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List of the Day: Best First Songs in Movies

8/16/06, 12:29 pm EST

You know the ones we mean. Songs so perfectly suited to the movie they introduce that the two become inextricably linked, like little cinematic music videos. Here are some of our favorites. What are your picks?

  • “Be My Baby,” The Ronettes — Mean Streets
  • “A Hard Day’s Night,” The Beatles — A Hard Day’s Night
  • “Lust For Life,” Iggy Pop — Trainspotting
  • “Theme From Shaft,” Isaac Hayes — Shaft
  • “We Got The Beat,” The Go-Go’s — Fast Times At Ridgemont High
  • “Subterranean Homesick Blues,” Bob Dylan — Don’t Look Back
  • “Bela Lugosi’s Dead,” Bauhaus — The Hunger
  • “Fight The Power,” Public Enemy — Do The Right Thing
  • “Sweet Emotion,” Aerosmith — Dazed and Confused
  • “To Be Young (Is To Be Sad, To Be High),” Ryan Adams — Old School

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Comments

RTP | 8/16/2006, 12:39 pm EST

“When a Man Loves a Woman”, from the opening credits of The Crying Game.

Or how about Tarantino movies? Both Reservoir Dogs (”Little Green Bag”) and Pulp Fiction (”Misirlou”) open with a bang, but I’d give the edge to Kill Bill Vol 1’s use of Nancy Sinatra’s version of “Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)”.

josef | 8/16/2006, 12:46 pm EST

can’t beat schizophrenia” kicking off the year punk broke

Chuck | 8/16/2006, 1:01 pm EST

Radiohead’s “Everything in it’s Right Place” is not only one of the coolest songs ever, it opens Vanilla Sky perfectly, and sets the mood for the whole film. (The last song of the movie, Sigur Ros Untitled 4, ends it perfectly as well)

Daniel L. | 8/16/2006, 1:02 pm EST

Eye of the Tiger Rocky 3.

Paige | 8/16/2006, 1:11 pm EST

“Let The River Run” – Working Girl… one of the best opening scenes ever.

Andrew | 8/16/2006, 1:12 pm EST

There is an End by the Greenhornes from Broken Flowers

The Choobs | 8/16/2006, 1:19 pm EST

SINGING IN THE RAIN may not be the first song in Clockwork Orange (I can’t remember), but it certainly does pair up in my mind.

Derek | 8/16/2006, 1:20 pm EST

“The End” by The Doors – Apocalypse Now

AG | 8/16/2006, 1:29 pm EST

“Then He Kissed Me” by the Crystals (as lip-synched by Elisabeth Shue) opening up “Adventures in Babysitting.”

E | 8/16/2006, 1:37 pm EST

“The Power of Love” Huey Lewis & The News – Back to the Future

and certainly “Best of my Love” The Emotions – Boogie Nights

bwann | 8/16/2006, 1:51 pm EST

Another that should be on the list is Lou Reeds “A perfect day” from trainspotting….

Tate | 8/16/2006, 1:54 pm EST

Always thought the Proclaimers “500 miles” and Benny and Joon was a good match.

Jon | 8/16/2006, 1:55 pm EST

my fav movie song was “a view to a kill” from duran duran, for the bond movie.

Chris | 8/16/2006, 1:58 pm EST

Live and Let Die.

One of the best Bond songs, and one of the worst Bond films.

Rob | 8/16/2006, 2:04 pm EST

Eye of the tiger

Rocky III

Adrian | 8/16/2006, 2:08 pm EST

Let The River Run by Carly Simon
(Working Girl)
Causing A Commotion by Madonna
(Who’s That Girl)
Tomorrow Never Knows by Our Lady Peace
(The Craft)
Grease by Frankie Valli
(Grease)
Talula by Tori Amos
(Twister)

jps | 8/16/2006, 2:10 pm EST

“Something to Talk About” by Badly Drawn Boy from About a Boy. When that song starts-up after the last shot of the movie freezes on the kid smiling…well, it gets me everytime. Great song, great movie.

al d | 8/16/2006, 2:11 pm EST

Lou Reed’s “Sweet Jane” (performed by Cowboy Junkies) for “Natural Born Killers – and – Blondie’s “Call Me” for “American Gigolo”

al d | 8/16/2006, 2:13 pm EST

one more comes to mind…”Levon” by Elton John from “Dog Day Afternoon”

David | 8/16/2006, 2:14 pm EST

The Kenny Loggins Trio of greatness:

“I’m Alright” – Theme from “Caddyshack”

“Danger Zone” – “Top Gun”

&

“Meet Me Halfway” – from the Sylvester Stallone arm wrestling masterwork: “Over The Top”

moose | 8/16/2006, 2:16 pm EST

That cute White Stripes song at the beginning of Napolean Dynamite was a good one.

David | 8/16/2006, 2:16 pm EST

Honorable mention:

Lindsey Buckingham’s “Holiday Road” from “National Lampoon’s Vacation”

Burnward | 8/16/2006, 2:16 pm EST

The Pixies- “Where is My Mind” at the end of fight club.

Rage Against the Machine- “Wake Up” at the end of the first Matrix.

Jimi Hendrix- “All Along the Watchtower”, The Rolling Stones- “Gimme Shelter”, C.C.R.’s- “Fortunare Son” from any Vietnam movie.

Burnward | 8/16/2006, 2:18 pm EST

The ultimate has to be the start of Royal Tennenbaum’s by Wes Anderson…..The Beatles- “Hey Jude.”

BIT | 8/16/2006, 2:21 pm EST

“The Man in Me” by Dylan, kicking things off just so for the Dude in The Big Lebowski.

Garry | 8/16/2006, 2:21 pm EST

The Rolling Stones “Can’t you hear me knocking” from Blow

David | 8/16/2006, 2:30 pm EST

The Rolling Stones’ “Paint It Black” from the end of Stanely Kubrick’s “Full Metal Jacket”

Jackie Treehorn | 8/16/2006, 2:31 pm EST

“Tiny Dancer” from Almost Famous!!! Got to be one of the best scenes ever…

Eric M | 8/16/2006, 2:32 pm EST

Talking Heads’ Once In A Lifetime from Down and Out in Beverly Hills

David | 8/16/2006, 2:32 pm EST

I agree with Burnward on his submissions of “Wake Up” from the end of “The Matrix”

&

“Where Is My Mind?” from the end of “Fight Club”

Both are iconic and perfectly suited for use at those perfect points in each of the film’s in which that were featured.

Russell Lundy | 8/16/2006, 2:33 pm EST

What about “Stuck In the Middle with You” from Reservoir Dogs?

Eric M | 8/16/2006, 2:34 pm EST

Any Quentin T movie:
Misirlou – Pulp Fiction
Little Green Bag – Reservoir Dogs
Bang Bang My Baby Shot Me Dead – kill Bill

NickJ | 8/16/2006, 2:45 pm EST

“Needle In the Hay” by Elliot Smith

its in the Royal Tennenbaums when Luke Wilson’s character is commiting suicide

brandon | 8/16/2006, 2:53 pm EST

Elliot Smith – Miss Misery
Good Will Hunting

moose | 8/16/2006, 2:55 pm EST

The trouble with this list is that songs like “Theme from Shaft” and “Hard Days Night” should not even count. Then you gotta count songs like Ghostbusters, Rocky’s Theme, The Sting, Chariots of Fire – all these are songs that wouldn’t even EXIST if there were no movie. Of course “Theme from Rocky” immediately makes you think of the movie – DUH! Of all these brought up here, I think Holiday Road is the best example of a movie hijacking a song.

Garrett | 8/16/2006, 2:58 pm EST

Gangster’s Paradise by Coolio from Dangerous Minds. I’m pretty sure that was the only song on the soundtrack.

Matt | 8/16/2006, 2:59 pm EST

That Thing You Do from That Thing You Do

dpr | 8/16/2006, 3:03 pm EST

Audiosalve’s “Shadow on the Sun” in Collateral is the most well-placed song I’ve ever seen/heard.

Props to:
-Frou Frou’s “Let Go” in Garden State
-Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” in Wayne’s World
-Gary Jules’ “Mad World” in Donnie Darko
-R. Kelly’s “I Believe I Can Fly” in Space Jam
-Berlin’s “Take My Breath Away” in Top Gun

All songs where if I hear them on the radio I immediately picture the movie.

Chris | 8/16/2006, 3:23 pm EST

OK people, the question is best FIRST songs in movies. Lets keep our comments to FIRST songs only…

Canface | 8/16/2006, 3:24 pm EST

Apparently everyones forgotten that its a FIRST song from a movie list on any song from a movie.

“Rock Around the Clock”-Bill Haley and the Comets from American Graffiti

Chris | 8/16/2006, 3:33 pm EST

‘Don’t You Forget About Me’ – Breakfast Club
‘Misirlou’ – Pulp Fiction
‘Holiday Road’ – Vacation
‘Danger Zone’ – Top Gun
‘Grease’ – Grease

Those off the top off my head. Also just watched ‘Tsotsi’, had a great opening song in South African, don’t remember its name but would immediately associate it with the movie if I heard it again.

Anonymous | 8/16/2006, 3:44 pm EST

Xanadu, of course!

Ploo | 8/16/2006, 3:45 pm EST

stuck in the middle with you.

In resevoir dogs, the scene where the cop gets his ear cut off

Geoff | 8/16/2006, 3:45 pm EST

“Up on Cripple Creek” from The Last Waltz

k | 8/16/2006, 3:46 pm EST

because I am obsessesed with Almost Famous and Elton John “Tiny Dancer”
definitely “don’t you forget about me” the breakfast club
“eye of the tiger” and its royalties probably earned more than the sequels of Rocky
“take my breath away” and Top Gun
“old time rock n roll” Risky Business? hmm, just a memorable scene
I also think “Tuesday’s Gone” works for Dazed and Confused
there’s more obviously

Matt | 8/16/2006, 3:47 pm EST

Footloose from Footloose

Andrew | 8/16/2006, 3:57 pm EST

‘Let’s Go Crazy’ – Purple Rain

How can I possibly be the first to mention this?

Curtis W | 8/16/2006, 3:59 pm EST

Jim Morrison singing “The End” in Apocalypse Now — unforgettable.

Canface | 8/16/2006, 4:00 pm EST

“Everybody’s Gotta Learn Sometime” by Beck from Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

“Don’t Panic” by Coldplay from Garden State

I am in disbelief that no one has mentioned “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees from Saturday Night Fever. May not be the best song but it captures the feel of the movie it opens more than any other I can think of.

Matt | 8/16/2006, 4:10 pm EST

Napoleon Dynamite — The White Stripes — We’re going to be friends

Ghost Busters — Who you gonna Call?

Rocky III — Eye of the Tiger

Carl | 8/16/2006, 4:18 pm EST

I think Born to Be Wild was the opening song of “Easy Rider.” It was perfect for that film.

Pasty Journalist | 8/16/2006, 4:18 pm EST

“Staying Alive” – Bee Gees (Saturday Night Fever)
“Goodbye Horses” – Psyche (Silence of the Lambs) … if this is playing in your car, assume any person within hearing distance thinks you’re a serial killer.
“Sister Christian” – Boogie Nights
“Wise Up” – Magnolia
“Down For Whatever” – Office Space
“The Touch” – Boogie Nights AND Transformers:The Movie
“Singing in the Rain” – A Clockwork Orange
“The Sound of Silence” – The Graduate

A.J. | 8/16/2006, 4:21 pm EST

“The Man In Me” Bob Dylan the Big Lebowski

“You Can’t Always Get What You Want” The Rolling Stones from the Big Chill (I think it was the first song)

“Live and Let Die” Paul McCartney, from Live and Let Die

“Soul Boss Nova” Quicny Jones from Austin Powers

“The End” The Doors from Apocalypse Now
Almost Famous starts off with an acoustic composition by Cameron Crowe’s wife, the girl from Heart, the first song with words is “The Christmas Song” by the Chipmunks. But lets be honest, the first couple of scenes are just a prelude. The movie doesnt really start unti “Sparks” by The Who comes on. Perfect choice for the scene. Cameron knows his stuff.

Also the Kenny Loggins double
“I’m Alright” on Caddy Shack
“Highway to the Danger Zone” one Top Gun

One more:
I’m not sure what its called but the opening song and cartoon to “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” are classic

Geoff | 8/16/2006, 4:46 pm EST

Steppenwolf’s “The Pusher” played before “Born to be Wild” but I would consider “Born to be Wild” the opening song of that movie since it plays during the opening credits. Good choice.

kevin | 8/16/2006, 5:00 pm EST

what about happy gilmore and tuesdays gone? you can’t argue with that

Jimmy | 8/16/2006, 5:00 pm EST

Let’s Go Crazy
- Prince in Purple Rain
*Kudos to Andrew for finally nailing that one.

Lunitic Fringe
- Red Ryder from Vision Quest (not a great movie, but a great one-hit-wonder song)

Staying Alive
- Bee Gees in Saturday Night Fever

Rainbow Connection
- Kermit the F***in’ Frog in The Muppet Movie

Mark Christopher Miotto | 8/16/2006, 5:23 pm EST

i know it’s not the first song in Snatch but nothing quite pumps you up quite like Fucking in the Bushes by Oasis in the final fight scene

Willard | 8/16/2006, 5:43 pm EST

I realize it’s not a first song, but the part in “Near Dark” when Bill Paxton tears apart the redneck bar vampire style to the Cramps’ cover of “Fever” is one of the sweetest music cues ever.

Willard | 8/16/2006, 5:46 pm EST

Now after some careful deliberation, I gotta give a huge shout-out to “Making Time” by Creation, which kicked off Rushmore.

Carl | 8/16/2006, 5:49 pm EST

Geoff, thanks for the correction. I still think Easy Rider was one of the best soundtrack/compilations. Outstanding songs including I Wasn’t Born to Follow by the Byrds, The Weight (the Band’s version in the film, although it’s not their version on the album), and Don’t Bogart That Joint.

Ron | 8/16/2006, 6:03 pm EST

Gimme Shelter in Casino.

me of course | 8/16/2006, 6:05 pm EST

This one is easy

“Born To Be Wild” – Easy Rider

squirrel | 8/16/2006, 6:14 pm EST

how bout ‘the blower’s daughter’ by damien rice during the opening scene of Closer?

JSuzarte | 8/16/2006, 6:22 pm EST

“QuizáS, Quizás, Quizás” – Nat King Cole in IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE

“Paloma” – Caetano Veloso in HABLE CON ELLA

“Don’t you forget about me” – Simple Minds in THE BREAKFAST CLUB

“If You leave” – OMD in PRETTY IN PINK

“Happy Together” – The Turtles in HAPPY TOGETHER and ADAPTATION

“Born Slippy” – Underworld in TRAINSPOTTING

“Into the Groove” – Madonna in DESPERATELY SEEKING SUSAN

Odys Coltrane | 8/16/2006, 6:31 pm EST

Gotta go with Misirlou from Pulp Fiction as the all time movie song. I went straight from the movie to the record store to pick up that soundtrack.

Another great one is Superfly. Better song than Shaft, worse movie. In fact, the entire Superfly soundtrack kicks ass.

ishmael | 8/16/2006, 6:55 pm EST

I’m surprised no one has mentioned Echo & the Bunnymen’s “The Killing Moon” from the original version of Donnie Darko. It puts you on edge from the first notes.

Also, there’s Doris Day’s “Que Sera Sera” from the opening scene of Heathers. Against the scene of the Heathers primping, it sets up the irony that carries through the rest of the film. Classic.

sam | 8/16/2006, 7:11 pm EST

‘Swingers’ opens with You’re nobody til somebody loves you by Dean Martin – everytime I watch that movie and that song comes on I just want to pour a martini, unbutton my bow tie and snap my fingers lazily while talking about dames and broads.

ishmael | 8/16/2006, 7:22 pm EST

Another one no one has mentioned: 2001: A Space Odyssey. While the first piece of music is technically György Ligeti’s Overture from Atmosphères, Richard Strauss’ Also sprach Zarathustra opens the first actual scene. Is there any opening cinematic moment more iconic?

PinkPick | 8/16/2006, 7:33 pm EST

“Corona” by Minutemen – Jackass the Movie which many people watched (the movie and show) but never quite understood who played the song; none other than the legendary Minutemen!

Dave | 8/16/2006, 7:34 pm EST

Bruce Springsteen, Streets of Philadelphia. A killer song for a killer film. No, it’s not a happy film, but it is powerful. You could argue Neil Young’s Philadelphia (at the end) is the better Philly song in the film, but Streets… does a dynamite job of setting the tone.

Dave | 8/16/2006, 7:35 pm EST

And if we’re talking straight up soundtrack music….John Williams and the opening tune from any of the Star Wars films….THAT’S iconic.

S-P | 8/16/2006, 7:39 pm EST

Cameron Crowe is such an expert at combining the perfect classic rock songs with the right moments in his movies (the guy used to write for Rolling Stone, so it must have been expected). His best, however, has to be the Live At Leeds version of “Magic Bus” by The Who at the start of Jerry Maguire. Absolutely fits, from how it starts off with Pete Townshend jamming with his echo in the concert hall, to when it finally starts to explode as the movie starts picking up more and more steam. Good stuff. And it’s just the beginning of the great musical moments in that film.

Also, I know this might not be hip enough, but the opening bars of “Also Sprach Zarathustra” by Richard Strauss, from the beginning of 2001: A Space Odyssey is by far the most famous opening salvo in cinematic history. Just cause it isnt a rock song doesnt mean it shouldnt be included in this list.

D | 8/16/2006, 8:17 pm EST

Though it only plays for a minute at the end “Oh La La” by the Faces in Rushmore sums up the film and sticks with you as it goes to slow motion and the credits roll. If not that then definitely “the End” by the Doors in Apocalypse Now or “The Man in Me” by Dylan in the Big Lebowski.

Evan | 8/16/2006, 8:20 pm EST

“all these are songs that wouldn’t even EXIST if there were no movie. ”

I agree. If not for the movie Isaac Hayes would sound kind of crazy singing about some dude named Shaft… Then again, Isaac Hayes is kind of crazy.

Erik E Erik | 8/16/2006, 8:26 pm EST

“Ninja Rap” by Vanilla Ice in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2; c’mon, people, he made that song up ON THE SPOT, after watching the Turtles kick some butt! He didn’t spend a bunch of time working with some moldy old orchestra and “practicing” and “writing music”; this was all freestyle Vanilla!

Matt | 8/16/2006, 8:34 pm EST

Wow, 75 responses and no one was able to come up You’re Gonna Miss Me by the 13th Floor Elevator. That song opens High Fidelity and sets up the entire movie.

And altough it’s no technicaly the last song played, major props to Iron & Wine’s Trapeze Swinger from In Good Company.

Tokyo Matt | 8/16/2006, 9:15 pm EST

The La’s “There She Goes” in “So I Married An Axe Murderer.” They must play that song about 25 times in the movie, and now I can’t think of that song without thinking of Mike Myers!

(Woah, Did you see that dream I just had? -Steven Wright)

Steve | 8/16/2006, 9:23 pm EST

curtis mayfield – superfly!!!!!

Come on

Anonymous | 8/16/2006, 9:57 pm EST

The End, The Doors – perfect to open a film about ‘nam. Very surprised it wasnt included.

Great list though

alex | 8/16/2006, 10:23 pm EST

piano from layla in Goodfellas, perfect choice

austin | 8/16/2006, 10:29 pm EST

beatles help!

top gun (highway to the danger zone)

Aaron | 8/16/2006, 10:33 pm EST

Any tarantino major song.

Little Green Bag (Reservoir Dogs)
C’est La Vie (Pulp Fiction)
Bang Bang (Kill Bill)
Across 110th Street (Jackie Brown)

I’d also like to throw in
Hip to be Square from American Psycho. Now that’s a great scene.

Jim Shoe | 8/16/2006, 10:47 pm EST

Iconic movie songs:

* “Just Like Honey” (Jesus & Mary Chain) – Lost in Translation – perfect ending song. Fits tone perfectly.

* “Danger Zone” (Kenny Loggins) and “Mighty Wings (Cheap Trick) ” – Top Gun

*”Hero” (Nickelback) – Spider-man

*”In Your Eyes” (P. Gabriel) – Say Anything… who can forget the boombox scene?

*”Waiting for Somebody” and “Dyslexic Heart” (Paul Westerberg) – Singles… Great bookends to the movie.

Don | 8/16/2006, 10:49 pm EST

Link Wray – “The Swag” from ‘Pink Flamingos’

ishmael | 8/16/2006, 10:52 pm EST

Again, we’re talking about FIRST songs in movies, not just any song.

But another one no one has mentioned: Harry Nilsson’s “Everybody’s Talkin’” from the opening of Midnight Cowbody.

Interesting factoid: Midnight Cowboy was the first and only X-rated film to ever win an Academy Award for best picture (although by today’s standards, it would probably barely get a hard “R.”

ishmael | 8/16/2006, 10:53 pm EST

Sorry…typo. Midnight Cowboy, not “Cowbody.” That would probably get an X-rating even today.

wherezthubeef?? | 8/16/2006, 11:06 pm EST

8 words for you beechassses:

good will hunting – elliott smith’s waltz #2 (xo)

duuhhhh! end of story.

also, if you wanna give honorable mention to that song napolean dynamite dances to at the end, be my guest, but i don’t know the name of it and neither do you. of course “suicide is painless” from MASH became iconic in the 70s, but that’s before your time, homes.

chris | 8/16/2006, 11:58 pm EST

“Ballad of Easy Rider” from Easy Rider

amanda | 8/17/2006, 12:05 am EST

Wellllll, I think Jake Gyllenhaal is hot so my answer is “The Killing Moon” by Echo and the Bunnyheads.

Donnie Darko!!!1

Willhite3 | 8/17/2006, 1:49 am EST

Aimee Mann – “One” in “Magnolia”

The Band – “Don’t Do It” in “The Last Waltz.”

Good call on Ryan Adams.

Evan | 8/17/2006, 1:52 am EST

“Misirlou” by Dick Dale in Pulp Fiction. That song MADE that movie (as awesome as it is already).

Film Fan | 8/17/2006, 2:05 am EST

I hope that I’m not the first one to mention the use of Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” in the 1979 masterpiece Manhattan. That set the tone for the entire film in one of the most beautiful sequences in all of cinematic history.

M | 8/17/2006, 2:38 am EST

Great directors complement their work with great music.

Suck in the Middle With You – Stealer’s Wheel, from Reservoir Dogs

Tiny Dancer – Elton John, Almost Famous

yo | 8/17/2006, 3:29 am EST

“Saturday Night Fever” by the BeeGees for the movie with the same name

sean | 8/17/2006, 4:19 am EST

the end-apocolypse now
mrs. robinson- the graduate (how has that not been mentioned?)
i can tell that we’re gonna be freinds- napoleon dynamite
sweet emotion- dazed and confused
tuesday’s gone- happy gilmore

JOJO | 8/17/2006, 4:46 am EST

not the opener, but here’s an obvious one: Bodyguard – Whitney Houston cover of I will always love you…not necessarily a great cinematographic moment, but most succesful soundtrack ever at the time…

JOJO | 8/17/2006, 4:49 am EST

Oh, and Burt Bacharach tune “Raindrops keep falling on my head” in “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid”

JOJO | 8/17/2006, 4:52 am EST

And how come no one mentioned “Moon River” from “breakfast at tiffany’s”?

Aaron | 8/17/2006, 6:15 am EST

Rocksteady Crew – Hey You the Rocksteady Crew – From Beat Street!!!
Ry Cooder – Paris Texas
That Axel F song from Bevely Hills Cop
Air – Playground Love from Virgin Suicides
Nancy Sinatra These Boots Are Made For Walking – Full Metal Jacket
Baby Did A Bad Bad Thing – Chris Isaak – Eyes wide shut
Adagio For Strings in Platoon
and all the old songs like singing in the rain, spoonfull of sugar makes the medicine go down, hill are alive with the sound of music blah blah blah

Mark | 8/17/2006, 7:32 am EST

knocking on heaven’s door in ‘pat garrett and billy the kid’

Dan | 8/17/2006, 7:36 am EST

Talk Show Host – Radiohead
I can’t hear that song without thinking about Romeo on the beach.

Hank Snow | 8/17/2006, 8:24 am EST

Brother Johnson – Strawberry Letter 23 – Jackie Brown….Awesome Scene – Get in the trunk Beaumont….heh, heh.

Grant | 8/17/2006, 8:55 am EST

“You’re gonna miss me” the 13th floor elevators at the beginning of “High Fidelity”. it sets the tone for the whole movie.

Dennis O'Bell | 8/17/2006, 9:08 am EST

Simon and Garfunkel’s “The Sound of Silence” at the start of ‘The Graduate’: not my favorite Paul Simon song ever, but the scene is iconic. Now whenever I ride a moving walkway at an airport, the song pops into my head (and a look of Braddock-esque nervous ennui spreads across my face).

Dennis O'Bell | 8/17/2006, 9:09 am EST

Oh, and BTW, to those nominating “Across 110th Street” at the start of ‘Jackie Brown’: it is a great scene/great song — but the scene is also a ‘Graduate” homage.

Will | 8/17/2006, 9:10 am EST

Multiple use of CCR tunes in the Big Lebowski (Lookin’ Out My Back Door, Born on the Bayou)

Great use of Sympathy For the Devil and Space Oddity in the amazing French Canadian film C.R.A.Z.Y

Sympathy For the Devil- GN’R – Interview w/ a Vampire

Louie, Louie – Animal House

Redemption Song (after shark killing)- The Beach

Remix of Closer – Nine Inch Nails over opening credits of Se7en

DSM | 8/17/2006, 9:14 am EST

“Princes of the Universe”-Queen
from Highlander. oh yeah.

NickJ | 8/17/2006, 9:20 am EST

how about “Gangsta’s Paradise” in Schindlers List, memorable song

ATK | 8/17/2006, 9:33 am EST

“Damn It Feels Good To Be A Gangsta” for Office Space. Classic.

The Lawyer | 8/17/2006, 9:37 am EST

This is easy, Curtis Mayfield’s entire soundtrack for Superfly. Without it, only hardcore b-movie blaxploitation fans would discuss that movie and it would be relegated to the value bin at Walgreens.

Treya22 | 8/17/2006, 9:58 am EST

To the ignorant a-hole who
posted the comment about the song
that Napoleon Dynamtie dances to at the end
of the movie that “I don’t know who it is and neither do you”. The song is Canned Heat
by Jamiroquai, which was a big hit, bigger
than a number of the songs on this list.

Jay in Milwaukee | 8/17/2006, 9:59 am EST

How about Bob Dylan’s Stuck Inside of Mobile With the Memphis Blue Again from Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas?

Treya22 | 8/17/2006, 10:01 am EST

“Would” by Alice in Chains from “Singles”.

Evan | 8/17/2006, 10:07 am EST

“Almost Famous starts off with an acoustic composition by Cameron Crowe’s wife, the girl from Heart, the first song with words is “The Christmas Song” by the Chipmunks. But lets be honest, the first couple of scenes are just a prelude. The movie doesnt really start unti “Sparks” by The Who comes on. Perfect choice for the scene. Cameron knows his stuff.”

Is “Sparks” the song that plays when William listens to his sister’s record? I’ve been wondering what that song was since 1999.

Jon | 8/17/2006, 10:51 am EST

You got it Evan, “Sparks” by The Who, from “Tommy”…
Crowe def. picks the best tunes. Other great ones in Almost Famous are “Simple Man”, and all the Zep tunes (That’s The Way, Rain Song, etc.) are used to perfection…

thomfoolery | 8/17/2006, 11:30 am EST

On Our Own – Bobby Brown from Ghostbusters II.

This track is awesome – and BB had an amazing cameo in the movie as well. I believe he was a doorman or something asking the Ghostbusters if he could get a proton pack for his kid brother. he should have won an oscar for that performance.

Hank Snow | 8/17/2006, 11:35 am EST

Golden Brown – The Stranglers – in Snatch

Stamos | 8/17/2006, 11:46 am EST

How about “Girl You’ll be a Women Soon” by Urge Overkill from Pulp Fiction.

The Lawyer | 8/17/2006, 11:52 am EST

John Cafferty’s song Hearts on Fire from Rocky IV. Rocky IV is the best because the movie is essentially one big obnoxious training montage. How about the Shins’ songs in Garden State: Caring is Creepy and New Slang. The movie is already amazing and the use of those songs were perfect. Both the movie and the songs stand on their own two feet.

Jonathan | 8/17/2006, 12:24 pm EST

…Pretty Woman?!

Poo dagger | 8/17/2006, 12:36 pm EST

the entire sound track from garden state

Stamos | 8/17/2006, 12:56 pm EST

Eye of the Tiger – Rocky III
Loose Yourself – 8 Mile

chokingtara | 8/17/2006, 1:04 pm EST

“the seeker” by the who in “the limey”

Geoff | 8/17/2006, 1:11 pm EST

“Sounds of Silence” in The Graduate. Can’t believe RS missed that one.

paul | 8/17/2006, 1:16 pm EST

Bohemian Rhapsody from Wayne’s World. It totally resurrected that song…..and just plays so well in that movie. I can’t listen to that song without thinking of Wayne and Co. headbanging to that.

paul | 8/17/2006, 1:17 pm EST

Another one. I am the Walrus from Magical Mystery Tour.

Great Song….Terrible Movie

Jared | 8/17/2006, 1:31 pm EST

“Unchained Melody” in “Ghost”

Carl | 8/17/2006, 1:36 pm EST

Goldfinger, by Shirley Bassey. Great vocal!

Even though they probably weren’t the first song in movies, two classic soundtrack songs are Windmills of Your Mind by Dusty Springfield (original Thomas Crown Affair) and Knocking on Heaven’s Door from Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid.

Monkey Boy | 8/17/2006, 2:45 pm EST

Can’t Ya Hear Me Knocking fits well at the start of Blow.

The End opening of Apocalypse Now is cool too.

Janet | 8/17/2006, 3:01 pm EST

Teenage Fanclub’s cover of Camper Van Beethoven’s “Take the Skinheads Bowling” in Bowling for Columbine

Strung Out | 8/17/2006, 3:52 pm EST

“The End” in Apocalypse now, as already mentioned, is amazing.

Peter | 8/17/2006, 5:46 pm EST

has anyone here ever seen the godfather?

Sam | 8/17/2006, 5:55 pm EST

The End from Apocalypse Now (it’s reverential treatment is deserved).

B.B.B. | 8/18/2006, 12:20 am EST

Placebo – Every You Every Me from Cruel Intentions

Bauhaus – Bela Lugosi’s Dead from The Hunger

Yes – Heart of the Sunrise from Buffalo 66

White Stripes – We’re Gonna Be Friends from Napoleon Dynamite

Social Distortion – Story Of My Life from Orange County

abraham | 8/18/2006, 12:26 am EST

iggy pop – search and destroy – life aquatic

Joe | 8/19/2006, 2:53 pm EST

Flashdance… What A Feeling! it always gets my feet moving everytime the credits roll!

Joey | 8/20/2006, 7:04 am EST

can’t believe no one mentioned David Bowie’s “I’m Deranged” from Lost Highway… one of the amazing opening sequences ever!

Craig L. | 8/20/2006, 1:44 pm EST

Sweet Emotion- Dazed and Confused
Tuesday’s Gone- Happy Gilmore
To be Young- Old School
Call Me- Zoolander
Blazing Saddles Theme- Blazing Saddles
Live and Let Die- Live and Let Die
The End- Apocalypse Now

TP | 8/21/2006, 2:33 pm EST

The all Leonard Cohen soundtrack for ‘McCabe and Mrs. Miller’ is great.

Ooh, and speaking of Cohen:
‘Everybody Knows’ from ‘Pump up the Volume’

Taltos1667 | 8/22/2006, 7:49 am EST

Tubular Bells from The Exorcist

Peter S. | 8/22/2006, 7:50 am EST

Jerry McGuire … “Magic Bus” from Live at Leeds

JOHNNY X | 8/30/2006, 12:15 am EST

NOT ONE OF THE SONGS ARE AS BIG AS THEY MOST OBVIOUS OPENING SONG IN A MOVIE ALL TIME…..

CALL ME BY BLONDIE OPENED THE AMERICAN GIGOLO MOVIE IN 1980.

Blondie’s Call me #1-6wks in 1980
#1 Song of 1980 and #7 Song of the 1980’s #47 all time ranking

Stephon | 8/30/2006, 5:47 pm EST

Public Enemy- “Fight The Power”

During the opening credits of “Do The Right Thing”

justin | 9/3/2006, 5:38 pm EST

creation’s “making time” at the beginning of rushmore rocks

kartmaniax | 9/4/2006, 7:01 pm EST

gotta go with Street Fightin Man by the Stones. Title sequence for V for Vendetta

birdude | 9/9/2006, 7:18 am EST

One obviuous ommission:
Rammstein “Fuer Frei” in XXX with Vin Diesel…

Arnold Fraime | 9/14/2006, 3:44 pm EST

please, follow this links

Stefano | 9/16/2006, 7:29 am EST

My favourite is probably “Chariots of fire” (Vangelis)from “Chariots of fire”. Athletes running on the beach and *that* music. I remember I was positively chocked from the beauty of that music

Phil | 9/17/2006, 2:48 pm EST

Sorry if this is a repeat:
“Everything in its Right Place” by Radiohead, from Vanilla Sky

Nobody | 9/27/2006, 12:15 am EST

“The End” by The Doors in “Apocalypse Now” is above all.

Both the movie and the song are brilliant.

ChaliQ | 10/2/2006, 1:19 pm EST

Stones Miss Amanda Jones
from one of those 80’s teen movies

ChaliQ | 10/2/2006, 1:20 pm EST

not the start but the shower scene

Checkezb | 10/18/2006, 12:35 pm EST

There are some links for you:

Auto Repair | 10/31/2006, 6:27 pm EST

Bez demontau i podczas eksploatacji – samoczynna regeneracja i tuning samochodu, maszyn i urzdze.

Credit Bureau | 11/1/2006, 10:18 am EST

Our Credit Bureau Company is best.

Credit Bureau | 11/1/2006, 4:40 pm EST

Best Credit Bureau Company

Auto Loan Companies | 11/2/2006, 6:44 pm EST

Hi. My name is Nexium.

Auto Loan Companies | 11/3/2006, 10:51 am EST

Auto Loan Companies

Breasts | 12/20/2006, 7:21 am EST

Busty Blonde Licking Boobs & Shows Nipples

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Throat Gaggers

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bang bros | 1/10/2007, 10:40 pm EST

Nothing notable going on. My life’s been generally dull today. So it goes. Not much on my mind to speak of.

moms anal | 1/11/2007, 12:21 pm EST

I’ve basically been doing nothing to speak of. Basically nothing seems worth thinking about. I feel like a void, but that’s how it is. I’ve just been hanging out doing nothing.

Abi Titmuss | 1/29/2007, 5:04 pm EST

Linteret du forum est precisement de susciter un debat parmi les citoyens pour que le budget et les choix quil sous-tend soient places au c?ur du debat public. Un budget, ce sont des choix. Des choix supposent des priorites.
People from other countries have to, don’t have to learn English if they want to live here
Uniforms should be, should not be required in public schools

girls cigarettes | 1/31/2007, 1:56 am EST

Space Exploration Benefits Our World, costs too much

geico auto insurance | 1/31/2007, 11:29 pm EST

Help the homeless down the street and persuade them to look for work

toe sucking | 2/3/2007, 12:05 am EST

The U.S.-Mexican border fence works, doesn’t work

bad amateurs | 2/8/2007, 12:16 pm EST

Rural development is the main cause of wildfires

gag on my cock | 2/12/2007, 2:25 pm EST

Needle exchange programs help to prevent

goth sex | 2/16/2007, 6:48 am EST

HIV positive people may, may not work in health organizations

gothic girl | 2/21/2007, 12:33 am EST

I haven’t gotten anything done today. My life’s been dull today, but shrug. I can’t be bothered with anything recently, but oh well. I’ve just been sitting around doing nothing. What can I say? So it goes.

Adriana Lima | 2/21/2007, 10:57 am EST

Parents have no right in spanking you – Or do they? That could be another persuasive speech topic

black gays | 2/28/2007, 10:17 am EST

Sex offenders should be, should not be castrated

Big Cock | 3/5/2007, 12:46 pm EST

Needle exchange programs help to prevent

Anal Sex Education | 4/22/2007, 12:00 am EST

Today was a loss. I just don’t have anything to say. Not that it matters.

Spambots | 4/30/2007, 8:57 am EST

Pretty much nothing notable happening. My mind is like a complete blank. I’ve just been hanging out waiting for something to happen. Not much on my mind to speak of. I just don’t have anything to say. That’s how it is.

Per Cellotti | 5/23/2007, 12:01 am EST

Interesto resorce seniore peppi…

shemale pvc | 6/8/2007, 6:03 am EST

Women are not, are fairly portrayed in the media

cummy pantyhose ava | 6/10/2007, 3:30 pm EST

My life’s been generally bland today. I just don’t have anything to say recently. I guess it doesn’t bother me. Basically nothing seems worth doing, but I don’t care.

Hot Mum | 6/15/2007, 10:27 pm EST

Metal Detectors In Schools Violate Students’ Rights – Or vary with different security methods and you have another persuasive speech topic

powoqrifixf | 7/25/2007, 8:53 pm EST

Raised it all right about everything else – so lying about liokukae? Doomed by.

The Saint | 7/30/2007, 2:02 pm EST

What the hell happened to The Door’s The End in Apocalypse Now?

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10 duck little rubber | 8/29/2007, 2:50 pm EST

Doctors should have, should not have the permission to end the life of a terminally ill patient

vehicle | 9/3/2007, 10:34 am EST

My life’s been basically boring. Such is life. Nothing exciting going on worth mentioning.

Jeniffer | 10/4/2007, 1:49 pm EST

Pretty much nothing notable happening. My mind is like a complete blank. I’ve just been hanging out waiting for something to happen. Not much on my mind to speak of. I just don’t have anything to say. That’s how it is.

ann | 10/4/2007, 9:28 pm EST

More or less nothing seems important. I’ve just been letting everything happen without me recently. I can’t be bothered with anything recently, but such is life. My life’s been generally bland today. Not much on my mind these days, but eh.

lamp | 10/16/2007, 2:03 pm EST

Encontra-se em discussao, em fase de especialidade, na Comissao de Educacao, Ciencia e Cultura, a Proposta de Lei 80/X, do Governo, que Aprova a Lei de Bases da Actividade Fisica e do Desporto. Concretizando o seu desejo de um maior dialogo com os cidadaos, a Comissao Parlamentar de Educacao, Ciencia e Cultura, deliberou colocar ate dia 30 de Setembro, esta iniciativa em debate publico, com o objectivo de recolher as propostas dos cidadaos que se interessam pelo Desporto e, deste modo, enriquecer o texto final.

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