Top 10 Catchiest Fake Songs from Movies
#10: “Scotty Doesn’t Know”
“Eurotrip” (2004)
This vulgar hit from “Eurotrip” has the distinction of being one of the few fictional songs to have surpassed the popularity of its source. While the 2004 comedy struggled to match its budget at the box office, “Scotty Doesn’t Know” earned its band, Lustra, a spot on the Billboard Hot 100. “Eurotrip” seemed to predict the song’s mass appeal IRL, as it’s shown to be popular in the world of the film as well. In it, the song becomes a global sensation, even being remixed and sold as a ringtone. Naturally, there’s one person who doesn’t appreciate the tune’s popularity, and that’s Scotty.
#9: “Stand Out”
“A Goofy Movie” (1995)
We can assume from his popularity that Powerline has many hit songs in the world of “A Goofy Movie.” But, this is the one Max, Goofy’s son, chooses to perform for his school, and we think he picked right. “Stand Out,” as its name implies, is about standing out from the crowd and making a name for yourself. Max definitely does just that when he and his friend P.J. hijack their school’s assembly for an impromptu performance. He even catches the eye of his crush, Roxanne! At the end of the movie, Max and Goofy get to jam out to “I 2 I” on stage with Powerline himself, but we’ll always have a soft spot for this energizing anthem about making it big.
#8: “Drive It Like You Stole It”
“Sing Street” (2016)
Anyone who’s ever been in a band will tell you how difficult it is to make a name for yourself - especially in high school. In that respect, the teens in “Sing Street” are living the dream! In this ‘80s-set film, the titular band writes and performs a number of catchy tunes inspired by the music of the era, slowly rising in popularity. Our favorite of these songs is “Drive It Like You Stole It,” an empowering rock pop number the boys sing at their school’s senior prom. The song’s lyrics perfectly encapsulate the protagonist’s character arc, while the performance allows him and his bandmates to show off their renewed self confidence in front of their peers. It’s truly a joy to watch!
#7: “Fever Dog”
“Almost Famous” (2000)
At the end of the day, “Almost Famous” is more about William Miller and the colorful array of groupies he meets than it is about a band. Nonetheless, the band at the center of it all is an undeniably important aspect of the film, and it’s equally important that their songs are good enough to warrant their dedicated fanbase. “Fever Dog” proves that they have what it takes to go toe-to-toe with other ‘70s rock musicians. The song takes inspiration from the real rock bands featured alongside it on the film’s Grammy award-winning soundtrack, and boasts some shockingly impressive vocals from actor Jason Lee.
#6: “Take Me Away”
“Freaky Friday” (2003)
In the 2000’s, Lindsay Lohan was kind of a big deal. When “Freaky Friday” came out in 2003, she had already wowed audiences in “The Parent Trap,” and had just begun work on her burgeoning music career. It’s no surprise that the filmmakers behind “Freaky Friday” decided to make her character, Anna, a rock star. Anna’s band becomes a point of contention between her and her mother, Tess. It all comes to a head when Tess, now in Anna’s body after the old switcheroo, is forced to take her daughter’s place onstage. With some help from Anna backstage, Tess eventually leans into the performance, air-playing “Take Me Away” alongside her daughter’s bandmates. The scene brilliantly showcases the pair’s strengthened bond, and that solo, man! Chills.
#5: “We Are Sex Bob-Omb”
“Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” (2010)
We know what you’re thinking… and we agree! “Black Sheep'' is great. Unfortunately, that show-stopping The Clash at Demonhead performance is technically a cover. And, honestly, it’s about time Sex Bob-Omb got some appreciation too. Although its members fear their music sucks, their introductory song “We Are Sex Bob-Omb'' proves the opposite. It’s just the right energy to introduce the film’s insane ensemble cast. They follow it up with a performance of “Garbage Truck” in the first round of Battle of the Bands, which is lyrically abrasive, but a ton of fun! Both songs strike the perfect balance between good and garage band. It’s just a shame “Garbage Truck” has to be interrupted by Ramona’s first evil ex.
#4: “Equal Rights (Not Gay)”
“Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping” (2016)
When Macklemore and Ryan Lewis released “Same Love” it was met with a mixed response. While many applauded the song for its message, some poked fun at its cornier lyrics. The Lonely Island’s mockumentary film, “Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping” takes this a step further. In it, Conner4Real sings a song titled “Equal Rights” in which he advocates for gay rights while continuously insisting that he is straight. He even randomly shouts out stereotypical “straight male” interests like sports, four-wheel drive, and golf clubs to hammer home the point. It’s a hilarious play on the overzealous straight savior type that has emerged in modern pop culture, and with a chorus sung by P!nk, it’s an unironic jam.
#3: “What Dreams Are Made Of”
“The Lizzie McGuire Movie” (2003)
When Lizzie graduated from junior high, she never expected to have a run-in with a pop star whose former partner looked exactly like her. And yet, that’s exactly what happened! Throughout her school-sponsored trip to Rome, Lizzie secretly meets with Paolo, who teaches her how to be a star. He turns out to be a lip-syncing liar, but his former partner, Isabella, arrives at just the right time to save the day. She and Lizzie sing “What Dreams Are Made Of” on an international stage, impressing Lizzie’s parents and classmates, and absolutely blowing our 8-year-old selves’ minds. Ironically, as Isabella, Hilary Duff is actually lip-syncing the voice of her sister, Haylie. The different voice gives credence to the idea that these are two separate people - not just a brunette Lizzie.
#2: “Pretend to be Nice”
“Josie and the Pussycats” (2001)
Josie and the Pussycats is the best fake band ever! And we promise we weren’t brainwashed into saying that. While their meteoric rise to fame could be attributed to their shady record label, we’d like to think “Pretend to be Nice” would have risen through the pop charts regardless of any outside intervention. The tune is super fun and a total earworm, with lyrics relatable to anyone who’s ever had a careless, inattentive boyfriend. In addition to this chart-topper, Josie and the Pussycats also perform the equally enjoyable “Spin Around” at a global concert that acts as the film’s finale. But not before getting some much needed assistance from their predecessor, DuJour, whose song “Backdoor Lover” was all the rage before their mysterious plane crash.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
“Breathe”, “Her Smell” (2019)
After Five Months of Guitar Lessons, Moss Made the Transition From Handmaid to Rock Star
“PoP! Goes My Heart”, “Music and Lyrics” (2007)
Whose Heart Wouldn't Pop for This Delightfully ‘80s Hugh Grant?
“Mad About Me”, “Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope” (1977)
Forget Boba Fett & the Mandalorian, We Want to See More of Tatooine's Hottest Band!
“That Thing You Do!”, “That Thing You Do!” (1996)
This One-Hit Wonder Was Definitely a Hit with Us
“Husavik (My Hometown), “Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga” (2020)
It's Hard to Believe That Such a Moving Ballad Is From a Comedy
#1: “Shallow”
“A Star is Born” (2018)
“Shallow” may be a fake song, but there’s no denying Lady Gaga’s very real talent. “A Star is Born” is the third remake of a 1937 film of the same name, but more than sets itself apart with its moving performances and modern take on the music industry. On an in-world episode of “Saturday Night Live,” Gaga’s character, Ally, performs the catchy “Why Did You Do That?”. It’s not bad, but it’s a far cry from Ally’s authentic self, which is best showcased in her performance of “Shallow” with Jack. The song is a powerful reflection on the dangers of stardom, just as relevant to our real world as it is the fictional world of Ally and Jack.
