What's your favourite use of music in a non-musical movie?

[Graham Kennedy]

So obviously, musicals use music pretty heavily. But I'm thinking more of ordinary movies where particular pieces of music or songs really make or contribute to a scene.

One of my favourites is the opening of Top Gun. The quiet intro music over the credits, followed by the blazing "Danger Zone" music as we see the carrier crew do their stuff. It's an absolutely perfect mood setter for this awesome move :

[url=hhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVRUxtPKK-w]Video[/url]


The other is the beautiful and surreal scene from O Brother, Where Art Thou?

Video

Although this one becomes rather more poignant once you look it up and learn what it's about...


Any other nominations?

[Captain Seafort]

Walton's Spitfire fugue

Tense, eerie and perfect for the moment. The sound of hundreds of Merlins in every aerial scene also counts as music in its own right.

[Mikey]

A couple of iconic scense come to mind, without taking much time to delve into my memory: the famous Vangelis theme from Chariots of Fire, and the minimalist bells and synth music during Rutger Hauer's soliloquy and death scene in Blade Runner.

[kostmayer]

"How Important Can It Be" in LA Confidential, as Jack finds Matts body in the motel room.

And "Oh My Love" in Drive - the whole soundtrack to that film was genius. Can't believe BBC3 saw fit to re score it when they broadcast it recently.

Oh, and Ride of the Valkyries. We can all guess what film.

[Mikey]

OMG, how could I have forgotten a scene so visceral that it has completely affected my perception whenever I hear the song "Stuck in the Middle with You" by Stealer's Wheel? Buzz in if you know the film.

[kostmayer]

I would, too busy covering my ears.

[Mikey]

I would, too busy covering my ears.

lol, Kostmayer knows.

[Graham Kennedy]

Another great example of music in film - the helicopter attack on the village in Apocalypse Now, set to Ride of the Valkyries.

ETA : Ahh, kostmayer beat me to it

[Jim]

THere are a lot of times in movies where the music sets the mood and people don't even realize how much impact the music actually has. However, I think Jaws nails it. Whenever you are supposed to feel the dread of the shark those two notes start to play. There are a couple times when the threat passes (the two guys on the small dock at night for instance) where the two notes drag out and slow down letting the viewer know that they can relax. Good stuff.

[Mikey]

I think it's interesting that none of us (myself included) mentioned the Imperial March by John Williams. You'd think one of us SF nerds would have gotten around to that, considering that it's one of the most iconic pieces of film score in the history of ever, SF or otherwise.

Also, as an honorable mention, Steppenwolf's "Magic Carpet Ride" in ST:FC.

[Nutso]

Purple Rain.

[RK_Striker_JK_5]

I think it's interesting that none of us (myself included) mentioned the Imperial March by John Williams. You'd think one of us SF nerds would have gotten around to that, considering that it's one of the most iconic pieces of film score in the history of ever, SF or otherwise.

Also, as an honorable mention, Steppenwolf's "Magic Carpet Ride" in ST:FC.

I was scrolling down to see if it was listed or not.

[Sonic Glitch]

You know, I gotta say, "Labor of Love" in Star Trek 09 with George Kirk and Ramming Speed.