Whenmusicis used in television and film, it can make or break a scene. Often, it can result in the song forever being associated with that project. Everyone recognizes “My Heart Will Go On” fromTitanicor “(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life” fromDirty Dancing. However,the Oscar-winning songs were written specifically for those movies.
The real magic happens when a song that wasn’t specifically made for TV or film fits so perfectly that it changes the legacy of the song. From modern hits to revisiting the music of the past, thefilm and television industry has played a major part in popularizing musicand giving songs a whole new meaning.
10Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God) By Kate Bush
Stranger Things Season 4, Episode 4 “Dear Billy”
In 2022,Kate Bush’s single “Running Up That Hill"reached #3 on theBillboardHot 100, 37 years after its initial release. The song skyrocketed in popularity afterappearing inStranger Thingsseason 4. This was the season in which Vecna, one of the scariest characters yet, was introduced, and the song was used to help Max Mayfield escape his lair.
In the scene, Max’s friends scramble to find the right tape for her Walkman, and when they do, Bush’s single begins. The song causes Max to levitate as memories of her and her friends flood through her mind.
This scene also encouraged viewers to identify the songs that would help them escape from Vecna, which further proves the impact of this song’s role in not just the TV show, but also greater culture.
As the chorus plays, the version of Max trapped in Vecna’s lair runs to the exit portal and reunites with her friends right as the song cuts off. It’s arguably one ofStranger Things' most iconic scenes, and now, the ’80s pop hit, which originally only reached #30 on theBillboardHot 100,has over 1 billion Spotify streams.
9Come And Get Your Love By Redbone
Guardians Of The Galaxy (2014)
“Come and Get Your Love” by Redbone was a top 5 hit on theBillboardHot 100 back in 1974. However, it regained popularity forty years later in the 2014 Marvel filmGuardians of the Galaxy. Thesong plays during the opening creditsof the film as Chris Pratt’s Peter Quill plays a mixtape titled Awesome Mix Vol. 1.
The franchise went on to adopt the song for several other Marvel films, includingAvengers: Endgame. Along with the many other popular hits on theGuardians of the Galaxysoundtrack,“Come and Get Your Love” has become a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
8Tiny Dancer By Elton John
Almost Famous (2000)
Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer” is certainly a popular song on its own. While it didn’t initially see chart success because of its length, the 1972 single went on to have quite a legacy. In 2010,Rolling Stoneranked it as #397 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, and #47 on their revised 2021 list.
In 2020, John’s song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. However, for younger generations who were not alive in the ’70s, they might remember it best for its role in the 2000 filmAlmost Famous. The film is set in 1973 and follows William Miller on the road with the fictional band Stillwater.
In a particularly intense scene, after the band picks up Russell Hammond from a house party, “Tiny Dancer” plays. Eventually,the song breaks the tension, and everyone on the bus sings along. In many ways, the “Tiny Dancer” scene is the heart of the film, as it showcases how music brings people together.
The “Tiny Dancer” scene is the heart of the film, as it showcases how music brings people together.
It also includes one of the film’s most iconic lines. When William tells Penny Lane he has to go home, she stops singing for a moment and responds, “You are home.”
7Don’t Stop Believin' By Journey
The Sopranos Season 6, Episode 21 “Made In America”
Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin'” is not only one of the best-known songs of the ’80s, but is also arguably one of the most well-known songs of all time. In 2022, the 1981 single was selected for the Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry, and in 2024,Forbesreported it was the biggest song of all time.
However, “Don’t Stop Believin'” means something very different for television fans, as it was a part ofone of the most controversial show endings of all time.The Sopranosfans waited eight years to find out Tony Soprano’s fate, but in the show’s final moments, it was left up to viewer interpretation.
In the final scene, Tony goes to dinner at the local diner and chooses the Journey hit from a small jukebox at his table. The song plays as his family members enter and join him at his table, but right as his daughter enters,the music cuts off and the screen goes black.
While many believe several aspects of the scene suggest Tony does get shot and dies, some believe otherwise. Either way,The Sopranoschanged the way television fans heard Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin'” forever.
6Come On Eileen By Dexy’s Midnight Runners
The Perks Of Being A Wallflower (2012)
“Come On Eileen” by the UK band Dexy’s Midnight Runners was another massive hit in the ’80s. The song reached #1 on theBillboardHot 100 andprevented Michael Jackson from having back-to-back number one songswith “Billie Jean” and “Beat It.”
The song was given new life in the 2012 filmThe Perks of Being A Wallflower, based on Stephen Chbosky’s book of the same title. The film was a massive success among Tumblr users throughout the 2010s, which contributed to the popularity of “Come On Eileen.”
In the scene, the main character, Charlie, is quite literally being a wallflower at his school dance until “Come On Eileen” comes on, andstep-siblings Sam and Patrick get up to perform their dance routine. Watching Sam and Patrick have so much fun encourages Charlie to get up and dance with them, initiating the start of their friendship.
Recently, TikTok user@rorymeowzashared footage from their prom reenacting the film’s dance routine to “Come On Eileen.” The video currently has 1.3 million likes, showcasing how much the song is now associated with the film.
5Old Time Rock & Roll By Bob Seger
Risky Business (1983)
Possibly one of the most memorable movie scenes using music is from 1983’sRisky Business. The Bob Seger song was certainly popular on its own when it was released in 1979, butthe Tom Cruise film drastically renewed its popularity.
In the film, Joel Goodson’s parents go away on vacation. The first night without them, Joel raids the liquor cabinet and dances around the house in his underwear and a button-down shirt, lip-syncing to Seger’s song.
4Murder On The Dancefloor By Sophie Ellis-Bextor
Saltburn (2023)
In 2001, Sophie Ellis-Bextor released “Murder On The Dancefloor,” and it was reportedly the most-played song in Europe in 2002. While the song did see worldwide success, it would be 20 years before it reached its peak.
At the end of the filmSaltburn, Barry Keoghan’s character, Oliver, dances around the empty mansion naked after orchestrating the deaths of his friend Felix’s family. As a result,the song became a TikTok sensationand marked Ellis-Bextor’s first appearance on theBillboardHot 100.
Saltburngave the song a second life, as Ellis-Bextor went on to perform it several times live that year. Performances includedThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonandDick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin' Eve.
The song later appeared in the opening choreography forDancing With The Stars' Halloween Night in 2024. “Murder On The Dancefloor” isthe prime example of a film reinventing a songand skyrocketing it into worldwide popularity.
3Hide And Seek By Imogen Heap
The O.C. Season 2, Episode 24 “The Dearly Beloved”
In the early 2000s, one of the most talked-about uses of a song in a television series was Imogen Heap’s “Hide and Seek” inThe O.C.In the scene, Ryan’s brother, Trey, is about to kill him, and to save her boyfriend,Marissa grabs Trey’s gun and shoots him.
As soon as the bullet strikes Trey, Heap’s song starts playing, creating one of the most dramatic moments in teen drama history. The scene would later become a popular meme whenit was spoofed onSaturday Night Livein a skit with Andy Samberg, Bill Hader, and Shia LaBeouf.
Years later, Jason Derulo would sample the song, andthat version was used in an iconic Thanksgiving dinner scene inGossip Girl, which was by the creators ofThe O.C.However, nothing can beat the original and how much it pushed Imogen Heap’s song into pop culture.
2Chasing Cars By Snow Patrol
Grey’s Anatomy Season 2, Episode 27 “Losing My Religion”
Snow Patrol’s “Chasing Cars” was a massive hit when it was released in 2006, but gained more popularity after appearing inGrey’s Anatomy. The song has actually appeared in the show more than once, but its first appearance, during the season 2 finale, is what really increased the song’s popularity.
During the tragic scene, Izzie’s boyfriend, Denny, passes away from a stroke.“Chasing Cars” plays as Izzie cries in bed with Denny, blaming herself for his death because she was the one who cut his LVAD wire. The song continues as Izzie confesses, and Meredith Grey struggles to decide between Derek and Finn.
The emotional episode ends here, leaving fans to wait until season 3 for a resolution. The song certainly contributed to the emotional roller coaster of the episode’s ending. Recently,a cover version of “Chasing Cars” played in theLove Island USAseason 7 finale, and fans shared how much it reminded them of theGrey’s Anatomyepisode.
1Bohemian Rhapsody By Queen
Wayne’s World (1992)
Another rock song that’s arguably one of the biggest songs of all time is Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” The six-minute-long single was #17 onRolling Stone’s 2021 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2004.It became the most-streamed song of the 20th centuryafter the 2018 biopicBohemian Rhapsodypremiered.
However, 26 years earlier, it got a push in popularity from itsusage in the 1992 filmWayne’s World. The film, based on theSNLskit of the same name, used the song in a car scene. The scene appears very early in the film when Wayne goes for a ride with his friends and puts on the Queen single.
The characters sing along, picking up Phil along the way, whojoins in with their sing-along. The comedy film had such an impact on “Bohemian Rhapsody” that it reached a new peak on the US charts, going from #9 in 1976 to #2 after the film’s premiere.
