The 10 Best Movie Songs Ever

Songs in films. It’s a polarising idea. Of course, every movie has a soundtrack, often a subliminal score that your brain will barely register, (Jaws and Star Wars notwithstanding). But what about those films that are stage musicals but on the silver screen?  These are not everyone’s cup of tea.

            Personally, I’m on the fence with this Movie-Musical phenomenon, I’m always open to a happy filmic experience. Indeed, there are some films that include songs that fill my heart with joy. Let me share these with you:

• Over the Rainbow, Judy Garland in the Wizard of Oz (1939)

I can still picture the little tremble of Dorothy’s bottom lip as she considered a life away from the dust and heavy wind threats of Kansas (I can identify as I currently live there). Careful what you wish for though. It turned out that there were still adversaries over that rainbow, they just had a green face and shoe envy.

• That’s How You Know, Amy Adams in Enchanted (2007)

I defy anyone not to watch Giselle swanning around Central Park in a princess dress and not smile deeply from the bottom of their heart. I think we all need to be a bit more Giselle sometimes.

• Titanium, Anna Kendrick and Brittany Snow in Pitch Perfect (2012)

This is an extraordinary take on singing in the shower. The sheer palpability of Beca’s discomfort at being asked to sing a banging club tune acapella, whilst naked in a communal shower, is both excruciating and perfect.

• Look At Me I’m Sandra Dee, Stockard Channing (Rizzo) in Grease (1978)

I can’t even tell you how many times myself and friends have strived to recreate this scene: Keep your filthy paws off my silky drawers! I mean seriously, would he pull that crap with Annette?

• Rawhide, Dan Aykroyd in Blues Brothers (1980)

Rolling, rolling, rolling! ‘Rawhide in A, good country key’. I have watched The Blues Brothers many times and this scene is by far my favourite. It caused an unlikely, yet enduring crush on Dan Aykroyd, who for me, can hit ‘em up and ride ‘em out anytime.

• He Had It Coming, Cook County Jail inmates in Chicago (2002)

And speaking of sexy, come on, pop, squish, six… uh uh! It must be the most spectacular display of deviant girl power ever, not to mention fishnet tights and leotard goals – we all have them, don’t we?

• Slipping Through My Fingers, Meryl Streep and Anna Seyfried in Mamma Mia (2008)

OK, I’m just thinking about this one and crying – mother of an eleven-year-old daughter alert. Moving on…

• I’m Number One, Ricky Gervais and Constantine in Muppets Most Wanted (2014)

If you haven’t seen this, I urge you to find the video on YouTube, if for no other reason than that it includes ‘the dance’ and the line, ‘I can’t believe I’m working for an amphibian.’ Haven’t we all?

• Pocketful of Rainbows, Elvis Presley in G.I. Blues (1960)

This is probably just me, but Elvis dressed in a soldier’s uniform, singing this to Juliet Prowse in a cable car, (which is so obviously green screened it will make your eye’s twitch, but hey – it was 1960) is pure old school romance. I’ve got a heart full of you, Elvis.

• Galway Girl, Gerard Butler in P.S. I Love You (2007)

The girl meets boy. He gives her his rugged leather jacket. He tells her he’s singing later in a ‘not to be named’ pub. If she finds him, it’s meant to be. Of course, she finds it, and he sings this to her. Happy ever after. But wait…

Don’t be fooled though, not every actor is one of these brave stage school types who can act and sing like a canary. A recent report from Voices.com, the the world’s leading marketplace for voiceovers, confirms that the following performances were lip synched:

• Zac Efron in High School Musical
• Hillary Duff in The Lizzie Maguire Movie
• Rebecca Ferguson in The Greatest Showman
• Christopher Plummer in The Sound of Music
• Rami Malek in Bohemian Rhapsody

Don’t believe all you hear, eh?

• About Voices: Voices has access to 2,000,000 freelance voiceover talent across 160 countries.