This is the third in a four-part series of posts on the music featured in films. It will be much like Famous Vehicles from Film and Television, in that it is not theory, not review, and not trivia. The past two have been instrumental themes, first on those by John Williams and then by various composers.

Famous Soundtrack Songs

The other side of film music from instrumental scores are the soundtrack albums that contain songs typically meant to be radio-friendly, typically by multiple artists, typically in genres and styles contemporary to the film's release. For clarity, this post is devoted to songs written specifically for a film (and not a musical). They are like a cool uncle who breezes into town, disrupts life for a bit in a good way before breezing right back out. In this metaphor, the film score is the steady parent, always there when needed, and probably not fully appreciated until one matures. That is not to say the cool uncle cannot mature, too, and also be appreciated long after the fact, because both types of music have the same purpose of affecting emotion and preparing the audience for what is to come. With song titles being more widely known, the format will be that title & artist with its film or franchise as a heading (even when blatantly obvious for consistency), its connection to the film, and of course why I think that impact has endured.

"As Time Goes By" by Dooley Wilson / Casablanca

"As Time Goes By" was originally part of the 1931 Broadway musical Everybody's Welcome and a few artists commercially released a version shortly thereafter. But Dooley Wilson's version in Casablanca solidified its status as a jazz standard with versions by artists ranging from Billie Holliday to Frank Sinatra to Harry Nillson to Bob Dylan. Skipping an introductory section, that standard is Wilson's version that begins with, "You must remember this..." and his only has simple piano accompaniment. It is because of the alteration and its notoriety with the film that it is included along with the original songs. It is a theme for Rick and Ilsa, both the happier times in flashbacks and the current status of their relationship when they cross paths again in the titular city in Morocco. As such, it is both a traditional love song and one that is more wistful, and timelessly both. "The fundamental things apply..."

"Gonna Fly Now" by Bill Conti / Rocky

This selection could almost have been considered for the previous post on instrumentals if not for the technicality of its lyrics. "Gonna Fly Now" was composed by Bill Conti, who has indeed scored films including all of the Rocky films (not the Creed ones) aside from IV, the first four films of The Karate Kid franchise and 8 Seconds. Its distinctive trumpet intro is actually lifted from an anonymous 17th century Italian sonatina before segueing into the lengthier, potentially more familiar, portion. It certainly does not hurt that its first appearance in the series is over Rocky's training montage that is anchored by his run through the city, ending with his iconic arms up stance at the top of the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Similar to the point I made more than once in my "Famous Cars" post, is the music iconic because of the scene or vice versa? In actuality, the two are unable to be separated and equally important. The legacy of "Gonna Fly Now" includes reuse, though rerecorded for some, throughout the entire Rocky franchise aside from Rocky IV and Creed III. To note, while the six Rocky films feature at least most of the track, the two Creed films' usage is much more subtle. But that does create separate identities for the original and spinoff series. "Trying hard now...Getting strong now...Gonna fly now."

"Holiday Road" by Lindsey Buckingham / National Lampoon's Vacation

In the last post about instrumental themes, I mentioned that "The Love Bug (Theme Song)" would fit perfect on a road trip playlist, and "Holiday Road" is an absolute essential for one as well. It has, *ahem*, a driving beat, catchy tune and simple lyrics that make you want to sing along. It is played over the main titles of the first Vacation film and a few more times throughout. If a song for a movie soundtrack has served its purpose, it is both good on its own merit and makes the listener think of the film, the same as was discussed about instrumental themes. "Holiday Road" certainly does that, and it was featured in European Vacation, Vegas Vacation and the requel, Vacation. Lindsey Buckingham would go on to contribute to other soundtracks, including Back to the Future, but this remains one of his best-known songs as a solo artist. "I found out long ago..."

"Ghostbusters" by Ray Parker Jr. / Ghostbusters

Some of the best songs written are those that encourage audience participation. "Ghostbusters" does just that with its repeated refrain, "Who you gonna call?" and variants, answered with the multi-voice eponymous chant. As such, it is both a theme song and an extended advertising jingle that could be used in film, which is fitting since the ghostbusters actually create a television commercial as part of the story. It has a spooky intro before settling into a synth-based dance feel for the verse and chorus, with different spooky vibes returning for the bridge, perfect for a Halloween playlist. It is also synonymous with the franchise as every major Ghostbusters release since first film in 1984 including the sequels, both spinoff animated series, the remake, and the game. It is worth noting that some of these appearances are the original and others are covers, or in the case of Run DMC for Ghostbusters II, a remake where they clearly understood the assignment. "If you're seeing things runnin' through your head..."

"The Goonies 'R' Good Enough" by Cyndi Lauper / The Goonies

Is there anything more '80s than Cyndi Lauper doing a song for The Goonies? There is other "competition" for that spot, but both the film and Lauper, who also has a song on the soundtrack for 1988's Vibes, are certainly icons of the decade. "The Goonies 'R' Good Enough" is a synth-heavy pop-rock song with lyrics describing the universal underdog experience that harmonizes with the film's premise and characters, those unlikely saviors of the "Goon Docks". Despite the song's lighthearted sound, Lauper's talent for voice shines through. There are songs that capitalize on musical era's sound, might make a buck or two, but are throwaway in the end of it all. But there are also songs that are more like a time capsule, capturing a slice of an era and yet remain enjoyable outside of its release date. This is the latter while being a fun platform for a bit of inspiration that in itself, is timeless. "Ideals you used to play with; they're finally taking shape..."

"Danger Zone" by Kenny Loggins / Top Gun

Many artists contribute to soundtracks multiple times over, but Kenny Loggins not only did that, but has an impressive number of top ten hits from those songs, including "I'm Alright", "Footloose", and "Nobody's Fool". Loggins doing a song for Top Gun is some of that "competition" for "anything more '80s" mentioned above, as these listed. "Danger Zone" stands out, though, because of it perfectly matching its feature film. It's an uptempo, adrenaline-pumping rock anthem, that perfectly accompanies the "need for speed" energy of fighter pilots. Somewhat ironically, the "highway" of the chorus might actually fit better with the stock cars of Tony Scott's other film starring Tom Cruise, Days of Thunder. "Danger Zone" was reused in the opening of the legacy sequel, Top Gun: Maverick. "Headin' into twilight; spreadin' out her wings tonight..."

"Partyman" by Prince / Batman

This is the only selection that is from a soundtrack by a single artist, though some of the other artists have more than the one song discussed for the same film, and Conti was nearly the only credited artist for Rocky. Prince recorded three other soundtrack albums during his career, each a star vehicle for himself, most notably, Purple Rain. Admittedly, "Batdance" is still my favorite song from the Batman soundtrack, but "Partyman" fits the purpose of this post better. This is the first selection, but not the last, to be organically included in its film. (To be fair, this fact also applies to "Trust" on the same soundtrack.) Briefly, Prince conceived Batman as a concept album, nearly all of which is "sung" by the main characters of Bruce, Batman (separately), Joker and Vicki, plus Gemini, one of his own invention that represents good and evil. "Partyman" is indeed a "lead vocal by the Joker" track, a funky, James Bown-esque jam that is still "so very Prince". It is played in film as the Joker and his gang "improve the paintings". In both title and lyric, it embodies an anti-Batman stance, and that is every good Joker. "All hail the new king in town..."

"Sunflower" by Post Malone and Swae Lee / Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

"Sunflower" has around the same amount of screen time in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse as "Partyman" does in Batman, but its role is more serious than it. It is introduced early in the film as a favorite song of Miles Morales', clearly new to him based on his singing along. As a character, it puts him in his creative space mentally as he makes slaps (the graffiti version of sticker art). But lyrically, it lines up with his future complicated relationship with Gwen Stacy, so it more or less also serves as a theme. Musically, "Sunflower" is catchy pop-rap track with a beat that drives its soulful feel throughout. "Fightin' for my trust and you won't back down..."

Similar to both posts on instrumental themes, these are only a small number of selections that really stick out to me personally. Since they have varying degrees of relational identity with their respective films, it is a good indicator that each are good songs on their own merit, and not merely a good soundtrack song. On the other side of that, they would likely not be on a playlist together without the soundtrack connection, since so many different genres are represented in this small slice of movie memorabilia.

Next up...Famous Soundtrack Songs (Repurposed)!