Alors que les visuels sont une grande partie de ce qui définit finalement les films, c'est la combinaison d'images et de sons qui complète l'expérience cinématographique complète. Même avant l'avènement des «images parlantes» à la fin des années 1920, les partitions musicales accompagnaient les films d'une manière ou d'une autre, que ce soit par l'accompagnement en direct d'un interprète ou d'un système d'enregistrement synchronisé de gramophone.
Avec une longue et grande histoire s'étendant sur plus d'un siècle, Stacker a compilé les 100 plus grandes chansons de films en utilisant les données du projet 100 Years de l'industrie cinématographique américaine. L'enquête, qui a eu lieu en 2004 (donc pas de morceaux récents comme "Let It Go" de "Frozen"), a demandé à une sélection de jurés de toute l'industrie du cinéma d'évaluer la musique et les paroles "présentées dans un film américain qui a donné le ton ou l'ambiance, définir le personnage, faire avancer l'intrigue et/ou exprimer les thèmes du film d'une manière qui élève la forme d'art de l'image en mouvement." L'impact culturel et l'héritage de la chanson ont également été des critères importants dans le processus de sélection.
Au fur et à mesure que l'industrie cinématographique devenait plus courante et commercialisée, l'utilisation de chansons et de musique populaires augmentait généralement. Désormais, les bandes sonores et les partitions font partie intégrante de l'expérience cinématographique. Parfois, les cinéastes et les producteurs espèrent capturer un zeitgeist en liant la sortie d'un film à un succès populaire. Des chansons plus anciennes peuvent être choisies pour invoquer une certaine période de temps.
Le plus souvent, les films à succès présenteront des chansons originales. Ces chansons peuvent être inspirées par le contenu et le ton du film et intervenir de manière non diégétique, comme lors d'une séquence de montage ou au générique. D'autres fois, la chanson peut être interprétée par les personnages du film de manière diégétique. Quoi qu'il en soit, une scène musicale réussie a le potentiel de devenir emblématique, et avec elle, la chanson elle-même.
Certains cinéastes considèrent la bande originale organisée aussi importante que le film lui-même; par exemple, le scénariste-réalisateur Quentin Tarantino incorpore souvent des chansons préférées de sa vaste collection de musique dans des scènes de ses films. D'autres exemples incluent "Guardians of the Galaxy" de James Gunn, qui avait un "Awesome Mix Vol. 1" qui avait une signification importante pour le personnage principal de l'intrigue du film, tout en atteignant le sommet des palmarès dans la vraie vie.
Continuez à lire pour découvrir certaines des chansons les plus importantes qui ont marqué le public longtemps après le générique.
1 / 100
- Film :Risky Business (1983)
- Interprète(s) :Bob Seger
- Musique/Paroles :George Jackson, Tom Jones III
Dans la scène la plus emblématique du film de passage à l'âge adulte de Tom Cruise "Risky Business", le personnage de Cruise, Joel Goodson, s'amuse un peu après avoir été laissé seul à la maison par ses parents. Glissant sur le parquet en juste une chemise et des sous-vêtements, Joel se synchronise sur les lèvres et danse sur la chanson classique "Old Time Rock and Roll" de Bob Seger. Depuis lors, cette scène a été parodiée par des sitcoms, des publicités et même d'autres films.
3 / 100
- Film :Chicago (2002)
- Interprète(s) :Catherine Zeta-Jones, Renée Zellweger
- Musique :John Kander
- Paroles :Fred Ebb
Présenté à l'origine dans la comédie musicale "Chicago" de 1975, le numéro d'ouverture "All That Jazz" est resté dans l'esprit des téléspectateurs de l'adaptation cinématographique de 2002 aux Oscars. Dans le film, le numéro est interprété par Catherine Zeta-Jones dans le rôle de Velma Kelly dans un club de Chicago, la performance étant entrecoupée de scènes de la protagoniste Roxie Hart (Renee Zellweger) initiant une liaison. La chanson a présenté l'ambiance flashy générale du film, et Zeta-Jones, 10 ans après avoir remporté l'Oscar de la meilleure actrice dans un second rôle pour "Chicago", est revenue à la cérémonie de remise des prix pour interpréter la chanson.
5 / 100
- Film :Footloose (1984)
- Interprète(s) :Kenny Loggins
- Musique/Paroles :Kenny Loggins, Dean Pitchford
Probablement aussi ou même plus populaire que le film "Footloose" est la chanson du même nom, écrite et interprétée par le musicien Kenny Loggins et le co-scénariste du film Dean Pitchford. Le succès de la chanson et du film a même surpris Loggins lui-même. Il a dépassé le Billboard Hot 100 et est devenu l'un des plus grands succès de 1984. La chanson joue à la fois dans l'ouverture et la finale du film. Blake Shelton s'est même essayé à la couverture d'un remake du film original en 2011.
6 / 100
- Film :Road to Morocco (1942)
- Interprète(s) :Bing Crosby, Bob Hope
- Musique :Jimmy Van Heusen
- Paroles :Johnny Burke
Les légendes de la comédie Bing Crosby et Bob Hope se sont associés pour le film "Road to Morocco", le couple chantant la chanson rapide et entraînante alors que leurs personnages montaient à dos de chameau dans une ville voisine. La chanson effrontée qui brise le quatrième mur ("Nous vous en dirons plus (euh-ah) mais nous aurions la censure sur nos talons"), qui contient certes un certain nombre de stéréotypes et de blagues dans ses paroles ("Les hommes mangent du feu , dormir sur les ongles et voir leurs femmes en deux »), n'est pas bien rappelé par le public aujourd'hui, mais c'était sans aucun doute un succès dans les années 1940, avec des versions séparées de la chanson comprenant un enregistrement solo avec Crosby et un duo réunissant Crosby avec Espoir.
7 / 100
- Film :The Big Chill (1983)
- Interprète(s) :The Temptations
- Musique/Paroles :Eddie Holland, Norman Whitfield
"The Big Chill" est centré sur un groupe d'amis réunis à l'âge adulte après une tragédie, mais un moment musical a offert un moment de répit. Dans une scène, le personnage de Kevin Kline met "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" par les Temptations comme un petit morceau de nostalgie, et les personnages continuent à danser sur la chanson dans la cuisine tout en nettoyant la table et en lavant la vaisselle après le dîner. Bien que la chanson ne soit pas tirée du film lui-même, elle représentait un moment important pour ce groupe fictif d'amis de l'université.
8 / 100
- Film :8 Mile (2002)
- Interprète(s) :Eminem
- Musique :Eminem, Jeff Bass, Luis Resto
- Paroles :Eminem
La chanson de rap percutante "Lose Yourself" d'Eminem résume son personnage B-Rabbit dans le film "8 Mile". Les paroles décrivent les luttes du personnage pour gagner le respect des autres artistes hip-hop de la région. C'est toujours l'une des œuvres les plus populaires d'Eminem, et elle a même remporté la catégorie Meilleure chanson originale aux Oscars l'année de sa sortie - la première chanson hip-hop à le faire. Cependant, Eminem ne s'est pas présenté à la cérémonie, croyant qu'il ne gagnerait pas. Le rappeur a compensé cela en interprétant "Lose Yourself" lors de la cérémonie des Oscars 2020 près de deux décennies plus tard.
9 / 100
- Film :Cover Girl (1944)
- Interprète(s) :Gene Kelly, Martha Mears (doublant Rita Hayworth)
- Musique :Jerome Kern
- Paroles :Ira Gershwin
La comédie musicale de 1944 "Cover Girl" avait tout, y compris des stars de premier plan dans Gene Kelly et Rita Hayworth. Hayworth a dépeint une chorus girl qui trouve la célébrité et les co-stars de Kelly comme son petit ami. "Long Ago (and Far Away)" est le numéro le plus populaire du film, chanté par les personnages de Kelly et Hayworth, bien que ce dernier soit doublé par la chanteuse Martha Mears. La chanson n'a pas duré des décennies, mais elle a été largement reprise tout au long des années 1940 par des artistes comme Bing Crosby et Jo Stafford.
10 / 100
- Film :Working Girl (1988)
- Interprète(s) :Carly Simon
- Musique/Paroles :Carly Simon
Inspirée par le scénario de la comédie dramatique romantique « Working Girl », mettant en vedette Melanie Griffith, Harrison Ford et Sigourney Weaver, Carly Simon a écrit et interprété « Let the River Run » comme un « hymne » à New York. La chanson a joué sur une séquence d'ouverture qui a suivi le ferry de Staten Island, et elle a remporté l'Oscar, le Golden Globe et le Grammy de la meilleure chanson originale. « Let the River Run » fait encore parfois surface dans la culture populaire moderne. Il a récemment été présenté dans des épisodes de "The Simpsons" et "Castle Rock".
11 / 100
- Film :Annie Hall (1977)
- Interprète(s) :Diane Keaton
- Musique :Carmen Lombardo
- Paroles :John Jacob Loeb
Le film le plus célèbre de Woody Allen, "Annie Hall", lauréat d'un Oscar, a eu une séquence mémorable dans laquelle le personnage de Diane Keaton (l'éponyme Annie Hall) interprète la chanson populaire des années 1940 "Seems Like Old Times" pour un public. Keaton a remporté le prix de la meilleure actrice aux Oscars et la chanson a été repopularisée par son inclusion dans le film.
12 / 100
- Film :Young Frankenstein (1974)
- Interprète(s) :Gene Wilder, Peter Boyle
- Musique/Paroles :Irving Berlin
Le scénariste-réalisateur Mel Brooks inclut généralement des numéros musicaux comiques dans ses films, et l'un des exemples les plus anciens et les plus célèbres est présenté dans le film de 1974 "Young Frankenstein". Frankenstein (Gene Wilder) et son monstre (Peter Boyle) chantent et dansent sur la chanson classique "Puttin' on the Ritz", le monstre criant hilarante des mots incohérents tandis que Frankenstein de Wilder la joue principalement directement. Dans le film, la performance ne se termine pas bien, mais le public réel a trouvé la scène assez mémorable et amusante.
13 / 100
- Film :The Sound of Music (1965)
- Interprète(s) :Julie Andrews, Ensemble
- Musique :Richard Rodgers
- Paroles :Oscar Hammerstein II
L'un des nombreux numéros emblématiques de la comédie musicale classique de Rodgers et Hammerstein "The Sound of Music" a le personnage de Maria, joué par Julie Andrews, enseigne aux enfants von Trapp la gamme musicale à l'aide de dispositifs mnémoniques. La version cinématographique de la chanson trouve Maria et les enfants faisant du vélo et gambader à travers Salzbourg, la chanson étant reprise plus tard dans le film. La chanson a acquis une vie propre, et même maintenant, elle est souvent utilisée comme un outil amusant pour l'éducation musicale.
14 / 100
- Film :The Paleface (1948)
- Interprète(s) :Bob Hope
- Musique :Jay Livingston
- Paroles :Ray Evans
La comédie de Bob Hope Western "The Paleface" comportait une chanson intitulée "Buttons and Bows", qui met en scène Hope jouant de l'accordéon tout en voyageant sur un chariot. La chanson a remporté l'Oscar de la meilleure chanson originale et a été présente à la radio pendant un certain temps. Cependant, l'interprétation la plus populaire de la chanson était en fait celle de Dinah Shore en 1947, avec sa reprise numéro 1 dans les charts.
16 / 100
- Cinéma :Moulin Rouge ! (2001)
- Interprète(s) :Nicole Kidman, Ewan McGregor
- Musique/Paroles :David Baerwald
La chanson "Come What May" a une histoire quelque peu fortuite dans la filmographie du réalisateur Baz Luhrmann; alors qu'elle était initialement destinée à son film "Roméo + Juliette", la chanson a finalement trouvé sa place dans "Moulin Rouge!" Non seulement la chanson est devenue un succès, mais elle revêt une importance pour l'histoire et les personnages du film. Il sert de thème romantique entre les personnages interprétés par Ewan McGregor et Nicole Kidman, les deux utilisant la chanson pour se déclarer leur amour.
17 / 100
- Film :Gilda (1946)
- Interprète(s) :Anita Ellis (doublant Rita Hayworth)
- Musique/Paroles :Doris Fisher, Allan Roberts
Les chansons les plus populaires à sortir d'Hollywood des années 1940 étaient des vedettes qui portaient un sentiment d'optimisme, mais le film de 1946 "Gilda", avec Rita Hayworth, avait un côté un peu plus sombre. Le personnage titulaire de Gilda chante la chanson "Put the Blame on Mame", qui relie le personnage titulaire à certaines des catastrophes les plus destructrices et cataclysmiques de l'histoire américaine, comme le Great Chicago Fire de 1871. La chanson aide à caractériser Hayworth en tant que femme. fatale, même si la chanteuse Anita Ellis a doublé la voix de Hayworth pour la chanson.
18 / 100
- Film :The Rose (1979)
- Interprète(s) :Bette Midler
- Musique/Paroles :Amanda McBroom
Survivre au drame de Bette Midler "The Rose" est la chanson du même titre. Pas écrite à l'origine pour le film par Amanda McBroom, la chanson pop a néanmoins joué pendant le générique du film et est devenue un tube. Depuis lors, "The Rose" a été enregistré par un certain nombre d'artistes, avec l'une des versions les plus célèbres interprétée par le chanteur country Conway Twitty.
19 / 100
- Film :Le Magicien d'Oz (1939)
- Interprète(s) :Ensemble
- Musique :Harold Arlen
- Paroles :E. Y. Harburg
Après avoir terrifié les habitants de Munchkinland et d'Emerald City, la méchante sorcière de l'Ouest est finalement vaincue par Dorothy (Judy Garland) et ses amis. Immédiatement après, les Munchkins se sont mis à chanter pour répandre la nouvelle. L'air qui s'ensuit n'est qu'une des nombreuses chansons et séquences emblématiques du film, qui regorge déjà de personnages et de scènes aussi populaires. Aujourd'hui encore, la chanson est utilisée par le grand public pour exprimer son dégoût pour quiconque a été récemment vaincu.
20 / 100
- Film :Nashville (1975)
- Interprète(s) :Keith Carradine
- Musique/Paroles :Keith Carradine
Le film épique de Robert Altman "Nashville" présentait un certain nombre de personnages et de points de vue différents illustrant les scènes de musique country et gospel, le film menant à un concert de gala. "I'm Easy" a été écrit et interprété par l'acteur Keith Carradine, qui interprète la chanson dans son personnage et amène plusieurs femmes différentes à croire que la performance était pour elles. "I'm Easy" a remporté l'Oscar de la meilleure chanson originale en 1976 et a continué à être un succès cette année-là.
21 / 100
- Film :The Producers (1967)
- Interprète(s) :Ensemble
- Musique/Paroles :Mel Brooks
Toute la prémisse de "The Producers" est centrée sur une arnaque des producteurs fictifs de Broadway Max Bialystock et Leo Bloom pour tirer profit de la réalisation de la pire comédie musicale de tous les temps. Le résultat? "Le printemps pour Hitler." C'est aussi le numéro d'ouverture de cette comédie musicale fictive, qui fait que les spectateurs dégoûtés quittent le théâtre, jusqu'à ce que l'arnaque se retourne contre lui. La chanson figurait à nouveau dans l'adaptation du film à Broadway en 2001, prolongée par un numéro intitulé "Heil Myself". "Le printemps pour Hitler" est apparu une fois de plus dans l'adaptation cinématographique de 2005 du spectacle de Broadway.
22 / 100
- Film :Arthur (1981)
- Interprète(s) :Christopher Cross
- Musique/Paroles :Burt Bacharach, Carole Bayer Sager, Christopher Cross, Peter Allen
La comédie "Arthur" était centrée sur un milliardaire new-yorkais ivre qui tombe amoureux d'une fille ordinaire, même s'il est promis à quelqu'un d'autre via un mariage arrangé. Avec les paroles "Quand tu es pris entre la lune et New York", la chanson thème de Christopher Cross résume le caractère et la personnalité du personnage principal. La chanson a été reprise par Fitz and the Tantrums lorsque le film a été refait en 2011.
23 / 100
- Film :Nine to Five (1980)
- Interprète(s) :Dolly Parton
- Musique/Paroles :Dolly Parton
La pièce maîtresse non seulement du film "9 à 5", mais aussi de l'un des meilleurs albums de Dolly Parton. La chanson "9 à 5" a aidé à faire monter en flèche le chanteur à la renommée nationale. Elle joue également dans le film, qui se concentre sur trois femmes déjouant leur patron sexiste et égoïste. La chanson thème rapide et accrocheuse a rapidement atteint le Billboard Country Chart et a été nominée pour un Oscar. Il connaît une sorte de résurgence moderne en 2020 en tant que thème populaire pour les créateurs de Tik Tok.
24 / 100
- Film :The Sandpiper (1965)
- Interprète(s) :Chorus
- Musique :Johnny Mandel
- Paroles :Paul Francis Webster
Le film dramatique "The Sandpiper", l'un des nombreux films mettant en vedette Richard Burton et Elizabeth Taylor, n'a pas été bien accueilli et a depuis été perdu dans l'obscurité. D'autre part, le thème d'amour du film intitulé "L'ombre de votre sourire" a eu une vie plus longue, remportant l'Oscar de la meilleure chanson originale. Par la suite, il sera repris par de nombreux artistes comme Nancy Sinatra et Tony Bennett.
25 / 100
- Film :Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)
- Interprète(s) :Judy Garland
- Musique/Paroles :Hugh Martin, Ralph Blane
Alors que "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" est un pilier traditionnel de Noël, les origines de la chanson, qui a fait ses débuts dans la comédie musicale "Meet Me in St. Louis", sont moins connues. La superstar Judy Garland a interprété la chanson dans le film, et des reprises de Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald et de nombreux autres artistes ont suivi. Aujourd'hui, la chanson est toujours présente sur les albums de Noël d'artistes modernes comme Sam Smith et Michael Buble.
26 / 100
- Film :Officier et Gentleman (1982)
- Interprète(s) :Joe Cocker, Jennifer Warnes
- Musique :Jack Nitzsche, Buffy Sainte-Marie
- Paroles :Will Jennings
Le film romantique "An Officer and a Gentleman" avait une chanson thème émouvante dans "Up Where We Belong", une collaboration entre le compositeur du film Jack Nitzsche, l'auteur-compositeur-interprète Jennifer Warnes et le chanteur Joe Cocker. Warnes était déjà connue pour son travail sur les bandes sonores précédentes et avait toujours souhaité chanter en duo avec Cocker. La chanson reflétait la fin heureuse du film, et elle s'est rapidement hissée dans les charts, non seulement aux États-Unis mais aussi dans de nombreux autres pays.
27 / 100
- Film :The Muppet Movie (1979)
- Interprète(s) :Jim Henson (comme Kermit the Frog)
- Musique/Paroles :Paul Williams, Kenny Ascher
Les musiciens Paul Williams et Kenny Ascher ont eu le défi d'ouvrir "The Muppet Movie" avec une chanson originale mettant en vedette Kermit la grenouille jouant du banjo. Il en est résulté "Rainbow Connection", une chanson qui reliait le thème des arcs-en-ciel du film au fait qu'il existe déjà un certain nombre de chansons sur les arcs-en-ciel. La chanson a gagné en popularité en dehors des Muppets, bien que de nombreux médias des Muppets aient ensuite repris la célèbre chanson.
28 / 100
- Film :Love Me Tonight (1932)
- Interprète(s) :Maurice Chevalier, Jeanette MacDonald
- Musique :Richard Rodgers
- Paroles :Lorenz Hart
La comédie musicale "Love Me Tonight" comportait un répertoire de chansons originales, dont "Isn't It Romantic?" Dans le film, les acteurs Maurice Chevalier et Jeanette MacDonald interprètent la chanson, le personnage de Chevalier commençant le numéro, de nombreux autres personnages chantant entre les deux et se terminant finalement par le personnage de la princesse de MacDonald terminant la chanson. Parmi les nombreux artistes qui finiront par reprendre la chanson figurent Tony Bennett et Ella Fitzgerald.
29 / 100
- Film :Singin' in the Rain (1952)
- Interprète(s) :Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds
- Musique :Nacio Herb Brown
- Paroles :Arthur Freed
La comédie musicale classique "Singin' in the Rain" n'est pas seulement considérée comme l'une des meilleures comédies musicales de tous les temps, mais l'un des plus grands films de l'histoire. Description optimiste et joyeuse de l'évolution de l'industrie cinématographique des années 1920, la chanson "Good Morning", tirée du film "Babes In Arms" de 1939, reste une chanson populaire à ce jour. La séquence de danse emblématique et énergique met en vedette Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor et Debbie Reynolds.
30 / 100
- Film :Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942)
- Interprète(s) :James Cagney
- Musique/Paroles :George M. Cohan
Écrite à l'origine pour la comédie musicale de Broadway "Little Johnny Jones" de George M. Cohan, la chanson connue sous le nom de "(I'm a) Yankee Doodle Dandy" a été popularisée par le film de 1942 "Yankee Doodle Dandy", qui mettait en vedette James Cagney dans le rôle de Cohan. Le film mettait en vedette Cagney interprétant de nombreuses chansons de Cohan, dont "Give My Regards to Broadway", mais l'un des numéros les plus célèbres le présentait interprétant "(I'm a) Yankee Doodle Dandy".
31 / 100
- Film :Grease (1978)
- Interprète(s) :John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John
- Musique/Paroles :Jim Jacobs, Warren Casey
Alors que "Grease" a fait ses débuts sur scène, la comédie musicale trouvera une plus grande popularité à travers Hollywood et l'adaptation cinématographique des années 1970 mettant en vedette John Travolta et Olivia Newton-John. "Summer Nights" a rappelé avec enthousiasme aux deux protagonistes leur liaison estivale, avant de se retrouver fidèlement à l'école. Avec "You're The One That I Want", "Summer Nights" a non seulement conduit "Grease" à un statut de culture pop plus élevé, mais est devenu une chanson à succès à part entière.
32 / 100
- Film :Bright Eyes (1934)
- Interprète(s) :Shirley Temple
- Musique :Richard A. Whiting
- Paroles :Sidney Clare
Enfant, Shirley Temple était l'une des artistes les plus emblématiques d'Hollywood, chantant, dansant et jouant dans de nombreux films. Le film "Bright Eyes" écrit pour et avec Temple à l'esprit, comportait un numéro dans lequel le personnage de Temple chante dans un avion, l'avion étant le "bon navire" titulaire.
33 / 100
- Film :Philadelphie (1993)
- Interprète(s) :Bruce Springsteen
- Musique/Paroles :Bruce Springsteen
Le film "Philadelphie" a été l'un des premiers films à se concentrer sur le VIH et le SIDA - pour aider le public à se sentir à l'aise d'apprendre sur la maladie, le réalisateur Jonathan Demme a demandé à Bruce Springsteen d'écrire et d'interpréter une chanson grand public qui inviterait les cinéphiles en général. La chanson a remporté l'Oscar de la meilleure chanson originale, ainsi qu'un certain nombre de Grammy Awards. Curieusement, la chanson a mieux performé dans les charts en Europe qu'aux États-Unis.
34 / 100
- Film :L'Espion qui m'aimait (1977)
- Interprète(s) :Carly Simon
- Musique :Marvin Hamlisch
- Paroles :Carole Bayer Sager
Bien qu'il soit inhabituel que les chansons thématiques de James Bond aient un titre différent de celui de leurs films respectifs, "Nobody Does It Better" de "The Spy Who Loved Me" n'a eu aucun problème à percer auprès des auditeurs. Comme pour tous les thèmes de Bond, cette chanson joue pendant la séquence de titre élaborée du film, avec l'air sensuel de Carly Simon servant d '"hymne ivre de luxure" aux prouesses sexuelles de Bond. La chanson continuera à être reprise dans les décennies à venir, restant l'une des chansons de Bond les plus populaires de l'histoire de la série.
35 / 100
- Film :M*A*S*H (1970)
- Interprète(s) : Chœur
- Musique :Johnny Mandel
- Paroles :Mike Altman
Lors de la réalisation du film original "M * A * S * H", Robert Altman a donné des stipulations sur la chanson thème:elle devait s'intituler "S ** cide Is Painless" et ce devait être "la chanson la plus stupide jamais écrite". ” Altman a finalement recruté son fils Mike, alors âgé de 14 ans, pour écrire les paroles, qui a réussi à le faire en seulement cinq minutes. Après le film "M*A*S*H", la chanson est devenue la chanson thème de la très populaire émission télévisée "M*A*S*H".
36 / 100
- Film :The Bodyguard (1992)
- Interprète(s) :Whitney Houston
- Musique/Paroles :Dolly Parton
La chanson country de Dolly Parton "I Will Always Love You" a été un succès dans les années 1970, et la chanson revivra ce succès dans diverses itérations au cours des décennies à venir. La reprise la plus célèbre de la chanson est probablement venue de Whitney Houston pour le film "The Bodyguard", où elle dépeint une actrice et chanteuse protégée d'un harceleur par le garde du corps titulaire (Kevin Costner). La version de Houston est toujours populaire de nos jours, apparaissant dans des films modernes comme "Spider-Man:Far From Home". Des artistes jeunes et moins jeunes continuent de reprendre la chanson, y compris une version dance récente de Sarah Washington.
37 / 100
- Film:The Sound of Music (1965)
- Performer(s):Julie Andrews
- Music:Richard Rodgers
- Lyrics:Oscar Hammerstein II
The venerable soundtrack of “The Sound of Music” is supported by a number of memorable songs, including “My Favorite Things.” The film version of the song has Maria (Julie Andrews) sing to the von Trapp children during a thunderstorm, calming them down by listing her most favorite menial things. John Coltrane would later record a 14-minute jazz version of “My Favorite Things,” and the song still remains beloved today.
38 / 100
- Film:The Big Broadcast of 1938 (1938)
- Performer(s):Bob Hope, Shirley Ross
- Music:Ralph Rainger
- Lyrics:Leo Robin
What became one of Bob Hope’s signature songs came from the musical comedy film “The Big Broadcast of 1938,” the last in a series of variety show anthology films. “Thanks for the Memories” came about in a scene between Hope’s character and the character played by Shirley Ross. The two play a divorced couple who meet up and reminisce about the good times and bad times they shared together.
39 / 100
- Film:Beauty and the Beast (1991)
- Performer(s):Angela Lansbury (as Mrs. Potts)
- Music:Alan Menken
- Lyrics:Howard Ashman
This love ballad from Disney stalwarts Alan Menken and Howard Ashman underscores the definitive scene from the film “Beauty and the Beast.” Within the context of the film, the characters Belle and Beast are realizing their true feelings for each other, culminating in a ballroom dance sequence that required technically complex animation. The song is performed by the character of Mrs. Potts, relaying the “tale as old as time.” The song has been covered countless times (most famously for the film’s end credits by Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson). It’s included in the Broadway adaptation of the film and was included in the 2017 live-action remake.
40 / 100
- Film:Summer Stock (1950)
- Performer(s):Judy Garland
- Music:Harold Arlen
- Lyrics:Ted Koehler
Judy Garland’s final film with studio MGM and actor Gene Kelly was “Summer Stock,” in which Garland unveiled her rendition of the song “Get Happy.” Years later, Garland would perform the song in a duet with Barbra Streisand on “The Judy Garland Show.” The song appeared in other pop culture media for decades, including “Twin Peaks,” “House,” “Glee,” and “Saturday Night Live.”
41 / 100
- Film:When Harry Met Sally (1989)
- Performer(s):Frank Sinatra, Harry Connick Jr.
- Music:Isham Jones
- Lyrics:Gus Kahn
The song “It Had to Be You” has a long history in film, being featured in movies from the 1930s to the 1990s. But the most famous use of the song was in “When Harry Met Sally,” with an upbeat rendition of the song by Harry Connick Jr. essentially serving as the theme to the movie. The song has also appeared in “Casablanca,” “Annie Hall,” “A League of Their Own,” and “Show Business.”
42 / 100
- Performer(s):Marni Nixon (dubbing Natalie Wood), Jimmy Bryant (dubbing Richard Beymer)
- Music:Leonard Bernstein
- Lyrics:Stephen Sondheim
The film adaptation of the Broadway musical “West Side Story” is full of showstoppers and dancing tunes, but one of the more famous sequences from the film simply finds the two romantic leads singing to each other on a fire escape. Tony (Richard Beymer), the “Romeo” of the duo, meets up with his “Juliet” Maria (Natalie Wood), although both actors were dubbed for the singing portions of the scene. “Tonight” was heavily covered by other artists of the era, most prominently by Shirley Bassey.
43 / 100
- Film:Rocky (1976)
- Performer(s):DeEtta Little, Nelson Pigford
- Music:Bill Conti
- Lyrics:Carol Connors, Ayn Robbins
Even those who don’t consider themselves film buffs will recognize the “Rocky” theme song, even if they didn’t know that it has a title. In one of the most famous montage sequences in cinema history, Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) undertakes a difficult workout regiment, ending with the iconic shot of Rocky running up the stairs of the Philadelphia Art Museum and striking a victory pose. The sequence is often parodied by other films and television shows, often with “Gonna Fly Now,” or at the very least, a parody or soundalike song.
44 / 100
- Film:The Thomas Crown Affair (1968)
- Performer(s):Noel Harrison
- Music:Michel Legrand
- Lyrics:Alan and Marilyn Bergman
The song “The Windmills of Your Mind” is the result of a collaboration between French composer Michel Legrand and American lyricists Alan and Marilyn Bergman, with the English version of the song first appearing in the heist film “The Thomas Crown Affair.” Within the film itself, the dramatic song plays during the opening credits and also during a scene in which the eponymous Thomas Crown (Steve McQueen) flies a glider. The song title is a nod to Cervantes’ “Don Quixote,” and was meant to reflect Crown’s ambivalent feelings about going forward with the heist.
45 / 100
- Film:Gigi (1958)
- Performer(s):Maurice Chevalier
- Music:Frederick Loewe
- Lyrics:Alan Jay Lerner
The 1958 musical “Gigi” is considered one of the last great musicals from studio MGM, and as such contains a number of significant musical numbers. The tune “Thank Heaven for Little Girls” is often associated with Maurice Chevalier, who portrayed an old debauchee; near the beginning of the film, he sings a jovial song about little girls. The song also found life in Broadway adaptations of “Gigi,” along with appearances in commercials and covers from people like Bing Crosby.
46 / 100
- Film:Flashdance (1983)
- Performer(s):Irene Cara
- Music:Giorgio Moroder
- Lyrics:Keith Forsey, Irene Cara
Irene Cara’s only #1 song on the charts was for “Flashdance,” a film that very much carried the style of music videos and followed a young woman (Jennifer Beals) aspiring to be a professional ballerina. The song “Flashdance... What a Feeling” had music by Italian disco and electronic artist Giorgio Moroder and joined other popular songs from the film such as “Maniac.” The song, which won an Oscar, was used in the opening sequence in which Beals’ character performs a dance routine for an audition.
47 / 100
- Film:The King and I (1956)
- Performer(s):Marni Nixon (dubbing Deborah Kerr), Yul Brynner
- Music:Richard Rodgers
- Lyrics:Oscar Hammerstein II
The show tune “Shall We Dance?” was impactful enough that it became the namesake of a popular 1995 Japanese film. The original Rodgers and Hammerstein song found the characters of Anna and the King of Siam in a disagreement concerning love and infatuation, resulting in a dance number. The film version of “The King and I” featured Deborah Kerr and Yul Brynner, albeit with Marni Nixon dubbing the former.
48 / 100
- Film:Goldfinger (1964)
- Performer(s):Shirley Bassey
- Music:John Barry
- Lyrics:Leslie Bricusse, Anthony Newley
While Bond fans may debate the best James Bond opening theme overall, fans of the franchise would likely point to Shirley Bassey’s “Goldfinger” as an all-time classic. With booming orchestration and Bassey’s roaring voice, the song conveyed the cold nature of the eponymous villain. Bassey has since re-recorded and performed the song, culminating with a tribute at the 2013 Academy Awards celebrating 50 years of Bond films.
49 / 100
- Film:Porgy and Bess (1959)
- Performer(s):Loulie Jean Norman
- Music:George Gershwin
- Lyrics:DuBose Heyward
The 1935 opera “Porgy and Bess” eventually became a 1959 musical film of the same name, retaining all of the original folk and spiritual musical numbers. One significant song from the opera is “Summertime,” which is reprised numerous times throughout the story; the film version has Loulie Jean Norman perform the song. While “Porgy and Bess” may be controversial today for how it depicts African Americans, “Summertime” has endured, having been covered by artists from Sam Cooke to Janis Joplin.
50 / 100
- Film:Fame (1980)
- Performer(s):Irene Cara
- Music:Michael Gore
- Lyrics:Dean Pitchford
As the title may imply, the film “Fame” depicts a number of young people at New York’s High School of Performing Arts, working their way through auditions to achieve their own taste of fame. The theme song, also called “Fame,” was sung by Irene Cara, who also acted as one of the lead characters of the film. In one iconic scene, the song inspires students to dance in the street. The song also won the Oscar for Best Original Song.
51 / 100
- Film:Blackboard Jungle (1955)
- Performer(s):Bill Haley and His Comets
- Music/Lyrics:Bill Haley and the Comets
The rock 'n' roll song “Rock Around the Clock” was written in 1952, but it entered the public consciousness through a rendition by Bill Haley and His Comets. This version’s use in the opening of the film “Blackboard Jungle” is credited to the skyrocketing success of the song. The song served as a sort of anthem to the rebellious teenage youth of the decade that was depicted in the film.
52 / 100
- Film:Singin' in the Rain (1952)
- Performer(s):Donald O'Connor
- Music:Nacio Herb Brown
- Lyrics:Arthur Freed
In an early scene of “Singin’ in the Rain,” Donald O'Connor’s character tells Gene Kelly’s character about the importance of comedy for their audiences and proceeds to perform a physically exhausting slapstick comedic dance number. O’Connor performs many pratfalls, jumps, gags, and backflips, making this number possibly one of the epitomes of physical comedy. Urban legend has it that O’Connor was bedridden for days after filming. The sequence is often paid tribute to, with the show “Glee” attempting a reenactment, along with a performance of the song from Joseph Gordon-Levitt for “Saturday Night Live.”
53 / 100
- Film:The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)
- Performer(s):Doris Day
- Music/Lyrics:Ray Evans, Jay Livingston
Many songs in films are used to set a tone, but in the case of “The Man Who Knew Too Much,” the song “Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)” had an important role in the actual story. Appearing diegetically and performed by actress Doris Day, the song is sung by her character in hopes that her son will hear it and avoid danger. The song became Doris Day’s signature song in real life, and it gained a different form of popularity when English football fans took it up as a losing anthem.
54 / 100
- Film:Song of the South (1946)
- Performer(s):James Baskett
- Music:Allie Wrubel
- Lyrics:Ray Gilbert
One of the most well-known songs is the catchy “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah,” which originated from Disney’s controversial film “Song of the South.” Though the song endures, the film itself contains a number of elements considered to be racist. In the ensuing decades, Disney has invoked “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah” in entirely separate contexts, such as in more inclusive Disney television programs or at some of the company’s theme parks.
55 / 100
- Film:Funny Girl (1968)
- Performer(s):Barbra Streisand
- Music:Jule Styne
- Lyrics:Bob Merrill
The biographical stage musical “Funny Girl” focused on the life of Fanny Brice, with Barbra Streisand taking on the role of Brice in both the stage and eventual film adaptations. This musical number has a bit of an angry and defiant context within the film, with Brice being the one telling all who’ll listen to not “rain on her parade.” Streisand has performed the song live on multiple occasions, and it was reintroduced to audiences through the show “Glee” when it was performed by actress Lea Michele.
56 / 100
- Film:The Band Wagon (1953)
- Performer(s):Fred Astaire, Jack Buchanan, Nanette Fabray, Oscar Levant
- Music:Arthur Schwartz
- Lyrics:Howard Dietz
Penned specifically for the film “The Band Wagon,” the song “That’s Entertainment” quickly became synonymous with MGM Studios and Hollywood in general. Cast members Fred Astaire, Jack Buchanan, Nanette Fabray, and Oscar Levant perform the song in the movie as their characters plan out a new Broadway show as a career comeback.
57 / 100
- Film:Beaches (1988)
- Performer(s):Bette Midler
- Music/Lyrics:Larry Henley, Jeff Silbar
The song “Wind Beneath My Wings” had an extended lifespan lasting throughout the 1980s, recorded by a number of artists from 1982 into the early ‘90s. It took until 1988 for the song to really chart, with a version by Bette Midler gracing the soundtrack of the film “Beaches.” Thanks to the emotional context of the film, the song became a #1 single. The song plays near the end of the film when a key character passes away from a terminal illness.
58 / 100
- Film:Swing Time (1936)
- Performer(s):Fred Astaire
- Music:Jerome Kern
- Lyrics:Dorothy Fields
Back in the days when film studio RKO still had a presence in Hollywood, the film “Swing Time” was thought to be one of the more successful musicals of its time. Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers starred in this dance musical, with the tune “The Way You Look Tonight” emerging as the most popular song from the film. In a tender scene, Astaire’s character sings the song to Rogers’ character as she washes her hair in an adjacent room.
59 / 100
- Film:Guys and Dolls (1955)
- Performer(s):Marlon Brando, Ensemble
- Music/Lyrics:Frank Loesser
The signature song of the musical “Guys and Dolls” is “Luck Be a Lady,” sung by the gambler Sky Masterson (Marlon Brando) as he is making a bet that could determine his relationship with a romantic interest. The 1955 film adaptation found Brando singing the number in what was essentially the climax of the film. Beyond “Guys and Dolls,” “Luck Be a Lady” was also immensely popular thanks to a rendition from Frank Sinatra, who happened to co-star in the film as a different character.
60 / 100
- Film:On the Town (1949)
- Performer(s):Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, and Jules Munshin
- Music:Leonard Bernstein
- Lyrics:Betty Comden, Adolph Green
The stage musical “On the Town” and its film adaptation focused on three sailors on shore leave exploring the city of New York. The film featured Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, and Jules Munshin as the sailors enamored with “New York, New York.” The song was still referenced and parodied in the decades that followed, although the song shouldn’t be confused with the “Theme from New York, New York.”
61 / 100
- Film:Do the Right Thing (1989)
- Performer(s):Public Enemy
- Music/Lyrics:Carlton Ridenhour, Hank Shocklee, Eric Sadler, Keith Shocklee
The opening credits of Spike Lee’s “Do the Right Thing” featured an intense dance number from Rosie Perez set to an equally intense hip-hop song by Public Enemy. The song makes numerous references to civil rights and African American figures, and samples from other sources like the music of James Brown. Within the film, the character of Radio Raheem carries a boombox that blares the song throughout different points of the film.
62 / 100
- Film:Days of Wine and Roses (1962)
- Performer(s):Chorus
- Music:Henry Mancini
- Lyrics:Johnny Mercer
The film “Days of Wine and Roses” depicted two adults on a slow downward spiral due to alcoholism. The theme song by Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer is appropriately somber and was powerful enough to win the Best Original Song trophy at the Academy Awards. Other singers such as Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, and Shirley Bassey have covered the song.
63 / 100
- Film:Shaft (1971)
- Performer(s):Isaac Hayes, Chorus
- Music/Lyrics:Isaac Hayes
Isaac Hayes made history by becoming the first African American to win Best Original Song at the Oscars, winning for the funk and soul theme from the blaxploitation film “Shaft.” The song is a call-and-response that relays the coolness and sex appeal of the protagonist, John Shaft (Richard Roundtree). The song is often referenced and parodied, especially for the exchange between Hayes and background singers in which he is interrupted by dropping profane words (“Shut yo’ mouth!”).
64 / 100
- Film:Going My Way (1944)
- Performer(s):Bing Crosby
- Music:James Van Heusen
- Lyrics:Johnny Burke
The popular standard “Swinging on a Star” was first introduced by Bing Crosby in the film “Going My Way.” Crosby’s character is a priest teaching kids at a new parish. The fun song that compares humans to animals is featured in a scene in which Crosby connects with the children.
65 / 100
- Film:Mary Poppins (1964)
- Performer(s):Julie Andrews, D**k Van Dyke, Ensemble
- Music/Lyrics:Richard M. Sherman, Robert B. Sherman
Out of all of the songs that the Sherman brothers wrote for Disney’s adaptation of “Mary Poppins,” “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” is one of the most memorable numbers despite being based on a long nonsensical word. In the film, Mary Poppins (Julie Andrews) uses the word when asked if she was at a “loss for words”—the word essentially means "something to say when you have nothing to say.” The scene caps off with a song-and-dance number featuring Bert the chimney sweep (D**k Van Dyke).
66 / 100
- Film:West Side Story (1961)
- Performer(s):Rita Moreno, George Chakiris, Ensemble
- Music:Leonard Bernstein
- Lyrics:Stephen Sondheim
The original stage version of “West Side Story” found the Puerto Rican girlfriends of the Sharks gang arguing about their conflicting likes and dislikes in regard to the United States, but the 1961 film version changed the dynamic. The film version of “America” added the Sharks as well, with the women taking the side of America while the men stated their distaste.
67 / 100
- Film:Shall We Dance (1937)
- Performer(s):Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers
- Music:George Gershwin
- Lyrics:Ira Gershwin
One of the highlights of the film “Shall We Dance” is a dance duet on rollerskates between Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in a number called “Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off.” The song famously made light of regional pronunciation and dialect differences with lyrics like “You like tomato / And I like to-mah-to.” The song was featured in other movies, including “When Harry Met Sally.”
68 / 100
- Film:Hair (1979)
- Performer(s):Ren Woods, Ensemble
- Music:Galt MacDermot
- Lyrics:Gerome Ragni, James Rado
“Hair,” the musical centered on hippie culture during the Vietnam War. The 1979 film adaptation began with the number “Age of Aquarius,” which established the tone and the characterization of the rest of the movie. When the song was initially released as a single, it was put in a medley with the song “Let the Sunshine In,” arguably a more popular song from the musical.
69 / 100
- Film:An American in Paris (1951)
- Performer(s):Gene Kelly
- Music:George Gershwin
- Lyrics:Ira Gershwin
George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin originally composed “I Got Rhythm” in 1930, and they included the song in their Broadway musical “Of Thee I Sing.” Two decades later, the song was the centerpiece of the film “An American in Paris,” starring Gene Kelly. In the most memorable scene, Kelly’s character sings the song and tap dances along with French children to whom he has taught a little bit of English.
70 / 100
- Film:New York, New York (1977)
- Performer(s):Liza Minnelli
- Music:John Kander
- Lyrics:Fred Ebb
More commonly known as “New York, New York,” the theme song for Martin Scorsese’s film of the same name surpassed the movie in terms of pure cultural impact. Liza Minnelli recorded the initial version of the song for the film, but the later version by Frank Sinatra became more popular. Both the tune and the lyrics are well known by the public, especially in the actual city of New York.
71 / 100
- Film:Stormy Weather (1943)
- Performer(s):Lena Horne
- Music/Lyrics:Harold Arlen, Ted Koehler
The 1943 film “Stormy Weather” was significant for having one of the earliest examples of an African American cast in Hollywood cinema. The film is actually named after the song, which was initially written in 1933 and meant to convey a sense of disappointment and pining. The 1943 film stars Lena Horne in a lengthy sequence that also featured dancing from Katherine Dunham.
72 / 100
- Film:Easy Rider (1969)
- Performer(s):Steppenwolf
- Music/Lyrics:Mars Bonfire
With Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper’s film “Easy Rider” serving as a prime example of counterculture media in the 1960s and ‘70s, it was appropriate that the song “Born to Be Wild” accompanied it. The rock song, though somewhat considered heavy metal, comes from the band Steppenwolf and played in scenes of Fonda and Hopper riding their motorcycles across the country. The song is still considered a classic and is often used in films and commercials.
73 / 100
- Film:South Pacific (1958)
- Performer(s):Giorgio Tozzi (dubbing Rossano Brazzi)
- Music:Richard Rodgers
- Lyrics:Oscar Hammerstein II
One of the more popular Rodgers and Hammerstein numbers is “Some Enchanted Evening,” which originated from their 1949 musical “South Pacific.” It is a love song from the male lead, who describes a stranger and vows that he will see her again. In the film, the male lead Emile is portrayed by Rossano Brazzi, although he is dubbed in singing parts by the bass singer Giorgio Tozzi.
74 / 100
- Film:Ghost (1990)
- Performer(s):The Righteous Brothers
- Music/Lyrics:Alex North, Hy Zaret
The song “Unchained Melody” was originally recorded in 1955 for a little-known film called “Unchained,” but a 1965 rerecording of the song by the Righteous Brothers popularized it. The song experienced a resurgence in the 1990 film “Ghost.” The song provided the background score to a steamy scene between Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore at the pottery wheel. The scene was parodied in popular culture long after the film’s release.
75 / 100
- Film:Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)
- Performer(s):Judy Garland
- Music/Lyrics:Hugh Martin, Ralph Blane
A number of musical standards were introduced thanks to the period piece “Meet Me in St. Louis,” one such being “The Trolley Song.” The film’s star Judy Garland was the center of this complex number, which of course had her character travel on a crowded trolley. “Clang, clang, clang went the trolley,” she sings. The lyrics were inspired by a popular (at the time) children’s picture book.
76 / 100
- Film:High Noon (1952)
- Performer(s):Tex Ritter
- Music:Dimitri Tiomkin
- Lyrics:Ned Washington
Also simply called “High Noon,” this song is the theme of a movie by the same name and is played throughout the film. “High Noon” is a Western starring Gary Cooper, and the theme song describes Cooper’s character Will Kane and his moral dilemmas. The song is also known by a title inspired by its opening lyrics, “Do Not Forsake Me, Oh My Darlin’.”
77 / 100
- Film:Show Boat (1936)
- Performer(s):Paul Robeson
- Music:Jerome Kern
- Lyrics:Oscar Hammerstein II
One of the earliest musicals to ever grace the Broadway stage was “Show Boat,” which depicted people on a Mississippi riverboat during the Reconstruction Era. The show tune “Ol’ Man River” dives straight into the hardships of African Americans, comparing their many trials and tribulations with the flow of the river. The film version had Paul Robeson leading the ultimately hopeful, but somewhat bittersweet, song.
78 / 100
- Film:Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
- Performer(s):B.J. Thomas
- Music:Burt Bacharach
- Lyrics:Hal David
Hal David and Burt Bacharach wrote the musical score for the classic film “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” but their work for the film also included the equally treasured song “Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head.” The song plays during a happy montage centering on Butch (Paul Newman) and Etta (Katherine Ross). The song is still a standard in modern-day pop culture, and has often appeared in other films like “Forrest Gump” and “Spider-Man 2.”
79 / 100
- Film:Midnight Cowboy (1969)
- Performer(s):Harry Nilsson
- Music/Lyrics:Fred Neil
Fred Neil had written and performed “Everybody’s Talkin’” in 1966, but the song reached new heights a couple of years later when Harry Nilsson recorded a cover for the film “Midnight Cowboy.” Serving as the theme for the Dustin Hoffman and Jon Voight movie, both the song and the film are synonymous with each other. The song has since appeared in other films, including “Forrest Gump,” “Borat,” and “The Hangover Part III.”
80 / 100
- Film:Jailhouse Rock (1957)
- Performer(s):Elvis Presley
- Music/Lyrics:Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller
The film “Jailhouse Rock” was conceived with Elvis Presley in mind, and the singer-actor starred as a prisoner who later becomes a rock star upon his release. The title song, “Jailhouse Rock,” was the basis for a musical number that is thought to be Presley’s greatest moment on the big screen, and undoubtedly one of the highlights of his career. The song was also covered by The Beatles and Queen in later years.
81 / 100
- Film:West Side Story (1961)
- Performer(s):Jimmy Bryant (dubbing Richard Beymer), Marni Nixon (dubbing Natalie Wood)
- Music:Leonard Bernstein
- Lyrics:Stephen Sondheim
Also titled “There’s a Place For Us,” “Somewhere” was a memorable love song between the characters of Tony and Maria in the musical “West Side Story.” Taking a break from all of the gang warfare and dancing, the two characters sing a somber song about finding a better place and reaffirming their love for each other even amidst the violence. Covers by Barbra Streisand and The Supremes were also highly popular.
82 / 100
- Film:Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
- Performer(s):Adriana Caselotti (as Snow White)
- Music:Frank Churchill
- Lyrics:Larry Morey
The innovative and legendary Disney animated film “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” cemented Disney’s tradition of turning out sweeping, fairytale-inspired musicals. In the song “Someday My Prince Will Come,” Snow White (voiced by Adriana Caselotti) shares her fantasies about her dream love with her dwarf friends. As with many Disney standards, the song has seen a number of pop covers, along with a few jazz interpretations.
83 / 100
- Film:Cabaret (1972)
- Performer(s):Liza Minnelli
- Music:John Kander
- Lyrics:Fred Ebb
The character of Sally Bowles sings the title song in the musical “Cabaret.” The scene is set in a night club during the rise of Nazi Germany, and it is essentially an ode to escapism—and to invite others to do the same. Liza Minnelli portrays the character in the film version, and for her performance in the film, she won an Academy Award for Best Actress.
84 / 100
- Film:My Fair Lady (1964)
- Performer(s):Marni Nixon (dubbing Audrey Hepburn)
- Music:Frederick Loewe
- Lyrics:Alan Jay Lerner
The heroine of the musical “My Fair Lady,” named Eliza Doolittle, sings “I Could Have Danced All Night,” a song in which she expresses her excitement and elation after dancing with her tutor. Julie Andrews portrayed Eliza on Broadway, but the film put Audrey Hepburn in the role, with Marni Nixon as her singing voice. The song also had a role in the 1996 film “The Birdcage” in a scene with Nathan Lane, Hank Azaria, Gene Hackman, Robin Williams, and Dianne Wiest.
85 / 100
- Film:A Star Is Born (1976)
- Performer(s):Barbra Streisand
- Music:Barbra Streisand
- Lyrics:Paul Williams
Before the latest version of “A Star is Born” with Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga came the previous iteration of this story, which starred Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson. “Evergreen” was the main theme of the film, and it was co-written by Streisand and Paul Williams. Think of it as a precursor to Cooper and Gaga’s “Shallow,” as it’s one of the songs that the two lead characters perform together.
86 / 100
- Film:Top Hat (1935)
- Performer(s):Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers
- Music/Lyrics:Irving Berlin
Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers were a legendary Hollywood duo, appearing in 10 films together and often teaming up for huge dance numbers. One such film was “Top Hat,” which included a scene in which Astaire sings the song “Cheek to Cheek” to Rogers as they dance together. The song would be revived in the next century by Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga, who collaborated on Bennett’s album of high-profile duets, also called “Cheek to Cheek.”
87 / 100
- Film:Titanic (1997)
- Performer(s):Celine Dion
- Music:James Horner
- Lyrics:Will Jennings
James Cameron’s epic romance and disaster film “Titanic” was a box office and pop culture phenomenon and a large piece of that success is owed to the theme song performed by Celine Dion. Now considered to be Dion’s signature song, the power ballad plays throughout the film in some form or another, as it is also incorporated into the musical score by the song’s co-writer James Horner. The song remains highly influential to this day, in both cinema and pop culture.
88 / 100
- Film:Funny Girl (1968)
- Performer(s):Barbra Streisand
- Music:Jule Styne
- Lyrics:Bob Merrill
The biographical musical film “Funny Girl,” based on the life and career of Fanny Brice, starred Barbra Streisand in her feature film debut, reprising her role from the Broadway musical that the film is adapted from. “People” was one of the first songs written for the musical, centering on the point of Brice’s life when she is in a relationship with Nicky Arnstein. Afterward, Streisand often included “People” in her usual performance repertoire.
89 / 100
- Film:Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)
- Performer(s):Marilyn Monroe (also partial dubbing by Marni Nixon)
- Music:Jule Styne
- Lyrics:Leo Robin
Carol Channing introduced the song “Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend” in the original 1949 Broadway production of “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” but it was bombshell and icon Marilyn Monroe who brought it to the big screen. Monroe’s character performs the song, describing how one can exploit men for their money and riches. As the title of the song implies, diamonds are also a reoccurring element throughout the whole movie.
90 / 100
- Film:A Star Is Born (1954)
- Performer(s):Judy Garland
- Music:Harold Arlen
- Lyrics:Ira Gershwin
Every iteration of “A Star is Born” has its own iconic song, and the 1954 Judy Garland version has “The Man That Got Away.” Composer Harold Arlen had already provided Garland with another career-boosting song in “Over the Rainbow,” and “The Man That Got Away” provided Garland with the most important music scene in the film. The sequence, all shot in one take, features Garland’s character performing the song in front of a small, musicians-only crowd in a night club.
91 / 100
- Film:The Sound of Music (1965)
- Performer(s):Julie Andrews
- Music:Richard Rodgers
- Lyrics:Oscar Hammerstein II
The title song of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “The Sound of Music” is an introduction to the character of Maria, and how her carefree nature complements the natural world. The iconic opening scene of the film adaptation sees Julie Andrews in the role of Maria wandering an open field and declaring that “the hills are alive with the sound of music.” Both the tune and lyrics are still referenced in popular culture, with one significant example in the film “Moulin Rouge!”
92 / 100
- Film:Saturday Night Fever (1977)
- Performer(s):The Bee Gees
- Music/Lyrics:Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb
As famous as John Travolta’s star turn in “Saturday Night Fever” was one of the main singles from the soundtrack, the Bee Gees classic “Stayin’ Alive.” Featuring the brothers’ usual falsetto tones, the song matches the film’s theme of surviving on the streets, with the song opening the film and showing Travolta’s character going on his usual rounds about the city. The film received a sequel titled “Staying Alive,” but it was critically lambasted.
93 / 100
- Film:The Way We Were (1973)
- Performer(s):Barbra Streisand
- Music:Marvin Hamlisch
- Lyrics:Alan and Marilyn Bergman
Barbra Streisand continued her film career through the 1970s, with one of her hits during the decade being the romantic film “The Way We Were,” which co-starred Robert Redford. The title song of the film, which was also the name of Streisand’s studio album that coincided with the film’s release, described the melancholic relationship between the characters played by Redford and Streisand. The song boosted Streisand’s career and won her an Academy Award for Best Original Song.
94 / 100
- Film:Pinocchio (1940)
- Performer(s):Cliff Edwards aka "Ukulele Ike" (as Jiminy Cricket)
- Music:Leigh Harline
- Lyrics:Ned Washington
Continuing Disney’s early streak of successful animated films was “Pinocchio,” a retelling of the classic tale of a wooden puppet who desires to become a human boy. The song “When You Wish Upon a Star” plays during the opening and closing of the film. It is sung by Cliff Edwards as the character of Jiminy Cricket. Since then, the song has been associated with Disney as a brand, and an instrumental version accompanies the Disney logo at the beginning of every Disney film.
95 / 100
- Film:The Graduate (1967)
- Performer(s):Simon &Garfunkel
- Music/Lyrics:Paul Simon
Simon &Garfunkel and their music had a large presence in the Dustin Hoffman film “The Graduate,” with “Mrs. Robinson” probably being the most important song on the film’s soundtrack. In the context of the film, Hoffman’s character is seduced by an older woman named Mrs. Robinson, and the upbeat folk-rock song plays during the scene, creating an uncomfortable context that mirrors Hoffman’s discomfort. The song is intertwined with the movie, along with another Simon &Garfunkel song, “The Sound of Silence.”
96 / 100
- Film:Holiday Inn (1942)
- Performer(s):Bing Crosby
- Music/Lyrics:Irving Berlin
Now a traditional Christmas song, “White Christmas” gained popularity through a version by Bing Crosby. First performed for Crosby’s NBC radio show, the song was also used in scenes depicting Christmas in the Crosby film “Holiday Inn.” It became a lasting example of how popular and successful secular Christmas songs could become.
97 / 100
- Film:Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)
- Performer(s):Audrey Hepburn
- Music:Henry Mancini
- Lyrics:Johnny Mercer
The song “Moon River” was performed by Audrey Hepburn for the film “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” but the song held personal importance for songwriter Johnny Mercer. The lyrics were based on his childhood experiences and memories, and the success of the song helped to revive his songwriting career. The song remains memorable, and also won an Oscar for Best Original Song.
98 / 100
- Film:Singin' in the Rain (1952)
- Performer(s):Gene Kelly
- Music:Nacio Herb Brown
- Lyrics:Arthur Freed
The film “Singin’ in the Rain” featured a number of standards and old classic tunes, with the song “Singin’ in the Rain” very obviously being the inspiration for the film’s title. The classic movie has a number of iconic scenes filled with energy, but perhaps none are more memorable than Gene Kelly singing and dancing to the song while splashing around in rain puddles. The optimistic song proved to have longevity in popular culture, and it’s still being used in television and film to this day.
99 / 100
- Film:Casablanca (1942)
- Performer(s):Dooley Wilson
- Music/Lyrics:Herman Hupfeld
“Casablanca” is one of the definitive romance movies in cinematic history, and part of it owes to the song “As Time Goes By.” Originally written in 1931, the song featured heavily in the 1942 film as a reoccurring motif. Sam, played in the film by Dooley Wilson, plays it at Humphrey Bogart’s request. Warner Bros. would use the song for their brand long after the film’s release, including it with their studio production logo at the beginning and end of their films.
100 / 100
- Film:The Wizard of Oz (1939)
- Performer(s):Judy Garland
- Music:Harold Arlen
- Lyrics:E. Y. Harburg
The ballad “Over the Rainbow” is the centerpiece of what is considered to be one of the greatest musical moments in film history, with Judy Garland performing the piece in “The Wizard of Oz.” Garland portrays Dorothy Gale, who vies to find a place where there isn’t any “trouble.” The song is essentially Dorothy’s “I want” song in which she expresses her desires. Possibly surpassing the original version in popularity is a cover by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, which turned the song into a ukelele-focused piece that has become a popular wedding song beloved by couples the world over.
