Some of the greatest soundtracks of all time consist of songs with an identity outside of the film itself — “Goodfellas,” “Pulp Fiction” and “Dirty Dancing” to name a few. No matter the movie, a truly well-placed needle drop can elevate a scene from just really good to forever memorable. Here are a few of our favorites.
“Only You” in “Fallen Angels”
As Wong Kar-wai’s experimental masterpiece “Fallen Angels” reaches its poetic conclusion, we’re serenaded with The Flying Pickets’ a cappella cover of Yazoo’s “Only You.” All the violence and heartbreak of the past 90 minutes fade away as angelic voices singing “ba-da-da-da” fade in. It’s the perfect conclusion — a motorcycle drive, one fleeting moment of intimacy in a world in constant flux. For me, this stunning final sequence will forever be tied to this beautiful, timeless song.
— Leo Field, Film & TV Editor
“Greatest Day” in “Anora”
The first time I watched “Anora” in a theater packed with NYU students, time stopped when Robin Schulz’s rework of Take That’s “Greatest Day” played in the opening sequence and wedding scene. Though I had never heard the song before, I was nearly brought to tears. “Greatest Day” made Sean Baker’s world feel alive with its kitschy Britpop style and cheesy lyrics. The transcendent house track remains a staple of my playlists to this day and never fails to make me smile.
— Amelia Knust, Music Editor
“party 4 u” in “Bottoms”
Pop culture peaked in 2023 when a group of awkward lesbians obliterated a team of egotistical football jocks followed by the needle drop of Charli xcx’s then-non-mainstream track. The song plays as Josie (Ayo Edebiri) and PJ (Rachel Sennott) make up after an argument, ending their failed experiment of a fight club. Its repetition of “party on you, party on you, party on” also serves as the emotional climax of Josie and Isabel’s (Havana Rose Liu) love story, where, through blatant lies and deception, Josie’s yearning finally pays off.
— Ellie DaSilva, Contributing Writer
“Crown on the Ground” in “The Bling Ring”
If Sofia Coppola knows one thing, it’s how to curate a fantastic soundtrack. During the opening credits of her film “The Bling Ring,” the roaring beat of Sleigh Bells’ “Crown on the Ground” plays as a clique of privileged California teenagers break into and rob a mansion. The song captures the intoxicating feeling of wanting it all, creating one of the most iconic montages in recent cinema and setting the tone for an unbelievable true story.
— Andrew Kilroy, Contributing Writer
“Hey my friend” in “Kamikaze Girls”
For every “Kamikaze Girls” viewer that fell down the Ai Yazawa rabbit hole on TikTok, Tommy heavenly6 is the perfect backdrop for any Japanese queer-coded friendship story. After Lolita dress obsessed Momoko (Kyôko Fukada) saves her delinquent friend Ichigo (Anna Tsuchiya) from a climactic encounter with the yakuza, the two girls ride home together on a moped with “Hey my friend” playing in the background. The moment officially seals their friendship — and makes every lesbian viewer kick and scream internally.
— Yuuki Lubin, Contributing Writer
“Supermassive Black Hole” in “Twilight”
While most of us have only an embarrassing middle school obsession to thank Stephenie Meyer for, the English rock band Muse has more. Their 2006 hit “Supermassive Black Hole” features in one of the “Twilight” film’s most iconic scenes, where the Cullen clan plays a friendly game of baseball. Laced with vocals reminiscent of Prince and catchy alt-rock guitar riffs, the song perfectly underscores the vampires’ strangely sped up running and Alice Cullen’s (Ashley Greene) Rockette-like pitching kick. The next time you consider snagging a Yankees ticket, just watch this scene first — it might suffice.
— Ellie Miller, Contributing Writer
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