Songs In Movies

SONGS IN FILM: HEATH LEDGER- CAN’T TAKE MY EYES OFF YOU IN 10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU

There are just certain songs, that when you hear them, they automatically take you back to a time or place. It’s even more prevalent when it’s an older song too. Which adds to the fun as it might represent a different time or place for someone else. One of those songs is “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” by Frankie Valli of The Four Seasons. You’ve all heard the song a zillion times in assorted movies and TV shows. For many though, like me, when that song is played it automatically sends us to Padua High School (well actually Stadium High School in Seattle) on the bleacher steps as Patrick Verona (Heath Ledger) sang it oh so sweetly to Katarina Stratford (Julia Stiles) in the late 1990’s classic, 10 Things I Hate About You.

This scene has gone on to become one of the most famous musical movie moments. Even to this day, it’s such an iconic moment and scene that the song basically belongs to this film now. While filming the scene it repeatedly only took three takes for Heath Ledger to pull this fantastic scene off. Funny enough too, the original song thought of for the scene was “I Touch Myself” by the Austrailian band, Disvinyls. Can you imagine what Heath Ledger would have done with that?!

More recently, the song and scene have been thrust back into the spotlight as Julia Stiles is on the show Dancing With The Stars and she did a whole dance dedicated to Heath and that magical scene. So now, go watch 10 Things I Hate About You!

Heath Ledger (Frankie Valli)- Can’t Take My Eyes Off You in 10 Things I Hate About You:

NEW MUSIC SPOTLIGHT: THE SMASHING PUMPKINS- BLACK STARS

For the past few days since The Smashing Pumpkins released their new song “Black Stars,” it’s been on constant rotation/repeat. Having new music out there as the band is on tour with their Rats In A Cage tour (I’ll be at the Los Angeles date at The Forum, if you’re going), is another reason why you should be listening to The Smashing Pumpkins!

“Black Stars” is the first song the band have released that features producer Butch Vig, in thirty two years since Siamese Dream. This song is also part of the soundtrack to the upcoming film, The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping. Which is a perfect title to accompany a song from The Smashing Pumpkins. The song itself has a glistening sound that has a dash of Mellon Collie to it. Lyrically it’s classically dark with a distinct melody.

Hoping this one gets added to the set list for Los Angeles!

The Smashing Pumpkins- Black Stars:

SONGS IN FILM: SLAYER- ANGEL OF DEATH IN GREMLINS 2

Here’s a use of song in film that even I forgot about. Back in 1990 Gremlins 2: The New Batch was released. It was definitely a bit different than the original but, still a fun watch. So much so that when it came to the use of songs in the movie, they definitely went for it. Towards the end of the movie, Slayer’s “Angel Of Death” comes on during a hilarious yet chaotic scene in the movie. While it’s short, the use of the song during a campy moment really brings it all together! Enjoy!

Slayer- Angel Of Death in Gremlins 2:

SONGS IN FILM: THE SMASHING PUMPKINS- DOOMSDAY CLOCK IN TRANSFORMERS

Back in 2007 when the Michael Bay Transformers movie was about to come out, it was a big deal. Technology in film had finally reached a point where a live action Transformers movie would actually look good and hopefully be good as well. The end result was a decent movie that gave us all Megan Fox!

The soundtrack to the movie though is probably better than film. The Smashing Pumpkins, Linkin Park, Idiot Pilot, HIM, The Used, Disturbed and more. The Smashing Pumpkins song featured was “Doomsday Clock” from their very underrated 2007 album, Zeitgeist. When it’s used in the movie it’s in a very great spot and its riff heavy intro is a great use of the song in an action scene.

Enjoy this great song from The Smashing Pumpkins!

The Smashing Pumpkins- Doomsday Clock In Transformers (2007):

The Smashing Pumpkins- Doomsday Clock:

SONGS IN FILM: SOUNDGARDEN- OUTSHINED IN TRUE ROMANCE

You don’t get much more iconic 90’s than the film True Romance, Christian Slater, Brad Pitt, Tony Scott (director), Quentin Tarantino (writer) etc. That’s just that the film part. One the music side adding in Soundgarden’s “Outshined” to the mix really ups the auntie! 

There are many scenes in True Romance that are pretty iconic. There is one though that, during the editing process, using a temp track (a place holder until later music is picked during the editing process), has stood the test of time in all aspects. Brad Pitt’s character “Floyd” is the consummate stoner. The whole scene plays out in such a great way. Then you add in “Outshined,” especially the opening riff, it all really fits the vibe of the scene quite well. 

True Romance- Brad Pitt “Floyd” with Soundgarden “Outshined” Scene:

SONGS IN FILM: LOU REED- THIS MAGIC MOMENT IN LOST HIGHWAY

Ever since I went to see Nine Inch Nails a few days ago, I’ve had the Lost Highway soundtrack on repeat. It’s a fascinating soundtrack filled with great bands and artists like Nine Inch Nails, The Smashing Pumpkins, David Bowie and Lou Reed. I’ve been a Lou Reed fan since I was a little kid, thanks to my mom playing Lou’s solo albums and of course The Velvet Underground. I haven’t seen the film Lost Highway in a while but I will always remember it. The twisted, dark, and mystery of David Lynch’s is masterful and quite possibly the most underrated film of his career. There are a slew of great scenes in the film with music accompanying it perfectly. One such scene that has always stuck out to me was this one with Patricia Arquette, Balthazar Getty and Robert Loggia set to the song “This Magic Moment” by Lou Reed. Though it’s actually a cover of The Drifters and Jay and the Americans. Lou’s voice and the arrangement makes this such the fitting song piece of work for a David Lynch film. Trent Reznor was tasked with putting the whole soundtrack together and my oh my what a wonderful job! Enjoy this scene and song!

Lou Reed- This Magic Moment Scene In Lost Highway:

SONGS IN FILM: BERLIN- TAKE MY BREATH AWAY IN TOP GUN & GOING THE DISTANCE

I’m sure by now most people have seen the Tom Cruise movie, Top Gun. Or if you haven’t seen the movie, I’m sure you are familiar with a good chunk of the soundtrack. I mean we got Kenny Loggins “Danger Zone” out of it! But that’s not what this article is about. Of course there is “the scene” in Top Gun where the Berlin song “Take My Breath Away” plays and it’s so perfectly good. It’s one of those songs in film that is cemented forever. Now, the main reason for this article today wasn’t to share the Top Gun scene. Instead let’s go back to 2010 and the Drew Barrymore movie, Going The Distance. I’m a sucker for Drew Barrymore. Who isn’t? This movie is quite fun and charming. It stars Drew Barrymore and Justin Long as well as Christina Applegate, Charlie Day and Jason Sudeikis. There’s a part in the movie when Drew and Justin are about to make out and she notices a Top Gun poster in the room, and just as they start to make out… well you have to watch below. It’s utterly perfect and hilarious! Great use of the song and homage! Go watch the movie too!

Going The Distance- “Take My Breath Away” Top Gun Scene:

The Top Gun Scene:

SONGS IN FILM: THE SMASHING PUMPKINS- 1979 in CLERKS 2

Today is a cold and rainy day in Southern California. When I woke up this morning and looked out my window and saw the rain falling, a song popped in my head and it was one of those “OH?!” moments. I’m not entirely sure what the “OH” was all about but the song that popped up was The Smashing Pumpkins “1979” from their amazing album, Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness. Still wrapping my head around that album being 30 years old now. Anyways, as “1979” played in my mind and I stared out the window it reminded me of this really poignant scene in Kevin Smith’s Clerks 2, that has Dante in a very deep contemplative state about his life. This is a perfect song for this scene and I can’t believe I forgot about it. Now I feel like watching all the Clerks movies again! Enjoy this scene and song because both are great!

The Smashing Pumpkins- 1979 in Clerks II:

SONGS IN FILM: SID VICIOUS (FRANK SINATRA)- MY WAY FROM GOODFELLAS

I love watching movies and TV shows and having those moments when a song really brings a scene or moment to life. It’s genuinely a really great experience and those that last in your mind for quite some time. The other night I was watching the classic and one one the best mob movies of all time, Goodfellas. This movie is downright fantastic. Sometimes I wish it were a longer movie like Casino is. The scene at the end of the film and how things play out is one of those that should be studied in film school. The way it’s shot, the actors, and of course the song. Martin Scorcese has always had a great ear for picking songs for his films and his inclusion of “My Way” the Sid Vicious version not the Frank Sinatra one really adds to this even more. The attitude in the Sid version has always stood out to me and it comes even more to life with being a part of this scene.

Sid Vicious (Frank Sinatra)- My Way in Goodfellas:

Songs In Film: Refused- New Noise in Crank

Last night while looking for something to watch before bed, I found a movie I haven’t seen in a little bit. Thankfully too it just started. One thing I forgot about is the first song used in the movie and it inspired this post. While watching it dawned on me that the song that kicks the movie off is “New Noise” by Refused. What a perfect song to start this movie! It’s seriously very fitting for the scene and the things that happen next. Take moment and watch! And if it’s been a minute since you’ve seen Crank, I suggest a good re-watching! I’m now waiting for Crank 3 hahaha!

Crank with Refused’s “New Noise”: