Top 10 Movie Songs That Give Us Chills

Doesn’t this one just make you want to go back to high school? “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” acts as a backdrop for both the beginning and end of “The Breakfast Club.” These moments involve the voiceover discussing the various cliques and stereotypes the breakfast club members supposedly fall under, and it’s the ideal song to bookend the story. The characters don’t want to be forgotten by one another as they spend the day unpacking who they really are. The lyrics perfectly encompass those feelings, giving us goosebumps every time we hear them — especially when we see Judd Nelson’s Bender throw his fist in the air.

While the titular song in “Purple Rain” is incredibly touching, it’s “When Doves Cry” that really gets us. It was composed by Prince, and he also plays every instrument that we hear, so it truly shows off his impressive musical prowess. Not only that, its placement in the rock musical is perfect. Indeed, it plays while The Kid reflects on his tumultuous life, with doves crying serving as a metaphor for his struggles. Of course, it’s not the first or last example of a Prince tune captivating audiences. But considering its unique sound and meaningful, heartfelt lyrics, we almost want to cry alongside the doves every time it plays.

After the shocking death of Paul Walker, fans of the “Fast & Furious” franchise were heartbroken and the future of the films was uncertain. “Furious 7” is the first movie in the series to be released after Walker’s passing. Naturally, its tribute to him is incredibly emotional, due in large part to this song. At the end, when Dom says “it’s never goodbye,” “See You Again” plays, signifying that he is just saying “see you later” to his best friend. Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth’s track talks about brotherhood and family — the backbone of these films — and the accompanying montage wonderfully honors Paul Walker.

Much like the term “St. Elmo’s” in the movie, this song contains multitudes. Co-written by David Foster and singer John Parr, it was inspired by paralympian Rick Hansen’s “Man in Motion” tour. In the context of the film, “St. Elmo’s Fire” is about finding your way in the world, figuring out who you are, and pursuing great things. No matter how you interpret it, though, the number gets us in the feels every time. The Brat Pack characters can certainly relate to these sentiments, and it’s a theme that leaves us feeling more empowered with every listen.

Audrey Hepburn’s most famous role sees her as the stunning Holly Golightly, who naively wanders through her life while she falls in love and finds herself. Her light, carefree demeanor shines through in her performance of “Moon River” on her fire escape, where she sings as she daydreams about love. It’s a simple and beautiful moment that’s become iconic in its own right. So we’re not surprised that it not only earned the Oscar for Best Original Song, but also the Grammys for Record and Song of the Year. It’s clearly cemented itself in cinematic and musical history, and it brings a tear to our eye every time it plays.

Ava DuVernay’s historical film tells the story of the marches from Selma to Montgomery in 1965 as protestors fought for equal voting rights. A story this powerful needed a song to match. Common and John Legend’s anthem about both the hope and the injustices surrounding the civil rights movement is likely to give any listener goosebumps. It’s an empowering piece that the vocals are perfect for, and it has even been used at actual political events since its release. It deservedly won many major awards, and it’s a hard one to listen to without feeling inspired.

Is there any musician who gives us chills like Adele? “James Bond” themes have always been iconic, from Paul McCartney and Wings’ “Live and Let Die” to Tina Turner’s “GoldenEye.” So clearly she had some big shoes to fill. Obviously she was up to the task, as 2012’s “Skyfall” is spine-chilling, with just the right amount of intensity for the legendary character and film franchise. It’s complete with a 77-piece orchestra and took about 18 months to perfect, so Adele deserves all the awards she received for it. It’s even been said that James Bond — A.K.A. Daniel Craig himself — got emotional the first time he heard the impactful song. We can’t say we blame him.

Though it was originally sung by Dolly Parton’s soft, simple voice, it’s Whitney Houston’s rendition of this epic tune that truly captivates us. While “The Bodyguard” wasn’t exactly critically acclaimed, it will forever be remembered for its soundtrack, and “I Will Always Love You” in particular. The ballad works as a love letter, and wonderfully embodies the romance between Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston’s characters in the romantic drama. Of course, the acclaimed song will always be associated with Houston’s impeccable, stirring vocals, which take it to the next level. It’s no surprise that it — and she — are considered among the greatest of all time.

There are dozens of fun songs we can’t help but sing along to in this classic picture. But this is the one that never fails to touch our hearts. Capturing the essence of the film, Judy Garland as Dorothy Gale sets the stage for the magical land of Oz with this moving ballad. In the beginning of “The Wizard of Oz,” Dorothy struggles in her sepia-toned world, and “Over the Rainbow” expresses her dream of a place full of color, hope, and freedom. That’s a sentiment generations of audience members have been relating to for almost a century. Thus, “Over the Rainbow” always brings back fond memories of both Judy Garland and this nostalgic film, giving us chills.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“Stayin’ Alive,” “Saturday Night Fever” (1977)
This Bee Gees Tune Acts as the Ideal Backdrop for Tony Manero’s Story

“Mrs. Robinson,” “The Graduate” (1967)
A Perfect Song for Benjamin, Mrs. Robinson, & Elaine’s Story

“Eye of the Tiger,” “Rocky III” (1982)
An Anthem Worthy of Our Favorite Underdog Fighter

“Lose Yourself,” “8 Mile” (2002)
We Always Lose Ourselves in This Epic Tune

“Flashdance… What a Feeling,” “Flashdance” (1983)
Hearing This Song During Alex’s Audition Gives Us All the Feelings

This entire movie pulls at our heartstrings, and “My Heart Will Go On” greatly amplifies those emotions. It’s one of the best-selling singles of all time, so it’s wild to think James Cameron was hesitant to have a pop theme song for “Titanic.” What’s less surprising is the fact that he changed his mind considering Céline Dion flawlessly nailed her delivery in just one take. “My Heart Will Go On” fits the stunning aesthetic of “Titanic,” and its lyrics bring Jack and Rose’s romance to musical life. Every time it’s played, we think of the Heart of the Ocean, the doomed ship and lovers, and a young Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. It doesn’t get much better than that.

Which movie song is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!