Musings

Awarding Our Favorite Music Moments in Film

The Oscars are tonight and to honor the occasion — or buck it — we've compiled a list of a few of our favorite moments where movies got music right. Soundtracks are exempt, this is just for when music is an actual part of the scene.

So, without further ado, the envelope please....

Best Big Break Moment

The Wonders' radio debut in That Thing You Do - "That Thing You Do"

Being in a band is fun, guys! But just wait 'til you break up...

Best Use Of a High School P.A. System

Heath Ledger in 10 Things I Hate About You, Frankie Valli "Can't Take My Eyes Off You"

Swoon... We all wasted high school by not doing something like this.

Best Biker Bar Dance Scene With Moves I Most Often Rip Off Personally

Paul Reuben in Pee-Wee's Big Adventure, The Champs "Tequila"

Seriously, this is me when I go out. 

Best Flash Forward to Empire

Terrence Howard, Taraji P. Henson and cast in Hustle & Flow - "Hard Out Here for a Pimp"

That Lucious Lyon sound before that Lucious Lyon sound.

Best Karaoke Scene

Jim Carrey in The Cable Guy, Jefferson Airplane "Somebody to Love"

Setting the gold standard for all karaoke that followed. 

Best Unexpected Calypso Dance Scene

Cast in Beetlejuice, Harry Belafonte "Banana Boat Song"

This is how you save any dinner party. 

Most Impactful & Understated Performance

Oscar Isaac in Inside Llewyn Davis, "Fare Thee Well"

No over exaggerating the power of song, just honestly paying respect.

Best Lounge Singer

Isabella Rossellini in Blue Velvet, "Blue Velvet"

Perfectly captivating and odd, as well as Kyle MacLachlan and Laura Dern's playing off of it. 

Best David Bowie Covers

Seu Jorge in The Life Aquatic - "Ziggy Stardust," "Rebel Rebel" and more. 

This was a full on moment. 

Best Impromptu Dance Scene

Anna Karina, Sami Frey, Claude Brasseur in Bande à part, cafe dance scene

Because being the only ones dancing is sometimes the coolest way to be. 

Best Cast Sing-Along

Cast in Almost Famous, "Tiny Dancer"

It's not just a cheesy singalong, it's a pivotal moment of redemption in the film.

Best Song to Do Your Make Up and Get Ready To

Ted Levine in Silence of the Lambs, Q Lazzarus "Goodbye Horses"

Lookin' good Bill... 

Best Performance That Went Over Everyone's Head

Michael J. Fox in Back to the Future - "Johnny B. Goode"

"I guess you guys aren't ready for that yet, but your kids are gonna love it."

Best Song For Dismemberment

Christian Bale in American Psycho, Huey Lewis and the News "Hip to Be Square"

"Try getting a reservation at Dorsia now, you fuckin' stupid bastard!"

Best Concert We Wish We Had Attended

N.W.A in Straight Outta Compton, "Fuck The Police"

This is hip-hop history.

Best Song on a Float

Matthew Broderick in Ferris Bueller's Day Off, The Beatles "Twist and Shout"

We know it's all fiction, but couldn't just this one scene be real life?

Best Couples Dance

Uma Thurman and John Travolta in Pulp Fiction, Chuck Berry "You Never Can Tell"

Showing off why dancing in socks is definitely the way to go. 

Best Music Video Disguised as an Actual Scene

The Coen Brothers and Cast in The Big LebowskiKenny Rogers and The First Edition "Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)"

I mean, what the hell is even going on here? 

Most Depressing/Romantic Scene Inspired By The Cure

Adam Sandler in The Wedding Singer, "Somebody Kill Me Please"

Somehow a horribly depressing song becomes a totally romantic moment. That's the power of music, guys.