TOP 200 MOVIE SONGS This update: #60-51. More added later this week.

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Caffe` Latte` presents…

THE 200

MOST ESSENTIAL

MOVIE SONGS

 

Here they are…

The definitive list of 200 songs from the movies, recorded by by rock & pop acts since the start of the Rock Era in 1955.

To be eligible, the songs need to have been first heard in association with a film from the last 60 years (although some exceptions do exist where the song gained a higher profile after its use in a motion picture)- so no songs from “West Side Story”, “Phantom of the Opera”, “Les Miserables” or “The Sound Of Music” and other films that first started out as stage musicals.

#51

SUPERFLY

Curtis Mayfield

(‘Superfly’- 1972)

 

 Blaxpoitation films were all the rage in the 1970s and Curtis Mayfield dropped 1 of the best soundtracks for that genre. The music is still cool and infectious today. 

#52

A HARD DAY'S NIGHT

The Beatles

(‘The Beatles’- 1964)

 'A Hard Day's Night' was the 1st film starring the Beatles. It was a major success at a time when anything related to the Fab Four turned to gold. The British Invasion was in full swing, and The Beatles' song reached #1 in America and Britain.

#53

GANGSTA'S PARADISE

Coolio featuring L.V.

(‘Dangerous Minds’- 1995)

 

Coolio did little to a Stevie Wonder track entitled "Pastime Paradise" and scored a global smash in the process. The single topped charts in America, Britain, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Michelle Pfeiffer starred in the school drama. 

#54

I BELIEVE I CAN FLY

R. Kelly

(‘Space Jam’- 1996)

 

The sports comedy 'Space Jam' was accompanied by a contemporary soundtrack. Its highlight was the inspiring R. Kelly track "I Believe I Can Fly". The single made the top in the UK and peaked at #2 in the USA. 

#55

CHARIOTS OF FIRE(aka TITLES)

Vangelis

(‘Chariots Of Fire’- 1981)

 

 The British drama 'Chariots Of Fire' was based on true events involving 2 athletes competing in the 1924 Olympic Games. The film won the Best Picture Oscar and 3 others, including Best Score for Vangelis. The instrumental reached #1 in the USA and reached the Top 5 in Britain, Canada and Australia.

#56

DON'T YOU (FORGET ABOUT ME)

Simple Minds

(‘The Breakfast Club’- 1985)

 

Simple Minds may have bemoaned that "Don't You (Forget About Me)" misrepresented the group's usual sound, but recording the track proved lucrative for the Scottish act. The coming of age film was a box office hit and paved the way for imitators. John Hughes assured himself a place among the best modern day directors as a result. The cast boasted Molly Ringwald, Ally Sheedy and Emilio Estevez. Simple Minds reached #1 in America with the song. 

#57

JAILHOUSE ROCK

Elvis Presley

(‘Jailhouse Rock’- 1957)

 

The musical 'Jailhouse Rock' featured an unforgettable dance sequence for the title song. It proved influential and provided another #1 in the USA for lead actor Elvis Presley. 

#58

FIGHT THE POWER

Public Enemy

(‘Do The Right Thing’- 1989)

Public Enemy was an apt choice to provide a song for Spike Lee's lauded comedy drama 'Do The Right Thing'. The rap/ hip-hop group delivered a timeless anthem.

#59

WE DON'T NEED ANOTHER HERO

Tina Turner

(‘Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome’- 1985)

 

 Tina Turner's career was enjoying a renaissance when she co-starred with Mel Gibson for the 3rd instalment in the 'Mad Max' Australian action movies set in a post-apocalyptic context. Turner sang the Golden Globe nominated theme song and scored a Top 3 hit in Britain and America. The single topped the Australian and Canadian charts as well as in some European countries.

#60

TO SIR WITH LOVE

Lulu

(‘To Sir With Love’- 1967)

 

 Sidney Poitier starred in this memorable film that still ranks high among other movies about tough school environments and an exceptional teacher. This trend setter sits well among 'Dead Poets Society', 'Stand And Deliver' and 'Dangerous Minds'. Lulu, the British 60s star, plays 1 of the students. Her rendition of the title song has made it a graduation staple ever since. The single spent 5 weeks atop the US chart.