When the Music Makes the Movie: 20 Songs, 2 Soundtracks, and the Movies That Gave Them Life
- chrissarcletti
- Sep 13
- 9 min read
Movies and music share a magnetic bond. Some songs don’t just play in the background — they become inseparable from the story, amplifying emotions and turning scenes into movie moments you remember forever. Whether written exclusively for the film or specifically selected to amplify and enhance a particular scene, the tracks I've selected are as synonymous with these films as the actors.
Here’s a rundown of some powerful and memorable songs (and two standout soundtracks) that were either written for — or became forever tied to — the films they appeared in. I first discovered each of these tracks through the movies themselves, and they’ve stayed in my music rotation ever since.
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It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll) – AC/DC (School of Rock, 2003)
Another all time great soundtrack in a terrific Richard Linklater film starring Jack Black. This AC/DC song was made in 1975, but I don't know if I ever heard it before hearing it featured prominently in this film and on this soundtrack. Now, it's probably my favorite AC/DC song and I think the one that is the best showcase of the full spectrum of their capabilities as musicians. Metallica even plays it right before they come on stage during their concerts to this day.
The movie School of Rock had a significant impact on Jack Black's career, with many considering it to be his defining moment as an actor (though I wouldn't sleep on his performance in Bernie). The role showcased a perfect convergence of Black's musical expertise, chemistry with child actors, and man-child enthusiasm.
In regards to the School of Rock music schools, the original school of rock, founded in Philadelphia in 1998, was an inspiration for the film. In 2004, School of Rock became an education franchise that now has locations in 16 countries. The popularity of the film undoubtedly played a significant role in helping to fuel the growth of the School of Rock concept and business.
Eye of the Tiger – Survivor (Rocky III, 1982)
The ultimate fight anthem. Written specifically for Rocky III, this song has a relentless riff and adrenaline-pumping vocals that capture the essence of Rocky Balboa and all the Rocky films. The story of Rocky is a story about grit, determination and the fight of the underdog. This song is tailor made for training montage playlists that make you want to push harder. As a 12 year old and through my early teens, this song was used as a motivational theme for me as I started to go to the gym and exercise.
Falling Slowly – Glen Hansard & Markéta Irglová (Once, 2007)
This intimate, acoustic duet captures fragile hope and human connection with sincerity and emotion. Winning an Oscar for Best Original Song, it’s the musical heartbeat of a story about two struggling artists finding each other. After seeing this amazing film, I began to appreciate Hansard's musical gifts (including his work with The Frames) and saw him peform twice live in concert. During one of those concerts, both included a performance of Falling Slowly, Eddie Vedder sang the Marketa Irglova part, which was particularly memorable.
Man on the Moon - R.E.M. (Man on the Moon. 1999)
One of Jim Carrey's best performances about comedian and actor Andy Kaufman. This song is powerfully used throughout the film. While the song wasn't particulalry made for the film (it was made in 1992), it is a tribute to comedian Andy Kaufman, mixing lyrical references to his quirky career (like his Elvis impersonation and wrestling stunts) with themes of belief, skepticism, and pop culture icons.
Miloš Forman used the track prominently in his 1999 biopic about Kaufman and the film even took its title from the song. R.E.M. also composed the entire soundtrack (Man on the Moon: Music from the Motion Picture).
Save Me – Aimee Mann (Magnolia, 1999)
Haunting and melancholic, Save Me echoes Magnolia’s themes of desperation and redemption. Mann’s evocative voice and poignant lyrics deepen the film’s emotional landscape, making it an unforgettable soundtrack moment. This is a top tier must-see film by Paul Thomas Anderson (of Boogie Nights, There Will Be Blood and Licorice Pizza fame).
Don’t You (Forget About Me) – Simple Minds (The Breakfast Club, 1985)
The definitive anthem from the definitive 1980s film about teenage rebellion, identity, and figuring out where you fit into the world around you at a complex time in most peoples lives. This song perfectly compliments the film’s exploration of high school social dynamics. This film still feels very relevant to the present time and this song still echoes through classrooms and reunions and will be playing long after my time on earth has passed.
Danger Zone – Kenny Loggins (Top Gun, 1986)
Packed with pop rock energy, Danger Zone propels Top Gun’s high-octane aerial scenes. This anthem drips of adrenaline, making it an ’80s rock staple that was a hand meets glove fit for the theme of Top Gun. A side story on Kenny Loggins and this song is that before Danger Zone, Kenny Loggins was often considered part of the yacht rock canon thanks to his smooth, West Coast sound in the late ’70s and early ’80s. He was particularly known for his collaborations with yacht rock pillars like Michael McDonald/Doobie Brothers (“What a Fool Believes” and “This Is It”).
Danger Zone, recorded for the Top Gun soundtrack in 1986, marked a sharp turn from that yacht rock comfort zone. The track, powered by Giorgio Moroder’s synth-heavy, adrenaline-fueled production, wasn’t at all yacht rock—it was energetic pop music rock candy built for the big screen. The song became a massive hit and elevated Loggins career in popular culture, cementing him as the undisputed “King of the Movie Soundtrack” through the rest of the decade.
Hard Sun – Eddie Vedder (Into the Wild, 2007)
Raw, expansive, and tinged with both hope and melancholy—much like Christopher McCandless’s ill-fated journey to break free from society. Vedder’s stripped-down cover channels the film’s themes of solitude and self-discovery with haunting intensity.
Shadow of the Sun – Audioslave (Collateral, 2004)
Moody and atmospheric, Cornell’s voice on Audioslave's track plays in a quietly intense moment in Collateral, adding an undercurrent of soul-searching to Michael Mann’s suspenseful, twisty turny LA noir film. For an in depth overview of Audioslave's iconic first album that included this song, click on the hyperlink.
You Could Be Mine – Guns N’ Roses (Terminator 2: Judgment Day, 1991)
This hard-hitting track is synonymous with Terminator 2. It offers aggressive energy, an iconic music video and is perfectly aligned with sci-fi action. There was no better band to be able to deliver this song, with its raw energy, than Guns N' Roses in 1991.
In Your Eyes – Peter Gabriel (Say Anything, 1989)
Immortalized by the famous boombox scene, In Your Eyes captures yearning and romantic vulnerability. Gabriel’s heartfelt lyrics and melodic piano make it one of cinema’s most beloved love songs. For anyone who has went through the joy and pain of finding and losing love during their teens or early adulthood, this song pulls at the heart strings. This is 80s romance distilled into 4 and a half minutes.
New Slang – The Shins (Garden State, 2004)
Underrated film that was all things Zach Braff (he wrote, directed and starred in the film), this film may be most remembered for the use of this song at a pivotal moment in the film. Natalie Portman's character tells Andrew (Braff) that, "You gotta hear this one song. It will change your life, I swear.", in the scene as she hands him her headphones. While I can't say this song and scene changed my life, the film introduced me to New Slang and The Shins and altered the career of the band. Twenty plus years later, New Slang is still part of my rotation and I would include it on any "great all time song list". This is a terrific film with Portman giving a memorable quirky and charismatic performance that boasts a terrific soundtrack that also includes memorable use of tracks by Simon and Garfunkel and Coldplay.
🎸 A Quick Detour: Dazed and Confused’s Soundtrack Greatness
While not a single track, it’s impossible not to mention the soundtrack from the 1993 film Dazed and Confused when talking about great movie music. From Aerosmith’s "Sweet Emotion" to Foghat’s "Slow Ride" and Lynyrd Skynyrd’s "Tuesday’s Gone", Richard Linklater’s coming-of-age classic is basically a mixtape of 70s rock perfection. Few films capture a vibe through music quite like this one. The particular scene when the characters enter the Emporium to the music of Bob Dylan's Hurricane, amid the cigarette smoke, pool cues cracking, and kids leaning against pinball machines is particularly memorable to me.
Where Is My Mind? – Pixies (Fight Club, 1999)
Pixies’ surreal and haunting track punctuates the climax of Fight Club, mirroring the film’s themes of chaos and fractured identity. Its eerie melody leaves a lingering sense of disorientation and reflection. This is one of the few songs by the often thought to be groundbreaking Pixies that made it close to the mainstream.
The Sound of Silence – Simon & Garfunkel (The Graduate, 1967)
This melancholic folk classic underscores the alienation and confusion of youth in The Graduate. Its haunting melody and introspective lyrics provide a perfect backdrop for the film’s iconic final scene.
Lose Yourself – Eminem (8 Mile, 2002)
Not just a song for a movie—this was a cultural takeover. “Lose Yourself” isn't background music; it’s the heartbeat of 8 Mile, a call to seize the moment and an anthem of determination that earned Eminem an Oscar. It has a driving beat and raw lyrics and has been on the short list of songs I've played towards the end of many long 20 mile marathon training runs in the past when looking for a little extra motivation.
Purple Rain – Prince (Purple Rain, 1984)
More than a song, it’s a story in itself. Serving as both a musical and emotional climax of the film, Purple Rain blends soaring guitar solos with raw, heartfelt vocals. I believe this song will continue to be played for decades to come as a powerful vocal and instrumental ballad that is impactful to anyone that hears it. If your ever in the Minneapolis area, visiting Prince's home and studio complex at Paisley Park is a must for the music lover.
Everybody’s Got to Learn Sometime – Beck (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, 2004)
Beck’s haunting cover of The Korgis' 1980 hit, which was specifically made for the film, adds a fragile, melancholic tone to the film’s exploration of memory and heartbreak. This is a deep song that lingers long after the credits roll and sticks with you, making you want to listen to it again and again and again.........
Stayin’ Alive – Bee Gees (Saturday Night Fever, 1977)
The disco anthem that defined an era, Stayin’ Alive propelled Saturday Night Fever’s dance scenes with infectious energy. Its driving beat and falsetto vocals turned it into a cultural phenomenon that will never, EVER get old for those that really want to dance.
Unchained Melody – The Righteous Brothers (Ghost, 1990)
A timeless love ballad, Unchained Melody captures the intense longing and heartbreak at the heart of Ghost. Its soaring vocals and tender arrangement make it one of the most emotionally charged moments in cinema. An interesting side note on this song is that this film resurrected this 25-year-old love song into a chart-topping hit. The Righteous Brothers’ 1965 version of “Unchained Melody” had been a modest success in its day, but it found new life in the film’s most famous scene around the pottery wheel. This resulted in “Unchained Melody” climbing back onto the Billboard Hot 100 in 1990, where it climbed to No. 13—a rare feat for a decades-old track in the pre-streaming era.
Layla – Derek and the Dominos (Goodfellas, 1990)
Specifically the piano coda. Scorsese masterfully pairs it with a montage of mob hits being discovered. The use of this amazing piece of music colliding with the brutality of mob violence is pure genius.
🎵 A Quick Detour #2: Goodfellas’ Soundtrack Genius
Martin Scorsese doesn’t just use music in Goodfellas — he weaponizes it. Every needle drop feels like it’s been marinating in mob swagger (and his mind) for decades. From Derek and the Dominos’ “Layla” playing over a montage of bodies being discovered, to Tony Bennett’s smooth “Rags to Riches” setting the tone right from the opening, the soundtrack charts Henry Hill’s rise and fall with precision. Songs like The Crystals’ “Then He Kissed Me” glide you through a one-take shot into the Copacabana, while Muddy Waters’ “Mannish Boy” and Sid Vicious’ sneering “My Way” bring the grit. Few films match Goodfellas in how perfectly music amplifies mood, character, and story — it’s basically a masterclass in the art of the cinematic needle drop.
The songs referenced above don’t just complement their movies — they transform them, making the stories more vivid, the emotions deeper, and the moments unforgettable. For many of the films listed above, the songs noted have and likely will outlive the films, underscoring the powerful connection between film and music. Memorable lyrics and music etched in your memory from an emotional scene from a classic film just may live on in your memory.... forever.
For some more of my posts related to memorable movies, check out these posts: