There’s always something about a song written specifically for a movie that anybody can listen to and talk about for months on how memorable they turned out to be. Depending on your taste in music, these have this sense of feeling powerful or cheerful on what kind of movie it’s attached to. What do these songs have in common? They have been recognized as hit songs that relate to the film’s characters or just anything that stood out the most for how well-crafted they turned out to be. Since I love both movies and music, this wasn’t that hard of a list of come up with.
And this isn’t a list on musical scores since that’ll be for another possible list for another time; this list is dedicated to the songs are the most memorable taken from their soundtracks that I believe are great. Here are 10 of the best songs that contributed wisely to their films of the 2010s.
10) “Heathens” by twenty one pilots – Suicide Squad
Suicide Squad wasn’t a good superhero movie. As a matter of fact, the best way to describe it is disappointing crap. One of those problems was that it felt like a music video with a ton of music cues in the first act. But with the soundtrack, the one unbelievably catchy song was twenty one pilots’ “Heathens.” The track from the Grammy-winning duo mentions that everybody has issues that not everybody knows and not rejecting those who are outsiders. When it hits the bridge is where it really hits home. This was the first song to play during the end credits, and it was one of the more redeemable factors in the movie.
9) “Cups (When I’m Gone)” by Anna Kendrick- Pitch Perfect
If you’ve seen Pitch Perfect (you should if you haven’t), you would remember the scene where Becca (Anna Kendrick) was the last one to audition for the Bellas, and she performed this song with only a cup. Who would have thought it would turn into a single months later? I didn’t. Even for someone that still doesn’t know how to perform with the cups themselves, “Cups (When I’m Gone)” about a girl wanting to leave to go to other places is undeniably good. So popular that it made it into the Billboard Hot 100. Too bad Kendrick didn’t record another song like because she’s a great singer (not being bias).
8) “See You Again” by Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth- Furious 7
Furious 7, the seventh installment in the Fast and Furious, was a ton of fun, but also sad knowing that Paul Walker tragically passed away. The ending combined with Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth’s song was beautifully touching. The best way to describe the meaning of what it’s all about, besides being a tribute to Walker, is that even though say goodbye can be tough, there’s a chance you’ll see each other again, like how Dominic will meet-up with Brain down the road. Try not to tear up when this plays on the radio. The fact that this didn’t get nominated for an Oscar is pretty blasphemous.
7) “Drive It Like You Stole It” by Sing Street- Sing Street
Many original songs from John Carney’s underrated Sing Street are all so great like “Riddle of the Model” and “To Find You.” Though the one that can get stuck in your head is “Drive It Like You Stole It.” How to describe it? Catchy as it was tailor-made for something to come out of the decade. Sounding similar to Stevie Wonder’s “Part-Time Lover” and Elton John’s “I’m Still Standing,” this diddy is all about taking control of your life. How did this song not get an Oscar nomination?
6) “Glory” by Common and John Legend- Selma
A song like “Glory” from Ava DuVernay’s underappreciated Selma deserves to be played during Black History Month. Why this works excellently is that mixing in Common’s rap-style and John Legend’s soulful vocals the flows through the chorus about how we should fight against those who won’t give us freedom based on our skin colors. A very relevant song that still talks about the issues most are facing to this day. When they performed the song during the Oscars, that was one of the best performances from the ceremony I’ve ever seen that was honestly powerful and unforgettable. No dry tears were shown that night.
5) “Everything Is Awesome!!!” by Tegan and Sara ft. The Lonely Island- The LEGO Movie
In The LEGO Movie, “Everything Is Awesome!!!” is so popular and upbeat that it’s everybody’s favorite song in the town of Bricksburg. Can you blame them? The animated movie is already amazing for being creative and fun, though the song is sung by Tegan and Sara ft. The Lonely Island is instantly catchy. What’s much to say besides it’s a song about everything being awesome. The Lonely Island made great points of listing things that are just that, including A Nobel prize and blue skies.
4) “Let It Go” by Idina Menzel- Frozen
The one Disney song that parents must’ve been tired of listening to in the car. The Frozen franchise is carried through its respective soundtracks, but no other song gained attention more than “Let It Go.” Elsa’s signature song after she left Arendelle and embraces her magical ice powers and finally able to be her true self. Has this ever been annoying? Not to me. The first time I saw Frozen and being blown away by the song, the thought inside my head was, “That’s our Oscar winner right there.”
3) “City of Stars” by Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone- La La Land
Damien Chazelle’s La La Land still proves to be one of my all-time favorite movies, and it honestly made musicals cool again in my mind. While “Audition (The Fools Who Dream)” is an inspiring song that made me cry and I believe won Emma Stone the Oscar, my pick has to go the Oscar-winning tune “City of Stars” that was my favorite. The melancholy song written by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul feels that the dreams we want to come true. The lyrics speak to what and will go through Ryan Gosling’s Sebastian and Stone’s Mia relationship and their separate dreams. Or at least that’s how I interpret it. I always try my best to whistle the opening when Ryan Gosling sings it the first time.
2) “Shallow” by Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga- A Star is Born
Just from the first trailer, we all knew that “Shallow” would be a huge hit off the soundtrack to the 2018 remake of A Star is Born. The best scene from the entire movie was when Jackson (Bradley Cooper) invites Ally (Lady Gaga) on stage to perform the song, and there’s so much that felt real throughout that sequence. All about leaping into some kind of love and not taking it for granted. Not only is this award-winning song is performed through grace by Cooper and Gaga’s vocals, was there any song from last year that was more popular than this?
1) “Skyfall” by Adele- Skyfall
Out of all the songs that have been a part of the Jame Bond series, nothing could beat “Skyfall.” There’s no better artist to sing this titular theme, which was the first Bond song to win Best Original Song at the Oscars, than the talented Adele. “Skyfall” is a near masterpiece of music that’s the exact song fitting perfect for the film’s dark tone, which made it one of the best films in the franchise. It’s a track that’s beautifully haunting every time I listen to it. Even just watching the opening title sequence absolutely gives me the chills. How about we get here to sing the theme for No Time to Die? By all means, “Skyfall” should be recognized as a modern classic.
Honorable Mentions:
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse– “Sunflower” by Post Malone and Swae Lee
The Great Gatsby– “Young and Beautiful” by Lana Del Rey and “Over the Love” by Florence + The Machine
The Greatest Showman– “This is Me” by Keala Settle and Ensemble and “Never Enough” by Loren Allred
Coco– “Remember Me” by Benjamin Bratt
Moana– “How Far I’ll Go” by Auli’i Cravalho
Despicable Me 2– “Happy” by Pharrell Williams
Call Me By Your Name– “Mystery of Love” and “Visions of Gideon” by Sufjan Stevens
Fifty Shades of Grey– “Love Me Like You Do” by Ellie Goulding
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