The Top 10 Movie Songs (1980-present)
|
Written by: Doug Kelker
Sometimes people forget music"s contribution to film. A carefully arranged soundtrack can set the tone of a movie or reflect its themes. Hit songs often generate interest in movies before they are released. Some classic tunes still get airplay years or decades after the movie's buzz fades. The following is a list of the 10 best movie songs since 1980. Almost all were specifically written for the movie. The songs on the list are based primarily on the following criteria: thematic relationship with the corresponding movie, popularity after the movie is generally forgotten, and just being a damn good song overall. They are arranged chronologically by film. |
||
| 1. |
Irene Cara, "What a Feeling" (Flashdance, 1983)
This is an excellent song for two reasons: 1). Its message of fulfilling dreams directly reflects the film; and 2). It reminds us of the well-choreographed dance scene at the end. Nineteen years after the film was released, the song still plays on the radio on a regular basis. On a personal note, my love for this song prompted me to find a copy of Flashdance, and it is now one of my favorite films. |
|
| 2. |
Phil Collins, "Against All Odds (Take a Look At Me Now)" (Against All Odds, 1984)
One of my favorite songs ever, "Against All Odds" vocalizes the pain we feel when a loved one walks away from us. The DVD has this song"s music video, which is excellent too. To avoid spoiling the movie, I won't discuss how the song relates to it. |
|
| 3. |
Mike Reno & Ann Wilson, "Almost Paradise" (Footloose, 1984)
The love theme to Kevin Bacon's best movie is much tamer than the songs that Reno and Wilson made with Loverboy and Heart, respectively. That's not necessarily a bad thing. The song's theme of two people frustrated with the love game before finding each other gives hope to all of us unlucky saps. |
|
| 4. |
Madonna, "Crazy for You" (Vision Quest, 1985)
Mrs. Guy Ritchie herself performs this song in her feature film debut. The song closely fits the movie; Matthew Modine plays a high school wrestler whose affections for wild Linda Fiorentino jeopardize his dreams of glory. The film is decent, but the song is a true '80s classic. |
|
| 5. |
Jon Parr, "St. Elmo"s Fire (Man In Motion)" (St. Elmo"s Fire, 1985)
Like the college-grad characters in the movie, the singer is ready to seize the day and make his life extraordinary. This is a great song to listen to when you"re feeling on top of the world. (For a full review of this film, click here.) |
|
| 6. |
Bruce Springsteen, "Streets of Philadelphia" (Philadelphia, 1993)
If hearing this song doesn't remind you of Tom Hanks' career-soaring performance as a gay lawyer fighting for his life and his dignity, I owe you a shocked facial expression. The song itself parallels Andrew Beckett's plight as he walks closer to death each day, ostracized on the road to perdition. Get a tissue if you need one. |
|
| 7. |
Coolio, "Gangsta's Paradise" (Dangerous Minds, 1995)
This is one of the best rap songs, because its message is clear without being explicit. The song fits the paradoxical lives of Louanne Johnson's students; everyone expects the urban youth to fail but does nothing to help the situation. The students do what comes naturally -- survive at all costs. | |
| 8. |
Goo Goo Dolls, "Iris" (City of Angels, 1998)
A wonderful song by a great rock band, "Iris" is one part of a great soundtrack. The lyrics detail the angel Seth's internal debate regarding the choice he makes in the film. |
|
| 9. |
Garth Brooks, "When You Come back To Me Again" (Frequency, 2000)
This country tune can be taken in two ways. One way is to compare it to the plot of the film, another is that the singer is hoping that an ex-lover will make up with him. Both interpretations and the movie are heart-warming. |
|
| 10. |
Faith Hill, "There You'll Be" (Pearl Harbor, 2001)
This powerful ballad by one of country music's sexiest stars also fits more toward the end of the movie. In short, I won"t spoil the movie by clarifying the relationship between the song and the film. Hearing "There You'll Be" before the movie was released was torture, because I couldn"t wait to see Pearl Harbor. Honorable Mention: Spandeau Ballet, "True" (Sixteen Candles); Gerald McMann, "Cry Little Sister" (The Lost Boys); Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes, "I"ve Had the Time of My Life" (Dirty Dancing); Berlin, "Take My Breath Away" (Top Gun); Stephen Bishop, "It Might Be You" (Tootsie) Check out our related lists of the Top 10 Soundtracks and the Top 10 Sing-A-Long Scenes Did we overlook your favorite movie song? Drop us a line and tell us which selections you agreed with, and which classic songs you think we missed. For buying info on any of the Top 10 Movie Songs, click on the CD images above. |
|
Send any comments/ feedback to the author.
