Top 10 Music Moments In Film

The movie that Martin Scorsese will inevitably make about my life will star anyone who is not Katherine Hiegl in the part of me. My love interest will be played by no one else but Ryan Gosling. And the soundtrack will be a compilation of incredible songs by hip musicians that you haven't heard of yet, but will be guaranteed to love.

Nothing is more elating than when you're watching a film and the song playing in the background is just so god damn good that you download it as soon as you get home.  But until the glorious day of my bio-pic premiere, here are some favourite movie music moments that keep me inspired...

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10. ‘Light and Day’ – THE POLYPHONIC SPREE/ ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND

Is there anyone who doesn’t love this movie?  Is there anyone who doesn't love this song?  The combination of the two is what Michel Gondry does best. Given that he has directed some of the greatest music videos of our generation, it’s not surprising that he knows how to compile a fabulous soundtrack for his films.

9. ‘Sweet Disposition’ – TEMPER TRAP/500 DAYS OF SUMMER

Tom spies Summer on the train and they montage their way through the awkward "seeing your ex again for the first time" moment effortlessly to this song.  This has now lead me to believe that as long as 'Sweet Disposition' is playing somewhere in the background, it has the power to enable me to effortlessly montage my way through any awkward moments with my ex's.  I'm yet to put this theory into effect but I'm pretty sure it works.

8. ‘I’ll try anything once’ – JULIAN CASABLANCAS/SOMEWHERE

This is what I dig about Sofia Coppola.....she's not above milking her musician friends for their awesome tracks for her films.

7. 'Needle in the Hay' – ELLIOTT SMITH /THE ROYAL TENEBAUMS

ELLIOTT SMITH's sombre number almost eggs Ritchie Tenebaum on as he stares into his bathroom mirror contemplating suicide.  This gorgeously bleak scene reminds us that despite all the theatrics, the quirks and the effervescent drama, there is true love in this dysfunctional family.

6. ‘The Killing Moon’ – ECHO AND THE BUNNYMEN/DONNIE DARKO

ECHO AND THE BUNNYMEN are essentially a hobo mixer of cheap weed, THE SMITHS and JOY DIVISION who got a second wind when this song featured in the opening scene of quintessential indie film Donnie Darko.  The image of an oh so young Jake Gyllenhaal riding home on his bike looking adorably confused and forlorn, with this song playing, pushing him slowly towards home is one of the films stand out moments.

5. BJORK/DANCER IN THE DARK

It’s a musical.  Starring BJORK.  The whole film classifies as an indie music moment.

4. ‘Rumpus’ – KAREN O/ WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE

Hate or love the movie you can’t deny that KAREN O’s score for this film was pretty much perfect.  When I was a wild things obsessed child I used to try and rumpus with my imaginary friends in our backyard.  But then one day I accidentally suffocated my pet rabbit during a particularly energetic rumpus session and it was awkward for everyone.  I don't think I'll include that story in my life movie....

3. ‘New Slang’ – THE SHINS/GARDEN STATE

Remember when all anyone did was talk about the Garden State soundtrack?  Remember how everyone had a steady girl crush on Natalie Portman for months after watching this scene.  And remember how everyone pretended that they knew THE SHINS before the movie came out but really we all knew that they didn't.  Liars.

2. ‘Alligator’ – GRIZZLY BEAR/BLUE VALENTINE 

The combination of GRIZZLY BEAR and a defeated Ryan Gosling was a little too much for me as I sobbed my way through this film.  Please don't ever watch this movie if you have just broken up with someone.  Trust me, Ryan Gosling is not hot enough to distact you from the salt-in-wound effect it has (you do get to see him semi-naked which does help a bit...)

1. ‘You and Whose Army?’ – RADIOHEAD/ INCENDIES

Kings of indie rock RADIOHEAD haunt the opening scene of this totally underrated film.  Nothing like some slow pans, heads being shaved and Thom Yorke’s signature drone to draw you into a movie.  I guarantee from this point onwards you will not look away from your screen.

Words by Keya Muk.