Top 10 Songs Made Famous by Iconic Movie Endings

#10: “A Real Hero” by College feat. Electric Youth“Drive” (2011)

This ethereal synth song features prominently throughout this Ryan Gosling crime film. Effectively acting as the main theme for Gosling’s unnamed Driver, “A Real Hero” truly shines with the movie’s bittersweet ending. The Driver’s attempt to save his neighbor Irene and her son, sees him stabbed by a mobster. However, he manages to kill the man in return and decides to leave the money, effectively putting an end to the conflict, and ensuring Irene’s safety. As the Driver drives off into the night, leaving her behind for her safety, the song’s frequent refrain and title has never been truer. The film truly helped “A Real Hero” become “a real hit,” receiving accolades and notoriety after its release.

#9: “The Promise” by When in Rome“Napoleon Dynamite” (2004)

There are a ton of tracks throughout this indie cult hit comedy that received new or renewed attention, particularly from the ‘80s, and the song that closes it out is no exception. In a simple scene, the titular Napoleon is joined for a game of tetherball by Deb, as “The Promise” plays, lending this moment of friendship a timeless, nostalgic feeling. Although When in Rome’s classic synth pop tune was a hit upon initial release in 1988, it reached a whole new generation with its inclusion here. “When you need a friend” this song will be there.

#8: “Slow Ride” by Foghat“Dazed and Confused” (1993)

The ultimate hangout movie, “Dazed and Confused” is loaded from top to bottom with incredible ‘70s rock songs. While Foghat’s “Slow Ride” has long been a fixture of classic rock, it’s still inextricably tied to this ending. After a wild night, Mitch settles down to listen to the tune, as several of the older characters he met along the way drive off to buy concert tickets. “Slow Ride” perfectly captures the chill, rock ‘n roll attitude of the film. It’s become so linked with the movie that it’s equally famous as the ultimate hangout song. It’s right there in the lyrics - “take it easy.” Alright alright alright.

#7: “The End” by The Doors“Apocalypse Now” (1979)

It’s fitting that a song called “The End” helps close out this epic, often surreal war film, even if it does open it too. During Willard’s climactic assassination of the mad Colonel Kurtz, this uncanny, frantic rock song accompanies the long-anticipated act. Mind-bending, long, and loaded with countercultural elements, the song perfectly fits this truly unique Vietnam War movie. While “The End” had already been a hit for The Doors for over 10 years prior, the remixed version used in “Apocalypse Now” helped secure the track’s legacy as the quintessential dark, psychedelic auditory journey. Just imagining the movie without it…“the horror” indeed!

#6: “Oh Yeah” by Yello“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” (1986)

“Ohhhhh yeahhhhhh!” There’s just no escaping that iconic chorus is there? Although used several times during the film, Yello’s legendary new wave song is played in full during the ending. Ferris Bueller’s nemesis, Principal Rooney, is forced to hitch a ride with his students after having his plans foiled by Ferris at every turn. Its overpowering presence in the finale only further emphasizes Ferris’ victory over Rooney, and has helped cement it as being not only synonymous with the movie, but also with the unrestrained freedom and desire embodied by Bueller…Bueller(?) himself.

#5: “Wake Up” by Rage Against the Machine“The Matrix” (1999)

Just about every frame of this cyberpunk action thriller oozes cool, but the song that underscores its ending takes it to another level! After Neo delivers a badass speech to the machines running the Matrix, promising to open the eyes of everyone trapped inside it to the truth, this hard rock song drops as he flies past the camera. While its headbanging sound and rebellious lyrics are certainly enough to make an impact, the song’s association with “The Matrix” has kept the perfectly titled “Wake Up” by the equally appropriately named Rage Against the Machine just as much of a cultural touchstone.

#4: “Midnight, the Stars and You” by Ray Noble's Mayfair Dance Orchestra, feat. Al Bowlly“The Shining” (1980)

Nearly everything about this iconic horror film is unnerving, and that includes its musical choices. Earlier in the film, Jack Torrence is seduced by a phantasmal party within the abandoned Overlook Hotel, where this same foxtrot ballad plays. And by the film’s end, Jack has been driven mad and seemingly frozen to death. Except, in the final shot, the camera zooms in on Jack in a period photo from years earlier, having apparently become a part of the Overlook’s history. “Midnight, the Stars and You” is an otherwise pleasant classic tune, but its use in this ending has secured its reputation as an eerie, unnerving song, if its use in other movies and shows is anything to go by.

#3: “We’ll Meet Again” by Vera Lynn“Dr. Strangelove” (1964)

This dark comedy often pairs bleak events with more uplifting or comedic content throughout its runtime. However, this reaches its crescendo in its literally explosive climax. After incompetence and bad luck sets off a chain of nuclear reactions that seemingly end the world, we’re treated to a sequence of these detonations, paired with Vera Lynn’s wartime ballad, “We’ll Meet Again.” While the song has always had a certain tragic nostalgia to it, its ironic pairing with the most grim imagery of all has lent the tune a comedic air, along with making it world famous.

#2: “Mad World” by Michael Andrews feat. Gary Jules“Donnie Darko” (2001)

While the song was originally written and performed by Tears for Fears, this version created for “Donnie Darko” is arguably more well-known. The finale of this mind-bending movie sees the titular Donnie return to the past and dies, with those he met in the future apparently having vague recollections of the other timeline. This montage is underscored by a haunting, yet simple piano melody and Gary Jules’ breathy vocals. “Mad World” has practically become the go-to song for melancholy and lamenting one’s fortunes in various media, and this version of it is practically the definitive one.

#1: “Where is My Mind?” by Pixies“Fight Club” (1999)

The conclusion of the film about “the thing we don’t talk about” sees the unnamed narrator overcome his alternate personality, Tyler Durden, in rather violent fashion. He’s then joined by on-off love interest Marla, as they watch the mayhem Tyler unleashed play out, and the Pixies’ echoing tune plays. Although “Where is My Mind?” was successful upon its release, its association with this perennial cult film has lent the song an equally devoted following and has helped make it the Pixies’ most famous song. It’s practically impossible to think of one without the other being on our minds.

Is there a song that got famous because of a movie ending we forgot? Share your favorites in the comments! Chicka chickahhhhh…