Incorporating a popular song in a movie scene usually yields one of two results: it can cheapen its visual merits by drawing your attention to the music, or it can strengthen them and make for a truly captivating moment. When it comes to listing the best examples, movie-goers seem to agree on a respectable bunch – “Stuck in the Middle With You” in Reservoir Dogs, “Where Is My Mind?” at the end of Fight Club, “Perfect Day” in Trainspotting, basically any moment in any Wes Anderson film – but let us not forget to enjoy some of these lesser known gems.
1. ABBA’s “Dancing Queen” in Summer of Sam
When it comes to Spike Lee Joints, Summer of Sam is usually placed on the lower end of the totem pole, but this film is seriously undervalued and has some spectacular musical moments. Notably, the drug-induced orgy to Chic’s “Everybody Dance” and the“Baba O’Riley” montage are pretty epic, but it’s the scene with ABBA’s “Dancing Queen” that’s the most affecting. As the uploader of this YouTube clip states, this is “Girl power at its finest,” and there’s really no other way to explain it.
2. Kath Bloom’s “Come Here” in Before Sunrise
I don’t think I’ve ever seen something that conveys the sweet awkwardness of falling in love as perfectly as this. The uncomfortable glances and half-smiles while trying to ignore the sexual tension are spot on. Jesse and Celine are probably my favorite on-screen couple of all time, and it’s this scene that always reminds me of how enchanting they are.
3. David Bowie’s “Heroes/Helden” in Christiane F
Nothing says young love quite like running through a shopping mall and stealing money with a bunch of junkies you hardly know, right? But, seriously, this scene is adorable. It’s sad because you know that poor Christiane is about to succumb to a life that she isn’t prepared nor equipped for, but it also conveys that youthful spirit of solely living in the moment and neglecting to care about anything else.
4. Britney Spears’ “Everytime” in Spring Breakers
Say what you will about this film, but this scene is GOLD. I mean, years ago, did you ever think you’d see a film that has James Franco playing a Britney Spears ballad at a grand piano whilst Vanessa Hudgens and the girl from Pretty Little Liars do an interpretive dance with AK-47’s in front of a gorgeous sunset? It’s totally bizarre, totally Harmony Korine and totally awesome.
5. Spectral Display’s “It Takes A Muscle To Fall In Love” in Simon Killer
Simon Killer is sad, dark and depressing but this scene is wonderful. It’s like, you know that only bad things can come from a needy sociopath and an overly generous sex worker briefly teaming up as con-artists, but you still feel for both of them, and want them to be happy and love one another. This magical little dance number gives viewers a glimmer of hope.
6. Soul II Soul’s “Back To Life” in Belly
Assault weapons, strip clubs and DMX are things I generally try to avoid, but the opening sequence in Hype Williams’ Belly is unreal. It’s extreme and intoxicating, and also fitting that it came from the mind of someone who’s directed a large percentage of the most badass music videos to date.
7. Nicolas Cage’s Rendition of “Love Me Tender” in Wild At Heart
For such a violent and wacky film, David Lynch’s Wild at Heart surely has a happy ending. And romantic. The song in itself is kind of a spoiler (sorry!) but it just seemed necessary.
8. Heart’s “Crazy On You” in The Virgin Suicides
This had a profound impact on me as a 7th grader. I mean, I was always a curious child/pre-teen, and had seen a decent share of semi-explicit material (that’s what slumber parties are for, right?) but something about this short little scene really struck a cord. Aside from the fact that Trip Fontaine is like, so hot, it’s interesting because it shows that things can be intensely sexy without being graphic.
9. The Sundays’ “Wild Horses” in Fear
I know, I know. This movie is ridiculous. It’s terribly acted, comically predictable and makes use of just about every tired cliche in existence, but can we all agree that “the roller coaster scene” is so absurd that it’s almost…great?
10. The Fixx’s “One Thing Leads To Another” in The House Of The Devil
With The House of The Devil, Ti West made one of the greatest horror films of the last few years. It so perfectly 80’s – from the feathered hairdos to the old-school shooting and editing techniques – and it’s actually pretty scary. It effectively combines the slasher and occult themes, but its undoubtedly the musical homage West pays to those bizarre dance sequences in several horror films from that particular decade that makes for the best scene. Except unlike its weird and rather cringe-worthy predecessors, this one is actually awesome.