Soundtracks

Great Songs From Films

A selection of songs that really stick in my mind from great moments in film. Some may have been used for other movies as well, but these are the films that I discovered them from. Most of the YouTube videos are just the songs with some pictures, so no spoilers. Enjoy.

Garden State - "The Only Living Boy in New York" (Simon and Garfunkel)

Kicking in at the kookily cathartic moment of Garden State, as Zach Baff, Natalie Portman and Peter Sarsgaard scream into the abyss (see above), Simon and Garfunkel's beautiful song breaks through the quirky narrative. One of many brilliant songs from the Grammy-winning soundtrack, compiled by Braff himself. 

Amélie - "Comptine d'Un Autre Été: L'après Midi" (Yann Tiersen)

If I wasn't so musically challenged, this would be the first thing I'd learn on the piano. Video is an extended version, because the original just isn't long enough.

Hanna - "Container Park" (The Chemical Brothers)

Contrasting the fairytale-like theme song of Joe Wright's arthouse thriller, the intensely atmospheric build-up of this track explodes into the kinetic intensity of the action scenes. 

Little Miss Sunshine - "How it Ends" (DeVotchKa)

The Denver four-piece band gained wide recognition for their 'Little Miss Sunshine' score, including a Grammy nomination in 2006. Their previous hit "How it Ends" is epic,infectious and accompanied by other indie hits like Sufjan Stevens' "Chicago".

Philadelphia - "Streets of Philadelphia" (Bruce Springsteen)

An uncompromising look at HIV discrimination, 'Philadelphia' is a fantastic film. This beautifully downbeat track, as well as Neil Young's heartfelt theme song, enhances the veracity of Tom Hanks' first Oscar-winning performance.

Into the Wild - "Rise" (Eddie Vedder)

The Pearl Jam front-man's folk music is as contagious as Chris McCandless's passion. Full of freedom, nature and wonder, every song is as memorable as each scene. One of my favourite soundtracks, brimming with beauty.

True Romance - "You're So Cool!" (Hans Zimmer)

I'm not sure whether this song is really good or it just reminds me of the spontaneous exuberance of this great movie. Either way, I love it. 

Collateral - "Shadow on the Sun" (Audioslave)

In a film that is really a non-stop thriller, with an unnervingly cool Tom Cruise at the helm, this track signals a sharp shift in tone that will give you chills. Ingenious song choice.

Traffic/28 Days Later - An Ending (Brian Eno)

One of the best pieces of ambient music, used to perfection by expert directors Soderbergh and Boyle. Soothing.

The Truman Show - "Truman Sleeping" (Philip Glass)

Straight after learning some Yann Tiersen, if I miraculously get over my musical inabilities, I would then learn this. Distinctive and wonderfully atmospheric score from this universal favourite.

Crash - "In the Deep" (Bird York)

Tugging at the heartstrings, 'Crash' and Bird York's gorgeous vocals are hard to resist. 'Maybe Tomorrow', easily Stereophonics' best song to date, also features.

Requiem for a Dream - "Lux Aeterna" (Clint Mansell)

No list of film scores would be complete without this colossus. Really driving the intensity of the characters' fall from grace, it's used throughout 'Requiem' to great effect.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind - "Everybody's Gotta Learn Sometime" (Beck)

I'm not a huge Beck fan, but this track is stunning. Maybe again because of my love for the film, it is an appropriately charming ending to Charlie Kaufman and Michel Gondry's masterpiece and this blog post. (Lots of film footage in this video so probably best to avoid if you haven't seen the film yet.)