What makes a great movie soundtrack? Maybe it’s a great movie that needs one, and the song becomes popular along with the film. Maybe it’s a great song regardless, and it just happened to be featured in a movie. In this post, I will share music featured in highly successful movies. I will also highlight songs by independent artists that could be great for film scores and even become movie theme songs. Maybe one day they will.
News:
While preparing this post, I decided to create another playlist with a collection of great songs and music from movies that are just as famous. It now has more than 50 songs, and I’ve just barely started.
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/41oFD82IeQdoVcnlnFOeNc
The Rock Pioneer podcast is coming along very well so far. We’ve completed 10 episodes, and soon we’ll prepare more. Check it out and let me know what you think:
https://open.spotify.com/show/4JDYU33MEcC2yK87Jlav6y
Classic Soundtracks:
Techno Syndrome (Mortal Kombat) by the Immortals:
https://open.spotify.com/track/2hTx8adLNJBwhLsavI1Xvr
This is one of my favorite soundtracks of all time. It worked so well in the movie that I can’t imagine the film without it.
Boom by P.O.D.:
https://open.spotify.com/track/5DooySfCD1xCJ49gQm9rx7
Ten years after its release, this song was featured in the action-packed comedy Here Comes the Boom. It’s a perfect theme song that is inseparable from the movie, just like my first example, despite not being written specifically for it.
Eye of the Tiger (Rocky III) by Survivor:
https://open.spotify.com/track/2KH16WveTQWT6KOG9Rg6e2
This song was written for Rocky III and is a great example of a musical success story.
Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door by Bob Dylan:
https://open.spotify.com/track/0JlOwlHslZuwK97jySyZuc
This song’s popularity has long outlived the movie it was made for. So much so that when taken out of the context of the film, it’s hard to imagine that it was written for a western movie in the first place. Oh well, life often works in mysterious ways.
The next example is a showstopper. I can’t think of a better song to finish my classic soundtrack picks. Can you?
After Dark by Tito & Tarantula:
https://open.spotify.com/track/6CvoLme4xu7hBmZi79rvR2
Music Picks:
Today, I’ll share songs that could make great movie soundtracks. At least, I think they would. As usual, these songs are featured on my playlists, and I’m sharing them here to emphasize that you’re in the great company of awesome artists.
The Best by Future Royalty:
https://open.spotify.com/track/16SwmZbNK8jupwoGAX6LXK
Featured on my Night Rock playlist, this 2019 release could be a perfect soundtrack for an action movie.
Stump Juice by DEBRA:
https://open.spotify.com/track/1M905MrZewHy7xI3qn06ON
I can think of a Johnny Depp movie where this song could be a perfect fit. It’s such a likable, catchy tune.
Tough Love by Harrison Rimmer:
https://open.spotify.com/track/2ZOqA4UuDGNdYM4OqXxqA9
With every sound of this tune, I can literally see it playing all along in a romantic movie. It could be a perfect theme song.
I hesitated to share the next song for a bit. I don’t want you to take it the wrong way because I am sharing another song of mine. Yet, not only was this song a direct response to Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door with a much deeper set of lyrics, but I also honestly believe it could be a theme song for a much-needed movie calling for the end of the political nonsense that negatively affects the lives of people around the world. Here it is, influenced by Pink Floyd, among others:
Eternal Blues (I-GOR):
https://open.spotify.com/track/2HjcO2CabnfLMAnYkYhHu1
And now, as another example of a showstopper, I would like to finish my music picks with:
Holier Than Thou by Teyamade:
https://open.spotify.com/track/5g46EmdITElTU14VX725Ff
I like this song a lot and think it could be used in a movie serious enough to match the poetic depth of its lyrics.
Final Thoughts:
There is definitely a lot more good music made every day than good movies that can be produced. Whether your music is featured in a movie or not, it doesn’t mean much. It’s a difficult thing to make a movie, especially since it takes a lot of time and money from start to finish. Funding often comes from the government, which is looking for a specific political agenda, or companies that want to advertise their products. As a result, a placement may happen only by chance. I don’t mean to discourage anyone; I’m just trying to say that I receive a lot of great music from independent artists, and I think much of it could be used as movie soundtracks.