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.
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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]