Though many popular film soundtracks commonly consist of pre-released songs that have found new meaning in a film’s subject matter, many of these iconic compilations have grown into separate entities in their entirety, giving us newfound appreciation for the film and its music alike. As a result, many songs have become popular, or have capitalized on their already established popularity, thanks to their place in an equally popular film (and vice-versa).
Here are what I believe to be five more of the best songs from movie soundtracks.
Procol Harum – “Whiter Shade of Pale” (from “The Big Chill”)
Released in 1983, “The Big Chill” follows a group of former college friends who are reunited after the suicide of a mutual acquaintance. Amidst a screenplay of baby-boomer style comedy/drama are bigger themes of accepting adulthood and facing life’s biggest challenges. The film is also defined by its distinct soundtrack, comprised mostly of rock, soul, and R&B songs from the 1960s and 1970s. A standout track is Procol Harum’s “Whiter Shade of Pale,” which serves as a somber, soulful backdrop to a film that is equal parts both.
[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iK7hA0z-JDY[/embedyt]
Phoenix – “Too Young” (from “Shallow Hal”)
Phoenix’s popularity exploded in the United States during the late-2000s to early 2010s, but nearly a decade earlier the band was known for a handful of songs charting in other countries. One of these songs, “Too Young,” partially bridged this gap when it was used in the soundtrack to “Shallow Hal,” a romantic comedy in which the shallow, superficial titular character (played by Jack Black) is hypnotized into becoming attracted to women based solely on their inner beauty. This state of mind leads him to a relationship with an overweight woman whom he sees as slender. Phoenix’s lyrics serves as a great companion to the film’s “love is blind” themes while holding the type of bouncy, upbeat mood typical of romantic comedy films.
[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tK1UrytUlrI[/embedyt]
Aimee Mann – “Save Me” (from “Magnolia”)
In “Magnolia,” a star-studded cast portrays a story focused on the presence of coincidence in the intertwining of three captivating character scenarios. Rock singer-songwriter Aimee Mann occupies most of the film’s soundtrack, contributing “Save Me” as a standout track. The Grammy- and Oscar-nominated song is prominently featured in the film’s final scene, evoking a sense of hope for the film’s challenged, and at times broken characters.
[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdajEccNZSM[/embedyt]
Sniff n’ the Tears – “Driver’s Seat” (from “Boogie Nights”)
Before directing “Magnolia,” Paul Thomas Anderson received similar acclaim for “Boogie Nights,” a fictional account of one man’s rise in the “Golden Age of Porn” in the 1970s. The film’s soundtrack features many disco and pop songs applicable to the film’s aesthetic, including “Driver’s Seat,” a song from late-70s one-hit-wonders Sniff n’ the Tears. The song fit naturally as a backdrop for one of the film’s iconic party scenes.
[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mpo_BO5vFII[/embedyt]
The Plimsouls – “Million Miles Away” (from “Valley Girl”)
The Plimsouls were one of several new wave/power pop groups contributing to the soundtrack of “Valley Girl,” which was primarily comprised of such music. The song is mainly featured during a steamy nightclub scene between main characters Randy (Nicholas Cage) and Julie (Deborah Foreman).
[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYDuszWVrpQ[/embedyt]
