Movies that Carry a Tune
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Reviewed by: Ryan McNally
One person on the screen starts singing, then another. Pretty soon, the whole room is singing at the top of their lungs. And if you're not careful, you may find yourself singing along with the characters on screen, particularly if the drinks are a-flowing. Here are our picks for the 10 most memorable sing-a-long scenes in movie history. |
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| 1. |
Almost Famous ("Tiny Dancer")
As band members and friends begin singing the lines of this Elton John classic one-by-one, the dissension threatening to destroy the band gradually dissipates. A touching scene that demonstrates the power of great music.
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| 2. |
Wayne's World ("Bohemian Rhapsody")
Mike Myers (Austin Powers), Dana Carvey and Co. belt out this tune in a classic scene that helped revive Queen's popularity.
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| 3. |
Animal House ("Louie Louie," "Shout," anything by Otis Day and the Nights) 
John Belushi and the members of the Delta fraternity know how to throw a fucking party.
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| 4. |
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Matthew Broderick brings playing hooky to a new level when he climbs atop a parade float and sings "Twist and Shout" while the entire city of Chicago busts a move.
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| 5. |
Grease (any song)
One of my college roommates used to try to woo women with his knowledge of all songs Grease. Alas, his cunning technique never worked - but that doesn't mean you can't try. Bonus points if you can dance like John Travolta (Pulp Fiction).
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| 6. |
Billy Madison (poolside special)
Check out the wonderfully choreographed song and dance with Veronica Vaughn, Adam Sandler and guests in the pool.
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| 7. |
Casablanca ("Knock On Wood")
Piano man Sam takes a break from "playing it again" to croon this ditty, and the whole bar gets it . . . knock on wood.
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| 8. |
Clerks ("Beserker")
O.K., so maybe Russian death-metal hopeful Olaf's vocals are a one-man show. That is, until you huddle around the television to join him in barking out his thoughtful, heartfelt lyrics: "My love for you is like a truck, Beserker! / Would you like to make some fuck, Beserker! / My love for you is ticking clock, Beserker! / Would you like to suck my cock, Beserker!"
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| 9. |
The Blues Brothers (multiple songs)
John Belushi and Dan Akroyd (as "legendary" Chicago blues brothers Jake and Elwood Blues) are joined by Ray Charles, James Brown, Aretha Franklin and others in a series of performances guaranteed to knock you out.
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| 10. |
Magnolia ("Wise Up") and Boogie Nights ("You Got The Touch" and "Feel My Heat")
Director Paul Thomas Anderson works both ends of the sing-a-long spectrum with these two opposingly toned, but equally memorable, scenes. In Magnolia, each character takes turns singing a line of Aimee Mann's mournful tune. Pretentious plotting or a masterful stroke of genius? Either way you look at it, Anderson's decision is a gutsy one. In Boogie Nights, porn stars Mark Wahlberg and John C. Reilly bring down the house with their hilariously off-key singing and inept lyric writing.
Honorable mention These films may not have made our top 10 list, but all hold a special place in our singing hearts: Beauty & The Beast (Pompous Gaston belts out a hilariously egocentric ditty, "I've got biceps to spare / And every last inch of me's covered with hair"); The Wedding Singer (Sandler sings one classic after another, and an elderly woman tries her hand at "Rapper's Delight"); The Breakfast Club (characters whistle theme to "Bridge On The River Kwai"); Tommy Boy (Sandler, Farley and the rest of the boys belt out "It's the end of the world as we know it" during a road trip); The Talented Mr. Ripley (Jude Law and Matt Damon take the stage for a rousing jazz performance of "Americano"); High Fidelity (Jack Black finally gets to perform with his band in the film's closing scene); Pee Wee's Big Adventure (Pee Wee yells out "the stars are bright..." and everyone turns around and sings "deep in the heart of texas"); Empire Records (the entire record store dances to Rex Manning's "I adore Mi amore," and Lucas, Warren, and Joe lip sync to AC/DC); Chasing Amy (Joey Lauren Adams joins band on stage to sing heartfelt serenade to Ben Affleck . . . or perhaps her lesbian lover); This Is Spinal Tap (a moving tribute to Elvis, turn it up to 11); Risky Business (a young Tom Cruise lip syncs in his underwear ); West Side Story and Sound Of Music (well, they're musicals). Disagree with our selections? Drop us a line and tell us your choices for the best "sing-a-long" movie scenes. You can pick any of these up at Amazon.com. |
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