but i can't currently think...

ooooh wait, when you say nothing at all by ronan keating in notting hill, i know not a very gay moment, but none the less a sweet one!

others -

Submitted by

mdnightraver (12 posts)

on March 25, 2008 - 7:09pm.

ummm... "my heart will go on" - Titanic.

the righteous brothers' "unchained melody" - Ghost.

heart and souls - "walk like a man".. duhh.

berlin, "take my breath away" - Top Gun.

the time of my life" - Dirty Dancing.

anything from Sound of Music.

and just for fun: the donnas' "keep on loving you" - Drive Me Crazy.

Off the top of my head...

Submitted by

pfl (87 posts)

on March 25, 2008 - 7:23pm.

I really adore that love scene in Saving Face where Cat Power is singing "I Found a Reason." Kills me so sweetly every time.

Guilty Pleasures

Submitted by

TheFrank (45 posts)

on March 25, 2008 - 8:15pm.

Wayne's World -Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen

Breakfast Club- Don't You by Simple Minds

Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion -Time After Time by Cyndi Lauper

Lucy Diamond hopping through

Submitted by

Na (140 posts)

on March 25, 2008 - 8:30pm.

Lucy Diamond hopping through the garden to see Amy to the sound of The Cure's Lovecats

no no, Erasure's "Give a

Submitted by

katy s (20 posts)

on March 25, 2008 - 8:52pm.

no no, Erasure's "Give a Little Respect" lipsynched by Lucy Diamond and her crony when Amy wasn't speaking to her. Poor misunderstood villian ;).

Hmmm...

Submitted by

Na (140 posts)

on March 25, 2008 - 9:05pm.

have to watch it again now...

The Royal Tenenbaums had two WAY better song/scenes than that

Submitted by

katy s (20 posts)

on March 25, 2008 - 8:49pm.

1. First, the most memorable scene for me in any film EVER: is when Ritchie is waiting for Margot at the bus station and she walks off the bus to "These Days" by the original "Nico". that song was a perfect choice for the slow motion footage. and it sung out to that common condition of ours--lovelonging. he loves her but is too scared to say it. :( frown face for sad beauty but :) smiley face for love.

2. Second, the Beetles chorus to "Hey Jude" synching the footage of Mordecai, Royal Tenenbaum's trained eagle/hawk, flying out over the city freely and without grudge. Gorgeous scene that's (gratuitous but) transformative and triumphant!

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

Submitted by

Rusty (50 posts)

on March 25, 2008 - 8:54pm.

The Bicycle Ride Scene with Katharine Ross and Paul Newman to "Raindrops keep fallin' on my head." This was the first one I thought of when I saw the blog title.

Your friend,
Rusty
http://lezbang.com/

Overall, Quentin Tarantino

Submitted by

dypole (255 posts)

on March 25, 2008 - 9:14pm.

Overall, Quentin Tarantino probably has the best eye-ear combination for putting songs into scenes. I particularly love the music in Pulp Fiction, mostly because I love that movie overall but also because the music seems both out of place and just right. Of course I love "You Never Can Tell" playing during the twist contest, but introducing Uma Thurman's iconic Mia with "Son of a Preacher Man" playing is just brilliant. Kill Bill (volume one) also has some pretty spectacular music choices, especially the 5678's upbeat and swinging "Woo Hoo" playing right before the Bride massacres 88 yakuza!

And on a less Tarantino-esque note, I adore the scene in My Summer of Love where Tamsin plays Edith Piaf's "La Foule" for Mona. Tamsin lies about Piaf's life, and with the tragically and ironically fast-paced "La Foule" playing in the background, you can just feel the doom descending. There's also Goldfrapp's "Lovely Head" which pretty much establishes the ambiguous creepiness of the movie itself (can you tell I LOVE My Summer of Love?).

I could go on and on, but there's one song/scene combination that stirs even my cold, black, Shakespeare-hating heart: Des'ree's "Kissing You" playing when Romeo and Juliet meet at the Capulet party. Beautiful

"Out of the box is where I live." -Starbuck

agreed

Submitted by

mdnightraver (12 posts)

on March 25, 2008 - 10:03pm.

des'ree's "kissing you."

.. no words.

totally agree! what a

Submitted by

sydneyB (135 posts)

on March 25, 2008 - 10:58pm.

totally agree! what a gorgeous song and at just the right moment!

The one that immediately came to mind

Submitted by

Zillah (62 posts)

on March 25, 2008 - 9:29pm.

... for me was 'Lux Æterna' from the soundtrack for 'Requiem for a Dream' by Clint Mansell and the Kronos Quartet.

'Me and My Charms' by Kristen Hersh from 'Foxfire' broke my heart.

'Spiritual High' (State of Independence Part 2) on the closing credits of 'Single White Female' (bad pseudo lesbian stereotypes aside)

The 'Mad World' cover by Michael Andrews and Gary Jules from 'Donnie Darko'

'The Promise' by When in Rome from 'Napoleon Dynamite' (most of the music was used really well, like 'Forever Young' by Alphaville, 'Canned Heat' by Jamiroquai, 'So Ruff, So Tuff' by Zapp and Roger)

'Closer (Precursor)' cover of the NIN song by Coil used in 'Se7en', and 'The Heart's Filthy Lesson' by David Bowie

'Where is My Mind' by the Pixies in 'Fight Club'

Aimee Mann's 'Magnolia' soundtrack

'Clubbed to Death (Kurayamino Mix)' by Rob Dougan in 'The Matrix'

'Bela Lugosi's Dead' by Bauhaus in 'The Hunger'

'Satellite of Love' by Lou Reed in 'Velvet Goldmine' and the '20th Century Boy' cover by Placebo.

'Waiting for the Miracle' by Leonard Cohen in 'Natural Born Killers'

'Hallelujah' cover by John Cale in 'Shrek' (cough)

I'm sure I'm missing many more greats...

Priscilla

Submitted by

Chickonspeed (52 posts)

on March 25, 2008 - 9:46pm.

I didn't remember Rachel Griffiths was in Muriel! No wonder I love love love her.

The first song/scene I thought of was "Finally" by CeCe Peniston at the end of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert... The second was "What is Love" by Haddaway, prominently featured throughout A Night at the Roxbury. Everytime I go out, and the DJ's feeling nostalgic and plays "What is Love", there's at least one group of people (besides me and my friends) who start bopping their heads like in the movie. Pure awesomeness.

Classy choices, I know.

Once

Submitted by

boywithmoonandstars (190 posts)

on March 25, 2008 - 9:43pm.

I'll go with two from the movie Once which I am addicted to. Falling Softly is a great song that won them an Oscar this year, and it is a wonderful scene as the two leads actually perform the song. To be honest though my favorite song of the film is the first, Say It To Me Now. Plus Glen Hansard also played the guitarist in one of my all time favorite films, The Commitments, another great music movie. Best song in that would have to be At The Dark End of The Street sung by Andrew Strong.

How about "Gravity" by Sara

Submitted by

sydneyB (135 posts)

on March 25, 2008 - 10:57pm.

How about "Gravity" by Sara Bareilles in Loving Annabelle (the scene--which i think is around minuite 59-- where their hands touch and there is so much sexual tension its sick)

Oh and in the movie Camp where the character (I think her name is Jenna) has her jaw wired shut (because her dad wants her to lose weight) and she sings "here's where I stand". Beautiful and powerful song.

Another, lesser known Toni Colette song...

Submitted by

Mazikeen (13 posts)

on March 26, 2008 - 1:11am.

Just after "Muriel's Wedding" Toni Collette made another movie called "Cosi." The film is incredibly sweet, funny, poignant at moments and for some reason, not that well known. The basic plot involves a young director hired by a Sydney mental institution to put on a "variety show" with some of the patients... musical therapy, as it were. The show & director are quickly steamrolled by a patient named Roy who'se lifelong dream has been to perform Mozart's "Cosi Fan Tutte". All hell breaks loose as he tries to achieve exactly that... despite the fact that most of the cast can neither sing, act nor speak Italian. However, the gem amidst the chaos is Toni Collette's "Julie" who steps forward when the production has begun to crumble around her panicked fellow performers and sings an a cappella version of "Stand By Me"...

You can also spot another appearance by Rachel Griffiths! Before seeing this film, I'd had no idea Toni Collette could sing so beautifully. She also performs a fantastic cover of the Crowded House song "Hey Now" over the closing credits. Definately a film worth checking out as well as a memorable musical moment!

Muriel's Wedding..

Submitted by

Courtney (14 posts)

on March 26, 2008 - 4:01am.

is so quintessentially Australian it always surprises me just how well known it is in other places! "Cosi" great movie and Toni Collette is sublime (in anything really). The abundance of riches in Oz talent - Toni Collette, Rachel Griffiths, Cate Blanchet, Judy Davis, Susie Porter, Radha Mitchell, Portia de Rossi, Miranda Otto, Frances O'Connor to name but a few - CNN's list pales in comparison!

And one more...

Submitted by

Mazikeen (13 posts)

on March 26, 2008 - 2:09am.

A heart breaking "song in film" moment that left me utterly ferklempt was from "Toy Story 2", when Jesse (voiced by the stellar Joan Cusack) recalls her previous life with Emily. The song is "When She Loved Me" by Sarah McLachlan The anthem for anyone who'se been loved, lost and left behind.

...

Submitted by

Robin (105 posts)

on March 26, 2008 - 9:08am.

Out of context, that song is so gay. But then again, Sarah is pretty much the gayest straight girl ever. So that makes sense.

I agree with a couple of previously mentioned songs/soundtracks: everything from D.E.B.S. (especially Erasure's 'A Little Respect') and a lot of Tarantino stuff, mostly Kill Bill Vol. 1 & 2. 'Malaguena Salerosa' playing over the end montage is brilliant, Zamfir's 'The Lonely Sheperd' is my current ringtone and the instrumental version of 'Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood' playing during the The Bride/O-Ren fight... awesome. The entire soundtrack is great.

O Brother

Submitted by

deaddisco (19 posts)

on March 26, 2008 - 3:14am.

I liked the Song of the Sirens from O Brother Where Art Thou. I love the Tiny Dancer scene in Almost Famous and second the merit of Aimee Mann's Magnolia soundtrack, especially the song/sad montage combination at the end of the movie (at the end of the... erm... frogs... I think the song was "Wise Up").

I might be revealing myself to be a bad lesbian here, but what is the clip with Leisa Hailey and Alison Folland from?

It's from All Over Me =)

Submitted by

Robin (105 posts)

on March 26, 2008 - 9:10am.

It's from All Over Me =)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118586/

best soundtrack ever???

Submitted by

kernuack (72 posts)

on March 26, 2008 - 9:57am.

The entire soundtrack of All Over Me should be on this list - it's completely awesome! Sleater-Kinney, Ani DiFranco, Babes in Toyland, Helium, The Murmers...need I go on? This is one of my favourite movies ever...I bought myself a blue shirt just like Claude's and waited for a pink-haired rock-grrl to come rescue me for the entire duration of secondary school. It was a long wait - clearly the blue shirt was sadly not the international 'I'm a lesbian' sign I hoped it was! ;o)

from the ridiculous to the sublime?

Submitted by

Sister Mary Gra... (3 posts)

on March 26, 2008 - 6:26am.

I am rather partial to the use of Bill Withers's "Use Me" in the film Any Given Sunday. Also, the singing by the cast of that Bacharach/David classic "I Say a Little Prayer" in the film My Best Friend's Wedding is a delight.

Cheers,

SMG

Fight Club

Submitted by

miss chatelaine (464 posts)

on March 26, 2008 - 6:41am.

and the Pixies' Where is my mind - edward norton's just blown up his face, the buildings everywhere around the glass-windowed rooms collapse into rubble and dust, and slowly the magic wailing of the Pixies comes round to finish the scene. Amazing.

And definitely, John Cusack holding the boombox over his head with Peter Gabriel's In Your Eyes in the background, it's just pathetically romantic.

These next few don't deserve to be top 10, but they're certainly worthy of a mention -
-Lick The Tins' cover of Can't Help Falling in Love at the end of Some Kind of Wonderful
- 13th floor elevators' You're Gonna Miss Me and Stevie Wonder's I Believe from High Fidelity (opening and closing scenes) - actually, the whole soundtrack is amazing.
- Kath Bloom's Come Here from Before Sunrise (scene in the listening booth)

Yeah, my taste in music and movies isn't what you'd call cool and sophisticated and edgy, but it makes me happy!

Napoleon Dynamite

Submitted by

chelle (20 posts)

on March 26, 2008 - 7:25am.

Scene where Napoleon dances to Canned Heat by Jamiroquai - laughed my ass off!!

But have to admit the first one that came to mind was Reservoir Dogs - Stuck in the Middle with you...

When life hands you lemons, ask for Tequilla and salt

My Summer Of Love

Submitted by

Heidz (18 posts)

on March 26, 2008 - 8:47am.

Mona and Tamsin dancing to Goldfrapp's Lovely Head... on mushrooms... with old people...

Choir in When night is falling?

Submitted by

JK_Singer (213 posts)

on March 26, 2008 - 9:10am.

I loved the credits in When Night is Falling too! And I've kinda been searching all over for that version of Hallelujah, does anyone know where to find it?

"Even in death Gabrielle, I will never leave you"- Xena

Hallelujah

Submitted by

Heidz (18 posts)

on March 26, 2008 - 10:36am.

HALLELUJAH
Written by Leonard Cohen
Performed with the permission of Stranger Music Inc.
Arranged by Leslie Barber for When Night Is Falling

I know you can buy the soundtrack but I think it just might be the score.

Top ten movie songs

Submitted by

Leibug (2200 posts)

on March 26, 2008 - 9:19am.

1) Over The Rainbow- Wizard of Oz 2) As Time Goes By- Casablanca 3) Singin' In The Rain 4) Lady Sings The Blues 5) The Way We Were 6) Diamond's Are A Girl's Best Friend- Gentlemen Prefer Blondes 7) Cheek To Cheek- Tophat 8) Cabaret 9) Stormy Weather 10) The Lion Sleeps Tonight- The Lion King. {I could go on and on, but, I'll stop now} ;-P *sighs* I'm such a sucker for old musicals.

do the right thing-"fight

Submitted by

sloane (255 posts)

on March 26, 2008 - 12:04pm.

do the right thing-"fight the power"- as if the movie itself wasn't enough of an impetus for change the song definitely punctuated the message of the film and made it more poignant.

Beautiful

Submitted by

Shini (20 posts)

on March 26, 2008 - 12:49pm.

For me Meshell Ndegeocello’s “Beautiful” is probably THE no 1 song in a movie. I can't listen to it without seeing those scenes (which says a lot considering the fact that I've only attempted to watch Lost and Delirious twice) and remembering how freakin' depressin' that movie was.

The dog LIVES?!?!

Submitted by

Hollywood Marie (185 posts)

on March 26, 2008 - 1:20pm.

I JUST started watching When Night Is Falling movie LAST NIGHT after MONTHS of planning to see it and I fell asleep halfway through...I am planning to finish it tonight, but, seriously, what are the odds I'd find a random spoiler like that in the 24 hours between my viewings? Oh well, I'm glad he's alive...I felt really bad for Camille.

Songs/Scenes

Submitted by

StPauligrrl (13 posts)

on March 26, 2008 - 1:40pm.

Great thread! A couple of my favorites:

Samual Barber's Addagio for Strings in Platoon

"Dream a Little Dream of Me" in Beautiful Thing (And BadGirls Yvonne dancing with a woman? Bonus!)

-I Want A Mom That Will

Submitted by

Bekkah (102 posts)

on March 26, 2008 - 9:33pm.

-I Want A Mom That Will Last Forever: Cyndi Lauper from Rugrats in Paris. My mom passed away a couple years ago, and I just so identify with Chuckie in those scenes.

Wow, I just really solidified my age there, didn't I?

Anything from Juno, but especially Anyone Else But You: The Moldy Peaches when Juno goes into labor...sooooo cute!

Joni Mitchell totally should have been there

Submitted by

Chel (26 posts)

on April 2, 2008 - 12:27am.

In Love Actually, Emma Thompson realizing her husband is being unfaithful — set to Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now” — will break your heart, guaranteed.

AHHHH I KNOW!!! I STARTED CRYING AT THAT SCENE!!

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