Songs that MAKE the Movie

This post is inspired from a suggestion I recevied in my last entry. As you may know, my last entry focused on movie songs from 80's flicks. This entry is a bit different, but follows a similar theme. The idea is still songs from movies, but this time its songs that cannot be separated in the mind from the movie itself. In other words, everytime I hear "Canned Heat" by Jamaraquoi, I'm gonna evision Napolean Dynamite gettin' down with his geeky self in front of the school, in his moon boots nontheless. Also, I featured songs that help greatly enhance the entire movie in mood, story, and character development. And I'm sorry, I know its cheesy of me to include "In Your Eyes" by Peter Gabriel...but I will never get over that boombox scene in Say Anything. Never I tell you. Just look at John Cusack's eyes in that scene, pair it with the incredibly moving song, and how can your knees not turn to jello? Guys included on the jello thing too *wink*.

Canned Heat by Jamraquoi (Napolean Dynamite)
Featured in Napolean's famous dance scene where his moves win Pedro a spot as class president. Who knew his best "skill" was to move like Billie Jean era Michael Jackson?

Misrilou by Dick Dale and His Deltones (Pulp Fiction)
(Warning: an explicit soundbyte from the movie opens this track)
Love or hate Quentin Tarrentino, you have to admit he makes amazing soundtracks for his films. What a genius choice to open up Pulp Fiction with "Misirlou" by famous surf guitarist Dick Dale? There is no way you cannot associate this song with this film.

King Cry Baby by James Intveld (Cry Baby)
Was anyone as sad as me when they realized Johnny Depp DID NOT do the vocals in John Water's campy classic, Cry Baby? Oh well, who cares when the songs are so damn catchy, raunchy, and fun. Also, gotta love any movie that includes Iggy Pop in its cast.

I Would Walk (500 Miles) by The Proclaimers (Benny and Joon)
Obviously, I have a thing for Johnny Depp 'cause this is the second cut in a row I've included from one of his films. Anyway, this song opens up the film and sets up the quirky love story of Benny and Joon right off the bat. Of course their love would be represented by two goofy nerdy Scottish Brothers. I don't envision Benny or Joon getting lovey dovey eyed over a song by Celine Dion, do you?

I Want It Now/Oompa Loompa by Julie Dawn Cole (Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory)
I think Julie Dawn Cole's role as Veruca Salt should have been nominated for some kind of awesome villian award. I mean, don't get me wrong...Charlie Bucket is sweet and all, but for me Veruca Salt MADE the movie. Her bitchiness, and downright naughtiness were delightful to behold. Also, her song is probably the best cut from the movie.

Mein Herr by Liza Minelli (Caberet)
The obvious favorite from this movie, would be the title song "Caberet." But to me, no song better sums up the vagrant sexuality of Liza Minelli's tawdry Sally Bowles than the overtly sexual tune, "Mein Herr".

Canticle/Scarborough Fair by Simon and Garfunkel (The Graduate)
Sure, I suppose I could have put up "Mrs. Robinson" as the song that defines this movie. But if you want my honest opinion, nothing is more poignant to me as an appreciator of cinema than the scene when Benjamin Braddick follows Elaine Robinson to her college...even though he knows he has next to no chance of winning her back. The song is just so gorgeous and sad that it will forever be linked to this movie in my mind.

Needle In the Hay by Elliott Smith (The Royal Tennenbaums)
Wes Anderson sure picked a prophetic choice when he underscored Richie's suicide scene with this song by the late great Elliott Smith. Only a few short months after this film was released, Elliott Smith took his own life by stabbing his heart with a knife.

Goodbye Horses by Q-Lazarus (Silence of the Lambs)
(Edit: I got the wrong information about the song. So when you download this, change the tag to Q Lazarus as the artist, not Psyche. Psyche COVERED this song after the movie came out. Q Lazarus released this in 1988)
Yes, Buffalo Bill is a psycho who takes overweight women and skins them to make himself a flesh suit. But did you know he also had excellent music taste? I don't think many of us can get that creepy scene out of our heads when he dances to this tune, while examining his um...manipluated man-parts in the mirror. I also decided to include this song because it is hard to find and is not featured on the movie's soundtrack.

The Crying Game by Boy George (The Crying Game)
The Crying Game is one of those movies I can't really discuss much because I don't want to give away any plot points to those who haven't seen it. Just let me say, its no coincidence that the soundtrack producers chose gender challenged Boy George to sing this tune.

Goin' Out West by Tom Waits (Fight Club)
This great tune, featured on Tom Wait's 1992 album Bone Machine, plays in Fight Club and really complements the rough and tumble attitudes of the two main characters (or should I say one main character?) Sadly, it is not featured on the movie's soundtrack, so I thought I should rectify the situation and put it on this mix for you all to enjoy.

Don't Let It Bring You Down by Annie Lennox (American Beauty)
I went to amazon.com to see about possibly buying this soundtrack for my own enjoyment because the movie featured such great songs by The Who, Elliott Smith, and I thought Annie Lennox. Too bad the soundtrack excludes many pivotal tracks, including Annie Lennox's Neil Young cover of "Don't Let It Bring You Down." I was appalled because that song comes at the climax of the movie when Kevin Spacey's character finally gets the chance to bed his daughter's friend played by Mena Suvari. So again, here you all go. Enjoy this haunting cover.

Moon River by Audrey Hepburn (Breakfast At Tiffany's)
While many famous people have gone on to cover this tune, I think Audrey's version from the film is the most moving. Who can forget the scene where we get to see Holly Golightly's vulnerable side as she sits on the fire-escape, drying her hair and strumming this tune on her guitar. You won't find her version on the soundtrack to the movie. And though it is worthwhile to pick up Henry Mancini's score, I thought I should upload Audrey's version out of respect for her beauty and grace in this film and in real life.

In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel (Say Anything)
Three words: Lloyd Dobler, boom-box, the rest is history. If you have not seen Say Anything, please, dear God...don't rent it. Buy it! You will not regret it. Then you will understand why this song, still, to this day sends John Cusack' fan's hearts a-fluttering. *sigh* Aren't we all still holding out for our own Lloyd Dobler? I did have a guy try to play this for me one time, but I barely knew him and it ended up being really creepy instead of romantic. So guys, I know you think you're special if you do this for the girl you love...but leave this song to Lloyd Dobler. Women everywhere will thank you.