It is popular knowledge that in moments of nostalgia and extreme boredom that people begin to form Top 10 lists on various things of general interest - especially in pubs. One such list arose at a slow day at work when we asked each other what the best songs from movies were. Here are my personal preferences.
Eye Of The Tiger - Survivor from Rocky III (1982)
It came close, but my all time favourite movie song has go to be Eye of the Tiger which is arguably more memorable than the film it featured in. For nearly 30 years it has put fire back into the bellies of those who lose their confidence and maybe even more but have bounced back to win against the odds, much like Rocky Balboa himself. This song is an effort for the underdog to hit back and the superb opening bars which are timed like the blows of the punches in the ring is one of the best openings to a rock song ever.
Ray Parker Jr - Ghostbusters from..erm...Ghostbusters (1984)
So unashamedly 1980's yet it still remains immensely popular as a film and as a song. But yet, Ghostbusters, both song and movie remain very much of it's time but also firmly in the affections of fans both new and old. A simple yet catchy number, it get's into your head and refuses to budge.
You Could Be Mine - Guns 'N' Roses from Terminator 2; Judgement Day (1991)
Many people confuse this adrenaline pumping GNR track as being for the first Terminator film but it perfectly accompanies the bigger, brighter and ultimately better sequel. Apart from it's shameless inclusion in the pointless and rib ticklingly bad Termnator; Salvation last year, the song bristles with all the cool swagger of a powerful force at the peak of their powers, and Arnie's in the video!!
Live and Let Die - Paul McCartney and Wings - Live and Let Die (1973)
You cannot compile a list of film soundtracks and not mention at least one contribution from the legacy which is the James Bond films. Live and let Die is by far the best of all the soundtracks, starting with a slow Hey Jude-style introduction before exploding into a hectic progression of chords with strings that makes it undeniably Bond but without that it would still have stood up as one of the best efforts from a Post-Beatle.
Stand By Me - Ben E King - Stand By Me (1986)
Another classic 1980's movie ( are you noticing the pattern here?) and another fantastic song. Ben E King recorded the song 21 years before the book The Body was written by Stephen King, which the movie was based on, yet it still fits the sotrylibe perfectly and it's title even became that of the film. It is a call to arms for those who value companionship and the vision of four friends walking along railway tracks becomes stronger because of it.
Don't You Forget About Me - Simple Minds - The Breakfast Club (1985)
If ever a song apitomised a film, a moment and even an era, it is surely this Simple minds classic. Everything about the record screams big hair, loud clothes and even louder youthful rebellion and like a number of films you can't imagine either the film without the song or vice versa.
All Along The Watchtower - The Jim Hendrix Experience - Forrest Gump (1994)
Forrest Gump is a tale told throughout changing times which shaped our modern history and All Along The Watchtower sparkles amongst other gems from the late 1960's. The song sums up all of the turmoil that America was going through in the late 1960's as the effects of Vietnam, the assasinations of JFK and Martin Luther King and LSD took a toll on the western world. Originally written by Bob Dylan, I sense that the reference in the title is that he is watching all of this happen and can't do anything about it. Much like Forrest Gump himself actually.
Stonehenge - Spinal Tap - This Is Spinal Tap (1984)
Stonehenge is perhaps the highpoint of the greatest mock-umentary ever made. Whilst designed to be a send up, it still carries enough weight to a decent song too, but then again that is coming from somebody who's father's record collection consisted of Alice Cooper, Led Zeppelin and Yes, the band's Spinal Tap were deliberately taking the mick out of. It is grandious, pompous, silly and includes an hilarious prop piece in the film, what more would you want from a comedy?
Fools Gold - The Stone Roses - Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998)
A late inclusion into one of the best britich films og the 1990's, Fools Gold was originally released as a single 9 years before Lock Stock was even made. The song is the apitome of it's creators, who's brief spell at the zenith of British rock remains a watermark for guitar bands to emulate even to this day. The cool swagger and confidence sums up everything the film is about too, which became a huge hit and launched the career of director Guy Ritchie.
Doubleback - ZZ Top - Back To The Future III (1990)
Of all the songs used in the Back To The Future Trilogy, this one from the beardly blues men just gets the nod past the cult classic The Power Of Love by Huey Lewis And The News from the first film. Doubleback has a rockier edge and becomes a more excessible song as it has not been sent up as much as The Power Of Love. Even if the video is unashamedly 1980's, if you listen and look closely to the band playing at the clock tower party in the film, you will notice that ZZ Top make a guest appearance playing an acoustic version of the chorus!
And there you have it. God i hope I have a more productive day tomorrow to save u lot from another list like this!
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