A note about this top ten. This is the top ten perfect songs in film. I stayed away from musicals as I wanted to concentrate on music that complements a dramatic scene rather than a musical number.
Honorable Mention
Watchmen Trailer - The Beginning is the End is the Beginning - The Smashing Pumpkins
Such a perfect song for a stunning trailer. It doesn't just set the dark tone and mood, the words perfectly match the themes of the story. All the more sweet as it was originally written for abomination that is Batman and Robin... the song is now redeemed and attached to what looks to be an excellent and faithful take on Watchmen.
The Wedding Singer - Somebody Kill Me - Adam Sandler
Not an established song that's chosen but as part of the narrative and thus too much of a "musical number" moment... it is nonetheless a perfect, funny and surprising song that shows Adam Sandler at his best.
10. Layer Cake - Ordinary World - Duran Duran
Violence, rage matched with an underlying melancholic tune, used for shocking effect. I could not imagine another song in it's place.
9. Great Expectations - Just Like A Friend - Pulp
I've talked about this song before and I will say it again: a perfect marriage of music and story, giving the sense of heart stopping, self torture that Finn goes through for Estella.
8. The Breakfast Club - Don't You Forget About Me - Simple Minds
A perfect way to end the film. The punch up to the air, the music coming in perfectly, cooly, encapsulating the simple desire and fear of the teenagers in John Hughes' world.
7. Trainspotting - Lust for Life - Iggy Pop
Brilliant way of introducing the movie, the characters and the hedonistic, manic energy that the characters craved throughout the movie. I almost chose "Perfect Day" as well but am limiting one song from one movie and this introduction was flawless.
6. The Matrix - Spybreak - The Propellerheads
A completely over the top, ridiculous action scene that is grounded not just by the straight faced Keanu Reeves and Carrie Anne Moss, but the music. The song Spybreak is ESSENTIAL is grounding this scene, in making it cool to the point of sublime and hypnotic.
5. Shaun of the Dead - Don't Stop Me Now - Queen
Best Zombie Attack music ever. The unison of the music and the rhythmic beating of a zombie with cue sticks as well as the rave like lights that are turned on and off... a perfect choice for the best Rom Zom Com I have ever seen.
4. Almost Famous - Tiny Dancer - Elton John
The song is the sonic equivalent to a snug blanket - strange, as the lyrics seem less cosy but it's the perfect song sung by guys on the road and the type of life and women they meet.
3. Face/Off - Somewhere Over The Rainbow - cover version
I don't know who sang the cover version but John Woo found the perfect, ironic song to play while a massive, violent shoot out occurs. Blood splattering, bodies dropping, a kid in the middle of it all in headphones listening to a sentimental song... it sounds preposterous but it all kind of works into one of the most memorable moments in Face/Off.
2. Wayne's World - Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen
Ooh... I know... two Queen songs on the list. But I can't forget this moment. Dudes in a car... rocking out... pure joy.
1. Melody - Teach Your Children - Crosby Stills and Nash
Low key song and one that gives me such a nostalgia kick, even when I first watched it of school, of an unlikely rebellion of school kids versus adults. Immensely satisfying.
