Top 10 Uses of Music in Movies and TV

            Music, when used right, can make a scene so much better. We're taking a look at those songs that add something to the scene that could not be achieved without it. Whether it be fun, a deeper meaning, or flash, these songs are used in such a way that redefines the way we think about music in movies. 

10. The Chordettes' Mr. Sandman, Mr. Nobody  

This movie was a very complex and confusing movie that not many people understood. But, something many people enjoyed was the use of Mr. Sandman throughout. This song served as a symbolic feature which was used to represent normalization and happiness. 

9. Nat King Cole's Unforgettable, Watchmen

This was the very first scene we got in Zack Snyder's Watchmen adaptation. The soothing song is played as we witness these two skilled fighters go at it. While we try and figure out who the mystery man in the mask is and how this is such a one-sided fight, this song serves as the perfect contrast which oddly enough really adds to the impact of the scene as a whole.   

8. Roberta Flack's The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, X-Men: Days of Future Past

When Wolverine is being sent back to the past, it is loud, intense, painful and emotional. Then, his eyes open to this song playing in the background and he is back in the 70's. This song adds so much to the scene as it peaceful confusion that is going on in his head at this time.

7. Badfinger's Baby Blue, Breaking Bad

The series finale to Breaking Bad was nothing shy of a masterpiece. It gave the main character his proper death in which the camera pans out on his body to show the final scene. This song is played as it does this which represents his love for cooking his famous drug. It also has a deeper meaning giving the audience a big dose of nostalgia considering the character's shift in the final season. 

6. Juice Newton's Angel of the Morning, Deadpool

Right off the bat, we new what kind of movie we were watching. Angel of the Morning plays as the opening credits flash serving as a parody for other movies. As we see this hilarious opening credits played with such a hilarious song choice for the tone, we new that we were going to witness a fourth wall breaking action comedy.

5. Redbone's Come and Get Your Love, Guardians of the Galaxy 

Everyone's favorite soundtrack. This soundtrack consists of all the classics that everyone forgot existed. The first scene we see an older Peter in, it shows him dancing to this catchy tune. I for one can't help but dance as he does when this song comes on.

4. Simon and Garfunkel's The Sound of Silence, The Graduate

Probably the most meaningful use of music goes to this one. The movie ends with the two riding away in a bus after running out on her wedding. After they run away together, which is what everyone watching wanted, the camera shows their faces and plays this song. Immediately, we know that they regret their decision. Without the brilliant use of this song and the perfect camera angle, we would have never fully understood the ending to this classic.  

3. Mama Cass Elliott's Make Your Own Kind of Music, LOST

No one new this song until the season 2 intro to LOST. As the record started to play, we saw this man in a house-looking place. So, we assumed that it was not on the island. But then, the record scratches and the camera follows its way up the tunnel to let us know that that is in fact what is inside the mysterious hatch. The song serves as a lonesome symbolic theme dedicated to Desmond and his life.

2. Jim Croce's Time in a Bottle, X-Men: Days of Future Past

Next, we are looking at one of the coolest action scenes in movie history. The Quicksilver scene from Days of Future Past. As the extremely fast speedster works his magic, we get to see how things look from his perspective. This hilarious slow motion scene stops time and shows us how fast he really is. What better song to use than Time in a Bottle to show time coming to a near stop. 

1. Bob Dylan's The Times They Are A-Changin', Watchmen

Arguably Bob Dylan's greatest hit, this song explains how time is going to keep moving forward, so you can either go with it or fall behind. This song plays over the exceptionally impactful slow motion montage of the United States' alternate history. This compact, beautifully done montage redirects our attention from action to understanding how this alternate history came about. There is no better song that could have made this scene more significant than it already is, which is why it earns the number one spot on our Top 10 Uses of Music in Movies. What do you think is the best? Comment below.