Half awake, junior Bain Flavin got into his car last week around 7:45 am. He slumped in the driver’s seat and flopped his bag into the passenger seat as he prepared for his drive to school. When he turned on the radio, hoping for something slow, “Where is My Mind” by the Pixies came on. It was a blast to his tired ears, but instead of immediately turning it off, his mind shifted. Right away, his spirits were lifted by the remembrance of the closing scene of Fight Club, once his favorite movie. It is forever engraved in his head.
Songs in filmmaking are essential to enhance emotional and atmospheric impact. Many songs are linked to iconic movie moments. Here are my top 5 scenes from various movies that are heavily enhanced through song.
The Breakfast Club “Don’t You (Forget About Me)”– Simple Minds
The iconic 1985 comedy-drama “The Breakfast Club” brings together 5 kids from different backgrounds who would never have been friends before Saturday detention. After spending hours together, they write one essay, highlighting their differences, and leave the school united. “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” plays during the closing scene after romantic pairs form and the students walk out. The main character, “Bender,” walks across the football field and puts his fist in the air with the song playing in the background. It brings watchers a strong feeling of pride and triumph.
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off “Twist and Shout” – The Beatles
The 1986 comedy/drama “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” is based on the famous senior ditch day in the city of Chicago. This scene takes place when Ferris (the main character) crashes a parade in the city and grabs the microphone, singing and dancing with the civilians of the city. Many people gather around him, and it is an overall really feel-good scene. When watching this, people feel a sense of happiness and pride that makes them want to dance.
10 Things I Hate About You “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” – Frankie Valli (performed by Heath Ledger)
The 1999 romantic comedy “10 Things I Hate About You” follows the storyline of two sisters: one hates boys, and one wants a boyfriend. The main character, “Patrick,” gets paid to take out Kat (the sister who hates boys). He hijacks the stadium microphone and gets the band to play during her soccer practice as he begins singing and dancing in the bleachers, clearly directing the song towards her. This scene leaves watchers with a comical and loving feeling.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower “Heroes” – David Bowie
In the seminal 2012 rom/com, the three main characters, Charlie, Sam, and Patrick, are driving in their pickup truck when all of a sudden Sam tells Patrick to drive through the Fort Pitt Tunnel in Pittsburgh. At first, Sam climbs into the bed of the truck, and the song starts playing as she lets her arms out like she is flying, while “Heroes” plays on the radio. At the very end of the movie, the scene is mirrored, but instead, Charlie is in the bed of the truck “flying.” Heroes plays again while Charlie says the famous line “and you’re listening to that song on that drive with the people you love the most in this world, and in this moment I swear we are infinite.”
500 Days of Summer “Here Comes Your Man” – The Pixies (sung by Joseph Gordon-Levitt)
In this 2009 rom/com, Tom goes to a karaoke night at a bar with his coworkers. His new office crush and main character, Summer, also attends the karaoke night. This is the first time they have interacted and hung out outside of work. He chooses the song to impress Summer. This is when she is first impressed by Tom, and is very moved by his music taste, which was shown earlier in the movie when he’s listening to the Smiths, and she says, “I love The Smiths.”
