As someone who’s grown up with Disney movies, songs have always held a special place in my heart. They’ve been there for me through thick and thin, from the days of “Let It Go” to the recent sensation that is “What Was I Made For”.
Music can make or break a film. An otherwise ordinary film having a great soundtrack allows it to stick in the heads of viewers. A great movie with middling music can leave audiences feeling like something is missing. This applies to more than just musicals. Hitting the right chord, literally and metaphorically, transcends genres—horror, drama, romance. The right song can elevate a scene or end it on the perfect note.
15 “Never Enough”
‘The Greatest Showman’ (2017)
The Greatest Showman tells a musical story based on the loosely-historical founding of the Barnum & Bailey Circus, set in the early 1800s. Faced with financial struggles, P.T. Barnum gathers a group of societal outcasts to create a circus that would not only provide entertainment but also boost his income.
Can’t Get Enough of This Song
In the movie, The Greatest Showman, several unique tunes were composed, among them “Never Enough,” sung by Loren Allred, even though Rebecca Ferguson performed it in the film. However, “This Is Me” was the standout song of the movie, not “Never Enough.” Yet, many viewers think “Never Enough” is underappreciated. Allred’s voice is expressive with deep emotions expressed through every syllable, and the music backing adds depth to the piece.
14 “I See Fire”
‘The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug’ (2013)
In the movie “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug,” directed by Peter Jackson, we find ourselves once again immersed in J.R.R. Tolkien’s expansive fantasy realm. This time, our hero Bilbo Baggins embarks on a mission to reclaim his home from a fearsome dragon known as Smaug. With some viewers either leaving the theater or closing their browser windows as soon as credits roll, they might have missed the tune “I See Fire” by Ed Sheeran.
An Unexpected Collaboration
Ed Sheeran is renowned for his heartfelt melodies accompanied by barebone vocals. The song “I See Fire” fits perfectly in this category. It creates an intimate atmosphere, as if listeners are sitting by a fireplace while someone strums a guitar gently. During the production of the track, Sheeran worked closely with Jackson, sharing that he was “fantastic.” He spent three days working on the song, and at the end of each day, Jackson would listen to the composition and offer suggestions.
13 “Young & Beautiful”
‘The Great Gatsby’ (2013)
The Great Gatsby is a movie or TV show version of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s famous book with the same title. This story unfolds in the dazzling milieu of 1920s New York City and revolves around a man, Nick Carraway, who hails from the Midwest. He finds himself drawn to his affluent neighbor, Jay Gatsby, and endeavors to get acquainted with him, even attending one of his extravagant parties in an attempt to bridge their gap.
Nostalgic and Haunting
This movie features an illustrious ensemble of actors including Tobey Maguire, Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan, Isla Fisher, among others. The soundtrack shares this star quality too. Notably, alt-pop sensation Lana Del Rey serenades “Young and Beautiful,” a poignant tune expressing the longing for true love that aligns perfectly with the movie’s themes. Remarkably, her performance evokes the spirit of the twenties and offers a glimpse into a life many may not have lived.
12 “See You Again”
‘Furious 7’ (2015)
Regardless of personal feelings towards them, the Fast and Furious series has reigned supreme at the box office for quite some time now. The concept of family is deeply woven into these high-octane movies, and this sense of closeness extends to the cast as well. When it was announced that Furious 7 would start filming, unfortunately, one of its stars, Paul Walker, passed away in a car accident. This tragic event left fans reeling.
An Emotional Time for Fans
The shooting schedule was adjusted due to a tragedy, and a song was composed as a tribute to Walker. “See You Again” by Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth quickly became popular among both fans and non-fans. The lyrics express sorrow, and the contrast between Khalifa and Puth’s performances was striking but effective.
11 “You Haven’t Seen the Last of Me”
‘Burlesque’ (2010)
Burlesque is a musical story about a woman named Ali who travels to Los Angeles with dreams of becoming a singer. Facing limited success, she finds herself working as a waitress at a burlesque club. Eventually, the club’s owner takes notice of her talents. The film features Christina Aguilera and Cher, both well-known vocal powerhouses, ensuring that the music would be top-notch.
A Bright Spot
The movie garnered a variety of opinions, as some viewers were disappointed that the plot failed to fully realize its potential and left them feeling puzzled. Despite its visual and auditory appeal, the characters and narrative didn’t resonate with audiences. On the positive side, the music was commendable. Cher’s rendition of “You Haven’t Seen the Last of Me” served as a powerful reminder of her exceptional talent.
10 “Listen”
‘Dreamgirls’ (2006)
Dreamgirls is a musical drama that originated from a Broadway play, following the journey of an R&B girl group known as The Dreams in the 1960s. As their career ascends with increasing complexity, each member grapples with maintaining harmony between their rising stardom and personal issues hidden off-stage. Featuring an impressive ensemble cast that includes Beyoncé, Jennifer Hudson, Jamie Foxx, and Eddie Murphy.
A Gem Among Many
In this film, some unforgettable musical scenes are remakes of the original Broadway show. Yet, Beyoncé added a unique twist to Dreamgirls by performing the classic track “Listen” in her powerful voice. Not only does the song’s message about self-discovery and pursuing ambitions resonate deeply, but Beyoncé’s vocals reach impressive heights throughout.
9 “Decode”
‘Twilight’ (2008)
The movie “Twilight” continues to spark debates among viewers. To some, its questionable acting and overly dramatic storyline falls into the category of “so bad it’s good.” On the other hand, others are puzzled as to how this series managed to generate billions in revenue. In “Twilight,” we are introduced to Bella Swan, her vampire paramour Edward, and a soundtrack that has since become iconic.
Decoding The Legacy
Throughout the 2000s, the rock band Paramore was omnipresent. Their song “Decode” was specifically penned for the movie Twilight. It carries an emo vibe that perfectly encapsulates the dramatic love story between Bella and Edward. To this day, it remains a popular hit among fans. In August 2024, as reported by Billboard, Hayley Williams of Paramore dedicated “Decode” to Robert Pattinson (Edward) during one of her performances.
8 “The Wrestler”
‘The Wrestler’ (2008)
The Story of a Wrestler Named Randy
An Ode to Friendship
The film flew under the radar, thus not many people got to experience this honest and melancholy song. Rourke told Uncut, “[Springsteen] knows what I used to be… Where I went. What I’d been reduced to. I told him how I felt lucky now and didn’t have to end up being this guy, being Randy.”
7 “Stand Up”
‘Harriet’ (2019)
The movie titled “Harriet” is a biographical drama that delves into the life of Harriet Tubman, a renowned abolitionist whose story is portrayed in this film. It starts from when she managed to break free from slavery and continues through her efforts to help others achieve the same freedom. Cynthia Erivo, best known for singing popular tunes from “Wicked,” also showcases her powerful vocals in this movie.
A Tribute to a Hero
Erivo demonstrates her versatility as an artist because she also co-wrote “Stand Up” for the movie Harriet. The gospel aspects of the song make it hard for listeners not to join in by singing or clapping. Her dedication to this project is evident, as she concludes the song with Harriet Tubman’s last words before her death.
6 “Lose Yourself”
‘8 Mile’ (2002)
In 2002, renowned rap artist Eminem stepped into acting for the first time with the dramatic film “8 Mile”. The plot is loosely based on incidents from his personal experiences and focuses on Jimmy, a rapper from Detroit. Jimmy’s story portrays him navigating through a turbulent household situation while striving to make it in the music industry, which is predominantly Black, as a white rapper.
A Debut to Remember
8 Mile surpassed everyone’s expectations more than they imagined. It’s not common for a musician to transition smoothly into acting, but in this case, it proved effective, with the raps serving as a major factor that catapulted it to the top spot. Notably, the song “Lose Yourself,” which showcased Eminem’s distinctive blend of raw honesty and wit. Who else could rhyme about their mom’s spaghetti and the perils of fame in the same track?
5 “Ashes”
‘Deadpool 2’ (2018)
Deadpool 2 is a Marvel movie centering around its title character, Wade Wilson who is also known as Deadpool. Following his girlfriend’s demise, he chooses to team up with the X-Men. His mission involves shielding a mutant from a time-traveling soldier. The Deadpool films are popular for their humor and thrilling action scenes, and the inclusion of Celine Dion’s “Ashes” was an extra treat.
Why It’s Great
Dion possesses an unique vocal quality that gives each of her songs a personal touch. Some listeners have pointed out resemblances between “Ashes” and famous Dion tracks like “My Heart Will Go On.” Regardless of the validity of these observations, it’s clear that “Ashes” holds its ground as a strong, standalone song.
4 “We Don’t Talk About Bruno”
‘Encanto’ (2021)
The quality of songs is a great determining factor in the success and resonance of a Disney/Pixar film. So it’s no wonder. Encanto was a hit despite its quick theatrical run due to COVID. Everyone loved experiencing the magically lush world of the Madrigals. This included the songs.
Everyone Was Talking About This
Lin Manuel Miranda and others advocated for the heartfelt ballad “Dos Oruguitas” to become the standout song from the movie, even submitting it for consideration at the Oscars as Best Original Song. But it was “We Don’t Talk About Bruno,” a lively tune with Broadway influences that gained popularity, which ended up taking the spotlight. The lyrics are amusing, the rhythm is infectious, and it climbed to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
3 “Let It Go”
‘Frozen’ (2013)
Disney experienced a series of moderately successful films until the late 2000s and early 2010s. One example is the blockbuster hit Frozen, released in 2013, which significantly boosted the animation studio during its so-called Revival Period. Both adults and children were captivated by characters like Elsa, Anna, Olaf, and those residing in and around Arendelle.
This Saved Disney
The beloved tale of sisterhood in Frozen undeniably elevated the movie to a timeless status, but its remarkable songs deserve special mention. To be honest, numerous tunes from the film could’ve made this list. However, it’s clear that Idina Menzel’s “Let It Go” was the unquestionable highlight. This song sold over 10 million copies and marked a significant milestone for Disney as it became their first top-ten Billboard hit since 1995.
2 “Shallow”
‘A Star Is Born’ (2018)
A Star Is Born is a romantic drama that features Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga in leading roles. Given that one of the world’s top-selling musicians is part of the cast, it’s no surprise that the music is impressive. However, since this is a remake, several songs may be familiar to audiences—but “Shallow” is not among them.
Crashed Through Award Season
In this film, we initially see Cooper singing a heartfelt song that is unusually beautiful. Later, Gaga joins in with her powerful vocals. This tune is sung during a significant emotional connection between the main characters. Outside of the movie’s context, it’s challenging not to feel touched by it. Critics found it exceptional; it won both the Academy Award and Golden Globe for Best Original Song.
1 “What Was I Made For”
‘Barbie’ (2023)
In the scorching summer of 2023, Barbie was the hot topic everywhere. The reason could be attributed to the movie itself, an ingenious marketing strategy, or the Barbenheimer craze. Greta Gerwig’s film smashed numerous records and emerged as the top-earning movie of the year. The movie’s soundtrack mainly consisted of catchy pop tunes, making Billie Eilish’s “What Was I Made For?” all the more exceptional.
We’re All Sad Again
The song in this ballad showcases Billie Eilish’s signature soft voice singing lyrics that deeply resonate with the character of Barbie. It’s a unique blend of overwhelming sadness and delicate beauty. “What Was I Made For?” was strategically inserted into the movie during Barbie’s most challenging scene. This song won the Grammy for Song of the Year, as well as the Academy Award and Golden Globe for Best Original Song.
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2024-12-01 00:32