The 50 best uses of songs in movies

TONY ranks the coolest soundtrack moments of all time.

By David Fear, Joshua Rothkopf and Keith Uhlich Thu Jan 12 2012

40. "Making Time," the Creation, Rushmore (1998)

Here's the moment when Wes Anderson truly arrives, forever to live in the hearts of geeky obsessives with this montage of Max Fischer's extracurriculars, ranging from "bombardment society founder" to the director of the Max Fischer Players. The forgotten band that penned the tune, a lesser Who, supplies the attitude.—Joshua Rothkopf

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39. "Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)," the First Edition, The Big Lebowski (1998)

Jeff "The Dude" Lebowski knows his way around narcotics, but he's surely never had a trip quite like the bowling-alley dream sequence in the Coens' profanely funny comedy. Wagneresque chorines, scissor-wielding nihilists and a Kenny Rogers ditty combine for maximum, mind-altering surreality.—Keith Uhlich

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Watch the video for "Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)" by the First Edition

38. "Unchained Melody," the Righteous Brothers, Ghost (1990)

How many viewers wanted to take up pottery after watching this famous lovemaking sequence—scored to a sublime, Phil Spector–produced serenade? The romance is as shamelessly gloopy as Demi Moore's moist molding clay, but boy, does it make us swoon.—Keith Uhlich

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Watch the video for "Unchained Melody" by the Righteous Brothers

37. "Patricia," Perez Prado Orchestra, La Dolce Vita (1960)

If the films of Federico Fellini can be likened to one glamorous late-night party, unbound and spinning out of control, then here's the organ-drenched soundtrack, equal parts prim and perverse. A drunk party girl sheds her clothes (and shame) in this, the most notorious scene of the director's career.—Joshua Rothkopf

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Watch the video for "Patricia" by Perez Prado Orchestra

36. "Head Over Heels," Tears for Fears, Donnie Darko (2001)

In a terrific early scene from Richard Kelly's cult debut, Jake Gyllenhaal's depressive, time-traveling outcast takes a long walk down his high-school hallway. Assembled into a single, unbroken take, it's as if we're gliding through one morning in our own angst-ridden teen existence—but with a better soundtrack.—Keith Uhlich

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Watch the video for "Head Over Heels" by Tears for Fears

35. "You Can't Always Get What You Want," the Rolling Stones, The Big Chill (1983)

Effortlessly evoking the disappointments of the boomer era, Mick Jagger's profound lyric lends weight to this movie's early knockout scene, a funeral procession for a suicide. As we get to know these reuniting friends, we only hope they'll get what they need. (This clip isn't the full sequence, but you get the vibe.)—Joshua Rothkopf

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Watch the video for "You Can't Always Get What You Want" by the Rolling Stones

34. "California Dreamin'," the Mamas & the Papas, Chungking Express (1994)

The beaches of Malibu are a world way from the crowded noodle stalls of Hong Kong, but damned if director Wong Kar-wai doesn't make it work. His missed-connection romance, between a world-weary cop and a pixieish young woman, gets a dreamy injection of urban ennui via John Phillips & Co.'s '60s pop hit.—David Fear

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Watch the video for "California Dreamin'" by the Mamas & the Papas

33. "I Got You Babe," Sonny & Cher, Groundhog Day (1993)

"Then put your little hand in mine," yowls Sonny Bono on the radio promptly at 6am, day after day after day, to the blinking frustration of cosmically trapped weatherman Bill Murray. Even as we laugh, the song's chorus takes on dark overtones—someone's "gotten" indeed. No other tune would have been as maddening.—Joshua Rothkopf

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Watch the video for "I Got You Babe" by Sonny & Cher

32. "My Sharona," the Knack, Reality Bites (1994)

The quintessential scene from Ben Stiller's Gen-X-catering romance takes place in a Food Mart as Winona Ryder and up-and-comers Steve Zahn and Janeane Garofalo "ironically" get down to this exuberant new-wave track. An embarrassed Ethan Hawke cringes on behalf of all involved.—Keith Uhlich

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Watch the video for "My Sharona" by the Knack

31. A Love Supreme, John Coltrane, Mo' Better Blues (1990)

Spike Lee originally named his jazz film after John Coltrane's epic four-part suite, before the musician's widow asked him to change the title. Thankfully, she let Lee borrow part of the song to add resonance to the movie's climax, in which Denzel Washington's troubled trumpeter starts a family and finally finds inner peace.—David Fear

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Watch the video for A Love Supreme by John Coltrane

50–41
40–31
30–21
20–11
10–1

Raging Bull (1980): The overcooked steak

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(4 ratings)

Drive college ft electric youth - "a real hero" drive kavinsky "nightcall" drive desire's "under your spell" drive instrumentals by cliff martinez drive drive drive dri....

00 Wed May 8
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Well, thought out list - Kudos. One that HAS to be in the top ten though - "Falling Slowly" in Once. Its use near the beginning of the film was fantastic, and set the entire tone for the movie. But its use in the ending was the best use of music in a movie ending ever.

Kevin Wilson Fri Mar 29
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Oh and of course white Christmas in home alone when he's shaving. Great scene!

PJA_Master Tue Mar 5
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Great list bit it's missing dont you forget about me - Simple Minds from the breakfast club. Perfect match of song to movie.

PJA_Master Tue Mar 5
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Did I miss Clockwork orange or was it forgotten as well?

Db Sat Feb 23
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I really expected to see something from Forrest Gump (the entire soundtrack) and Dazed and Confused (the entire soundtrack)

Smurfe Sat Feb 2
Rated as: 4/5
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Comment puis-je importer mon blog vers un autre compte gmail?

вибропогружатель свай Wed Jan 16
Rated as: 3/5
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Have yourself a merry little Christmas from The Victors, as the young soldier faces the firing squad!

Eelnodrog Tue Nov 13 2012
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Great list. You included so many that I thought you would miss.

AJRN Tue Nov 6 2012
Rated as: 5/5
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Its very informative i really like it Threading ny,Threading nyc, Waxing nyc, Brazilian Waxing nyc, bikini waxing nyc, sugaring nyc, eyebrow threading nyc, body waxing nyc

jaspreet Mon Oct 1 2012
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