Best Use of a Song in a Movie

Refers to the use of an existing song as a plot device. This means that the characters in the movie interact with the song in some way such as listening to it or singing it. Songs that are merely in the soundtrack are not suited for this list, but they can be added to the Best Use of a Song in a Movie Soundtrack top ten list. Also, songs in musicals or other songs written specifically for the movie are not included.

The Top Ten

1 Bohemian Rhapsody - Wayne's World

The movie scene that introduced Bohemian Rhapsody to a whole new generation of listeners. Everyone's parents seemed a little bit cooler after we found out they already had this song on vinyl.

just a great car scene with a legendary song that rocks :) my friends and I do this scene while we're in the car every time we hear it. - hawkcatcher04

Definately! Funniest part in the movie too. It helps that I know the lyrics. - fireinside96

Iconic scene from the film.

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2 Johnny B. Goode - Back to the Future

This is a Great Song used to perfection in the Film and Michael J FOX absolutely nailed it. And high up on -My Top 10- Actors who performed in a movie with Buddy Holly- Ray Charles & the Blues Brothers. GB - GrantzPlace

Chuck. Chuck. It's Marvin - your cousin, Marvin BERRY. You know that new sound you're looking for? Well, listen to this. - Ozilation

MJ Fox Sang the Song Himself. Of Course the Guitaring was not by him.

Best version of this song ever - westofohio

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3 Gonna Fly Now - Rocky

This song gives the movies energy! I always get so pumped every time I hear this song because it reminds me of these motivating training scenes!

4 The Banana Boat Song - Beetlejuice

That scene of this film is iconic! During a school football game, my friend and I couldn't think of a good cheer, so we just sang this song even though we had no idea what the words were! We called it "The Bettlejuice" song. Ha ha! - tcatron565

Ridiculously funny, my favorite scene!

funny song and they dance too. - JESSIEMEN

5 Twist & Shout - Ferris Bueller's Day Off

Hell yes Ferris Buller!

6 In your Eyes - Say Anything

Think of the song and a boombox. - RdrTech

7 Tiny Dancer - Almost Famous

I'm not voting for Queen- sue me. I've been on a bus full of people all singing to Tiny Dancer, and it's one of the best experiences I've ever had. - Queen-aholic

Who didn't want to be on that bus singing that song with Stillwater!? I know I did! - Apples007

If you haven't already sold your soul to rock n roll, this movie is sure to seal the deal.

He's awesome and cute and funny

8 I Put a Spell On You - Hocus Pocus

Okay lol I loved this one and low rider was great for that one, the beetlejuice one, but I LOVE this movie so I said it lol - thorn

Lol this song was in my head for months when I watched this film - Mongoose09

Bette Midler dig her thing!

She had your attention when she was singing that song in the movie.

9 The Time Of My Life - Dirty Dancing
10 Can't Take My Eyes Off of You - 10 Things I Hate About You

was really funny and heath ledger made it so spectacular, so lavish... couldn't have make use of better than this... wish I could do that... the movie was equally great... - underhill

The Contenders

11 Leavin' On A Jet Plane - Armageddon

You cannot beat this film. With leaving on a jet plane and miss you aerosmith. Cannot be beaten. Second song not listed. Should be would be close contender.

12 Only Hope- A Walk to Remember

Mandy Moore singing her own song in her movie is awesome! The movie itself was very inspiring, and together with the song are enough to make me teary-eyed. - kurtcardona

This is a great movie and I think its great that mandy moore is singing her own song in the movie she is in..

what's weird is that the book made me cry only at the end but when watching the movie I only cried when she ws singing this song - pixiebetch22

this movie and song made me cry and i love them both

13 Old Time Rock and Roll - Risky Business

I mean how many other movies and T.V. shows have copied or parodied this classic scene?

This song played an iconic role in Risky Business - MaverickRide

14 Where is My Mind - Fight Club
15 Layla - Goodfellas
16 Footloose - Footloose

Ok Kenny Loggins rocked this song!

And only Kenny Loggins rocked this song, not Blake Shelton - MaverickRide

17 What Is Love - A Night At the Roxbury

Who doesn't bob their head sideways when hearing this song because of Doug and Steve Butabi? - Freak_Show1

18 Superstar - Tommy Boy
19 Time Is On My Side - Fallen

Great use of the song for this movie. It was great. Only movie I saw as well out of all of these ones listed. - Undertaker15-0

was great went exactly with the film - daviboy22

20 Low Rider - Gone in 60 Seconds

good movie and great song all there is to say
- rickkybobby

War is a great band. Long standing sound

I liked low rider for years - Batman5335

LOVE THIS MOVIE AND SONG~! - metallicaholic95

21 Bennie and the Jets - 27 Dresses

that part in the movie was the best!! really good movie, really good song. - Lottie

22 Don't Stop Me Now - Shaun of the Dead

WHAT? They use one of the best Queen songs in yet another movie? Awesome! See, people are starting to understand!

Shut the Queen off

No, it sounds perfect with the scene you're in hah aha

Shaun: David! Kill the Queen!

David: WHAT?!

Shaun: THE JUKEBOX!

"Who the hell put this on? "
"It's on random! "

23 When the SH-- Goes Down - This is the End
24 All Star - Shrek

Created a meme sensation. - ParasN2000

25 Super Freak - Little Miss Sunshine

Olive is hilarious couldn't have chosen a better song, shame the movie was crap! - thetopten

26 Panama - Superbad

hillarious movie and kick ass song. that scene was so awesome!

27 Always On My Mind - Practical Magic

So creepy, once you realize what's going on. It almost gives me chills.

28 Stayin' Alive - Saturday Night Fever
29 You Never Can Tell - Pulp Fiction
30 Purple Rain - Purple Rain

Just watch it. Millions of fans over twenty years are based on this musical movie moment.

31 Por ti Volare - Step Brothers

it seems they put this song in this movie just to make the top of this list - louiethefly

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32 Pocket Full of Sunshine - Easy A
33 Singing In the Rain - Clockwork Orange
34 Goodbye Horses - Silence of the Lambs
35 I Feel Pretty - Anger Management

I was laughing so hard I was bawling - PinkLemonade

36 Stuck in the Middle with You - Reservoir Dogs
37 And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going - Dreamgirls
38 I Say a Little Prayer for You - My Best Friends Wedding

Highlight of the entire Film

39 Low - Tropic Thunder

me and all my friends make up dances to this somg - lilbert12345

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40 I Will Always Love You - The Bodyguard
41 Coconut - Practical Magic

Another great one! You put the lime in the coconut...

42 So Close - Enchanated
43 Da Ya Think Im Sexy? - So, I Married an Axe Murderer
44 Supermassive Black Hole - Twilight
45 Misirlou - Pulp Fiction
46 Mad World - Donnie Darko
47 Life In a House - Yugvijay Tiwari

I think this list is popular because of yugvijay tiwari he shared it on his Facebook page I love him...

61 come on guys vote it up only Indian horror movie which is really awesome vote it up!

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48 Mama Told Me Not to Come - Boogie Nights
49 Can't Take My Eyes Off You - The Deer Hunter

All the friends are hangin out, getting drunk and playing pool while singing "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" by Frankie Valli before they go off to Vietnam. An unbelievably well shot and acted scene and, in my opinion, the best musical scene ever to be in a movie.

50 Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Stepmom
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List Stats

2,000 votes
108 listings
12 years, 185 days old

Top Remixes (8)

1. Bohemian Rhapsody - Wayne's World
2. Johnny B. Goode - Back to the Future
3. The Time Of My Life - Dirty Dancing
htoutlaws2012
1. Stuck in the Middle with You - Reservoir Dogs
2. Where is My Mind - Fight Club
3. You Never Can Tell - Pulp Fiction
NK1998
1. The Banana Boat Song - Beetlejuice
2. Gonna Fly Now - Rocky
3. Mama Told Me Not to Come - Boogie Nights
Smmaloney1

WRemix
View All 8

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