Here's a little different spin on the movies.
Do you ever see a film and then find yourself singing the main tune in your head for days? I often do!
The reason? The tune is catchy. More importantly, it becomes inextricably linked in your mind to the plot of the movie.
I thought it might be fun to go back and look at some of the films where the song stayed with you...and perhaps still does!
1. High Noon. While Gary Cooper faces off with the bad guys and Grace Kelly has given him an earful about how he should not risk his life, Tex Ritter's tune pervades: "Do not forsake me oh my darling." I rarely think of the film without the music. Fact is, the famous scene where he faces off with the killers would not be the same if the song were not playing.
2. Sea of Love. In the film, Al Pacino is smitten with Ellen Barkin. But is she a cold-blooded killer who leaves a record playing a tune after each murder? You guessed it: The song is "The Sea of Love" by Phil Phillips. The song came out in 1959...but it came to life when Al Pacino boldly pursued the woman he was sure would kill him. Don't miss the scene where he's romancing Ellen with the music pounding in the background!
3. Fallen. This is a little-known thriller starring Denzel Washington. The plot is gripping: A fallen angel, or devil as it were, invades people and makes them kill. Satan moves from person to person via touch. As regular folks are driven to do murder, a song runs constantly: "Time is on my side." Yeah, it's the Rolling Stone classic. I guarantee that after seeing the movie, you will not idly hum the song any more... Haha!
4. Reservoir Dogs. This was Quentin Tarantino's breakout movie. If you haven't seen it, I'd recommend it highly. In the film, bank robbers, wounded and bleeding, end up with a hostage in a warehouse. Should they kill the hostage? In walks one of the bad guys, played by Michael Madsen (an early career-changing role for him). Madsen points his gun at the hostage and starts to dance. The music playing? "Stuck in the Middle with you," the 1973 Gerry Rafferty/Steelers Wheel classic. Oh my, talk about being in a bind! You'll hum the tune whenever you're in a pickle!
5. Pulp Fiction. In another Tarantino masterpiece, the film follows two hitmen around town, as they shoot people and philosophize. In one unforgettable scene, John Travolta (who plays Vincent, one of the hitmen) is out to dinner with the boss's wife, Uma Thurman (who plays Mia Wallace). They have hamburgers at a 50s diner, where there's a twist contest. The music? "Teenage Wedding" by Chuck Berry. I enjoy most of Chuck Berry's hits, but there's something special about this song once you've seen the movie. You'll think of the down-and-out couple doing their moves on the dance floor.
6. The Graduate. Poor, confused Benjamin. The protagonist, played by the then-unknown Dustin Hoffman, can't figure out what to do with his life. Should he take a job in plastics? Or maybe just hang out at his parents' house wondering about his future? Of course, he's a bit distracted: he's taking up with Mrs. Robinson next door! Simon and Garfunkle's song "Mrs. Robinson" became a tune that would rank up there with other songs-in-film greats.
7. Saturday Night Fever. Remember the mellow 70s? Flower-shirts and bellbottoms followed the raucous 60s. Jimmy Carter had us driving 55 miles an hour and instead of hard rock we had soft disco music! The decade would not have been complete without John Travolta knocking 'em dead on the dance floor! The hit song? "Stayin' Alive." I still sing the Bee Gees tune when I think of the 70s. I see Travolta is his white suit strutting and pointing his fingers!
Here is a list of more films with memorable songs. I think they're all worth seeing...either again for for the first time.
Film Song
Flashdance What a feeling
Dirty Dancing The Time of my life
Titanic My heart will go on
Mary Poppins A spoonful of sugar
Back to the Future The power of Love
Pinocchio When you wish upon a star
White Christmas I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
The spy who loved me Nobody does it better
Wizard of Oz Over the rainbow
Casablanca As time goes by
Singin' in the rain Singin' in the rain
Breakfast at Tiffanys Moon river
The Way we Were The way we were
Gentlemen Prefer Blonds Diamonds are a girl's best friends
Funny Girl People
Top Hat Cheek to cheek
My Fair Lady I could have danced all night
Butch Cassidy Raindrops keep falling on my head
South Pacific Some enchanted evening
An American in Paris I got rhythm
Hair Aquarius
West Side Story America
Bodyguard I will always love you
Grease Summer nights
Meet me in St Louis Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Gilda Put the blame on Mame
Footloose Footloose
Final thought: There are SO MANY more!
Enjoy!
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