The other day I was listening to my itunes,bopping to my usual shuffle mix,when I came across a few songs from some of my favorite recent films,thrown into the bunch.We all know that good music makes a good film even better! And sure,plenty of films have great soundtracks.But there are certain songs in films that just embody everything about those films.There are certain songs that go together with movies like PB&J...bread & butter...Chuck Bass & Blair Waldorf...Tyra and kitsch.
So here are some of my favorites:
5) "Gimme Shelter" - Rolling Stones (The Departed, 2006)
Some people would say "Shipping Up to Boston" was pretty much everything "The Departed" was about.And sure...I agree,it was a good song.Check it out if you have the time.But "Gimme Shelter" with its rockin' intro and classic Stones sound sets the tone for "The Departed" and infuses the movie with some fun and spunk.Come on...it IS a three hour movie where *SPOILER ALERT* alot of people die.
4) "Solomon Vandy" - James Newton Howard (Blood Diamond, 2006)
I cheated a bit since it's part of the score.I'm not a huge fan of instrumentals...but this is the piece that changed my mind."Solomon Vandy" is a special track because it somehow captures the exact emotion that the movie brings out.It's impossible to walk away from Blood Diamond not feeling like sponsoring one of those infomercial third world country kids! I dare you not to cry.Believe it or not,this track brings that all out as well.
3) "These Days" - Nico (The Royal Tenenbaums, 2001)
The Royal Tenenbaums is wacky.Wes Anderson should add the title 'Wacky' to his name when he's an 80 year old eccentric filmmaker who wears red velour track suits and listen to old obscure music."These Days" is a nostalgic sounding track that captures the wackiness of a film full of incestual love affairs,strange family dynamics,and Gwyneth Paltrow's raccoon eyes.You might not even notice right away that the lyrics are actually pretty depressing.The music is just too darn lovely and catchy!
2) "California Dreamin" - The Mamas and the Papas (Chungking Express, 1994)
I might be reaching alittle far, calling 1994 "recent" but I think this song justifies it.The Mama and the Papas + Chinese cinema...not exactly what I would call a match.Yet somehow "California Dreamin" basically serves as a spark notes musical version of Chungking Express.The song is the anthem of one of the main characters (and winner of Cutest Pixie Haircut),Faye.It is probably played more than any other song in a movie...my last count was EIGHT TIMES.Every single person who sees this movie has it stuck in their head afterwards.It can drive a person crazy......in a good way.
1) "A Waltz For a Night" - Julie Delpy (Before Sunset, 2004)
Yes,this song plays a part in the plot of the film.Yes,it is sung by one of the characters in the film.That doesn't make it any less representative of the film.If you like blood,guts,action,adventure,and all around jazz...Before Sunset is not for you.For 90 minutes,two people talk.They talk in a cafe,on a boat,in a car,in an apartment.But for those that give it a chance,this movie can blow you away.This song is sung by one of the main characters,Celine (Julie Delpy), to her maybe soulmate, Jesse (Ethan Hawke).10 years after the two had a 24 love affair,they meet up by chance and wonder what could have been.Celine plays this song,obviously written about Jesse,in the last 5 minutes of the film.As he watches her play,we see the love is still there.I won't give away the ending...(hint: it's ambiguous...um,of course it is,it's an indie film!) but this song is so wonderful and everytime I listen to it,I remember why I love this movie.
Hope you enjoyed my list.Even if you don't know any of the films,the songs are all worth a listen.
What are your favorite movie songs?
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