A Match Made in Heaven: Music in the Movies
By Christa A. Banister, senior music editor, gmclife.com
While a clever script and strong acting is definitely the stuff of cinematic gold, movies just wouldn’t be movies without a great soundtrack. I mean think about it, what if Casablanca didn’t have Sam playing the hauntingly enchanting “As Time Goes By?” Or imagine Breakfast at Tiffany’s without Audrey Hepburn singing "Moon River" as she strummed the melancholy notes on her acoustic guitar? Even strikingly more modern fare like Inception, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice and Despicable Me wouldn’t be the same without a few good songs adding emotional gravitas to key scenes. And now, celebrating that match made in heaven that is music in modern movies, gmclife.com is highlighting a few of our favorite moments from films past and present.
Landon Pigg & Lucy Schwartz in Shrek Forever After
Proving he’s got way more up his sleeve musically than that one “Coffee Shop” song, he and fellow singer/songwriter Lucy Schwartz set up the scene perfectly with one of the best tracks in this summer’s latest installment of Shrek, “Darling I Do.”
Marvin Winans in I Can Do Bad All By Myself
If you really want to hear the cream of the crop in R&B and gospel music, you can’t go wrong with the soundtrack from Tyler Perry’s latest flick I Can Do Bad All By Myself. And while Mary J. Blige definitely holds her own as she always does on several tracks, it’s Marvin Winans’ “Oh Lord, I Want You to Help Me” that really delivered the soul for me. It’s flat-out amazing.
Needtobreathe in P.S. I Love You
Ok, the movie wasn’t that great unless you’re a big fan of Gerard Butler’s accent, but hearing Needtobreathe’s “More Time” in the mix almost made it tolerable. In fact, it might have been the best scene stealer of all.
Pharrell Williams in Despicable Me
I know, I know...you wouldn’t normally think that Pharrell Williams would be the right fit for a kids’ movie. But he brings just the right amount of street smarts and pop music playfulness to “Fun, Fun, Fun” on the Despicable Me soundtrack – one of the highlights of the film, from both a viewing and a listening perspective.
The Afters in Just My Luck
Back when Lindsay Lohan was actually known for her acting rather than her troubles with the law, The Afters’ breakout single “Beautiful Love” had some primo placement in what ended up being a very mediocre movie.
Gipsy Kings in Toy Story 3
Yes, yes, composer Randy Newman does yet another amazing score, and the songs from Toy Story 3 are particularly well done. But I’ll admit that it’s the Gipsy Kings’ song that really stole my heart when they perform “You've Got a Friend in Me.”
Sixpence None the Richer in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
While “Kiss Me” has definitely gotten its fair share of airplay on both Christian and mainstream radio over the years, it’s a nice little surprise when it shows up during a date between Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey.
Sia in The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
Whether you’re Team Edward, Team Jacob or Team I-Don’t-Care, there’s no denying that the music from The Twilight Saga soundtracks is pure listening bliss for modern rock fans. And while there’s a slew of worthy contenders for “Best Song” from the latest installment, it’s Sia’s “My Love” that steals the show for me. It’s memorably romantic and moody to boot.
Superchick in Legally Blonde
Watching Reese Witherspoon as the ditzy blonde hoping to get into Harvard Law School to impress her ex is the guiltiest of guilty pleasures. What you don’t have to feel bad about is loving that Superchick’s catchy “One Girl Revolution” is part of the fun.
Jamiroquai in Napoleon Dynamite
You gotta love it when a geeky guy like Jon Heder’s Napoleon chooses such a great song to dance to – quite awkwardly. After all, a fantastic song is the best comic relief of all if used properly, and the filmmakers use this track to the fullest.
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About the Writer
After graduating with a B.S. in Journalism from North Central University in 1998, Christa Banister moved from Minneapolis to Nashville, Tenn. and eventually started working at CCM Magazine/Salem Publishing in various editorial capacities as an editor, columnist and website guru for five and a half years. After that, she launched her own Dallas-based freelance writing company and writes for numerous clients including Salem Publishing, Crosswalk.com (she review movies for them each week), Christian Single, Christianity Today, Threads Media, Songs4Worship.com, PassAlong.com and also helped kickstart the first Christian music blog for MTV. In addition, she also writes bios for professional recording artists and authors and penned her first two novels, Around the World in 80 Dates and Blessed Are the Meddlers for NavPress.
