Worst2First: My Top Ten Songs From Movies

Worst2First: 

My Top Ten Songs From Movies

I was having a heated conversation with some friends about songs in movies.  More specifically, we were arguing over the use of hip hop music in trailers such as "The Magnificent Seven" and "Assassin's Creed," where it seemed such music would feel out of place.  This got me to thinking about songs in movies, and I realized the real power of a great song in a great movie.  You remember the song long after the film ends, and sometimes it holds a tremendous significance in cinematic history.

I compiled a list of ten songs that have had a huge significance in the movie they were featured in, as well as ones that stick in your head long after hearing them.  These will not be from musicals, but rather from movies that weren't more musical than acting.

**There will be no spoilers.**

#10

(Don't You) Forget About Me

From "The Breakfast Club"

In the 80s, there was a group of actors known as the Brat Pack - Emilio Estevez, Anthony Michael Hall, Rob Lowe, Andrew McCarthy, Demi Moore, Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald and Ally Sheedy.  They appeared in numerous movies together, but it was "The Breakfast Club" that most hold as their best collaboration (it starred everyone but Lowe, McCarthy and Moore).  The quintessential teenage movie about five stereotypical students stuck in detention holds a special place in the hearts of movie fans to this day, and Simple Mind's "(Don't You) Forget About Me" playing at the end serves as the final crescendo from an amazing film.

#9

Ghostbusters Theme

From "Ghostbusters"

Ray Parker Jr.'s Oscar-nominated song resounds to this day, specifically because the reboot song was so horribly received.  No matter how long its been since you've seen the film about former professors who start a ghost hunting business, you'll no doubt remember Parker's eternal lyrics.  "Who you gonna call?"  "There's something strange in the neighborhood." "I ain't afraid of no ghosts."  I bet you're already singing the song now.

#8

Lose Yourself

From "8 Mile"

"8 Mile" is rapper Eminem's mostly true story as he grew up in the wrong side of Detroit, and slowly, painfully rose to fame as one of this century's most prolific rappers.  The song (written by Eminem) serves as an anthem for anyone who's ever had a dream to never give up.  The story of the song is a powerful one, and it became the first modern rap song to win the Oscar for Best Original Song (I still remember when Barbra Streisand announced the song as it won, and the expression on her face).

#7

My Heart Will Go On

From "Titanic"

Back in 1997, you couldn't turn on the radio without hearing this Oscar-winning Celine Dion song.  It was so over-saturated that it was used everywhere - weddings, graduations, commencements, baptisms, horse races...okay, maybe not, but you get my point.  When it was first released, it was a huge hit for the Canadian songstress, but now it's more a parody of its former self, but still undeniably memorable.

#6

Let It Go

From "Frozen"

Disney has had an amazing track record for great songs.  "Can You Feel the Love Tonight," "Beauty & the Beast," "A Whole New World," "Circle of Life," but it's their most recent blockbuster hit that made the list.  This Oscar-winning song serves as an anthem for anyone who feels different that they can be who they want to be, without hiding their true nature.  It's a powerful song, but I'm sure any parent is probably sick to death of it by now.

#5

(I've Had) The Time of My Life

From "Dirty Dancing"

Nobody puts Baby in the corner.  This film about a dancer who falls in love with her much older instructor still holds as one of the best romantic films in decades, and it's their powerful, sizzling dance to this song that most people remember.  The chemistry between Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey is palpable as they dance to this Oscar-winning song, along with the iconic Jennifer Grey lift.

#4

Gangsta's Paradise

From "Dangerous Minds"

Sometimes there's a song from a movie that is so powerful and groundbreaking that it overshadows the film itself.  Coolio's "Gangsta's Paradise" is one of those rare songs where you remember the song title but not the movie it came from.  The film itself is powerful - Michelle Pfeiffer stars as an ex-Marine who teaches at an inner city school - but it's Coolio's rendition that sticks in the minds of people today - or maybe it's Weird Al's most famous parody, "Amish Paradise."

#3

I Will Always Love You

From "The Bodyguard"

Country superstar Dolly Parton wrote and recorded this song back in the 70s, but ask anyone today and they'll think it's Whitney Houston's own, and she deserves it.  Her rendition was so moving and powerful that it became her signature song, and for a singer who was in the business for decades, that's no small feat.  The song remained on Billboard's Hot 100 for fourteen weeks at number one, and still sends chills through anyone hearing it today.

#2

Eye of the Tiger

From "Rocky III"

Any gym rat - or anyone who's ever done any sort of workout whatsoever - would immediately know this song from the first few notes, and it's thanks to Sylvester Stallone's "Rocky III."  Originally, he wanted to use Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust," but they wouldn't grant him the song rights, so he turned to Survivor and they gave him this now iconic song that pumps anyone up after hearing it.

#1

Over the Rainbow

From "The Wizard of Oz"

The American Film Institute has named this song the greatest movie song of all time, and its no surprise why.  The song was released in 1939 by a then-17 year old Judy Garland, which became her biggest hit.  The song is prominently featured in the classic film at the beginning, and serves as an inspiration for anyone who ever wanted to find something more in life and how wonderful this world can be.