Some of my Favourite Musical Moments in Film
Now when I say ‘musical moments’ I must clarify I don’t mean actual musicals because generally and with some (small) exception I absolutely hate musicals. So this is a celebration of my favourite musical moments within normal movies – a mix up of scores and songs. ENJOY. And watch out for spoilers.
No.1 ‘Kaneda’s Death Pt 2’ /Adagio in D Minor – Sunshine (2007)
Adagio in D Minor is my favourite film score EVER. I really love it, like loads and loads. Kaneda’s Death Pt 2 is pretty much the standard Adagio in D Minor but with a few differences. When Kaneda dies, it’s an intense part of the film and the first time we hear Adagio in D Minor in its entirety. It truly made Sunshine an unforgettable experience for me.
“Tell me…..what do you see?”
No.2 Sean Pertwee singing ‘Fireball XL5’ – Love, Honour & Obey (2000)
Love, Honour & Obey is a fun little movie. A little known British effort, kind of a tongue-in-cheek gangster movie. And the soundtrack is especially awesome because each cast member sings a song. Ray Winstone, Jonny Lee Miller, Kathy Burke, Jude Law…. they all do karaoke at some point, but it’s Sean Pertwee singing Fireball XL5 that is undoubtedly my favourite.
No.3 Vince & Jules leave the coffee shop to ‘Surf Rider’ – Pulp Fiction (1994)
This has always been my favourite track from the Pulp Fiction soundtrack. I always thought it was such brilliant music to use at the end of the film. I know it’s not really the end and shock fucking horror Travolta’s dead! But it’s still perfect music when Vince and Jules walk out the coffee shop together. Cool as fuck.
No.4 ‘Blue Moon’ on a full moon – An American Werewolf in London (1981)
The song Blue Moon is used in this film not less than three times. Bobby Vinton sings one version and The Marcels sing the well known doo wop version. But the version (how many times can I say version? Is there another word for version?) I chose today is by Sam Cooke and plays during the famous transformation scene. And who do I love apart from John Landis and werewolves and stuff? Sam Cooke.
No.5 Frankenstein’s Monster – X-Men First Class (2011)
I really like Henry Jackson’s soundtrack for this film and it was Magneto’s theme that made me sit up and notice it in the first place. There’s not a scene in the entire movie that’s cooler than this one and apart from the wonderful Fassbender I think it’s got a lot to do with the music. Powerful stuff.
“Blut und Ehre“
No.6 A lap dance ‘Down in Mexico’ – Death Proof (2007)
Death Proof is one of my favourite Tarantino movies and its soundtrack is truly rocking! I’m cheating a tiny wee bit because I’m pretty sure this scene wasn’t included in the theatrical cut but oh well. The Coasters ‘Down in Mexico’ is so cool and Arlene’s dance is sexy as hell.
No.7 ‘Fuckin in the Bushes’ with Mickey – Snatch (2000)
Just LOVE this, always have, always will. Fuck yeah! The song (by Oasis) is brilliant and Brad Pitt looks fit as anything. It’s a great final fight and ending to the film.
No.8 Gingerbread Man ‘Holding Out for a Hero’ – Shrek 2 (2004)
I’ve always enjoyed this and I may even be guilty of watching it on YouTube from time to time. It’s an exciting scene for a kids movie and a lot of that has to do with the Fairy Godmother singing Holding Out for a Hero, which is perfect as Shrek and his motely crew fight their way through the town. Warning – may contain Mild Peril.
No.9 ‘Gimme Shelter’ in – The Departed (2006)
I think I love this song almost as much as Scorsese does. It’s such a cool fucking song and I always knew I’d choose The Departed for this slot over Goodfellas or Casino. Apart from the fact I’ve never seen Casino, that opening scene is a corker and I can hear Jack Nicholson saying “environment” in a Boston accent as I type this.
No. 10 ‘The Man with a Harmonica’ Showdown – Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)
Ahhhhh I love this. I love this, I love this! And I love my grandad who first showed it to me and opened up my eyes and ears considerably. One of my favourite ever showdowns, this scene between Harmonica and Frank is so great. Some people say the music is a little creepy which I guess is fair, but it’s perfect for avenging that’s for sure.
Honourable mentions:
The Guest and The Little Mermaid both have great soundtracks and the only reason I didn’t include either of them was simply because I couldn’t decide on one defining musical moment.
emmakwall (explains it all) 
My personal favorite is “Pomp and Circumstance,” during the head explosion scene in Kingsman. I almost died of laughter the first time I saw that. 😂
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Wow! I’ve not seen it 🙂 but I would like to now…!! 🙂
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It’s great, I’d highly recommend it.
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Emma…..you are a CLASSIC!
Love that opening scene in Planet Terror! Rose McGowan was born to play that role. Terribly underrated film and her role in it!
“I’m going to be a stand-up comedienne!”
“But you’re not funny!”
My favourite music piece……..difficult question………how about when “Shane” rides into town for that final showdown! That music sends shivers up and down my spine……….dramatic as hell!!!!
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“Shane! Come back Shane!” ha ha 🙂 great choice!!
Thanks for the kind words 🙂
Yeah that is a great scene, I do love that song as well, it’s so dark and sexy. I loved her in the film too and her character was great! “Useless talent number 42” (or whatever the number was!)
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Yeah……….Rose (Cherry) and her “Useless Talents”! All her idea apparently, those “Useless Talents”! She suggested it to the Director and he agreed. And why wouldn’t he……….weren’t they having an affair? Who could blame him?
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Well…he was married so maybe his wife could blame him :p
I like Rose though, none of my business!
I like it when El Ray says “but you’re not funny” and she says “everyone seems to think I’m fucking hilarious” all pissed off lol
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Yeah, they are a scream together. Terribly overlooked/underrated film and I love Deqth Proof as well…………Kurt Russell is great! Another great soundtrack! Tarantino has a habit of great soundtracks! The opening scene of Inglorious Basterds…….Nazis driving up to French Refugee house and Tarantino has Spaghetti Western music playing! Brilliant!
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That bit is very good 🙂 I really like the Inglourious Basterds soundtrack, so much Ennio Morricone! Can’t wait to hear the soundtrack for Hateful Eight – just as exciting as the mooovie!
I LOVE Death Proof as well!!!! I actually prefer it to a few other QT films even though everyone else slates it!
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Let’s face it Emma, Tarantino rarely puts a foot wrong! The guy is a genius!
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So true! He’s my favourite director 🙂
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great post ems!
off the top of my head…
stuck in the middle in Reservoir Dogs
imperial march in Empire Strikes Back (obviously)
Cherry Bomb in Guardians of the Galaxy
ET theme when they are trying to escape on the bikes
Time of My Life in Dirty Dancing
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Thanks Rob! 🙂
I love those honourable mentions! Especially Reservoir Dogs and Guardians of the Galaxy 🙂
Imperial March hee hee!
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always a pleasure Ems!!
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Yay!! ditto back at ya 🙂
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Nice list, Emma. I almost didn’t make it down here to the comments after that last gif. What about Vic Vega’s ear cutting scene in Reservoir Dogs?
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Haha, glad you liked it Drew 😉
That could indeed be an honourable mention! I could go crazy with the scenes in Tarantino movies though, every one has a great music scene or three…or four!
I do love Stuck in the Middle of You 😀
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WOW. I loved the movie Sunshine the first time I saw it last year….and I could never put into words why I emotionally connected to it until this post. Thank you 🙂
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This makes me so happy!!! (it really does!) I know that my connection with the film and my love for it really comes because of the music and I’m so ecstatic you feel the same!!!!! 😀 I really smiled reading your comment 🙂 thanks!!!!!!!!
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Great post, always nice to put a little sauce on my sundae 😉
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And a chocolate wafer? 🙂
Thanks Jay 😀
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NEVER SEEN CASINO! (Can’t get any bigger caps…)
I took a while to recover from that. Had to lie down in a darkened room, with a wet flannel on my head.
Great to see the inclusion of one of cinema’s greatest moments. No, not ‘Sunshine’, ‘Fireball XL5’ from ‘Love, Honour, & Obey’. Pertwee takes the crown! x
Now watch ‘Casino’. Immediately.
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Haha, I knew someone would say that 🙂 definitely one day. I have too much to watch!!! Haha, you know what? I completely agree! All Hail Sean Pertwee’s singing!!!! x
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Nice list, haven’t seen a few though lol
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You can add them to your watch list! 🙂
Thanks Dazza.
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maybe i will lol, i won a competition to have an intro to my youtube by an actress & director i think
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Wowee!! Well done Dazza sounds pretty cool. What was the comp?
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i watch a show by a group called The Dorkening, they have live shows with stars of small horror films and they offered the youtube channel fans to make short video to say why the like the channel etc so made one and get the director and star of Crawl or Die will do an intro to my channel which i can use on all the vidoes
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Woo Hoo, what a rocking post Emma. Down In Mexico is a sexy song and that scene that goes with it is hot. Love the Rose McGowan gif.
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Haha, I knew you’d love that gif and song/scene Vinster!! Glad you liked the post 🙂
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Can’t beat a sexy song and dance.
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Just wanted to ask, how did you find the Danny Dyer video I sent your way?
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What an awesome post. So many great suggestions. All mine seem quite obvious now. I can offer you this though https://alexraphael.wordpress.com/2014/08/02/film-quizzes-non-musicals-dance-films/
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Thanks Alex! 🙂 your quiz is cool! I knew a few of them, phew! 🙂
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I thought you’d do well 🙂
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And it got me singing “Footloose! Footloose!” 😀
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That is a feel-good film for sure!
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Definitely!!!
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