ESSENTIAL MOVIE SONGS - The Honourable Mentions Part 3. More tomorrow.

Caffe` Latte` presents…

THE 200

MOST ESSENTIAL

MOVIE SONGS

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

 

Here are some songs you might have expected to find included among the Essential 200 Movie Songs, but – for various reasons- were ineligible…

Today’s list features songs (in random order) that were standout moments in their respective films. These movie songs were ineligible because the songs had been released by the artists involved prior to the movie.

UNCHAINED MELODY

The Righteous Brothers

(‘Ghost’- 1990)

 

Pottery has never been the same since the unforgettable scene where Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore are at the wheel while The Righteous Brothers' "Unchained Melody" is played.  'Ghost' was a box office hit and saw a resurgence in popularity for the track. It had been originally released by the duo in 1965. The song had been created - back in 1955- for a different movie entitled 'Unchained'. Todd Duncan performed the original. It was 1 of the most covered songs of the time.

WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD

Louis Armstrong

(‘Good Morning Vietnam’- 1988)

 

'Good Morning Vietnam' was an acting triumph for Robin Williams. It also revived the Louis Armstrong track "What A Wonderful World". Satchmo originally released the ballad in 1967. It became a chart success all over again after its use in the comedy film.

ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK

Bill Halley & His Comets

(‘Blackboard Jungle’- 1955)

 

Bill Halley & The Comets recorded a remake of Sonny Dae & His Knights' "Rock Around The Clock" which was first issued in 1954. The following year, the track was featured in the social commentary film 'Blackboard Jungle'. Audiences took notice and created a hit single. It became the 1st rock 'n' roll disc to top the US charts. Halley & His Comets' song reached #1 around the globe. The Rock Era began with this marriage of rock music and cinema.

OLD TIME ROCK AND ROLL

Bob Seger

(‘Risky Business’- 1983)

 

Before Tom Cruise was shown in the film 'Risky Business' dancing and lip-syncing to the track in his underwear, Bob Seger had included "Old Time Rock And Roll" on his 1979 'Stranger In Town' album.

THE FIRST TIME EVER I SAW YOUR FACE

Roberta Flack

(‘Play Misty For Me’- 1971)

 

Roberta Flack's recording of "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" was a remake. Her interpretation was featured on 1969's 'First Take' album. Awareness of the track grew sharply after its inclusion in the thriller 'Play Misty For Me'. It collected Grammy Awards and reached #1 in many countries.

BABY DID A BAD BAD THING

Chris Isaak

(‘Eyes Wide Shut’- 1999)

 

Stanley Kubrick directed the thriller 'Eyes Wide Shut' which was released 4 years after the track was first heard on Chris Isaak's 1995 album 'Forever Blue'.

DISCO INFERNO

The Trammps

(‘Saturday Night Fever’- 1977)

 

"Disco Inferno" was issued in late 1976, a few months before the film 'Saturday Night Fever' became a box office smash. The track was added to its soundtrack and, when it was issued as a single, finally gave The Trammps a worldwide hit single.

BOOGIE SHOES

K.C. & The Sunshine Band

(‘Saturday Night Fever’- 1977)

Before being included on the 'Saturday Night Fever' soundtrack and re-issued as an A-side, "Boogie Shoes" had served as the B-side for K.C. & The Sunshine Band's 1976 hit single "(Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty".

A FIFTH OF BEETHOVEN

Walter Murphy

(‘Saturday Night Fever’- 1977)

 

Along with timeless tracks provided by The Bee Gees, the 'Saturday Night Fever' soundtrack contained some prior releases. Walter Murphy's discofied tribute to classical composer Beethoven had already been to #1 in the USA a year before the film premiered.

KISS FROM A ROSE

Seal

(‘Batman Forever’- 1995)

 

Seal had already recorded the ballad "Kiss From A Rose" by the time it was added to the 'Batman Forever' soundtrack album. The original had been issued as a single in 1994. A year later, the film resuscitated the song. Second time around, it was a chart smash, reaching #1 in America and Australia. The love song also collected some Grammy Awards.

WICKED GAME

Chris Isaak

(‘Wild At Heart’- 1990)

 

It was the inclusion of "Wicked Game" in the David Lynch-directed thriller 'Wild At Heart' that resulted in a Top 10 smash in the US, UK, Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zealand for Chris isaak. The track had been overlooked when initially released as a single from his 1989 album 'Heart Shaped World'.