Best music-in-movie moments

Take one look at poor Lloyd Dobler from Say Anything. What's running through your head? "In Your Eyes" by Peter Gabriel, right?

That's because it's easily one of the greatest music-movie moments of the 80s. Hell, any decade really.

(Trivia note: Director Cameron Crowe hadn't picked a song for that scene by the time it was filmed. So it's actually a Fishbone song playing on the boom box. Not quite as romantic, is it?)

So where would "In Your Eyes" rank on one of our infamous lists?

Tell us: What are your favorite music-in-movie moments of the 1980s? Leave us a comment with your picks and I'll compile them into a Top 20 list.

Here are some of my favorites:

"Melt With You" (Modern English) in "Valley Girl": The perfect tune for the dating montage scene between Randy and Julie.

"Just Once" (James Ingram) in "Last American Virgin": Poor Gary can't catch a break with Karen. And he'll burst into tears every time he hears this song.

"Are You Ready For The Sex Girls" (Gleaming Spires) in "Revenge of the Nerds": Perfectly inappropriate for the Tri-Lamba/Omega Mu mixer.

"Moving in Stereo" (The Cars) in "Fast Times at Ridgemont High": Oddly enough, even though it's the most famous scene in the movie, the song was not included in the original soundtrack.

"Oh Yeah" (Yello) in "Secret of My Success": Not a great movie, and certainly not the movie you normally associate with this song. (Sorry, Ferris fans.) But thanks to some powerful mechanized innuendo on Michael J. Fox's limo (windshield washer fluid, a retractable antennae), I remember this scene more.

"What a Wonderful World" (Louis Armstrong) in "Good Morning Vietnam": The only song that stuck with me after seeing this movie (and the only reason I bought the soundtrack).

Also:

• "Fight the Power" (Public Enemy) in "Do The Right Thing."
• "Old Time Rock N' Roll" (Bob Seger) in "Risky Business."
• "Maniac" (Michael Sembello) in "Flashdance."
• "You Can't Always Get What You Want" (Rolling Stones) in "The Big Chill."
• "Don't Get Me Wrong" (The Pretenders) in "Gung Ho."

Add your favorites!

Comments

[Marissa]

Hey Steve! I thought it was a Fishbone song blaring on the boombox during the filming. Perhaps my info is wrong.
I'm going to throw in Simple Minds "Don't you forget about me" from the Breakfast Club at the end when you hear Brian reading his essay. And "If you were here" by The Thompson Twins from Sixteen Candles. Who can forget that moment when Sam FINALLY connects with Jake?
Another personal favorite is during the Art Institute scene from Ferris Bueller's Day Off. I love, love, love "Please, Please, Please let me get what I want", the cover by The Dream Academy. That's perfect pitch on my list of memorable movie music.

[Marissa]

OK, I thought of a couple more songs that instantly make me think of a movie when I hear it.
"Call Me" by Blondie in American Gigolo.
"Werewolves of London" by Warren Zevon in The Color of Money (even though I can't stand Tom Cruise).
That's it for now. I might think of more as the day progresses and another cup o'java.

[Art]

"Danka shane" (sp?) from Ferris Bueller's Day off HAS to be one of the great moments in 80's film, "Say Anything" FWIW is HONESTLY my #1 film of all time, Period. Full Stop! And I'm not exaggerating. Speaking of which, does anyone know the name of the song playing when Lloyd Dobler leaves the apartment with his sister (another Cusack) for good? "Mad World" in Donnie Darko (and the song since used in several shows and movies since) is another for consideration. "10 Things I Hate about You" is filled with great music throughout, as is Pretty in Pink (never liked... darn, can't remember the name of the band who sung "Pretty in Pink", but them) Still, I admit they did credit to the movie). Suzanne Vega with "Left of Center" in Pretty in Pink had only a cult following, but this was a great performance by her an well used in the movie. There are more, but I don't want to bore everyone.

[Walter Cox]

"All My Loving" from Testament. A downer of a movie,now every time I hear the song I think of the mother and son dancing.

"Paint it Black" over the end credits of "Full Metal Jacket"

[Spears]

Psychedelic Furs does "Pretty in Pink." They actually redid the song for the movie. If you can find an original copy of the song, I highly recommend it. No sax in that one.

"Say Anything" as the top movie of all time?? That's a bold statement. It certainly has a lot of great elements and easily some of my favorite actors (including the beautiful Ms. Ione Skye).

The song at the end you're thinking of is "Within Your Reach" by The Replacements.

[Greg Jones]

I've got to cheat a bit. You'll find Crowded House's "Don't Dream It's Over" (1988 in one episode's introductory scene in the 1994 miniseries "The Stand". Molly Ringwald (80s)is sewing her recently deceased father into a canvas bag so she can bury him in the garden. The song is actually playing in the scene as a 45 on a battery powered record player. Remember, all the power is gone because of the super plague.
They also use "Don't Fear The Reaper" over the first episode's opening credits as we see the devastation left by the plague. Sorry. I know that's 70s.

[Bassnote]

I always remember Michelle Pfieffer crusing in a convertable in Tequilla Sunrise with Crowded House's Recurring Dream playing.

Matthew Modine jump roping in Vision Quest to Lunatic Fringe by Red Rider

John Cusack and Diane Franklin working on the Camero in Better Off Dead with Like To Get To Know You Well by Howard Jones playing. Also in the same movie, the hamburger place fantasy to Everybody Wants Some by Van Halen.

Andi working on her dress in Pretty In Pink with Thieves Like Us by New Order playing

[chase]

Oh, Come ON!!

"Wild Thing," from 1989's baseball classic Major League .. when Charlie Sheen comes in from the bullpen ... "I hate that (fricken) song... ")

[Spears]

Chasie -- Good addition. That's a top 10 moment for sure.

[Max]

Bring the Noise (Public Enemy) in Less Than Zero (1987)... I did love Moving in Stereo and wondered why it wasn't on the soundtrack...

[Big Tex]

Duckie lip-synching to Try a Little Tenderness is an 80's classic! Also, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, and James Brown all had memorable moments in The Blues Brothers.

As for your list, Steve, I agree with Fight the Power, Moving in Stereo, Melt with You, Just Once, and Maniac.

This may be a future list/poll, but here's my vote for the Best 80's Movie Soundtracks (non-orchestral)
HEAVY METAL (1981)
BRIMSTONE & TREACLE (1982)
MIKE'S MURDER (1983)
RUMBLE FISH (1983)
PURPLE RAIN (1984)
FOOTLOOSE (1984)
STOP MAKING SENSE (1984)
SIXTEEN CANDLES (1984)
TO LIVE AND DIE IN L.A. (1985)
PRETTY IN PINK (1986)
BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CITY (1988)

Speaking of Sixteen Candles, check out my complete listing here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/richpub/syltguides/fullview/39BJMBHV1UJEV/ref=cm_srch_res_rpsy_alt/002-4402881-9273647

[DC]

I still enjoy the "Johnny B. Goode" sequence by Marty McFly (and the Starlighters) in BACK TO THE FUTURE. ("Your cousin? MARVIN BERRY?")

Or Jon Cryer's memorable lip sync to "Try a Little Tenderness" in PRETTY IN PINK.

Or Tom Cruise and Anthony Edwards off-key warbling of "You've Lost That Loving Feeling" in TOP GUN.

[Bassnote]

Oingo Boingo performing Dead Man's Party in Back To School.

Completely agree with Wild Thing by X in Major league.

The opening credits of the movie The Sure Thing, Infatuation by Rod Stewart playing.

Everybody Wants to Rule The World by Tears For Fears at the end of the movie Real Genius. Everyone playing in the popcorn.

[Al]

How about "Spies Like Us" by Paul McCartney in that movie? Terribly cheesy song, but I love it.

Christopher Cross with "Arthur's Theme" from the movie Arthur. He won an Oscar for that one. God bless Dudley Moore.

And Irene Cara's "Oh...What a Feeling", come on, everyone air-synths to that! Well, at least I do.

The Weird Science Theme Song.

[Al]

How about "Spies Like Us" by Paul McCartney in that movie? Terribly cheesy song, but I love it.

Christopher Cross with "Arthur's Theme" from the movie Arthur. He won an Oscar for that one. God bless Dudley Moore.

And Irene Cara's "Oh...What a Feeling", come on, everyone air-synths to that! Well, at least I do. She also won an Oscar.

"The Power of Love" in Back to the Future, simply classic.

The Weird Science Theme Song.

[Max]

Yeah, it's cheesy, but it's still awesome: the scene in "Fame" when everyone's dancing around the cab outside the school.

[Heather from Ottawa]

Greg, I totally agree with you re: Don't Fear The Reaper from opening credits of THE STAND. It's one of the best song/title combos out there. Other than "more cow bell" every time I hear that song I think of the creepy credits from The Stand.

Going back to an earlier article about best movie kisses, 'She Loves Me' during the scene in 'Some Kind of Wonderful' where Keith and Watts kiss is pretty awesome too. Not a mainstream song, but I can still hear it clearly in my mind all these years later.

[GlennS.]

My favorite 80's film music moment has got to be when Ferris and a whole parade's worth of people kick into "Twist and Shout" by The Beatles.

Regarding The Stand, I thought the best musical moment was the use of "Don't Dream It's Over" by Crowded House. Absolutely heartbreaking.

[Spears]

So is Peter Gabriel's "In Your Eyes" the top pick? If not, what is?

[Marissa]

I would have to say "In your Eyes" is numero uno. Do you feel better now?
But I still say "Call Me" needs to be on the list. You hear it and you think of Richard Gere turning tricks for high class broads...or not so high class, but they had money.

[KMcG]

Twist and Shout (The Beatles) -- Ferris Bueller's Day off
Young Americans (David Bowie) -- Sixteen Candles
Ghostbusters (Ray XXXX)-- Ghostbusters
Woolly Bully (Sam the Sham and the Pharoahs) -- Full Metal Jacket
Iko Iko (The Belle Stars) -- Rain Man
Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay (Otis Redding) -- Platoon
Ode to Joy (Ludwig van Beethoven) -- Diehard

[Bassnote]

Yes Steve, In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel should be #1 on the list.

[Crafty Carolinagirl]

I totally agree with Duckie singing Try A Little Tenderness in Pretty in Pink, If You Were Here from Sixteen Candles, and Everybody Wants to Rule the World from Real Genius.

I would also add as my favorites:
Dancing in Heaven (Q-Feel) - Girls Just Want to Have Fun
Mind Over Matter (E.G. Daily) - Summer School
Ain't Got No Home (I have no idea) - Lost Boys

And yes, In Your Eyes should be #1.

[Pam from Rochester NY]

Amanda Jones in Some Kind of Wonderful? (The Rolling Stones original, not the lame one on the soundtrack)

Maybe even Baby & Johnny lip-synching to Love is Strange in Dirty Dancing.

And I totally agree with Duckie singing Try A Little Tenderness in Pretty in Pink and Everybody Wants to Rule the World from Real Genius.

[Timmah]

I love all the suggestions so far.

One of the most under rated 80s films for mine was 1988's "Choclate War".

I just love the use of Yaz's "In my room" in the opening credits, and throughout the movie.

Another under rated movie and one of my 80's favs is 1985's "Tuff Turf". It actually has James Spader as the good guy. I love
"SHE'S LOOKING GOOD" by Jack Mack & the Heart Attack.

Glad to be stuck in the 80's here in Australia.

[Steve G]

The scene in Caddyshack when Rodney Dangerfield reaches over to his Golf bag and says, "Let's Dance" is the absolute best. To this day when I hear "Any way you want it" by Journey I immediately think of that scene.