Truly great films are few and far between. Understandably so-- they aren't produced over night. It takes an exhaustive amount of creativity, strength, mental endurance, skill, and organization, among countless other things, to procure cinematic genius. The director oversees everything, chooses shots, coaches actors, provides immeasurable guidance. The cinematographer oversees lighting, camera placement, and location to acheive the perfect shot. The actors and actresses dutifully carry out the director's commands while impeccably delivering the screenwriter's lines. And the music supervisor scours the world looking for the best songs to complete the director's vision, perhaps offering some of the biggest influence to what beautifies a film. Without sound, without music, some of the most recognizable and reveered scenes ever created wouldn't be as such. Whether filling empty space over opening and closing credits or setting the mood during a film's most dramatic and climactic moments, a film's score is often the first and last thing the audience experiences. And as we all know, first impressions are everything, while remarkable final impressions are timeless.
Today we're offering our look into some of our favorite songs in cinematic history. We've compiled a collection of 20 songs, many of them among the most memorable ever produced. We didn't want this to be a reiteration of AFI's 100 Years, 100 Songs list, so there are many songs, particularly ones from musicals and the Golden Age, that we left out. This is generally a more recent collection of tracks we thought not only stood out on their own, but strengthened the scenes in which they were placed-- so much so that those scenes wouldn't be at all what they are today if not for the music that accompanied them. The list is presented in no clear order, track by track, with a short description and screen capture from the film (generally from the scene in which the song was played). I'm sure there will be songs that you recognize, but we hope to also shed light on some that you may have overlooked. Without further ado, here is IGIF Presents: Sound Tracks - by Connor McGlynn
[MP3] Stranglers - Golden Brown - from Snatch (2000)
One of the best things about Snatch is its soundtrack. A collection of songs heavy on character and conviction, this soundtrack really made a great film even better. In this scene, Mickey shocks everyone by delivering a near-leathal blow to the head of Gorgeous George, as Stranglers' noxious "Golden Brown" futhers the characters' (and the audience's) illusion.
[MP3] Vangelis - Titles (Main Theme) - from Chariots Of Fire (1981)
Most everyone is familiar with this beautiful piano and sythensizer overture from Chariots Of Fire, even if you don't know where it's from. Most recently revitalized in an excellent Nike commercial, this song was truly a great achievement in film scoring. It's got the beauty of what made John Williams' Star Wars composure so undeniably brilliant, yet the synthetix swirls and echoing beats bring it up to speed, no pun intended, with the 1981 film.
[MP3] Hardnox - Fire Like This - from Me, Myself & Irene (2000)
Me, Myself & Irene is one of the Farrelly Brother's best (perhaps the best before they started sucking). Watching Jim Carey, one of our generations most talented character actors, morph from Charlie, the lovable R.I. State Trooper, to Hank, his chauvinist free-loader "other half", is reason enough to own this movie, but Hardnox's crazed beats make it even more priceless and poignant.
[MP3] Bill Conti - Gonna Fly Now - from Rocky (1976)
We just couldn't leave this off... it's like the most inspirational song of all time! How can you lose with lyrics like "Getting strong now / won't be long now"-- What makes it worse (or better) is that the first 10 seconds of the song are actually brilliantly composed. What follows is pure swill, though it admittedly rocks my freaking world. If there's one song to feel ashamed for loving, make it this one.
[MP3] Jon Brion - Theme - from Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
What a mindblowingly brilliant, lovely song. There's so much emotion packed into these two-and-a-half minutes. Played at the beginning of the film, it's clear that what you're about to see will take you for a ride emotionally. If there's one song that captures the essence of the entire movie in which it's played, it's this heartwrenching tune from Jon Brion (there's a reason he's the industry's most wanted).
[MP3] Simon & Garfunkel - Mrs. Robinson - from The Graduate (1967)
This is the song that really turned me onto S&G. It's a brilliant, melodious song with great guitar playing and quirky lyrics indicative of the time. While the song wasn't originally composed for the film (only snippets used here and there by Mike Nichols), I can't think of another song that could have done such service to The Graduate as this did.
[MP3] Aimee Man - Wise Up - from Magnolia (1999)
This might be the most inventive use of a song in any film I've ever seen. A precursor to the film's epic climax, Wise Up is played at each of the eight characters' breaking points, as they each dramatically sing along. Only Paul Thomas Anderson could get away with such demystification, and if that isn't enough, have the audacity to send frogs falling from the sky.
[MP3] Elliott Smith - Needle In The Hay - from The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
I don't think any artist could have accompanied such a scene as well as Elliott Smith did with "Needle In The Hay." The sad strumming begins just before this scene, giving a solemn precursor to what later unfolds. I can't think of a more depressing scene in the last five years of cinema than this one. I still get chills every time I watch it.
[MP3] Lalo Schifrin - Theme from Cool Hand Luke (1967)
Delightful fingerpicking set the tune for one of the greatest films ever made. I was a bit apprehensive to watch a film from 1967 as a 14 year old punk kid, but Cool Hand Luke has since become one of my favorite films, and Paul Newman one of my favorite actors. Lalo Schifrin composed an amazing song for this film (and if you're a guitar buff, it's fun to learn).
[MP3] Trey Parker & Matt Stone - America, Fuck Yeah - from Team America (2004)
Regardless of whose side you're on, you have to admit... Trey Parker & Matt Stone know comedy. With this song, they turn our country into a self-masturbatory list of Americanizations, including Wal-Mart, Sushi, Bed Bath & Beyond, Immigrants, and Slavery, each followed by a powerful "Fuck Yeah!" It doesn't get much funnier than this.
[MP3] Isaac Hayes - Theme - from Shaft (1971)
You better know his name: Isaac Hayes, mo-fo. This is by far one of the greatest character theme songs ever created. You've all heard it before, but if you haven't seen the film, get on it (I'm talking Richard Roundtree, not Sam "Snakes on a Plane" Jackson). Can you dig it?
[MP3] Phoenix - Too Young - from Lost In Translation (2003)
Before I knew who Phoenix was, I figured this gem was a true 80's classic. The Lost In Translation soundtrack is all over the place in terms of emotion but all generally pulls from the 80's and early 90's. The song hits on the happier parts of the film, with fun lyrics like "Everybody's dancing, tonight everything is over, I feel too young."
[MP3] Pixies - Where Is My Mind? - from Fight Club (1999)
At two hours and thirty minutes into this sensational film, everything falls apart, yet everything is reborn. Frank Black must have seen this coming when he asked "Where is my mind?" In the midst of destruction and choas and confusion, as Jack and Marla grasp hands, we know that everything will be alright. This just might be the best film ending since Casablanca, and maybe the best accompanying song choice ever.
[MP3] Bob Seger - That Old Time Rock & Roll - from Risky Business (1983)
Here's another one I just had to include. The song isn't particularly good, and it's definitely not original, but it marks one of the most cheesily memorable scene in 80's popular film. Plus, it reminds us just how freaking OLD Tom Cruise really is.
[MP3] Jon Brion - Later Monday - from I Heart Huckabees (2004)
Here's another brilliant composition from Jon Brion. This one's a little more playful than his theme for ESOTSM, but it's no less beautiful or poignant. The clincher here, though, comes right at the end. As the song continuously builds up, with harmony after harmony, we fall back to earth with the operatic, ambiguously meaningful/less "Nothingness. Somethingness. Nothingness."
[MP3] Dr. Dre - Still D.R.E (Instrumental) - from Training Day (2001)
I'm not a huge Dre fan, but there's a reason he's a world renouned rap producer. This guy can make a beat like no other. With Alonzo (Denzel) cruising in his Monte Carlo, Jake (Hawke) riding shotgun, no one get touch them... and this beat only closes the deal.
[MP3] The Nerds - Nerds Rap - from Revenge Of The Nerds (1984)
This just might be the best song on this list. NO, the best song in any movie ever. You've got Pointdexter on the violin, and Lewis and Gilbert are joining in. You've got Booger Presley on the mean guitar, and a rap by little ol' emcee Lamar! You've got Takashi beating on his gong, and the boys in the Moo's are clapping along! And just when you think you've seen it all, along comes a Lambda four feet tall!
[MP3] Dan Tyminski - Man Of Constant Sorrow - from O' Brother Where Art Thou? (2000)
Watching Clooney during this scene is priceless. His worrisome glances and head tickes are completly genius. The vocals on this tune are undeniably soothing, and the tune almost makes me want to listen to country (real country, not that bullshit on CMT).
[MP3] Gustavo Santaolalla - The Wings - from Brokeback Mountain (2005)
All politick'in aside, Gustavo Santaolalla's brilliant composition really aided in the beauty of this film. The open landscapes, "big sky country," and the love shared by the two main characters is all embodied in this song (even if the chords are remarkably similar to "Blackbird")
[MP3] Clint Mansell - Theme - from Requiem For A Dream (2000)
Clint Mansell, with the Kronos Quartet at his disposal, composed one of the most chilling, haunting pieces of music since 2001. Aside from being one of my favorite films, Requiem is also the most depressing film I've ever seen. You fall in love with the characters, so watching them deteriorate is like watching a relative pass away. While Aronofsky's direction was brilliant to say the least, the film would have been much, much less if not for Mansell's score.
That concludes our presentation. Hope you all enjoyed reading that and enoyed the songs that came along with it! This is an official IGIF mix, so of course it includes original artwork [here] and a proper tracklist. If you'd like to download the entire mix and artwork, please grab the ZIP file from Megaupload to conserve bandwidth:
[ZIP] IGIF Presents: Sound Tracks
I know there will be a lot of songs you guys tell me I left off, and there are a lot that I wish I could have included (for example, I could have made an entire mix of Jon Brion and Mark Mothersbough songs)...but perhaps those will all be saved for a second installment one day. In the meantime, feel free to complain with songs that I should have included! As always, thanks for reading!
56 comments:
Great list here. Makes me want to go back and watch all the movies.
I got a good one to add. Road To Perdition.
I remember watching this movie for the first time in 5th grade at a sleepover at my friend's house. We started the movie at three in the morning. My friend fell asleep during the first 5 minutes and I ended up watching the whole thing by myself in the dark. Even in the fifth grade, I was mesmorized by this amazing movie, and even more so by the main song they play throughout the film. I believe it was Thomas Newman who did everything.
I highly reccomend this movie to anyone who hasn't seen it.
WOW. THIS IS A FANTASTIC POST. Looks good, sounds great, interesting choices, I think I love you both.
Wow! Fabulous selection... even though I haven't seen all the films. Thanks for sharing.
thanks for the post; some great stuff here. as far as leftovers, how about "stuck in the middle with you" by stealer's wheel, from reservoir dogs?? offhand i can't think of a pop song more firmly wedded to celluloid from any movie in my lifetime. that song absolutely made the scene it appeared in, and for my money at least, the scene made the movie and the movie made tarrantino's rep. i mean, stick some old queen song or "cuts like a knife" in there and you'd be finding Q's name in movie credits across from GAFFER these days. and pulp fiction?? kiss that movie and the second half of travolta's career goodbye....
First post; want to comment on the movie list but first want to say you guys have me hooked!
LOVE theVangelis tune. Very inspirational.
Want to point out a serious exception to your list: "Any Other Name" by Thomas Newman (American Beauty). You know you know this song; it plays when the Ricky Fitz shows his video of the plastic bag dancing, caught in a breeze. Breathtaking.
Keep fighting the good fight!
i find it kinda funny
i find it kinda sad
the dreams in which im dieing
are the best ive ever had
mad world
by gary jules in Donnie Darko
damn sumeet! i knew there was something i forgot!
Great post!
wow, awesome mix. your blog keeps going from strength to strength
I must fangirl a little and mention one of my favourite directors, Wong Kar-Wai, who is pretty amazing when it comes to using music in his films.
Re: Magnolia - while I can (obviously) remember the frog scene, I have no recollection whatsoever about the song. Funny enough. It's about 4 years since I saw it, though.
I actually don't want to see it again - Tom Cruise might ruin it for me. I managed to ignore him the first time around, but well... it's the same with Eyes Wide Shut. I love the film, but oh how I hate the fact that Tom Cruise is in it.
GREAT POST - i would have also added Amphibian from Bjork, which was on the Being John Malkovich soundtrack. maybe...part 2?
thanks!
Beautiful, beautiful post... wow, the hours you guys must have worked in order to create it. You shizzle!
what a great list of song (and so diverse). really interesting to read all the info (now i have to go and watch these movies!!)
how about Goodbye Horses from Silence of the Lambs? (by Q Lazarus). beautiful but chilling song...
those tenenbaums and fight club and magnolia scenes rule.
great list, yo
I LOVE THIS... colour me impressed.
mad world definitely neds to be on this list...otherwise this is pretty perfect
CONNOR FOR FUCK'S SAKE!
the omega moo's are a sorority.
but wait, i guess that is the joke. nevermind
that is the best list i've seen in a really long time...just impecable choices...wow, it's inspired me to go back and watch most of these movies again...just great!
i love this blog. i love you two. end of
jon brion's theme from Eternal Sushine is the best thing ever.
thanks for all the nice comments guys!
hey guys, first time commenter- long time reader.
i just wanted to say THANK YOU for making posts like this one. posts like this are what separates you from all the other music blogs. anyone can post a few songs and write about them, but it really takes a lot of time and effort and love of what you do to consistently put up amazing posts/features... you and nathaniel offer something not many other blogs do----
and that's why i read IGIF everyday! it's my favorite blog by far!
so...consider this comment a big thanks for all the music you've turned me onto over the months you've been around! :-)
ps- what happened to clicking the header to get back to the main page?? i'm all....discombobulated!
I could go on and on, but here are five suggestions that come to mind:
Nashville - It Don't Worry Me (Keith Carradine)
I believe this song appears twice in the film, but the reprise at the end is heartbreaking. Just about everything that P.T. Anderson has done, Robert Altman did first, and better.
Blade Runner - Love Theme (Vangelis)
It's difficult to pick just one selection from this soundtrack, but this piece is right at the heart of the film as Deckard's humanity begins to resurface when he falls for Rachel, even though he knows she's a replicant. Like the film, it is both reminiscent of the '40s and '50s while also futuristic.
Heat - God Moving Over the Face of the Waters (Moby)
Michael Mann is one of the more astute filmmakers when it comes to interesting musical selections in his films (see also In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida in MANHUNTER) and this is perhaps my favorite musical moment in his work, occurring right at the end of the film. Whereas much of the film is clinical and cold this has a certain warmth to it, an understanding between rivals who are more alike than different.
Goodfellas - Then He Kissed Me (The Crystals)
I was going to leave it at three, but then thinking about directors famous for their use of music led me quickly to Scorsese. Initially I thought of his use of "Jumpin' Jack Flash" in MEAN STREETS (brilliant), but then I remembered the incredible long Steadicam shot from this film where Henry shows off to Karen on their first real date by getting into the Copacabana from the kitchen entrance and securing a prime table. It's rightfully one of the most famous long take scenes and with the use of this song becomes a perfect film shot.
In the Mood for Love - "Quizás, Quizás, Quizás" (Nat "King" Cole)
Then, of course, I had to read the other comments, and someone mentioned Wong Kar-Wai. My favorite of his films is this one, exquisite and erotic, a nostalgic view of the impossibility of love set in Hong Kong, 1962. This song is used as a sort of repeated refrain, playing throughout the film and enhancing the smooth sensuality of the beautiful surfaces in the film, imbued with a profound sense of longing.
You're blog has been annoying me for quite a while, but I have to say this is the best mp3 blog post anywhere in ages. Good songs. Interesting commentary. Top marks.
If you wanted to, you could do one entirely of Jon Brion soundtracks. I thought "Here We Go" from punch drunk love was incredible.
Not to be obvious or anything, but how about 'Dry the Rain' from High Fidelity?
Not to sound like everyone else but... holy shit man this is a great post.
I haven't seen this site in a while--but I realllly appreciate this post! I think you'll like Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette, she uses a lot of old school alternative music against images of a 17th century France
Quite good. Quite quite good. Had I taken on this task, it would have inevitably just been the entire Pee Wee's Big Adventure sound track by Danny Elfman.
That Wise Up moment is the reason Magnolia is one of my favorite movies. It's jarringly perfect, and it makes me cry every time. An amazing film moment.
Great list!
This is the kind of post that makes your blog great. Keep up the good work guys.
(By the way, The Who's "A Quick One While He's Away" and Cat Stevens "Here Comes My Baby" from Rushmore should have been included)
Great post! I like how its bannered by a still from the movie.
A friend and I were talking about the soundtrack from Requiem just the other day too - definitely produces chills and great film.
POST OF THE MONTH!
Seriously, great job guys. It's like you were reading my mind with that Eternal Sunshine theme - I've been listening to it over and over the past few weeks, and am continually amazed at the amount of emotion it packs every single time.
And "Wise Up" is one of my favorite musical moments in a film this millenium.
I am still in love with your blog, after all these months. :)
I believe it is "the boys AND the Moos clapping along"-
Great post. Thank you.
The entire BIG CHILL soundtrack (not originals but quite a collection of classics).
this is such a great post. thanks for taking the time to put it together!
sweet jesus guys, this is probably the best blog post ive ever read. give yourselves a huge fucking pat on the back.
oh yeah the snatch one rules too, obvs
so good!! thank you
wow I hate that moment where everyone sings along with amy mann in magnolia
worst scene ever
but I still love you
Matt Pond PA did a great cover of "Golden Brown." I actually didn't realize it was a cover until now...
How about the museum scene in Ferris Buller. It is a great intramental
How about the instrumental in the museum scene in Ferris Bueller?
(The instrumental in Ferris Beuller the previous comment mentions is "Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want" which is a Smiths cover done by The Dream Academy... and it is one of the best peices of music to grace an 80's film.) IGIF excellent job again--you amaze me with the breadth and scope of your posts. Matched only by my personal favourite, "Mommy, Where Do Blogs Come From?". Keep on rockin', boys.
wow thank you so much! yeah you might have left some good themes out, but you certainly chose some of the really good ones out of the bunch.
ps you should do this more often
some of my favourite songs come from movie themes
i echo the kudos everyone else has left, +137.
you left out "you got the touch" from the transformers animated movie thought. Michael Bay had better include that in the live action film.
And from the "more props to wes anderson" department, if you don't get all choked up when the sigur ros track rolls in during the shark scene in "The Life Aquatic," then you may not have a soul.
Hi guys,
I haven't read here in a while (simply haven't been online), and am catching up tonight, and just read this post...WOW.
It's brilliant! And a million (more like, forty) people have said so already, but I just want to say so too...
Great job. Wonderful post. Wonderful music, and writing, and pictures.
All of it.
It deserves an award. :)
...
I love the Rocky theme.
I love the Graduate: my most favorite movie ever, and where would it be without it's soundtrack?? I shudder to think...
Nice mention of Casablanca, though no As Time Goes By: I guess that's understandable.
Somewhere Over the Rainbow...that's a big one, too, but not exactly a song-song, right? Like an already recorded song...
Someone mentioned Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want...it was also in Pretty in Pink when Duckie was lying on a mattress, tossing cards into a hat.
I love that scene.
Anyway...one more thing, just to make this long (drunken) comment even longer... ;)
Fight Club, Where is my Mind:
I swear to God, back in high school, maybe junior high, right when Napster came out, one of the first songs I searched for was Where Is My Mind...and I could never find it! Still couldn't find it a few months ago while searching...and here it is. I'm nearly crying tears of happiness at the thought of finally having it.
Thank you times a million. :)
And thank you for this wonderful post.
Happy Monday, and I love the new layout!
Again: great job.
~ Ash
Your mixes are consistently solid; many thanks!
lets get some updates going here!
Beautiful site
You missed out Iggy Pop 'Lust For Life' as used in Trainspotting
Royalty Free Beats For One Dollar
At
http://upbeat.tk
Check out Clint's new music from Smokin' Aces at the Offical Smokin Aces Soundtrack MySpace! myspace.com/smokinacessoundtrack
New Clint Mansell track on the page, plus more on the album. Check it out.
You need - no, sorry, HAVE - to do another post like this. Impeccably put together and MAAAN soundtracks are great. I returned to these MP3s after months and they're still sensation. There's so much more you could include... Aargh. DO IT.
Actually, IGIF are the best blog for any kind of themed mix. Yes. :)
could you please please please please repost "needle in the hay" by elliott smith
the link doesnt work and i love that song so much
wow, great post- pro job on this.
gotta agree with the santaolalla song on brokeback mountain- moving track as well as the other sort of sub-themes on the soundtrack which allude to the theme... when the theme comes, its profound as hell
Word Up on this list, kids - very cool topic!
I just heard Santaolalla's The Wings and was blown away!
My one addition is the Celtic music from Last of the Mohicans - nothing else like it.
Everyone is right, though, this is great stuff.
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