Soundtracks are a magical thing. They can make or break a moment in a movie or TV scene and add a new level of emotion.
Sometimes, movies and TV shows will look to modern songs to soundtrack a scene. However, there are plenty of examples of a film or a show going back in time to find a song that perfectly complements a moment.
From iconic films to contemporary series, here are 14 songs that got a second life in modern movies and TV shows.
'My Sharona' - 'Reality Bites' (1994)
Oh, you’ve never whimsically danced in the food mart of a gas station? Then you never really have lived!
'Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)' - 'Stranger Things' (2022)
Season four of Stranger Things was very good to Kate Bush. After the Netflix series used her 1985 song in the show, it became a sensation in the summer of 2022. The track eventually peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in July. Additionally, CBS News reported Bush earned a whopping $2.3 million in streaming royalties between May 27 and June 23.
'Master of Puppets' - 'Stranger Things' (2022)
Season four of Stranger Things was also very good to Metallica. Their classic track “Master of Puppets” was featured in the season finale of the Netflix show and helped introduce the band to a whole new slate of fans. Thanks to its use in the show, “Master of Puppets entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart for the first time since its initial release in 1986. The track would peak at number 35.
'Misirlou' - 'Pulp Fiction' (1994)
Can you imagine the opening credits of Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction without this Dick Dale classic? Neither can I.
'Stuck in the Middle With You' - 'Reservoir Dogs' (1992)
Tarantino’s inclusion of this Stealers Wheel hit in Reservoir Dogs helped introduce the one-hit wonder to a whole new audience during one incredibly grizzly scene.
'Come and Get Your Love' - 'Guardians of the Galaxy' (2014)
Nearly any song from the Guardians of the Galaxy soundtrack could’ve made this list, but it’s difficult not to highlight this Redbone tune that plays during the opening credits. The soundtrack would go on to top the Billboard 200 chart and sell over one million copies.
'I Got You Babe' - 'Groundhog Day' (1993)
To this day, it’s hard setting an alarm clock at 6:00 AM without thinking about Sonny & Cher.
'You've Lost that Lovin' Feeling' - 'Top Gun' (1986)
Cheesy? Yes. A memorable way to pick up a woman at a bar? Yes, even though Maverick initially “crashed and burned” while singing this Righteous Brothers classic with the help of his fellow naval aviators.
'Unchained Melody' - 'Ghost' (1990)
Four years later, The Righteous Brothers were providing the soundtrack to another memorable movie moment. This time it was the infamous pottery wheel scene from Ghost. The song and scene were so popular, “Unchained Melody” reentered the Billboard Hot 100 and would peak at number 13.
'Danke Schoen'/'Twist & Shout' - 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off' (1986)
In perhaps the greatest lip sync performance outside of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Matthew Broderick’s Ferris Bueller transforms Chicago’s Von Steuben Day Parade into the party of the year with some help from Wayne Newton and The Beatles.
'Tequila' - 'Pee-Wee's Big Adventure' (1985)
Not only did this instrumental from The Champs soundtrack this hilarious moment, it gave the world that dance we’ve all done…perhaps while drinking tequila.
'Lust for Life' - 'Trainspotting' (1996)
“Who needs reasons when you’ve got heroin?” Trainspotting doesn’t waste any time cutting to the chase all set to this Iggy Pop classic.
'Bohemian Rhapsody' - 'Wayne's World' (1992)
Surely, this list wouldn’t be complete without “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Thanks to its use in Wayne’s World, “Bohemian Rhapsody” re-entered the Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at number two, seven spots higher than when it was originally released.