Rock Songs That Became Much More Popular When Used in Movies and TV Shows
My father was a musician, so music makes and evokes memories for me, like nothing else. Some of the songs on this list might spark memories, in a few ways…
My father was a musician, so music makes and evokes memories for me, like nothing else. Some of the songs on this list might spark memories, in a few ways - audio AND visually.
There are a lot of songs that had some modest chart success when they were originally released, then they went on to become huge hits after being used on a TV show or in a movie. In 1985, "Running Up That Hill" by Kate Bush was in the top 30 of Billboard's Hot 100. Not a huge song, but big enough. Thanks to "Stranger Things" the song is currently sitting at No. 3 on the charts. (Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard's Global 200 as of Aug. 1.)
Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" was a success when it was initially released - even after their label thought it would be a flop! It has seen multiple boosts in the years since after being featured in Wayne's World and the Queen biopic named after the track. In fact, it's one of a very small list of songs to take a spot on the charts in three different decades.
When I hear most of these songs, I can't help but picture the scene, or opening/closing credits in the TV show or movie they were used in. When I hear the first few notes of "Old Time Rock n' Roll" by Bob Seger, the 'Risky Business' scene with Tom Cruise sliding across the floor in his socks, undie and a dress shirt, is forever stuck in my head. Now when I hear Metallica's "Master of Puppets," - which I hadn't heard in years - I see Eddie Munson's epic performance in the Upside Down, from Stranger Things.
Here's a whole list of rock songs that became popular - or popular again - after being on TV shows and movies. Tell me they don't IMMEDIATELY evoke some sort of feeling!
-Carla Rea
