Top 50 Songs That We Can't Separate from Movie Scenes

#50: “Dude (Looks Like a Lady)”“Mrs. Doubtfire” (1993)

Aerosmith’s hit single is also known for its incredible sound and complicated relationship with the LGBTQIA+ community. However, its use in this scene transcends everything. “Mrs. Doubtfire” follows Daniel Hillard, a divorced father who pretends to be the titular British nanny to stay in his kids’ lives. The use of “Dude (Looks Like a Lady)” in a montage of Robin Williams in drag and old age makeup is indisputably more famous than the song’s real music video. And let’s be real - who hasn’t used a broom like a guitar before?

#49: “Like a Prayer”“Deadpool & Wolverine” (2024)

Madonna isn’t making many headlines these days, so imagine our surprise when one of her biggest hits showed up in a “Deadpool” movie of all places - and not just once, but twice! On the first occasion, the original version plays as Deadpool and new best buddy Wolverine slice, dice, and shoot their way through a horde of alternate Deadpools in one continuous shot. We’re then treated to a reprise of the song, this time sung by a gospel choir as the duo of unkillable protagonists hold hands to save the multiverse. Regardless of which scene you remember more, what doesn’t change is that we now associate one of the Queen of Pop’s greatest tunes with a couple of foulmouthed, immortal superheroes.

#48: “Flashdance... What a Feeling”“Flashdance” (1983)

A song written for the film it shares a name with, “Flashdance… What a Feeling” may have charted incredibly and been covered by other artists, but it’s forever tied to “Flashdance.” It both opens and closes the film, and while the opening is fine, it’s most associated with the final scene. Protagonist Alex Owens auditions before a panel of judges while the song plays, throwing everything into her performance. From classical ballet pirouettes to modern moves like breakdancing, Alex puts it all on the line in one passionate dance. After all this time, it still makes us feel things - and “what a feeling.”

#47: “Pocketful of Sunshine”“Easy A” (2010)

Olive Penderghast claims to have spent a weekend with a college boyfriend. But what she was actually doing was almost as embarrassing as the eventual destruction of her reputation. Olive hangs out at home, listening to Natasha Bedingfield’s “Pocketful of Sunshine” on a musical greeting card. While Olive brushes the song off as terrible at first, she just keeps being drawn back to it over and over again. Songs make for great montage fodder, and as the punchline for jokes. This scene combines both strengths into one, while also being the definitive example of how earworm songs can go from hated to loved in a short time.

#46: “What is Love”“A Night at the Roxbury” (1998)

If you associate this song more with the “Saturday Night Live” sketches that inspired this movie, you wouldn’t be wrong. However, this Eurodance tune is effectively the theme song of Steve and Doug, the famous Roxbury guys. The two brothers’ big screen debut opens with the pair engaging in all their usual activities - namely bobbing their heads along to the beat of the song in their car, gyrating exaggeratedly, and striking out with women at various clubs. “What is Love” has become synonymous with not only the Roxbury guys, but also clubbing in general.

#45: “Lust for Life”“Trainspotting” (1996)

Sometimes a song can set the whole tone for a movie. That’s basically what Iggy Pop’s “Lust for Life” does for “Trainspotting.” The song plays over the film’s opening sequence, which introduces Mark Renton and his friends as they engage in their chaotic lives. Running from drug dealers, games of football, and lazing around are the order of the day. Meanwhile, Renton’s narration rejects all the traditional aspects of everyday life - home, work, marriage, mortgages, and so on - in favor of drugs. Despite releasing in the late ‘70s, “Lust for Life” saw a huge resurgence in popularity after “Trainspotting,” and its legacy is now forever tied to this opening.

#44: “Bitter Sweet Symphony”“Cruel Intentions” (1999)

Revenge is a dish best served to this song. The Verve’s “Bitter Sweet Symphony” made a tremendous splash in the ‘90s, but many still associate it with the conclusion of this teen drama film. Kathryn Merteuil’s eulogy for her stepbrother Sebastian is interrupted when dozens of students walk out of it. When she leaves to see why, Cecile, one of Kathryn’s former victims, reveals she and Sebastian’s girlfriend Annette have copied his journal, detailing all of his and Kathryn’s misdeeds, ruining her reputation and making her more emotional than her brother’s death. Meanwhile, Annette rides off into the sunset, Sebastian’s journal at her side. It’s a transcendent anthem to a peak moment of vengeance.

#43: “Goodbye Horses”“The Silence of the Lambs” (1991)

When Q Lazzarus wrote this synth-pop new wave song, we doubt she imagined it would have this kind of legacy. Because all anyone can think of when they hear it is this scene. Serial killer Buffalo Bill listens to the song while putting on makeup and dressing in drag, while one of his kidnapped victims tries desperately to lure his dog closer to the pit where she’s trapped. This is a scene that’s impossible to forget or not to think of in the same thought as “Goodbye Horses.”

#42: “Fight the Power”“Do the Right Thing” (1989)

Public Enemy’s famed protest rap song got its start with this Spike Lee joint and continues to be inseparable from the film. Although used as a recurring song throughout “Do the Right Thing,” “Fight the Power” is perhaps most associated with the climactic argument in Sal’s Pizzeria. Radio Raheem and Buggin’ Out exchange heated words with Sal while “Fight the Power” blasts on the former’s boombox. It’s a tense scene, with the harsh words and slurs escalating along with the music - until Sal puts a stop to the music. And although things arguably get even more chaotic, and ultimately tragic, once the song stops, the spirit of “Fight the Power” is perhaps best exemplified in this scene.

#41: “Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)”“The Big Lebowski” (1998)

Kenny Rogers has played in many different styles, but this psychedelic rock song is one of his more unusual, and it has become synonymous with this dream sequence in “The Big Lebowski.” Apathetic hero the Dude dreams of a sexually charged, bowling themed encounter with Maude Lebowski, daughter of the titular character. It’s elaborately choreographed, bizarrely costumed, and features references to various previous parts of the movie - and is that Saddam Hussein? The scene is so perfectly weird on its own, but “Just Dropped In” gives it the mind-bending edge it needed to become iconic.

#40: “Sister Christian” “Boogie Nights” (1997)

This Night Ranger power ballad is fantastic. But anyone who’s seen “Boogie Nights” will immediately think of this suspenseful scene. Dirk, Reed, and Todd arrive at the house of a drug dealer named Rahad, intent on scamming him with fake drugs. Rahad is loudly listening to “Sister Christian,” whose building drums and piano help underscore the escalating tension - along with firecrackers being set off in the background. While “Jessie’s Girl,” which plays during the climax is another song that’s inseparable from this scene, the build-up of anxiety being timed almost perfectly with “Sister Christian” works better in our opinion.

#39: “These Days”“The Royal Tenenbaums” (2001)

There are a few songs performed by German artist Nico in this family dramedy by Wes Anderson. But the most impactful is the use of “These Days” in this scene. Richie Tenenbaum is picked up by his adopted sister Margot after his return to the country. From the moment she steps off the bus and this melancholic tune plays, it’s clear - these two are in love with each other. The slow-motion camera work, excellent framing, and the wistful, regret-filled lyrics of “These Days” all help elevate what is a relatively simple scene into one that is absolutely unforgettable.

#38: “Born to Be Wild”“Easy Rider” (1969)

It’s not often a song becomes the anthem of an entire subculture, but somehow, the opening scene of this landmark ‘60s counterculture movie managed it. As the introductory credits roll, we watch Peter Fonda’s Wyatt and Dennis Hopper’s Billy ride their motorcycles as Steppenwolf’s “Born to Be Wild” plays. The hard rock song’s lyrics touch on the freedom and adventure of the open road, providing the perfect theme song for not only the bikers in the film, but also for everyone who follows the motorcycle lifestyle in real life - and that’s been the case practically since “Easy Rider” first released.

#37: “Free Bird”“Kingsman: The Secret Service” (2014)

Lynyrd Skynyrd’s classic rock song has long been a staple of pop culture, due to its wailing guitar solo and epic, 14-minute length. However, its inclusion in “Kingsman: The Secret Service” brought “Free Bird” to a new generation and tied it forever to this exceptional fight scene. Kingsman agent Harry Hart, along with the rest of an extremist church, have their aggression levels turned up to 11, leading to them killing each other. Harry is quite a bit better trained though, and proceeds to slaughter his way through the rest of the churchgoers with guns, gadgets, and whatever else he can get his hands on, and all in several long takes. The use of “Free Bird” turns an already insanely cool fight into something legendary.

#36: “Hip to Be Square”“American Psycho” (2000)

“Do you like Huey Lewis and the News?” It seems like an innocent enough question, but thanks to this scene, it takes on a sinister edge that we can’t shake. Serial killer Patrick Bateman has brought his drunken coworker Paul Allen back to Paul’s own apartment. Envious of Paul over his perceived success, Bateman puts on “Hip to Be Square,” and discusses the merits of the song and the band, as he blatantly plans to kill him - and then does. It’s one of the movie’s “most accomplished” scenes. And it’s not just about creating a contrast between upbeat music and brutal murder, it’s also a “personal statement about Patrick Bateman himself!” “Hey Paul!”

#35: “Closer to Fine”“Barbie” (2023)

While often used as a road trip song, the Indigo Girls’ “Closer to Fine” has a little more depth to it in this existential fantasy movie - although it is still used in road trip scenes. The song appears multiple times in the film, usually with Barbie or other characters traveling to or from Barbieland and often with a comedic element. However, it also acts as a way of interpreting Barbie’s journey within the film, as the song’s lyrics emphasize the importance of letting go of definitive explanations and complicated realities. Similarly, Barbie ultimately decides to leave Barbieland, letting go of the static comfort of where she’s from to embrace the real world with its messy ambiguity.

#34: “I Got You Babe”“Groundhog Day” (1993)

“Okay, campers, rise and shine!” Sonny & Cher’s “I Got You Babe” may be a pop song from the ‘60s, but it has become as synonymous with the movie “Groundhog Day” as the film itself has become with time loops. Whenever Phil Connors wakes up again on February 2nd, he does so to the tune of “I Got You Babe” on his clock radio. In fact, it isn’t until Phil “gets his babe” that the time loops eventually stop. Was Cher the one putting Phil through the loops all along? Maybe she “could turn back time” after all…

#33: “The End”“Apocalypse Now” (1979)

A remixed version of the classic rock song by The Doors plays multiple times during “Apocalypse Now.” It first plays in the film’s intro, with its chaotic, psychedelic vibe playing over imagery of burning jungles, helicopters, and protagonist Captain Benjamin Willard. “The End” is also played, fittingly, during the film’s final scene, which sees Willard carry out his brutal assassination of Colonel Kurtz. Whichever scene you most associate the song with, “The End”’s bleak, frenzied tone perfectly sums up not only “Apocalypse Now,” but also the Vietnam War as a whole.

#32: “Afternoon Delight”“Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy” (2004)

Starland Vocal Band’s ode to the pleasures experienced after midday has long been famous for its innuendo laden lyrics. But thanks to the titular character of this comedy film and his news team, we always think of this scene. Ron’s declaration of love for his co-anchor Veronica has his friends curious about what love is like. While their own attempts at relating, particularly Brick’s, are hilarious and iconic, Ron’s own attempt to describe it results in an a cappella performance of “Afternoon Delight.” The fact that the rest of them join in effortlessly suggests it’s a regular thing for them too. We love this scene and its “Delights” almost as much as Brick loves lamp.

#31: “Danger Zone”“Top Gun” (1986)

This military action movie has a number of great songs that we’ll always associate with it. The karaoke scenes featuring “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’” and “Great Balls of Fire” are iconic. But the one song that remains inseparable from “Top Gun” was also written for it. Kenny Loggins’s “Danger Zone” plays several times during the film. And if you’re gonna’ commission a song this awesome, you’re gonna’ get your money’s worth! While it’s used to great effect in the opening scene on the aircraft carrier, it’s arguably most associated with Maverick’s arrival at the eponymous Navy academy, Top Gun. The image of Tom Cruise on a motorcycle next to a jet while “Danger Zone” plays is burned into pop culture’s collective memory.

#30: “Time in a Bottle”

“X-Men: Days of Future Past” (2014)

Quicksilver is among the speediest Marvel superheroes around. However, his appearances in the “X-Men” movies wisely slow things down for us mere mortals. His debut appearance in “Days of Future Past” sees the mutant take down a kitchen full of guards, as Jim Croce’s ‘70s classic, “Time in a Bottle” plays. The contrast between the nearly frozen surroundings and Quicksilver’s lighthearted, rapid-fire defense of the others helped make the scene an instant classic. Sure, Croce’s folk tune is sweet and tender, but it has become cemented in our collective minds as being the anthem of a speedster kicking butt. Quicksilver almost pulled it off again in the sequel with “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This),” but that song’s a bit more known from other things.

#29: “I Say a Little Prayer”

“My Best Friend’s Wedding” (1997)

There have been many singers associated with this R&B song, from Dionne Warwick, to Aretha Franklin, to Diana King, the last of which even features in this movie. However, the most memorable performance of “I Say a Little Prayer” is by actors. At a wedding lunch, George, who is pretending to be Jules’ fiancee, launches into a performance of the song. He’s soon joined by practically the whole wedding party, who manage to put on a surprisingly great rendition of the hit. It’s almost like they’d rehearsed it beforehand…Regardless, we’ll think of this scene when we hear the song “forever and ever.”

#28: “Canned Heat”

“Napoleon Dynamite” (2004)

English band Jamiroquai is famous enough in their own right, and have never let themselves be tied down by genre. However, perhaps their most famous song is “Canned Heat,” and probably from this scene alone. To promote his buddy Pedro’s class president campaign, the titular Napoleon Dynamite performs a dance set to Jamiroquai’s disco number. Napoleon seems to lose himself in the dance and his dorky, yet skilled moves inspire nearly everyone to vote for Pedro. The dance may have been improvised by actor Jon Heder in the moment, but it’s now forever impossible to separate from “Canned Heat.”

#27: “Don’t Stop Me Now”

“Shaun of the Dead” (2004)

We doubt Freddy Mercury had a zombie comedy in mind when he wrote “Don’t Stop Me Now,” but the upbeat rock anthem has nevertheless become associated with this cult classic. While trapped in a pub, Shaun and his friends are short on weapons and decide to use pool cues against the zombified bartender as Queen’s hit song plays on the jukebox. From their hits being timed along with the song to the improvised lightshow with the fuses being hit, the scene makes perfect use of “Don’t Stop Me Now” to the point where “we don’t want it to stop at all!”

#26: “Shout”

“Animal House” (1978)

The original National Lampoon movie is a classic for many reasons, not the least of which it features a scene that has become inseparable from the Isley Brothers song, “Shout.” Performed by Lloyd G. Williams and lip-synched/acted out by the fictional Otis Day and the Knights, this rendition gets all of Delta house’s party singing, shouting, and turtling along with it. The call-and-response nature of the tune practically begs you to get involved and throw your hands up any time it plays, but we’ll always associate it with a bunch of drunk college students in togas.

#25: “Stayin’ Alive”

“Saturday Night Fever” (1977)

The opening scene to this ‘70s disco-drenched dance movie is iconic and was made so by this song by the Bee Gees. “Stayin’ Alive” plays as John Travolta’s Tony Manero struts his way through the streets of Brooklyn. Sure, the song was written for the movie. But the Bee Gees went on to great success with the disco number and even had their own music video for it. And yet, it’s this intro and Manero’s effortless charisma that have helped “Stayin’ Alive” “stay alive” in our minds for over half a century.

#24: “Layla”

“Goodfellas” (1990)

Given that it’s an epic, 7-minute song by Eric Clapton, “Layla” has a lot of moods throughout. However, its final portion features a wistful piano that you might associate with a going-away party or graduation. Honestly, Martin Scorsese’s mob movie “Goodfellas” surprisingly manages to maintain that impression. Except, in this case, the song plays over a montage of the discovery of gangsters who have been whacked. And while protagonist Harry Hill may not be among the dead, “Layla” helps make it clear that the party’s over now. But what’ll never be over is our association of the song with dead wiseguys in meat trucks.

#23: “The Sound of Silence”

“The Graduate” (1967)

“Hello darkness, my old friend…” While the song and especially its opening lyrics have since become associated with various memes, it remains inextricably tied to this regret-filled ending. Benjamin interrupts his ex-girlfriend Elaine’s wedding, leading them both to escape her wedding and joyfully board a departing bus. But after a few moments, it hits them - now what? “The Sound of Silence” indeed…Using a pre-existing popular song in a film wasn’t common at the time, but “The Graduate” proved a trendsetter for movies going forward, and helped make us remember this melancholy conclusion whenever we hear the Simon & Garfunkel tune.

#22: “Stuck in the Middle with You”

“Reservoir Dogs” (1992)

Director Quentin Tarantino’s jukebox soundtracks are a well-known part of his style, and it all started with his first theatrical film. There are plenty of scenes to choose from, but thanks to the sadistic Mr. Blonde, we can no longer think of Stealers Wheel’s “Stuck in the Middle with You” without thinking of a cop getting tortured and getting his ear cut off. Mr. Blonde’s theatrical singing along with the tune, before engaging in the most savage barbarity is just the kind of thing that epitomizes Tarantino’s oeuvre and has this scene stuck in our heads right along with this song.

#21: “Twist and Shout”

“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” (1986)

This song has been covered many many times, perhaps most famously by the Beatles. And while the Fab Four may have produced the version performed here, it’s Ferris Bueller lip-synching the words. His energetic performance and charisma are so infectious, it gets the entire parade, the crowd, and bystanders singing along and performing dances - both impromptu and clearly choreographed. The unadulterated joy throughout the scene has become entangled completely with “Twist and Shout” to the point where practically everyone will think of Bueller…Bueller…whenever they need to “shake it on out.”

#20: “A Thousand Miles”

“White Chicks” (2004)

Let’s admit it: most of us immediately think of Terry Crews the moment we hear the opening notes of this song. Two decades since the film’s release, Crews has become synonymous with Vanessa Carlton’s breakout hit. While Carlton originated the song, Crews brought it to life. His character’s overenthusiastic reaction, the way he plays out each lyric, and the overall absurdity of it all make for a truly unforgettable moment. Sure, our first response would be similar to how Marlon Wayans reacts in this scene. But Crews’ energy and wholesome charm quickly add an endearing quality to his performance. Today, the song’s legacy stretches far beyond the film, with Crews dropping multiple other renditions over the years.

#19: “Shake a Tail Feather”

“The Blues Brothers” (1980)

Originally recorded in 1963 by The Five Du-Tones group, this foot-stomping banger of a song is generally linked with Ray Charles. In his cover for this cult classic film, the singer plays a music store owner with the power to get anyone grooving. Its irresistible beat compels everyone around to start dancing like their lives depend on it. And it’s not just the characters onscreen – with Charles in full flow, we can’t help but hip to the jive ourselves. The scene inspires us to leave all care behind and submit to the vibe, tying into the overall theme of “The Blues Brothers.”

#18: “Eye of the Tiger”

“Rocky III” (1982)

Wanna feel like a winner? One listen to this timeless masterpiece will do the trick. “Eye of the Tiger” doesn’t just pump you up – it inspires you to reach for your dreams, no matter how wild they may be. The “Rocky” franchise excels at soundtracks evoking the central theme of each installment, and this one definitely doesn’t miss. Fittingly, we get a montage of Rocky making it big while Clubber Lang moves up the ranks to challenge him. The parallels between the characters and how they apply to real life amplify the song’s powerful message. Each build-up to the chorus convinces us that, just like Rocky, we can punch our tickets to the top.

#17: “Mr. Blue Sky”

“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” (2017)

If you’re in the mood for some classic yet underrated songs, the “Guardians” series has you covered. Each film opens with a track that sets the mood, and “Mr. Blue Sky” does the honors for the second entry. On the face of it, battling a violent space monster doesn’t exactly sound like the setup for a good time. But with soft, upbeat tunes from the Electric Light Orchestra keeping us company, we can see why Baby Groot’s having so much fun. He might be a tiny baby alien, but Groot shows us how to dance all our troubles away. The song matches the team’s knack for landing themselves into trouble, while capturing their ability to find a way out every time.

#16: “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)”

“Beetlejuice” (1988)

Ever find yourself cutting loose to a song that just gets you? Something sort of like that happens in “Beetlejuice.” Hoping to scare off the house’s new residents, ghostly duo Adam and Barbara take them for a wacky musical ride. Before anyone knows it, they’re compelled to sway along to wherever Harry Belafonte’s vocals take them. Though as bizarre as intended, its vibe provides a sense of peace we can’t shake off. It also helps that everyone seems to be having the time of their life. Thanks to the cast’s eccentric choreography, fans now associate the song with the wonderfully weird world of “Beetlejuice.”

#15: “Old Time Rock & Roll”

“Risky Business” (1983)

Tom Cruise’s death-defying stunts have cemented him as an action icon. But for many fans, he’ll always be the boy singing and dancing his heart out to Bob Seger’s ode to rock 'n' roll. Cruise had previously appeared in a few notable roles, but “Risky Business” catapulted him into the big leagues. And if there’s any scene immortalized from the movie, it has to be this one. For many teenagers, getting the house to themselves is like a wonderful dream come true. Here, Cruise’s character portrays that sense of freedom, embodying an infectiously relatable, youthful energy. Thanks to the actor’s iconic moves, the song has come to symbolize the carefree spirit that reminds us to live in the moment.

#14: “All Star”

“Shrek” (2001)

You couldn’t ask for a better song to launch the “Shrek” franchise. The intro encapsulates everything that makes Shrek, well, Shrek. This ogre is as unapologetically himself as the track that accompanies the scene. Smash Mouth’s chart-topping hit blends mischief with a whole lot of fun, setting viewers up for the series’ brand of humor. Because of its meme-able quality, “All Star” has remained alive and kicking decades later. But the song owes much of its popularity to Shrek himself, as the protagonist’s antics bring out the song’s oomph factor. His unfiltered charm and rebellious spirit springboarded the song into its own corner in pop culture history.

#13: “(I've Had) The Time of My Life”

“Dirty Dancing” (1987)

[“Nobody puts baby in the corner”] Patrick Swayze’s classic quote leads into an equally unforgettable performance. While the song is about young love blossoming, it was Swayze and Jennifer Grey who inspired an entire generation to follow their hearts. The film’s climactic scene hits all the right notes, with the protagonists baring their love for the world to see. The marriage between music and dance strikes an emotional chord – and that sentiment persists to this day. By the time the curtain falls on their triumphant performance, the actors had permanently etched their names in film history.

#12: “Oh, Pretty Woman”

“Pretty Woman” (1990)

Not going with this song would’ve been a big mistake, big, huge – especially since it inspired the film’s title. Fast-forward a few decades, though, and the first person you think of with the song is Julia Roberts. Set against the backdrop of her character’s makeover, Vivian overcomes her fears and embraces the finer life that Beverly Hills offers. Its optimistic, celebratory vibe mirrors Vivian’s character arc, putting her on the path to reinventing herself. The song’s old-time charm exudes a sense of class that our heroine demonstrates, turning heads along the way. While all that glitz and glamor plays its part, it’s her newfound self-confidence that truly makes this woman “pretty” – inside and out.

#11: “Johnny B. Goode”

“Back to the Future” (1985)

How do you make an old song feel new? You hop back 30 years on a time-traveling DeLorean, that’s how. With the central conflict resolved, Marty finally gets to play the type of music he’s passionate about. Of course, he gets a bit too enthusiastic about it, as his rendition of Chuck Berry’s “Johnny B. Goode” goes off the rails. Berry’s original was already a classic by the time of “Back to the Future”’s release. But its inclusion in the film cemented its legacy for future generations. Marty’s unrestrained, electrifying performance perfectly sums up the song’s thematic qualities. And if it ever gets too much for you, just remember: your kids are definitely going to love it.

#10: “You Never Can Tell”

“Pulp Fiction” (1994)

Few directors use music in their films to such iconic success as does Quentin Tarantino. His music selection is as varied as it is perfect for each scene. It’s because of Mr. Tarantino, that whenever Chuck Berry’s “You Never Can Tell” starts to play, our body automatically starts to do the twist (followed by some pretty impressive hand swipes in front of our eyes moves as well). Not only did “Pulp Fiction” rejuvenate John Travolta’s career, it also gave audiences a chance to see him dancing again. And that dance and that song are now forever linked.

#9: “Try a Little Tenderness”

“Pretty in Pink” (1986)

Without doubt the greatest performance of Otis Redding’s “Try a Little Tenderness” is by Andrew Strong and the rest of the band in the 1991 film “The Commitments.” However, as amazing as it was, our forever connection to this song had already been imprinted in our movie minds 5 years earlier with the release of the film “Pretty in Pink.” And while Jon Cryer - unlike “The Commitments” band - doesn’t actually sing the song, his lip-synch performance around the record store was one for the ages. As if we needed another reason to love “Duckie,” right?

#8: “Wise Up”

“Magnolia” (1999)

For some people it’s jarring in musicals when characters randomly break into song. So imagine when it happens in a film that isn’t a musical. Well, at least in the case of Paul Thomas Anderson’s 1999 masterpiece “Magnolia,” it’s both jarring and mesmerizing - and completely unforgettable. At first it appears like it might just be one character singing in her apartment. But then, as we cut to another person, and another and another - the “reality” of the situation dissipates and the cinematic artistry grabs hold. Hearing Aimee Mann’s “Wise Up” will always bring to mind the images of this grief-filled sing-a-long.

#7: “In Your Eyes”

“Say Anything…” (1989)

Did you know that the famous boombox scene from “Say Anything…” was originally scored with the song “Question Of Life” by the brilliant band Fishbone? And while it might be a good song, we agree with Cameron Crowe who, after watching the scene, decided that it just didn’t work. That’s when Crowe decided to go with Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes,” and the rest is movie music history. As Gabriel himself has even admitted, he and John Cusack are now “sort of trapped together in a minuscule moment of contemporary culture.”

#6: “Unchained Melody”

“Ghost” (1990)

“Unchained Melody” was originally written for the 1955 prison movie, “Unchained.” And until 1990, there might’ve been movie fans who couldn’t separate the song from that film from decades earlier. But in overall pop culture, those “Unchained” associations went out the window with the release of “Ghost” - and one now-legendary scene. You know the one. And not only did the film forever cement our associations with this beautiful song - particularly The Righteous Brothers version - it has also forever heightened our appreciation for the romantic power of working with clay. Who knew that pottery could be so darn sexy?

#5: “Bohemian Rhapsody”

“Wayne’s World” (1992)

Why do so many ‘90s kids know the lyrics to “Bohemian Rhapsody?” Why do we always head bang during the guitar solo? Two words… “Wayne’s World.” And we have Mike Myers to thank for this one. Both the studio and Lorne Michaels were pushing for a Guns N’ Roses song to be used for the now-iconic head-banging car scene. But Myers wasn’t having it. No way. Way! He even threatened to quit the movie if they didn’t use “Bohemian Rhapsody” for the scene. Obviously he got his way and we got one of the greatest moments in comedy movie and music history combined.

#4: “Tiny Dancer”

“Almost Famous” (2000)

Elton John’s beautiful song has been a part of the pop music landscape since its release in 1971. However, it was the song’s inclusion in the film “Almost Famous” - almost three decades after its initial release - that has since ingrained it into our cinematic subconscious. And director Cameron Crowe knew he had something from the first take. As he said in an interview: “It was one of those situations where you just felt it.” Indeed, they could feel it on set and we can feel it each and every time we watch the scene. And since then, every time we hear the song - we’re back on that bus. To paraphrase Penny Lane, we’re home.

#3: “Where Is My Mind?”

“Fight Club” (1999)

Yes, we know the first two rules, but for this next song we HAVE to talk about “Fight Club.” Because since 1999 we haven’t been able to hear “Where Is My Mind?” by Pixies and not think about, remember, contemplate, talk about “Fight Club.” Particularly that last scene over which the song plays - as Edward Norton and Helena Bonham Carter stand there holding hands watching the city explode around them. It might’ve been a… strange time in Norton’s character's life - but whenever we hear “Where Is My Mind?”, we immediately go back to that time in our lives when we watched this movie. And if you haven’t seen it yet, you will, too.

#2: “Can't Take My Eyes off You”

“10 Things I Hate About You” (1999)

There are so, so many things we love about rom-coms. But one of the best tropes these films provide is the big apology and/or declaration of love scene. And in 1999’s “10 Things I Hate About You” - we get one from each of our main characters. From Julia Stiles’s Katarina "Kat" Stratford, we get the famous poem from which the film gets its name. And from Heath Ledger’s Patrick Verona we get his grand rendition of “Can't Take My Eyes Off You” with the help of the high school marching band. For a generation of teen rom-com lovers, this song will always go hand in hand with Ledger dancing, singing and eventually running from security in the stands.

#1: “Don't You (Forget About Me)”

“The Breakfast Club” (1985)

Whether you’re a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess or a criminal - if you’ve seen “The Breakfast Club” then the Simple Minds song “Don't You (Forget About Me)” will always be emotionally attached to said film. The song plays and it’s an almost involuntary action that our right arms make - fist pumping into the air like Judd Nelson’s does in the final moments of the movie. This movie and song are so entwined with each other that “Pitch Perfect” honored the pairing in their climactic musical scene some 27 years later.

Is there a movie scene whose song you immediately thought of that we forgot? The hippest/squarest thing you can do is share your picks in the comments!