The sounds of cinema

Everyone can agree that spending an evening in a movie theater is unparalleled. You arrive with your pre-purchased tickets and spend a ridiculous amount of money on a medium popcorn, paired with people equally excited to participate in the ritual of sitting in front of a moving screen for hours and feeling a whole spectrum of emotions.

Undoubtedly, that feeling is because of the stunning visuals, relatable characters, and intricate plot. Nonetheless, we must pay homage to the mesmerizing craftsmanship of aligning a scene with a specific song. What is Ferris Bueller’s Day Off without The Beatles’ “Twist and Shout,” or Titanic and Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On”?

A powerful movie score is crafted by multiple artists, and these three films boast the top soundtracks, each exemplified by a notable song.

Almost Famous (“Tangerine” - Led Zeppelin)

Directed by Cameron Crowe, Almost Famous appeared in 2000, telling the semi-fictitious story of a 15-year-old boy in 1973 who aspired to be a rock and roll music writer. Rolling Stone magazine recognizes his talents, neglecting to inquire about his age before they invite him to tour with an up-and-coming band, Stillwater.

Because the film is set in 1973, the soundtrack follows suit with a score overflowing with legends from the Flower Power decades. These legends include Elton John, The Who, David Bowie, Simon & Garfunkel, The Beach Boys, Yes, and many more iconic names.

However, the musical heroes that solidified the themes of this film are the one and only members of Led Zeppelin. While this song in particular did not make the official final soundtrack, it marks the ending of the film in a significant way. “Tangerine” compliments the final moments of the movie, tying all of the emotions felt throughout the film into a bow. The song itself is about a fleeting love, much like the main character’s experience with the love interest in Almost Famous, and the relationship he had with his time spent having a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

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Across the Spiderverse (“Hummingbird” - Metro Boomin & James Blake)

A stark contrast from the previous film era is the music from the impressive work of art that is Across the Spiderverse, the sequel to the famous Into the Spiderverse. Without spoiling the first, a brief overview of the film sees an animated Miles Morales variant of Spiderman struggling to handle the weight of being New York City’s hero. He’s accompanied by fellow variants in his mission to face classic villains such as Kingpin and a female Doctor Octopus.

The theme of the soundtrack aligns with the heart of the movie: eccentric, futuristic, and artistically-influenced. While it had much to live up to compared to the first film, the music in this movie was produced entirely by Metro Boomin and exceeded all expectations. Some of hip-hop/rap’s best names on the charts are featured on this soundtrack; notable mentions are Swae Lee, Lil Wayne, Future, Lil Uzi Vert, Don Toliver, A$AP Rocky, and many more.

While every track makes an impact on the film as a whole, the most spectacular song off of the album is “Hummingbird” by Metro Boomin and James Blake. As previously stated, the music must reflect the scene to produce the desired emotion, and this combination does just that. As Miles Morales lies in bed with headphones on and eyes closed, this song plays while a portal opens in his room, exuding brilliant colors and lifting all of the objects in his room. With all artistic components combined, the song sets a stunning ethereal tone that slows down the pace of the entire film.

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The Perks of Being a Wallflower (“Pearly Dewdrops Drop” by Cocteau Twins & “Heroes” by David Bowie)

The final film in review is admittedly a little biased—this is my favorite movie of all time, but rightly so. The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a cherished movie of mine, taking place in the early 90s, about a boy named Charlie who struggles with mental illness, and what he does to survive his freshman year of high school. The music in this film is truly one of a kind; I will confidently say it adds as much emotional depth as the performances of the actors.

Some of the most significant artists from our time are featured on this soundtrack and play a crucial role in every scene they appear in. In order of appearance, the film spotlights icons such as The Smiths, Sonic Youth, Morrissey, Crowded House, The Samples, New Order, Pavement, with countless more.

Two songs in particular shaped this film into a legendary one: “Pearly Dewdrops Drop” by the Cocteau Twins and “Heroes” by David Bowie. Beginning with the Cocteau Twins’ “Pearly Dewdrops Drop,” the love interest, Sam, verbally introduces this song in the movie as the moment she realizes what good music is, and how she believes a significant moment in her life will happen to her while hearing it one day. This claim comes into a full circle effect when this song surfaces on their last day of high school while Charlie reads one of his letters. It’s a horribly emotional scene, with the Cocteau Twins providing a transcendent experience as Charlie talks about losing his only friends.

Ending with Bowie’s “Heroes,” the scene is one of the most highly recognized moments in the film. Charlie finally finds the song he’s been searching for in the concluding scenes, and this song is layered over the famous phrase, “....and in this moment, we are infinite.” The remainder of the song plays while Charlie stands up in the back of his friend’s truck and outwardly spreads his arms, experiencing the beauty of growing up and experiencing life.

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For more songs from the cinema, take a listen to this playlist.