Because sometimes, the songs help make the movie.
(Featured image by Science Illustrated)
Movies and music have been a natural combination ever since sound was first added to moving images. Whether a movie is a tear-jerking drama, an action-packed thriller or a comedy that will have you laughing your arses off, the right song at the right moment will always elevate the impact of a scene.
Although great movies and great soundtracks can go hand in hand, there were also plenty of songs written for movies have stood on their own, with the popularity and success of some eclipsing the movies that inspired them. Here’s our pick of some our favourite movie songs of all time.
1. Beyoncé – Check On It
Queen Bey‘s song was supposed to be on the 2006 soundtrack to “The Pink Panther” remake in which she co-starred with Steve Martin but instead the track played during the movie’s closing credits, from which it gained heaps of popularity with a music video directed by Hype Williams.
2. Whitney Houston – I Will Always Love You
Written by Dolly Parton in 1973, the single “I Will Always Love You” found its way on 1992’s soundtrack for the movie “The Bodyguard” after star Kevin Costner played Linda Ronstadt’s 1975 version for Whitney Houston. Houston’s smash-hit cover ruled on the Hot 100 for 14 weeks and became her signature song.
3. Bee Gees – Night Fever
This song never fails to make us want to boogie! Producer Robert Stigwood hired the Bee Gees to provide songs for the film, originally to be called “Saturday Night”. When Stigwood asked the group to change the song’s name to match the movie, the Bee Gees declined, saying there were already too many songs with “Saturday” in the title. Stigwood eventually gave in and made the brilliant decision to mix this song’s title with his original film title and renamed the movie to “Saturday Night Fever”. Another track from this movie that we really enjoy is “How Deep Is Your Love” by the Bee Gees.
4. Bryan Adams – (Everything I Do) I Do It For You
http://youtu.be/ZGoWtY_h4xo
Till this day, this hit single from Bryan Adams has the power to sweep any girl of her feet. So romantic and cheesy, it’s the classic love song. Featured in the classic American adventure film, “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves” (1993), directed by Kevin Reynolds, the movie starred Kevin Costner as Robin Hood and Morgan Freeman as Azeem. Apart from becoming the third highest grossing film in 1991 as the movie was a major box office hit, making over $390 million worldwide, the film’s theme song by Bryan Adams was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Song. Following in the success of the movie, the track became Adam’s biggest hit, spending 7 weeks at number #1.
5. Survivor – Eye Of The Tiger
The first thing that comes to mind when you hear Survivor’s “Eye Of The Tiger” is Sylvester Stallone’s “Rocky III”. Stallone, who originally wanted to use Queen’s “Another One Bites The Dust” for his vastly popular “Rocky III” training montage, changed his mind when Freddie Mercury and co. didn’t grant him the license. Sly then turned to Survivor’s Jim Peterik and Frankie Sullivan, who wrote the “Eye Of The Tiger” in part by timing the guitar and drum hits to coincide with Rocky’s punches. We’ve must say, we’re glad it worked out the way it did.
6. Destiny’s Child – Independent Woman, Part 1
What goes best with a movie featuring powerful trio of ladies in a movie? A gorgeous track by a powerful girl group trio. That being said, it’s not surprise that Destiny’s Child was the perfect choice to perform an anthem for the ladies in the “Charlie’s Angels” remake. Also, following in the theme of threes, the song was the group’s third Hot 100 Number #1.
7. Coolio featuring L.V. – Gangsta’s Paradise
Taking cues from Stevie Wonder’s 1976 song “Pastime Paradise”, Coolio’s “Gangsta’s Paradise” was the theme song for the 1995 inner-city drama “Dangerous Minds”. Having spent 3 weeks at the number #1 spot on the Hot 100, the track also won a Grammy for Best Rap Solo Performance, among other awards.
8. Eminem – Lose Yourself
Before “Rap God” and “Monster”, there was “Lose Yourself”. Eminem wrote and performed the song “Lose Yourself” based on his “8 Mile” character B-Rabbit, a fictional take on the struggles of the real-life Marshall Matters. The track, written on the movie set, went on to win the Best Original Song Oscar and 2 Grammys.
9. Ed Sheeran – I See Fire
Written, composed and performed by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran, “I See Fire” is from the movie “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug”. Appearing as the end-credit song for the film, it entered the UK Single Charts at number #13 and reached number #1 in New Zealand on its sixth week, marking Sheeran’s first number #1 single in New Zealand. Handpicked by director Peter Jackson, Sheeran saw the film, wrote the song, and recorded most of it on the same day. Sheeran received a nomination for a Satellite Award for Best Original song for “I See Fire”.
10. Blue Swede – Hooked On A Feeling
“Guardians of the Galaxy” got us hooked on it even before we watched the movie. How? Because of it’s brilliant soundtrack on it’s equally brilliant trailer, that’s how! Apart from “Hooked On A Feeling”, the movie featured a beautiful list of songs but this one just happens to be our favourite. Also, considering that we are in a generous mood today, we’ve inserted an additional video featuring “Guardians of the Galaxy” Soundtrack Volume 1 for your listening pleasure.
Enjoy!
