The Top Ten Songs that Own the Movie
Welcome back to a look at the highs
and lows of movie music. Three weeks ago we covered the Top 10 Movies that Stole the Song. Today we continue with Top 10 Songs that Own the Movie. We'll have the 10
Worst Movies Named After Songs, finally The Top 10 Movie Singalongs in
this space soon. So let’s continue with the rock and/or roll!
Whether for cross-marketing
purposes, artistic goals, or simply because they can, most big-budget films are
released with a new radio-friendly single. This is often by a well-established
artist who can simultaneously sell some records and put more fannies in movie
theater seats. When this symbiosis works, the industry gets a blockbuster movie
with a very popular music video to boot. How much additional success came
Ghostbusters’ way thanks to Ray Parker Jr.’s catchy theme song? But sometimes
the hit is so monumental (or the movie so flimsy) that it overshadows the film completely.
These movies may now be forgotten or simply viewed as sidekicks to the massive
hits they spawned. For every flick on this list, there’s a good chance anyone
watching is just hanging in there to hear the tune. There were a lot of options
that didn’t make the cut, so leave your favorite omissions in the comments.
Some quick notes on the rules:
Existing songs picked up for the movie do not qualify, so, very sorry to you,
Mrs. Robinson . The movie must truly be overshadowed by the song, therefore “Fight
the Power” and “Don’t You Forget About Me” don’t make the cut as their movies
have stood the test of time. Musicals belong in some other category and with
some other writer.
10.
“Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees – Saturday
Night Fever
Think about the word disco. What’s
the first thing to pop into your head? The first image may or may not be a
primped John Travolta heading out for a night of strutting on a glowing
dancefloor. It’s certainly in the list, proving
that the film does have some staying power and relevance even today. But with
all due respect to Donna Summer, the first sound to bounce into your brain is
likely the baseline to “Stayin’ Alive.” Just seeing it here in print may be enough
to get your head moving. The movie soundtrack is the seventh-best selling
record of all time. It has been referenced, sampled, and spoofed countless times,
and will continue to be so as long as humans have ears. Almost all of the songs
featured on the soundtrack have more staying power than the film itself, but
“Stayin’ Alive” remains the king beat of disco. For a disco song, its influence
beyond the genre is unmatched. Go ahead, have yourself a boogie before we get
to #9.
9.
“Flashdance...What a feeling” by Irene Cara – Flashdance
When I was living in Buenos Aires,
it was always interesting to see which aspects of American culture were able to
entrench themselves, particularly which 80s songs were still being played on
the retro stations. Irene Cara’s theme song to Flashdance came up often. And it still does in many other places as
well. The movie was a big hit at the time as it brought the “stripper with a
heart of gold” story to the big screen. But now it’s permanently fallen into a
nostalgic reference. Cara’s song (and Michael Sembello’s “Maniac”) persist
today all over the world.
8.
“I Just Called To Say I Love You” by Stevie Wonder – The Woman in Red
Stevie Wonder’s legacy was already firmly
in place long before his tune for to Gene Wilder’s light comedy took the world
by storm. The movie is largely forgotten, and although the song is hardly
considered a timeless classic, in 1984 it was an enormous hit all over the planet. Obviously the song is far from Wonder’s greatest achievement
artistically or lyrically. And many probably remember it as some overplayed 80s
song. However, if you’ve had the pleasure of seeing him perform it live, it
still feels relevant and worthwhile. But even if that were not the case, the
global dominance of the tune completely overwhelmed any relevance the cute
romantic comedy ever had.
7.
“Que Sera Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)” by Doris Day– The Man Who Knew Too Much
The film was Hitchcock’s second
attempt to tell the story of a man who is forcibly pulled into murderous
espionage when his child is kidnapped. When compared with the original, Hitch commented,
“Let's say the first version is the work of a talented amateur and the second
was made by a professional.” It is without question a good film made in the
middle of Hitch’s peak years working with Hollywood studios. The song, written
for the film and specifically for lead actress Doris Day, became a surprise
hit. This may have been due to its use as a key plot device in the movie. Day
originally didn’t want to record it as a single, claiming it was a “forgettable
children’s song." Yet it quickly became her signature tune and a
tremendous worldwide hit. It has since been covered by everyone from the likes
of Alvin and the Chipmunks, The Shirelles, and Sly and the Family Stone and
featured prominently in other movie soundtracks. It hasn’t rendered the movie
irrelevant. But from that peak period, The Man Who Knew Too Much has certainly
faded behind such artistic masterpieces as Vertigo, Rear Window, and North by
Northwest. Yet the quaint children’s song continues to enjoy a lasting
popularity.
6.
“Against All Odds (Take a Look At Me Now)” by Phil Collins – Against All Odds
It may be kind to call Phil Collins’
solo career uneven, particularly when acknowledging such duds as “Sussudio” and
“Another Day in Paradise.” But even though it was commissioned as part of the movie, the Genesis drummer turned frontman wrote this
one from a personal perspective. It’s likely his biggest solo hit, and as his first real ballad
represented a shift in style. The song was further immortalized in a This American Life episode
where he spoke frankly about the heartache that inspired him to write it.
Hardly anyone remembers that there is a movie called Against All Odds, let alone what it’s about despite being directed
by Taylor Hackford and starring Jeff Bridges and James Woods. (Just so we’re
all up to speed, it is a remake of the Robert Mitchum noir classic, Out of the Past.) Actually, that sounds
pretty good. Perhaps we should take a look at it now? The song will always be with
us regardless.
5.
“Nobody Does It Better” by Carly Simon – The
Spy Who Loved Me
With every new James Bond movie,
it’s tradition that a major music talent unveils a fanfare to run over the
opening credits. This can result in a bombastic success such as Shirley
Bassey’s pipes introducing you to Goldfinger. Or it can be a sonic disaster such as
Madonna’s “Die Another Day.” Carly Simon’s effort begins almost as a
melancholic dirge, but quickly becomes an uplifting ode to “the best.” As far
as Bond movies go, this is one of the better ones, reaching #7 on Will’s Top Ten list. It’s especially revered because it introduces Richard Kiel
as Jaws, the gigantic henchman with shiny metal teeth. But perhaps because of its theme as universal song of adoration with a title different from the movie, the song became
one of the two biggest successes of Simon’s career. Yes, it’s overtly sappy. But nobody’s
done a Bond song better.
4.
“Theme from Shaft” by Isaac Hayes – Shaft
Even if you haven’t seen the film you
know this tune is one baaaad mutha. Wait a second. Have any of you even seen
Shaft? No, I won’t shut my mouth. The movie is
irrelevant when compared to the song. The first two and a half minutes are merely setup before Hayes
tells us the legend of John Shaft. You can only imagine that any movie with
this groove supporting the action is going to feel exhilarating. Hayes won the
Academy Award for best song, making him the first African American to win an
Oscar for something other than acting. More importantly, it was one of his greatest achievements and laid the foundation for Marvin Gaye’s “Trouble
Man,” Curtis Mayfield’s “Super Fly,” and many other classics. So can we agree
that this song totally owns the movie? You’re daaaamn right.
3.
“Moon River” by Audrey Hepburn – Breakfast
at Tiffany's
There are only so many perfect songs.
Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer wrote “Moon River” specifically for Audrey
Hepburn’s voice, probably with the goal of having everyone fall more deeply in
love with her. Has anyone ever constructed a simpler, sweeter tune? I could
listen to it fifty times in a row right now. The scene where Hepburn sings
shows that after all the fancy parties, the vivacious young socialite has a delicate side. Her recording won Grammys for both Song and Record of the Year.
Breakfast at Tiffany’s remains a
worthwhile movie and influential in the romcom genre for years to come. (Not to
mention its central role in one of the most Costanzafied episodes of Seinfeld).
The song has been covered over 100 times by everyone from Aretha Franklin to
The Killers. Even the film’s final confrontation from the back of a taxi couldn’t
leave the indelible mark that “Moon River” did.
2.
“Lose Yourself” by Eminem – 8 Mile
At the time, everyone commented that
Marshal Mathers’ acting was surprisingly capable. Of course he was basically
playing himself, but many before him have failed spectacularly in the same
position. On the strength of the story and direction, the movie has enjoyed
moderate staying power and is still aired often on cable. However, the song has
turned out to be Eminem’s most durable hit, still played frequently at clubs,
sporting events, and on the radio. It’s the catchiest track he’s ever made, and perhaps
the most anthemic rap song of all time.
1.
“I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston – The Bodyguard
This is Whitney Houston’s biggest
hit, spending a record-breaking 14 weeks at the top of the Billboard charts. We
can probably just stop there, right? Oh, and there’s also the fact that the
movie soundtrack is the third-best selling album in history behind only Thriller and The Dark Side of the Moon. 44 million copies sold, and we can
safely assume none of those people bought it for the Kenny G track. The movie
proved to be one of Kevin Costner’s last opportunities to play a traditional
leading man before Waterworld and various other failures permanently reduced
him to supporting roles. All of the above makes Whitney’s version of “I Will
Always Love You” the obvious #1 on our list. The only irony may be that Costner
was the one who suggested she record it.
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