• 8 months ago
Got a Vietnam-era scene? Legally, you must use "Fortunate Son." Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re looking at specific songs that have appeared in dozens of shows and movies throughout the years.
Transcript
00:00 [Music]
00:03 Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're looking at specific songs that have appeared in dozens of shows and movies throughout the years.
00:10 Movie scores and instrumentals will not be considered.
00:13 [Music]
00:19 Number 30, "Lowrider - War"
00:21 [Music]
00:28 Released in 1975 on War's studio album, "Why Can't We Be Friends?"
00:32 "Lowrider" has been covered by dozens of artists and has appeared in countless TV shows and movies throughout the years.
00:38 [Music]
00:41 As for movies, it's popped up in the likes of "Gone in 60 Seconds," "Up in Smoke," "Friday," and "A Knight's Tale" to name a few.
00:48 "I love you, William."
00:49 "I know, I know. No one else will."
00:51 [Music]
00:55 In that '70s show, Eric inscribes the lyrics of the song onto Donna's wedding ring.
01:00 "Possibly even a little rude."
01:02 [Laughter]
01:05 "All my friends know the low rider."
01:08 [Laughter]
01:15 It's also known for being George Lopez's theme song, appearing in his stand-up and on his shows "George Lopez" and "Lopez Tonight."
01:22 [Music]
01:26 War isn't the most popular band in the world, but we imagine the royalty checks for this one song have set them up for life.
01:33 Number 29, "Oh Yeah, Yellow."
01:36 [Music]
01:41 Swiss synth-pop band Yellow had a mostly cult following by the release of their 1985 album "Stella,"
01:46 but the third track, "Oh Yeah," made them a global sensation after it was used in the closing credits of Ferris Bueller's "Day Off."
01:54 "Oh yeah."
01:56 John Hughes' hit comedy launched the funky strut up the charts as Yellow's signature song.
02:01 Though it featured prominently on other '80s soundtracks, it is popularly recognized as the Ferris Bueller song.
02:07 "It is his fault he didn't lock the garage."
02:10 Dozens of movies, shows, and commercials continue to play "Oh Yeah" as an homage to a classic flick or just to exaggerate sex appeal.
02:18 As formulaic as that is, it's hard not to groove along when Yellow kicks on.
02:22 "What the hell is 'Day Bow Bow?'"
02:25 "Day Bow Bow."
02:27 "Chicka Chicka."
02:28 "Oh, Day Bow Bow."
02:31 "Oh yeah, day."
02:34 Number 28, "True - Spandau Ballet."
02:37 Easily Spandau Ballet's biggest song, "True" topped the UK charts for four weeks
02:42 and proved the band's only top ten hit in the United States, peaking at number four.
02:46 "Me and her, we're in her face."
02:52 The song itself has appeared in numerous movies, including "Sixteen Candles" and "Charlie's Angels."
02:57 It's also closely related to Adam Sandler, having appeared in both "Pixels" and "The Wedding Singer."
03:02 [Music]
03:08 In the latter, it's sung by Steve Buscemi at Robbie and Julia's wedding.
03:12 It was also sung by Edward Norton on "Modern Family,"
03:15 who was appearing as the band's fictional bass player Izzy LaFontaine.
03:19 "Shot a ray of hope into this gloomy suburban life."
03:22 "Alright, buddy."
03:22 "You should play it, Izzy."
03:26 "For you, Claire."
03:30 He personally sings "True" to Phil and Claire, as Claire mistakenly believes it's the couple's song.
03:36 Number 27, "White Rabbit," Jefferson Airplane.
03:39 "One pill makes you larger, and one pill makes you small."
03:47 Upon the release of the now classic album "Surrealistic Pillow,"
03:51 "White Rabbit" became one of the great anthems of psychedelic rock.
03:54 [Music]
04:00 "What's up, fam?"
04:01 Jefferson Airplane's take on Lewis Carroll is definitely a chilling departure from Disney's.
04:06 It has since become a soundtrack staple of counterculture period pieces
04:09 and generally hallucinogenic scenes.
04:12 "You ready?"
04:12 "Close your eyes."
04:17 But with the Bolero's sinister tone,
04:19 at least one film or show has found dramatic use for it each year since 2001.
04:24 And if there's any doubt that something is intended as an homage to "Alice in Wonderland,"
04:28 "White Rabbit" tends to telegraph that.
04:31 The trippiest irony is that the song has yet to appear in a direct adaptation of Carroll.
04:36 [Music]
04:41 Number 26, "Mr. Blue Sky," Electric Light Orchestra.
04:44 [Music]
04:51 ELO's "Mr. Blue Sky" recently enjoyed a bit of a cultural resurgence
04:55 thanks to "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2."
04:57 [Music]
05:03 But it's been around in the pop culture consciousness for decades.
05:06 In fact, it appeared in both the opening and closing ceremonies
05:09 of the London Summer Olympics in 2012,
05:12 a celebration of the band's English heritage.
05:14 As for movies and TV, "Mr. Blue Sky" has appeared in "Megamind,"
05:18 [Music]
05:23 "Role Models," "Paul Blart,"
05:25 and the trailer for "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind."
05:28 [Music]
05:35 It's also popped up in various media,
05:37 including the children's film "The Magic Roundabout," aka "Dougal,"
05:41 and beloved sci-fi series "Doctor Who."
05:43 [Music]
05:56 Number 25, "London Calling," The Clash.
05:59 [Music]
06:06 The Clash's revolutionary album "London Calling"
06:08 kicks off with a sobering image of London during the apocalypse.
06:12 As far as American media cares, though,
06:14 the punk masterpiece is just an image of London.
06:17 Ever since a vacation episode of "Friends,"
06:19 "London Calling" has become standard bumper music for shots of the city.
06:22 [Music]
06:26 It has also been used to play up edgier motifs in British culture,
06:30 even in British media.
06:32 James Bond himself came home to the song in "Die Another Day."
06:35 This cheeky cliche by no means takes away from its status
06:38 as an undeniable anthem for the modern UK.
06:41 It's just unfortunate that the 20-something ways
06:44 it's been used as an anthem feels so establishment.
06:47 [Music]
06:51 Number 24, "I've Had the Time of My Life,"
06:54 Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes.
06:55 [Music]
07:02 Dirty Dancing finishes on one of the most iconic dance numbers ever.
07:06 Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes' original collab,
07:08 "I've Had the Time of My Life,"
07:10 is itself a popular selection for romantic or festive occasions.
07:13 [Music]
07:18 Its appearance in other movies reflects that.
07:20 Really, the song is most overtly used in recreations
07:24 or spoofs of the dirty dancing scene.
07:26 But many romantic moments and music competition shows
07:29 utilize it as a go-to duet.
07:31 Either way, the use of "Time of My Life" has gotten so specific,
07:35 it's often ironic.
07:36 Not so ironic is the way the song makes you sing,
07:39 dance, or roll your eyes when it's played outside of the original film.
07:43 "Just look at them, it's not even that dirty."
07:45 "Hey, I know it's not for Luz, but will you just dance a little for me?"
07:51 Number 23, "Don't Stop Believin'," Journey.
07:54 [Music]
08:00 The opening track of Journey's "Escape" album
08:03 already feels like it should be from an empowering movie.
08:06 For over 20 years, though,
08:07 "Don't Stop Believin'" was seldom heard outside of classic rock playlists.
08:11 Popular interest resurged after it was played
08:13 over the famed final scene of "The Sopranos."
08:15 [Music]
08:21 "What looks good tonight?"
08:22 By the time Glee covered it as one of the show's signature songs,
08:25 it seemed to be everywhere.
08:27 This quintessential power ballad was prominently featured
08:30 in uplifting scenes throughout the early 2010s.
08:32 To this day, it is a favorite on music competition shows.
08:36 Certainly, "Don't Stop Believin'" will never stop thrilling the legions of Journey fans.
08:41 You just don't want it to go on and on so much outside of the radio.
08:45 [Music]
08:51 Number 22, "You Can't Touch This," MC Hammer.
08:54 [Music]
08:58 The groove of MC Hammer's signature song really is untouchable.
09:03 Ever since it blew up from the album "Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em,"
09:06 "You Can't Touch This" has been a mainstay across all media.
09:09 [Music]
09:12 Movies, shows, ads, and anything else you can think of
09:15 has used the jam to pump up their tone.
09:17 In a Cosumo survey of 4,000 films,
09:20 it was found to be the most used song.
09:23 The parodies alone could fill the pockets of a few parachute pants.
09:26 However much "You Can't Touch This" is really queued up,
09:29 it's probably taken for granted at this point.
09:31 You can't say that it doesn't liven up any soundtrack it touches.
09:35 "Just like the bad guy from 'Lethal Weapon 2,'
09:37 I've got diplomatic immunity, so Hammer, you can't sue."
09:40 Number 21, "September," Earth, Wind & Fire.
09:44 [Music]
09:49 It never feels like a cloudy day when this disco opus kicks on.
09:53 September will never get old, despite the best efforts of modern pop culture.
09:58 Ever since the 2000s, nostalgia surrounding the already nostalgic anthem
10:02 has made it a go-to for uplifting scenes in film and TV.
10:05 [Music]
10:09 The internet has also worn out the track.
10:11 It's even a sensation in European media,
10:14 from British football chants to the mega-hit French comedy "The Untouchables."
10:18 Earth, Wind & Fire have clearly delivered a pop staple
10:21 that transcends generations and culture.
10:23 That can be said about many of their overplayed classics,
10:26 but "September" can be a particularly exhausting groove
10:29 for its prevalence across media.
10:31 [Music]
10:38 Number 20, "Ain't That a Kick in the Head," Dean Martin.
10:42 [Music]
10:47 After its debut in 1960's "Ocean's Eleven,"
10:50 "Ain't That a Kick in the Head" became one of the great swing standards.
10:54 It so epitomizes the age of the crooner
10:56 that media tends to lean on the standard in tributes to that hip style.
11:00 "Goodfellas" even revived the song for film
11:02 by tapping into the irony of its cold-footed love story.
11:05 "Age, but I got my mom to watch the babies tomorrow night."
11:09 "I can't do it, Karen."
11:11 "Why not?"
11:11 "I just can't do it. I got something lined up."
11:14 "Yeah, but tomorrow night's the only night she can do it."
11:18 More than 40 properties have used it for romance,
11:20 comedy, action, and practically every other tone.
11:23 The cliche may very well boot the cleverness.
11:26 Even the cool factor is played out.
11:28 But with its impossible catchiness and versatile use,
11:31 "Ain't That a Kick in the Head" is a keeper.
11:33 [Music]
11:40 Number 19, "Celebration," Kool & The Gang.
11:42 [Music]
11:48 True to its title,
11:49 "Kool & The Gang's Celebration" is the peak of party anthems.
11:53 As cliche as it is to include it in your party playlist,
11:56 it is naturally the gold standard for upbeat soundtracks.
11:59 Its usage goes back to the sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati,
12:02 not long after the song's debut on the 1980 album "Celebrate."
12:06 "Officer, it's three minutes past the time that the bomb was supposed to go off."
12:10 This instant classic has been keeping festive scenes going ever since.
12:14 "Now listen very carefully. I think it's 'Celebration' by Kool & The Gang."
12:20 If anything, it's become more frequently and prominently used through the years.
12:24 As of 2024, it's made more than 40 appearances.
12:28 That effectively confirms "Celebration" as the never-ending party that everyone wants,
12:33 with all the fatigue that clearly nobody thinks about.
12:36 "Mr. Vice President, someone finally bought a copy of your book, sir."
12:40 "Well, this calls for a celebration."
12:42 [Music]
12:47 "I will."
12:48 Number 18, "Gimme Shelter" - The Rolling Stones.
12:51 "No one gives it to you. You have to take it."
12:56 Martin Scorsese's movies probably count for half of the plays this song gets on screen.
13:00 But "Gimme Shelter" also has a reputation for meaning that something intense is about to happen.
13:05 [Music]
13:07 "What can I do you for?"
13:07 [Music]
13:11 "Friend."
13:12 Whether in emotionally or romantically intense scenes,
13:15 [Music]
13:19 or when everything is about to hit the fan,
13:21 it has certainly pulled its weight over the years as a cue to let people know that something interesting is,
13:26 well, just a shot away.
13:27 [Music]
13:31 "Bring it, please."
13:31 "Stop shooting."
13:32 [Music]
13:33 Just like another Stones classic, "Sympathy for the Devil."
13:36 It's a great tune that unfortunately feels a little formulaic at this point.
13:40 [Music]
13:48 Maybe we can let the next generation of rockers lay these ones to rest soon.
13:52 Number 17, "Respect" - Aretha Franklin.
13:55 "What you want?"
13:56 "Who?"
13:56 "Baby, I got..."
13:59 "Who?"
13:59 Often considered one of the greatest songs ever recorded,
14:02 Aretha Franklin's "Respect" was released in 1967,
14:06 serving as a cover of Otis Redding's 1965 original.
14:09 Despite being a cover, Franklin undoubtedly made it her own,
14:13 changing the lyrics to reflect the feminist movement and adding the song's signature "R-E-S-P-E-C-T" refrain.
14:18 "Respect" has appeared in the likes of "Desperately Seeking Susan,"
14:22 "St. Elmo's Fire,"
14:23 and "Bridget Jones's Diary,"
14:24 just to name a few.
14:25 [Music]
14:26 "It's gorgeous, isn't it?
14:27 Used to belong to Elvis Presley.
14:30 You wanna try it on?"
14:31 It's also sung by Jennifer Hudson in the Aretha Franklin biopic appropriately titled "Respect."
14:37 [Music]
14:42 "Aretha, you do talk, don't you?
14:43 Not just sing?"
14:44 "I'd like you to call me Miss Franklin."
14:46 The biopic is a long time coming,
14:49 serving as a wonderful celebration of Franklin's trailblazing career and music.
14:53 Number 16.
14:54 "All Along the Watchtower,"
14:56 Jimi Hendrix.
14:57 "I think it might be narcotic."
14:58 "Is that so?"
15:00 [Music]
15:03 Originally written by Bob Dylan,
15:04 the Jimi Hendrix cover of this tune usually comes in when something on screen gets kicked up a notch,
15:10 often cued up when a character is tripping on drugs for the first time.
15:12 However, it doesn't always have to be associated with a drug trip.
15:15 "Now dry your eyes, and let's go home."
15:19 [Music]
15:24 Case in point,
15:25 Battlestar Galactica uses the song as a trigger,
15:28 suggesting the melody transcends space and time.
15:30 [Music]
15:37 However, when placed in chronological time,
15:39 the psychedelic rocker has become a period marker for the 1960s,
15:43 common in movies and shows depicting era-defining events like the Vietnam War.
15:47 Although we'll get more songs associated with that time period later.
15:50 [Music]
15:57 Number 15.
15:58 "Walkin' On Sunshine,"
16:00 Katrina and the Waves.
16:01 [Music]
16:05 This song may have been the group's biggest hit,
16:07 but it's also guaranteed their spot in pop culture.
16:10 [Music]
16:16 The pop rock number sounds like sunshine, rainbows, and everything nice.
16:20 So it's always played to make sure we know that an on-screen character is feeling good.
16:24 [Music]
16:29 The most creative use of the Katrina and the Waves single must be in "American Psycho" though,
16:34 during the scene in which Patrick Bateman listens to it stone-faced
16:37 after a successful night of killing.
16:38 [Music]
16:44 "Walkin' On Sunshine" has appeared in dozens of projects,
16:47 including films, TV shows, video games, and more.
16:50 "Can you turn that off?
16:51 Listen, listen, I wasn't supposed to...
16:58 But maybe it's about time that it walks away.
17:00 Number 14.
17:01 "Bad to the Bone,"
17:02 George Thurgood and the Destroyers.
17:04 "If I was the bad boy,
17:06 then I was going to be the baddest boy of them all."
17:11 Is an unlikely person about to rebel?
17:13 If so, cue this song.
17:15 "We can have sex again."
17:16 [Music]
17:24 This song seems to appear every time old people go on a trip,
17:27 middle-aged men want to be badasses,
17:29 or kids feel the urge to rebel.
17:31 "I'll take a whack at it."
17:33 [Music]
17:38 Before it had such an ironic use,
17:40 "Bad to the Bone" was used with sincerity.
17:42 For example, it plays in "Terminator 2 Judgment Day"
17:45 after the T-800 suits up in his leather motorcycle outfit.
17:48 [Music]
17:55 The track's opening guitar riff makes it instantly recognizable
17:58 and alerts the audience to watch out for whoever's on screen.
18:01 [Music]
18:09 Number 13.
18:10 "Sweet Home Alabama,"
18:11 Leonard Skinner.
18:12 [Music]
18:21 This Leonard Skinner track seems to be the only tune about the South
18:24 that Hollywood knows about.
18:25 [Music]
18:32 And if the on-screen setting isn't actually the South,
18:35 filmmakers seem to use it when they want the audience to know
18:37 that a character is a stereotypical hillbilly.
18:40 [Music]
18:47 However, as much as "Sweet Home Alabama" has been used as a cliche,
18:51 filmmakers have been using it to create meaning in new and unexpected ways.
18:55 "Bunch of idiots dancing on a plane to a song made famous
18:58 by a van that died in a plane crash."
19:01 It's certainly most engaging when it's remixed into creative reinterpretations
19:05 rather than just using it in rote repetition
19:07 whenever a rural Southern white American appears on screen.
19:10 "Yeah!"
19:11 "Cause I live at home in a trailer."
19:15 Number 12.
19:16 "Kung Fu Fighting,"
19:17 Carl Douglas.
19:18 [Music]
19:23 The inclusion of this funky disco tune means we're about to engage in some wacky fighting.
19:27 [Music]
19:35 When this Carl Douglas number comes on,
19:37 it pretty much guarantees that no one in the scene actually knows Kung Fu
19:41 or is even a good fighter.
19:43 "I may not be the best ninja.
19:44 I may not be one with the universe.
19:46 But I will tell you this.
19:48 No one messes with my brother!"
19:51 [Music]
19:56 Or if they can fight, it's almost by miracle.
19:59 Interestingly enough, this song was originally recorded as a b-side.
20:02 So the producer decided to go over the top with the elements
20:05 stereotypically associated with martial arts.
20:07 "So you wanted to try and set me up, huh?"
20:09 [Music]
20:14 While Kung Fu Fighting was fun at the time of its release,
20:17 now it seems way past its due date.
20:20 [Music]
20:27 Number 11.
20:28 "Spirit in the Sky,"
20:30 Norman Greenbaum.
20:30 [Music]
20:35 Very few people will know the name Norman Greenbaum.
20:38 But he is one of the biggest one-hit wonders in music history,
20:41 known for his 1969 single "Spirit in the Sky."
20:44 [Music]
20:51 A unique blending of rock, country, and gospel,
20:54 the song was a huge hit for Greenbaum
20:56 and is often seen on greatest songs of all time lists.
20:59 It has appeared in over 20 movies and TV shows throughout the decades.
21:02 This includes some older movies like Wayne's World 2 and Apollo 13,
21:06 and more recent ones like Guardians of the Galaxy,
21:09 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Out of the Shadows,
21:11 and This Is the End.
21:12 [Music]
21:18 As for TV, the song has popped up on The Masked Singer and Sons of Anarchy.
21:22 Number 10.
21:23 "Fortunate Son,"
21:24 Creedence Clearwater Revival.
21:25 [Music]
21:33 If a movie takes place during the Vietnam War,
21:35 you better believe CCR's "Fortunate Son" is gonna play.
21:38 Well, either that or Buffalo Springfield's "For What It's Worth."
21:41 [Music]
21:45 Both are emblematic of the era.
21:47 "Fortunate Son" is played in Forrest Gump when Forrest arrives in the jungle,
21:51 and it's appeared in many action and crime films,
21:53 including Live Free or Die Hard, Battleship, Suicide Squad, and War Dogs.
21:58 [Music]
22:04 It's also no stranger to TV,
22:06 popping up in the likes of Parenthood, The New MacGyver,
22:09 American Horror Story, and The Strain.
22:11 It's one of the most popular rock songs ever recorded,
22:14 and its legacy has undoubtedly been aided by its numerous pop culture appearances.
22:18 "There's lots of things you expect in war.
22:21 Carnage, the sleepless nights.
22:23 But what they don't prepare you for is the incessant use of 'Fortunate Son.'"
22:28 [Music]
22:29 "I'd hear that song anytime I was in a helicopter."
22:32 [Music]
22:34 Number 9.
22:34 "Stayin' Alive,"
22:35 The Bee Gees.
22:36 [Music]
22:40 Originally created for the Saturday Night Fever movie soundtrack,
22:43 this disco track seems to have really outgrown its source.
22:46 [Music]
22:52 Sure, when older viewers hear The Bee Gees crooning,
22:54 they immediately think of John Travolta strutting along the sidewalk.
22:57 "Do it a moment like this.
22:58 Strut."
22:59 [Music]
23:07 But there have just been so many other on-screen uses of the chart topper
23:10 to denote when someone thinks he's a pretty cool customer,
23:13 especially when other people do not.
23:15 [Music]
23:22 It certainly has a great vibe,
23:24 but it's also one of the biggest earworms ever.
23:26 [Music]
23:34 So more often than not,
23:35 it can be quite distracting.
23:37 [Music]
23:44 "All right, whatever you say."
23:46 Number 8.
23:47 "Back in Black,"
23:48 AC/DC.
23:48 [Music]
23:56 These iconic hard rockers released some real bangers in their time,
23:59 but nothing compares to "Back in Black."
24:01 "You take care of the suit, I'll take care of the music."
24:03 [Music]
24:08 "Oh, I love Led Zeppelin!"
24:10 That iconic guitar riff has appeared in dozens of shows and movies,
24:13 and it rivals "Fortunate Son" for the most prominent riff in entertainment history.
24:17 It's played in "School of Rock"
24:19 when Dewey is assigning the children their various roles in and for the band.
24:23 "Led guitar."
24:23 [Music]
24:26 "Zack Attack. Take a seat."
24:27 It's also appeared in the opening scene of "Iron Man"
24:30 and in movies ranging from "The Karate Kid" to "Spider-Man Far From Home"
24:34 and even "The Muppets."
24:35 "May I suggest we save time and pick up the rest of the Muppets using a montage?"
24:40 "Oh, great idea, '80s robot."
24:42 [Music]
24:43 "We greatly appreciate your financial support."
24:46 As for TV,
24:48 you can hear it in shows like "Cobra Kai,"
24:50 "Ash vs. Evil Dead,"
24:51 and "Supernatural."
24:53 "House rules, Sammy. Driver picks the music,
24:55 shotgun shuts his cake hole."
24:56 "You know, Sammy is a chubby 12-year-old. It's Sam, okay?"
25:01 "Sorry, I can't hear you. The music's too loud."
25:03 Number 7.
25:07 "We Are the Champions."
25:08 "Queen."
25:08 [Music]
25:15 This band is vastly overplayed in the movie and TV industry.
25:18 It makes sense considering their stature and legendary songs.
25:21 [Music]
25:28 The song obviously appeared in the movie "Bohemian Rhapsody,"
25:31 but that doesn't count.
25:32 It's typically played when a character wins something,
25:34 as seen in the likes of "Gilmore Girls,"
25:36 "Kicking and Screaming,"
25:37 and "South Park,"
25:38 albeit used humorously.
25:40 [Music]
25:47 It's also appeared in "Friends,"
25:49 "Angel,"
25:49 "Arrow,"
25:50 "High Fidelity,"
25:51 "Turbo,"
25:52 and "Game Night."
25:53 It's just a cliche at this point,
25:54 especially if it involves championships or winning of some kind.
25:57 [Music]
26:05 Number 6.
26:06 "Over the Rainbow."
26:07 "Judy Garland."
26:08 [Music]
26:14 The filmmakers behind "The Wizard of Oz"
26:16 probably never thought this song would become such a standout track
26:20 and a cultural phenomenon.
26:21 [Music]
26:29 There's no denying the ballad was a beautiful addition to the musical fantasy.
26:33 [Music]
26:38 But it's now too often been overtly used to make the audience feel a sense of nostalgia.
26:42 [Music]
26:48 "Over the Rainbow" has appeared in hundreds of on-screen projects
26:51 and shows no signs of slowing down.
26:53 [Music]
27:00 It may go down as one of the most emotional songs ever,
27:03 but it's also often cringeworthy too.
27:06 [Music]
27:13 Number 5.
27:14 "Let's Get It On."
27:15 "Marvin Gaye."
27:16 [Music]
27:23 Quick, think of a scene where one character looks at another in a seductive manner.
27:27 Chances are that scene contains Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On."
27:30 [Music]
27:37 Much like "We Are the Champions,"
27:39 "Let's Get It On" has become a movie trope in and of itself,
27:42 as it's always played during some seductive or sex-based sequence.
27:45 [Music]
27:52 Regarding movies, you can hear it in Austin Powers' "The Spy Who Shagged Me,"
27:56 "High Fidelity," "Something's Gotta Give," "The Change-Up,"
27:59 and "Bridget Jones' The Edge of Reason," among others.
28:01 And for TV, it's appeared in many classic shows like "The Simpsons,"
28:05 "The Sopranos," "Charmed," and "Scrubs."
28:07 [Music]
28:14 That sexy and funky opening has got to be one of the most overused sounds in movies and TV.
28:20 [Music]
28:23 "Hey."
28:23 "I'm just checking in."
28:24 Number 4. "Eye of the Tiger," "Survivor."
28:27 [Music]
28:31 The Rocky movies basically invented the training montage,
28:35 but the theme of the franchise's third round is truly the definitive montage song.
28:39 [Music]
28:44 "Survivor's Eye of the Tiger" was such an instant adrenaline hit
28:47 that it became the theme and namesake for another action flick in 1986.
28:52 From there, more than 60 soundtracks have used the song,
28:55 usually for montages or general hype.
28:57 It's even made an appearance in major political campaigns.
29:00 "Eye of the Tiger" just projects a ferocious energy
29:03 that transcends the two movies that broke it out.
29:05 As cheap as it is to use "Survivor's" signature song to rev up the audience,
29:10 there is simply no competition.
29:12 [Music]
29:14 Number 3. "What a Wonderful World," Louis Armstrong.
29:17 [Music]
29:24 If you want viewers to cry, this is the song to put on your soundtrack.
29:28 [Music]
29:36 Every time "What a Wonderful World" plays,
29:38 it pretty much sums up that something awful happened,
29:40 but that we should still have faith in humanity,
29:43 or that something truly beautiful has just happened.
29:45 "Yes, that's... that's good."
29:47 Either way, Louis Armstrong's traditional pop tune
29:55 has become too emotionally manipulative,
29:57 and its on-screen inclusion seems unoriginal at best.
30:00 [Music]
30:08 Movies like "Journey to the Mysterious Island"
30:10 attempt to make it new by offering alternative versions of the original.
30:13 [Music]
30:20 But we see what they're doing.
30:21 Stop!
30:22 [Music]
30:32 Number 2. "Hallelujah," Leonard Cohen.
30:35 [Music]
30:42 When even the artist thinks their song has been used one too many times,
30:46 maybe it's time to pack it in.
30:47 [Music]
30:54 In 1984, Leonard Cohen released "Hallelujah" to a generally unresponsive public.
30:59 However, it eventually generated esteem through various cover versions,
31:03 most prominently those of John Cale and Jeff Buckley.
31:06 Cohen's arrangement of "Hallelujah" has appeared in countless movies and TV shows,
31:10 including "Shrek," "The West Wing," "Scrubs," and "Watchmen."
31:13 [Music]
31:18 It was the latter that made Cohen speak up about the song.
31:21 He had reportedly read a review in which the writer
31:24 openly asked filmmakers to stop using the song.
31:26 Cohen told "The Guardian" that he agreed, saying,
31:29 quote, "I kind of feel the same way."
31:31 [Music]
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31:52 Number 1. "Born to be Wild," Steppenwolf.
31:57 [Music]
32:04 You can almost hear a motorcycle revving up each time this song comes on.
32:08 [Music]
32:12 Originally and masterfully used in "Easy Rider,"
32:15 the hard rocker truly captured the spirit of 60s counterculture,
32:18 a sense of Americana, and the quest for freedom.
32:20 [Music]
32:27 However, the entertainment industry has pretty much ruined those positive connotations
32:31 with the Steppenwolf song by including it in close to a hundred other productions.
32:35 [Music]
32:42 Though it's also appeared in movies featuring or about animals,
32:46 "Born to be Wild" is now too often used in a very cliched way
32:50 to represent someone who feels liberated.
32:52 [Music]
33:00 What are some other songs that get too much screen time?
33:02 Cue up in the comments.
33:03 [Music]
33:17 Okay.
33:18 [Music]