Top 10 Scenes With The Perfect Music
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VOICE OVER: Rebecca Brayton
Script written by Nick Spake
Sometimes a few musical notes can say it all. Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we're counting down our picks for the top 10 movie moments where music made the scene. For this list, we're taking a look at scenes in movies that wouldn't have been nearly as effective without musical accompaniment.
Special thanks to our user Rvdxtreme1 for suggesting this idea, check out the voting page at http://WatchMojo.comsuggest/search/made%20the%20scene
Watch on Our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYqreUM1Urs
Sometimes a few musical notes can say it all. Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we're counting down our picks for the top 10 movie moments where music made the scene. For this list, we're taking a look at scenes in movies that wouldn't have been nearly as effective without musical accompaniment.
Special thanks to our user Rvdxtreme1 for suggesting this idea, check out the voting page at http://WatchMojo.comsuggest/search/made%20the%20scene
Watch on Our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYqreUM1Urs
Sometimes a few musical notes can say it all. Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we're counting down our picks for the top 10 movie moments where music made the scene.
For this list, we're taking a look at scenes in movies that wouldn't have been nearly as effective without musical accompaniment. We're limiting this list to soundtrack only music rather than songs that characters interact with, so “Wayne's World” and “Reservoir Dogs” will have to sit this one out. We've also excluded training montages. Sorry Rocky.
#10: “A Real Hero” by College feat. Electric Youth
“Drive” (2011)
One of modern cinema's most enigmatic characters, the Driver rarely says what's on his mind and his limited facial expressions don't tell us much either. Music, in this case, acts as a window into our nameless hero's soul. In one of the brighter scenes from this Nicholas Winding Refn film, the Driver lets down his defenses as he takes Irene and her son on a fun L.A. detour. For the first time, we see that there's more to this distant man than an empty shell. College and Electric Youth's song says everything that the Driver can't, giving us a hero to root for in this bleak world.
#9: “Free Bird” by Lynyrd Skynyrd
“Kingsman: The Secret Service” (2014)
After a series of SIM cards are activated, all hell breaks lose in a church full of hatemongers. Unable to control themselves, the people engage in an all-out battle royale and only one can remain standing. But, being a senior Kingsman, the efficient Harry Hart aka Galahad easily has the edge. While the choreography and cinematography are exquisite, it's Lynyrd Skynyrd's kickass power ballad that elevates this action sequence to another level of awesomeness. Following Hart's trail of mayhem, it feels like a can of whoop ass has literally been opened. The exhilarating musiccaptures this sentiment perfectly until Harry sends one last soul to meet his maker.
#8: “The End” by The Doors
“Apocalypse Now” (1979)
Through its authentic depiction of the Vietnam War, “Apocalypse Now” succeeded in convincing the audience that they were observing hell on earth. The film immediately immerses us in Armageddon from its opening scene as flames engulf a jungle landscape. The explosive imagery is poignantly matched by the music of the Doors, preparing us for the beginning of the end. This haunting song puts the audience in a sedated state as we're forced to watch total chaos unfold. Feeling as if all hope is lost in this forsaken place, the end almost sounds like a comforting relief from the horror.
#7: “Also sprach Zarathustra” by Richard Strauss
“2001: A Space Odyssey” (1968)
Watching a damn dirty ape senselessly banging a bone on the ground might not seem like a significant landmark. As Richard Strauss' “Also sprach Zarathustra” kicks in, however, it becomes clear that something extraordinary has indeed occurred, as this ape has taken a crucial step forward in humankind's evolution. Listening to this classic orchestral piece, you can virtually see the gears starting to turn inside the ape's primordial head, figuring out how to rise up as earth's dominant species. Now that he's discovered the first tool, imagine what his descendants will be able to accomplish millions of years later.
#6: “Lust for Life” by Iggy Pop
“Trainspotting” (1996)
It's better to chase life than to chase the dragon, but Mark Renton can't seem to overcome his addiction. So, he spends his days running away from his problems and running after his next high. As the 1977 song “Lust for Life” plays, Renton speaks of his carefree mindset in the beginning of “Trainspotting” and how he doesn't, in fact, choose life. Every day is a wild drug trip wherenothing matters other than chasing his next hit. But, deep down, Renton knows that this world has much more to offer and the first step towards recovery is choosing life.
#5: “Don't You (Forget About Me)” by Simple Minds
“The Breakfast Club” (1985)
This '80s classic centers on a group of high school students who are forced to spend a Saturday together in detention. At first glance, these teenagers couldn't seem more different. As the day goes on, however, all five realize that they're actually living with similar inner demons. From the opening credits to the final scene, “The Breakfast Club” is brought full circle by the immortal music of Simple Minds. Our main characters may come from contrasting social backgrounds and ultimately go their separate ways at the end of the day. What they've learned from each other in that short time, though, will never be forgotten.
#4: “The Sound of Silence” by Simon & Garfunkel
“The Graduate” (1967)
“The Graduate” wouldn't be the same without Simon and Garfunkel's songs, most notably “The Sound of Silence.” As Elaine flees from her wedding with Benjamin, these love-struck kids feel as if they've conquered the world. However, it doesn't take long for them to realize that maybe this wasn't the best idea. Too afraid to addresses the elephant on the bus, the two look ahead at their uncertain futures in uncomfortable silence. Benjamin and Elaine might not be able to communicate with each other, but the song tells us exactly what's going through their heads.
#3: “Stayin' Alive” by the Bee Gees
“Saturday Night Fever” (1977)
Disco provides the backbone of “Saturday Night Fever.” In the film's opening, “Stayin' Alive” by the Bees Gees sums up Tony Manero's character without missing a beat. Strutting down the streets of New York, Tony looks like a cool, confident ladies man who's on top of the world. On the inside though, he has no idea what he's doing as he walks aimlessly through life, trying to survive in the big city. Not knowing what exactly is coming for him in his lifetime, Tony can take solace in one fact: he's the king of the dance floor.
#2: “The Murder” by Bernard Herrmann
“Psycho” (1960)
If there's a piece of music guaranteed to make your blood curdle, it's definitely the violin screech from “Psycho.” Part of what makes this scene so chilling is the vulnerable situation Marion Crane finds herself in. Caught off guard in the shower, there's nowhere to run and nowhere to hide as a knife meets her naked flesh. The shocking score makes the audience feel every fatal stab that Marion endures. Once the music comes to a close and our leading lady takes her final breath, all you can do is gasp for air.
Before we get to our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
- “Mad World” by Michael Andrews feat. Gary Jules
“Donnie Darko” (2001)
- “Popcorn Superhet Receiver” by Johnny Greenwood
“There Will Be Blood” (2007)
- “These Days” by Nico
“The Royal Tenenbaums” (2001)
- “Theme from Jurassic Park” by John Williams
“Jurassic Park” (1993)
- “Born to be Wild” by Steppenwolf
“Easy Rider” (1969)
#1: “Binary Sunset” by John Williams
“Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope” (1977)
John Williams has composed some of the most magical musical scores cinema has to offer. While E.T.'s bicycle escape is an undeniable career highlight for Williams, nothing can quite top this scene from the original “Star Wars.” A timeless movie moment that shows rather than tells, the binary sunset embodies young Luke Skywalker's desire to leave his home planet and see the rest of the galaxy. Through Williams' uplifting composition, we instantly identify with our hero and wish to follow him. Simplistic while also being nothing short of profound, it's a scene that defines both the power of film and the power of music.
Do you agree with our list? What scene do you think most effectively used music? For more entertaining Top 10s published every day, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.
