Music makes a moment. Whether that be a romantic dinner. The celebratory ending. The sad death. Music also makes the moment in film. Over the years, there have been so many significant music movie moments. Here are our top 5.
Trainspotting – Lust For Life
Iggy Pop’s Lust For Life was a perfect choice for the opening of this 90s cult classic. A truly brilliant introduction to those famous characters and one of the best monologues in film. The Choose Life speech demonstrates to the audience that there is more to life than just sitting at home. Possibly one of the best marketing examples in a film, a whole music video was directed by Boyle purely for this song and what an impact it had.
Mean Streets – Be My Baby
Although not Scorsese’s first film, this is a film that truly represents Scorsese of where he is from and who he is. Starting with the protagonist, Charlie, almost contemplating his life and choices, we are joined by one of the best of Phil Spector’s songs. This soundtrack demonstrates what life we are about to see – the romance, the violence, the longing. However, this is soon subverted by the images of Charlie and his friends; this dream they long for is something they will never have.
Inglourious Basterds – Cat People
Tarantino is known for focusing on stylish mobsters. This film was a complete 180 in a different and interesting direction, which made it so successful. One moment that stands out is nearing the end when Shoshanna begins to enact her vengeance. Applying her blush like warrior’s stripes, Shosanna symbolised a scorned woman ready for revenge. Tarantino was supposedly so enamored with Bowie’s song, he made sure to include it in this brilliant masterpiece. And this proved that any movie can be made 10 times better when you include Bowie.
Wayne’s World – Bohemian Rhapsody
In one of the most famous sequences in the movie, Wayne and Garth rock out to this fabulous tune with their friends – something so many of us have done before. Because of this opening sequence, Queen’s most famous song shot up in the US charts and became the iconic piece it is today. Although it sounds strange now, this song wasn’t going to be included until Myers fought hard for it. This song also inadvertently became a tribute to the late Freddie Mercury, who died just a few months before the release of the film.
The Breakfast Club – Don’t You Forget About Me
It’s unclear whether there has been a piece of music featured in a movie that was more apt than this. This song, in this scene, in this film? One of the most iconic music moments in the film; a perfect ending to a perfect movie. After saying their goodbyes but knowing life will go back to normal on Monday morning, there is a sense of the importance of the small moments. The final shot of Nelson fist-pumping in the air really makes this movie.
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