Top 5 music placements in movies

Just the other day, I watched the movie "Superbad" for the first time. Great movie, for those of you into crude humor and a good coming-of-age tale.

But, as a music junkie, I was most attracted to the great placement of old-school funk and 80s rock in the soundtrack to a movie set in modern times. This is one of the chief standards by which I judge a film.

The perfect song at the right point in a movie can help convey the emotions of the actors, the intensity of the scene and help remind the viewer of how they should feel. Just like in life, the right song played at the right moment in a film can make or break the whole movie.

This got me thinking about my top 5 favorite song placements in movies. Here's what I came up with:

5. Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Freebird" in "Forrest Gump" — The song is played as Robin Wright Penn is on the ledge of a Los Angeles apartment balcony, considering suicide. I can't hear that guitar solo now without picturing that scene.

4. The Rolling Stone's "Jumpin' Jack Flash" in "Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas" — This is the outro song for the movie, building from quiet to loud as Johnny Depp makes his spiel about "just another freak in the Freak Kingdom," and then it grows louder as he drives that trashed red convertible off-screen. I now play that song very loudly on my stereo whenever I feel like getting weird.

3. Elton John's "Tiny Dancer" in "Almost Famous" — This movie is great because it's all about a band. The whole group sings this song in chorus as they welcome their guitarist (Billy Crudup) back onto the tour bus after Crudup ditches them to go do acid at a high schooler's party. This song would not have worked if the whole group hadn't been singing it, so kudos have to go to director Cameron Crowe.

2. Bob Dylan's "Most of the Time" in "High Fidelity" — This is definitely my favorite soundtrack ever. A movie starring huge music fan John Cusack based on a book written by music journalist Nick Hornby. This is my favorite song on the soundtrack, though, which is played as Cusack escapes the funeral for his ex-girlfriend's dad and realizes that he had been pushing her away. A great coming-to-terms song played over a great coming-to-terms moment. Also of notable mention: The 13th Floor Elevators' "You're Gonna Miss Me" in the beginning and Stevie Wonders' "I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever)" at the end.

1. Black Sabbath's "Iron Man" in "Detroit Rock City" — The song comes on just as a recently-wounded Edward Furlong comes up to whip a couple of disco fans with his KISS Army belt. Really makes you want to break the necks of people who like crappy music.

Also, I have to mention every single Wes Anderson flick, because he does a great job with music placement.

What are your top 5 music placements in movies? Post a comment below. Let's chat about it.

Comments

[Kingpin]

You Can't Always Get What You Want from The Big Chill

Do You Want to be a Bird? from Easy Rider (the scene with Jack on the back of Fonda's bike)

[Andy Fitzpatrick]

Your #1 choice reminds me: the trailer for "Iron Man" features the song of the same name to great effect. Being a life-long Iron Man (the character) nerd, I got goosebumps when the song cranked up in the preview. I don't know if it's going to be used in the actual film, but it should be.

[Justin A. Hinkley]

Kingpin --

Great picks. "Do You Want to Be a Bird?" definitely should've been on my list. Queen's "Don't Stop Me Now" in "Shaun of the Dead" also should've been on my list.

Andy --

I'd have to see how they played it in the movie. Running "Iron Man" in "Iron Man" runs the risk of being too obvious and slightly cliche. Of course, if it's done right. It could work.

[Annie]

I got chills last summer while watching Marketa Irglova walk down the dark Dublin street, singing along with her walkman and wearing slippers. I don't know what was so moving about that particular moment, but if you haven't seen "Once" I recommend it, especially for music lovers. Strangely enough, it's easier to understand Marketa's Eastern European accent than everyone else's heavy Irish brogue.

And if you like Wes Anderson soundtracks, Sophia Coppola's "Lost in Translation" is a winner. I can't even pin down one particular moment where music especially helps define the film.

If I didn't despise Marie Antoinette and Kirsten Dunst so much, I would have been interested in seeing Coppola's latest film, where she used 1980s pop for 18th century France. I really like the idea of anachronistic music.

[jhinkley]

Annie --

I have not seen "Once," but I will try to make a point of doing so.

I also have not seen "Marie Antoinette," but I am usually not a fan of anachronistic music. It didn't work well in "A Knight's Tale." I would like to see somebody do that well, though. I think it could work with the right actors, the right storyline, etc... Maybe.

Also, "Lost In Translation" did OK, but doesn't live up to any of Anderson's stuff. I think Jim Jarmusch's "Broken Flowers" did a much better job with the Ethiopian jazz and rap. "Broken Flowers" is a much better movie than "Lost In Translation," with Bill Murray doing some great acting.

[Kingpin]

Thanks, friends. I watched Easy Rider again last night. It had been awhile!

As the movie ends and you see the view from the sky of the burning bike...the Ballad of Easy Rider plays. I was moved to tears, as usual.

I wish I was more familiar with the flicks you're mentioning. I rarely go to the movies anymore.

[jhinkley]

Kingpin --

Willard Library is a great place to find movies, and it's free to rent them for 1 week. That's where I last watched "Easy Rider" and where I found "Broken Flowers." I own most of the other movies I was talking about.

I rarely have time to go to the movies, either.