8 of the Best Soundtrack Moments in Film
Written by Simon Tolman
Photo courtesy of Fox Searchlight Pictures
Sometimes, a song and a scene go together like bread and butter. In no particular order, here’s a list of eight great soundtrack moments in film.
1. “Low Rider” - War (Dazed and Confused, 1993)
Dazed and Confused is one of those movies where nothing really happens, but because of the feeling it captures, it’s thoroughly entertaining. This scene exemplifies that spirit: the funky bass line of War’s “Low Rider” chugs along as groups of high school kids drive around on the first night of summer. The teenagers’ conversations are as pointless as the song’s groove is persistent, and the scene ends with one of the greatest stoner movie lines of all time (delivered by a certain Longhorn alum).
2. “You Make My Dreams” - Hall & Oates (500 Days of Summer, 2009)
This might just be the most carefree movie scene of all time. After finally having sex with his crush, Tom, played by Joseph Gordon Levitt, is in a great mood. Hall & Oates’ upbeat jam fits flawlessly with the scene, as Tom smiles, walks, and dances with joy. 500 Days of Summer isn’t a musical, so the choreographed dancing in the scene is an exceptionally pleasant surprise — especially that awesome “twist and shout” dance move (1:15).
3. “In The Air Tonight” - Phil Collins (The Hangover, 2009)
As if Phil (Bradley Cooper), Stu (Ed Helms), and Allan (Zach Galifianakis) returning a stolen tiger wasn’t already weird enough, their situation gets even weirder upon finding out the tiger belongs to world-famous boxer Mike Tyson. In this outlandish scene, Tyson absolutely delivers on the air-drum solo in “In The Air Tonight” by Phil Collins. The use of music is just another way this outrageous comedy always keeps the audience guessing — and that’s not to mention the surprising punch to the face that Allan receives minutes later.
4. “You Never Can Tell” - Chuck Berry (Pulp Fiction, 1994)
Quentin Tarantino films reign supreme when it comes to utilizing a soundtrack creatively, and this iconic scene is perhaps the prime example of that. From the way Mia Wallace (Uma Thurman) announces their names on the microphone (0:55), to Vincent Vega’s (John Travolta) toe-tapping dance move (1:45), to their concentrated facial expressions and eye-contact throughout, this scene is the perfect balance of bizarre and wonderful. Just when you think they might finally stop dancing and get back to a plotline, they keep going — and that may be the best part of all.
5. “Fight The Power” - Public Enemy (Do The Right Thing, 1989)
Spike Lee skillfully captures heat, tension, and anger, all of which come bubbling to the surface in this chaotic scene. Public Enemy’s revolutionary rap anthem “Fight The Power” blasts out of Radio Raheem’s (Bill Nunn) boombox as he and Buggin Out (Giancarlo Esposito) engage in a shouting match (and eventually, a brawl) with the racist restaurant owner. The clever use of tilted camera angles adds to the severity of the moment. Might want to turn down the volume on your headphones before you watch this one!
6. “I’ll Be Seeing You” - Billie Holiday (The Notebook, 2004)
The chemistry between Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams in The Notebook is unmatched. Noah (Ryan Gosling) hums the jazz standard “I’ll Be Seeing You” as he dances with Allie (Rachel McAdams) in the street on their first date, and she playfully call him a “terrible singer.” Then, Billie Holiday’s hauntingly beautiful recording of the tune fades in as they continue to dance. It’s a simple (perhaps even cliché) sequence, but the actors’ chemistry and Billie Holiday’s alluring voice make it an exceptionally romantic moment.
7. “Blue Velvet” - Bobby Vinton (Blue Velvet, 1986)
Bobby Vinton’s smooth ‘60s pop song accompanies picturesque shots of a white suburban town in the opening scene of this David Lynch classic. The soothing sounds of Vinton’s voice combined with gentle fades that separate shots of white picket fences, flowers, and a fireman waving creates a feeling that everything is too perfect. After an old man collapses from what appears to be a stroke, the camera slowly glides beneath the well-tamed grass to reveal bugs eating each other, representing the evil that lies beneath the picturesque façade.
8. “Come and Get Your Love” - Redbone (Guardians of the Galaxy, 2014)
The opening scene of this fantasy/action blockbuster begins like you’d expect it to: ominous orchestral music plays as the hero in a mask explores an unknown, creepy planet. But when Chris Pratt takes off his mask, puts on headphones, and start jamming out to the groovy 1974 Redbone hit “Come and Get Your Love,” the film catches the audience totally off guard. This scene is a lot of fun and sets the tone for an exciting, unorthodox Marvel action flick.