Songs That Made the Movie Even Better

By Laura kadner

July 21, 2014

By Laura kadner

July 21, 2014

So, Beyonce posted a teaser trailer for 50 Shades of Grey on her Instagram, and now everyone wants to know if she’s involved in the movie’s soundtrack. Will she be releasing a new single for the movie? Will she be collaborating again with Boots, who just happened to post a link to the teaser on Twitter? Is this going to be best soundtrack in movie history? Will our heads explode? At this point, there’s only one thing we know for sure: movie music matters.

Music and movies go together like pigs and blankets. They make each other better and inspire each other’s creation. Some songs can really make a movie sing. And some movies can really make a song come to life. So what are some of the best songs in movie history? We have some thoughts. (Side Note: Obviously, we must exclude the entire Disney library of original songs, since the whole list would basically be taken.)

1. “Boom Clap” – Charlie XCX – The Fault in Our Stars

Charlie XCX’s pop love song perfectly captures the spirit of TFiOS and has impossibly high gets-stuck-in-your-head potential.

2. “Safe & Sound” – Taylor Swift feat. The Civil Wars – The Hunger Games

T. Swift collaborating with The Civil Wars gives us a folksy reflection on the sad and powerful story of THG.

3. “Cups” – Anna Kendrick – Pitch Perfect

Did you know Anna Kendrick and Babs Streisand are the only two ladies to earn a spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart and to have been nominated for Oscars and Tonys? Talent!

4. “Lose Yourself” – Eminem – 8 Mile

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmXumtgwtak

This song was actually written on set while filming — film and music can’t get much more in sync than that.

5. “My Heart Will Go On” – Celine Dion – Titanic

This needs no words. Though how this song won an Oscar over Elliott Smith’s “Miss Misery” is a bit of a mystery if you ask me. . . speaking of which:

6. “Miss Misery” – Elliott Smith – Good Will Hunting

He had to be talked into showing up to the Oscars to play this song, thinking the whole show fairly ridiculous. And he only attended so he could wear his fancy white suit. My kinda guy.

7. “What a Feeling” – Irene Cara – Flashdance

If ever you need to be inspired, pop this on a playlist and you’ll feel like you can dance your way to any success.

8. “Moon River” – Audrey Hepburn – Breakfast at Tiffany’s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOByH_iOn88

Fun fact: this song was specifically written for Audrey to fit within her vocal range.

9. “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” – Simple Minds – The Breakfast Club

An iconic song for an iconic movie that was so fantastic Anna Kendrick had to get in on covering it as part of her Pitch Perfect finale performance.

10. “The Way We Were” – Barbra Streisand – The Way We Were