It’s a given that any good movie has to have a good soundtrack. However, most movie music is orchestral or otherwise just for the scene it was composed to accompany. These tracks, on the other hand, are stellar songs on their own and elevate the movie they appear in just as the movie elevates them!
Don’t You (Forget About Me), Simple Minds
The Breakfast Club ends on that unforgettable still frame of Judd Nelson with his fist held high after his unforgettable afternoon in detention. As he walks across the high school football field, the iconic 80s tune “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” kicks in. Hey, hey, hey, hey! Unbelievably, Scottish band Simple Minds initially declined to even record the track before acquiescing.
Footloose, Kenny Loggins
Footloose is a movie all about music and dancing, so it makes sense that Kenny Loggins was brought in to make the title song for the film. Kevin Bacon heroically teaches a town to love dancing to the sweet, sweet tones of Loggins’ guitar in the most 80s imaginable scene.
Lose Yourself, Eminem
In the iconic Eminem movie 8 Mile Marshal Mathers plays a somewhat fictionalized version of himself, B-Rabbit. The track “Lose Yourself” appears in the movie, summarizing B-Rabbit’s journey to hip-hop superstardom. So, it’s a song by Eminem in which he raps about a fictional version of himself rapping. That’s Inception levels of meta, but it’s a great tune.
When Doves Cry, Prince
Purple Rain is an all-time great movie, and Prince’s soundtrack takes it all to the next level. The undisputed champ of the charts famously played every single instrument on “When Doves Cry” himself, and it became a chart-topping mega-hit after the movie debuted. No one could do it like Prince.
Happy, Pharell Williams
The coolest thing to come from Despicable Me 2 is Pharell Williams’ lovable track “Happy.” This upbeat ode to joy (forgive the pun) will instantly put a smile on your face when you hear it. Throw it on at a party and watch everyone dance and have a good time! It’s an all-time great joyous track.
See You Again, Wiz Khalifa feat. Charlie Puth
Fast and the Furious 7 features a touching ballad by Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth, “See You Again.” The soulful and sad tune was created in memory of Paul Walker, the franchise’s lead actor who tragically passed away before production on the film wrapped. Walker’s character’s final bow is still an emotional moment for fans.
Staying Alive, The Bee Gees
Saturday Night Fever rules, in no small part because of how awesome its soundtrack is. It’s about dancing, sure, but it’s also about dreaming of a better life and using the power of music to transport yourself to a different world. Oh, and, I guess it’s kind of about ah, ah, ah… stayin’ alive.
How Deep Is Your Love, The Bee Gees
On the other end of the spectrum of specifically Bee Gees songs from Saturday Night Fever, there’s the impeccable ballad “How Deep Is Your Love.” This touching love song is perhaps full of even more pathos than the movie it originates from. But man, it’s just fun to watch John Travolta dance!
Kiss from a Rose, Seal
Batman Forever isn’t a great movie. The best part of it, arguably, is when it ends! And I’m not just being mean, the film’s end credits are accompanied by Seal’s amazing tune “Kiss from a Rose,” a haunting and beautiful song that is as mysterious as it is meaningful.
I Will Always Love You, Whitney Houston
Folks don’t tend to remember much about the movie The Bodyguard aside from the unbelievably great Whitney Houston song that accompanied it. Interestingly enough, Houston wasn’t the first artist to sing this one. Linda Ronstadt’s version hit the charts in 1975 and Dolly Parton originated the song in 1973.
Eye of the Tiger, Survivor
Sly Stallone initially wanted Queen’s “Another One Bites the Dust” to accompany the training scene in Rocky III. Freddie Mercury and the band didn’t want to sign up for that, though, so Stallone asked Survivor to pen a tune for his boxing movie. And boy, did they! They even made sure the drums on the track synced up with Rocky’s punches!
9 to 5, Dolly Parton
The Dolly Parton song “9 to 5” accompanied the movie of the same name and is arguably the best thing to come out of that production. Dolly’s iconic anthem of working-class people is still getting radio play to this day. The movie’s pretty good, too! It’s perhaps a bit strange to see Dolly in front of the camera, but it’s an enjoyable watch.
Ghostbusters, Ray Parker Jr.
Ray Parker Jr. created the somewhat goofy but instantly memorable Ghostbusters theme for the movie of the same name. Is the song fondly remembered because the movie rocks, or is the movie a classic because of its awesome theme song? Why not both? You should go watch Ghostbusters again, anyway.
Read More: The 20 Best TV Theme Songs of All Time
The Power of Love, Huey Lewis and the News
Back to the Future rules. Huey Lewis and the News rules. It’s no surprise that “The Power of Love” became their first number one hit, anyway. It’s a towering example of all-American 80s rock and it’ll make you want to get up and dance. And, if you’ve seen Back to the Future, it’ll make you want to travel through time, save the day, and ride a skateboard behind a truck.
Read More: Unforgettable Beats: The 10 Best Movie Soundtracks in History
Sunflower, Post Malone and Swae Lee
“Sunflower” happens to be a phenomenal Post Malone and Swae Lee track that accompanies one of the finest animated movies ever made. Miles Morales’ journey to becoming a full-fledged superhero starts with him singing “Sunflower” in his bedroom and flubbing the notes. By the end of Into the Spider-Verse, Miles has finally grown into his role—and his days of singing off-key are behind him.
Read More: 10 Things You Didn’t Know About the Classic Film ‘9 to 5’