Films covering music can be a bit of a paradox: Sometimes it can be a disaster, just proving the disparity between the different entertainment industries. (What does some Hollywood director know about the power of music, anyway?) But on the other end of the spectrum, it can be greater than any live performance could ever be. The close up shots, the quick cuts, the tension, building to a climax in only a way film can manufacture — it’s larger than life, it’s movie magic.
Cinema is full of examples falling on both sides of this dividing line. There are those film moments that are just so cheesy and will leave you shaking your head, and those that will get you out of your seat celebrating.
In tribute to the latter group of successes, from Adam Sandler in The Wedding Singer singing the horribly depressing “Somebody Kill Me” to Michael J. Fox in Back to the Future creating the perfect image of rock and roll with a cover of Chuck Berry’s “Johnny B. Goode,” here are eight of the best music scenes spanning the past four decades.
The Wedding Singer – “Somebody Kill Me”
Somehow Robbie Hart turns the most depressing (and really awful) song ever into a powerful, romantic moment.
8 Mile – Final Battle, Eminem vs. Papa Doc
Eminem’s exploits his own insecurities before his foe can in this epic hip-hop climax.
Mulholland Drive – “Llorando”
David Lynch is an expert at drawing real emotion from passionate musical moments such as this.
The Fifth Element – “Il Dolce Suono”
Not only is this one of the most difficult arias because of its length, soaring arpeggios and the high F above high C, but it also kicks off one of sci-fi’s most bad ass action scenes.
O Brother Where Art Thou – “I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow”
A hit is born for the Soggy Bottom Boys.
That Thing You Do – “That Thing You Do” (Radio Scene)
Perfectly capturing the excitement of first hearing one’s band on the radio, marking the moment you arrived.
The Blues Brothers – “Shake A Tail Feather”
In which Ray Charles shows Elwood and Zee how to really rock.
Back to the Future – “Johnny B. Goode”
Where we find out Marty McFly actually invented rock and roll, sort of.
