That's the first one that came to mind.

That one didn't really get changed by the movie for me.

It was already an incredibly depressing song--so it fit really well, but it's not like I thought of Royal Tenenbaums every time I heard it after I saw the movie.

Neat topic.

QT makes an impression with his soundtracks. I think the biggest effect they have is when forgotten hits are introduced to a new audience. Reservoir Dogs introduced Stealer's Wheel and The George Baker Selection to a new and young audience.

Most songs that remind me of a film are songs that are already known for being soundtrack hits. Songs like "Power of Love" by Hughie Lewis and the News or "Take My Breath Away" by Berlin.

However, for me there is an exception with "Hurdy Gurdy Man" by Donovan. Love the song but after I saw Zodiac it's hard for me not to think about the film when I hear the song now.

Absolutely! That song was just perfect for the scene. I never really thought the song was creepy before, but now when I hear it, I have to look over my shoulder...


Finally watched Blood Simple tonight, and "It's the Same Old Song" by the Four Tops has taken on a new significance. What a great movie.

Ha ha...I know. Creepy as hell now. Brilliant use in Zodiac to open the terror and bring it to a close. In my opinion it's the best use of a song in a film I've ever seen.

I think the post, however, is referring to songs that were essentially changed by their use in films...i.e., when you hear them, you almost automatically think of the film. When I hear "Across 110th Street," I think of the opening of Jackie Brown, regardless of whether or not it was a homage; now, I've never seen Across 110th Street, and seeing it might change that impression, but for the moment, it's Jackie in the airport.

Erik

Yes I agree. Otherwise, for example, James Brown's "I feel good" among many others which were/are used in dozens of movies would be relevant.

Here's one example of a song I knew long before the movie was made, but now each time I hear it now I think about the movie. Near-perfect recreation of the 1970s similar to "The Ice Storm".

Song (played at high school prom night): "Come Sail Away" by Styx; Movie: The Virgin Suicides (1999).

Minor variation on your theme: worst use of (many) pop songs: Vanilla Sky.

Cameron Crowe really tried to include every one of his favorite songs, didn't he? I understand his reasoning to some extent -- inside your own head, you're going to hear your favorite tunes, with the associated imagery. Still, it got a little overwhelming.

Speaking of Crowe, I still think of Jerry Maguire every time I hear "Free Fallin'" by Tom Petty. And Peter Gabriel's "In Your Eyes" provides the obvious flashback to Say Anything. What can you say? The man loves his music.

Thank you, sir. I love some of the guy's movies but I'm starting to suspect that he builds a movie around his most recent "favorites" playlist. Elizabethtown... *shudders*

Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" in Monster

Hearts on Fire from Rocky 4 comes to mind, along with Gonna Fly Now and Eye of the Tiger. The song The Begining is the End is the Begining reminds me of Watchmen.

Songs that remind me of the movie...

"Magic Man" by Heart...great song...in Swingers.

"Still" by The Geto Boys..."Back up in yo ass with The Resurrection"...in Officespace.

"Tequila" by The Champs...2 movies...in Pee-wee's Big Adventure and The Sandlot.

"Hotel California" by The Gipsy Kings...in The Big Lebowski..."Nobody fucks with the Jesus."

Among others...

I think more of Empire Records when I hear that song.

It's been said already... but Tarantino has a great ear for picking soundtracks for his films. "Stuck in the Middle With You" will forever be synonymous with the ear cutting scene.

The classical music Stanley Kubrick used in 2001. Don't know what it's called, but it brings back images of that film every time.

"Hello" by Lionel Richie always reminds me of the Brokeback Mountain parody in Scary Movie 4. **shudder**

You're probably thinking of either the opening part of Also sprach Zarathustra by Richard Strauss or else the Blue Danube Waltz by Johann Strauss II. There’s more music in the film, but 2001’s use of these pieces is iconic.

Actually, this song makes me think of the last scene of The Sopranos.

It's very hard not to think of John Cusack holding a boombox over his head whenever I hear Peter Gabriel's "In your Eyes."

Also the ff:
Super Freak - Little Miss Sunshine (cute little Abigail Breslin performing the talent portion of the pageant)
The End by The Doors - Apocalypse Now
Fire and Rain by James Taylor - River Phoenix dancing in Running on Empty
Say a Little Prayer - My Best Friend's Wedding
Turn Turn Turn - Forrest Gump
Stand by Me - Stand by Me
Hot Stuff - The Full Monty
Pretty Woman - montage of Julia Roberts shopping in Rodeo Drive

You guys mentioned the other iconic pop songs in movies - Old Time Rock 'n Roll (Risky Business), Stuck in the Middle (Reservoir Dogs), Misirlou (Pulp Fiction), Singin' in the Rain (Clockwork Orange)

'Microphone Fiend' in Freddie Got Fingered. Maybe the only time I've ever heard an Eric B. & Rakim song in a movie. No wait....oh yeah 'Juice', with Omar Epps and Tupac.

Everybody Knows by Leonard Cohen - Exotica
Rock Me Amadeus - Adventureland

"Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen in Wayne's World
"Johnny B. Goode" in Back to the Future
"Hip to be Square" by Huey Lewis and the News in American Psycho

I love that example. Since seeing that film, every time I hear that dreadful song I’m tempted to quote Bateman's insane ramblings:

"I think their undisputed masterpiece is "Hip to Be Square", a song so catchy, most people probably don't listen to the lyrics. But they should, because it's not just about the pleasures of conformity and the importance of trends, it's also a personal statement about the band itself."

For some reason I love the phrase “the pleasures of conformity.” It speaks volumes about Bateman’s character and the 1980s in general.