...In which our heroine makes a confession.

Yeah, I'm going to college for cinematography in about three weeks, and as close to a dream occupation as that is, there is still something I'd rather do more.

I want to be the person on a film who sits there and decides what songs go best with specific scenes. A fairly simple request, but they don't exactly have a college major for it. I'm sure a lot of that is up to directors and screenwriters, but I want to just be shown a scene and get to say, "Oh, I've got a song for that."

In the meantime while I keep dreaming, here are Katydid's ten favorite uses of music in film, in no order except for the final choice:

Goodfellas- "Layla" by Derek and the Dominoes
Scorsese generally annoys me as a person, but you cannot deny his filmmaking skills or his appreciation of American pop music. As much as I hated The Departed, the beginning as set to "Gimme Shelter" was amazing. Almost as amazing as this scene. Almost.




The Hunger- "Bela Lugosi's Dead" by Bauhaus
There exists within me a Goth that never got out. Occasionally, it rears its head and such is the reason that I love this scene. This isn't the exact version of the music moment I want, but it is the best Youtube has to offer. The Hunger is a pretty mediocre vampire movie, but it does save some face with the prescence of Catherine Deneuve and David Bowie, who both just reek cool in this clip. "Bela" is generally considered the first Goth song and this is an outstanding opening to a film.


The Last of the Mohicans- "Promontory" by Clannad
This would be Dad's absolute favorite music movie moment. A lovely instrumental that was recently used again in an NFL commercial. But the original is still the best. The look that Jodhi May gives will break your heart. This movie will always be one of my favorites just for this sequence alone.


Marie Antoinette- "Hong Kong Garden" by Siouxsie and the Banshees
Sofia Coppola is my favorite female director for her thoughtful films and stunning visuals. She like Scorese really gets how to use pop music. When I saw this in theatres, my jaw was wide open. Absolutely stunning.


Donnie Darko- "Mad World" by Gary Jules
The music starts at about three minutes in this video. A cover version that surpasses the original and a song that had the rare effect on me of being able to sing it after hearing it twice. This song really adds to the haunting atmosphere at the end.


Fight Club- "Goin' Out West" by Tom Waits
Although "Where is my Mind" at the end of this film is brilliant, I prefer this moment, with Waits' unmistakable gargle and the promise of trouble about to start.



The Indian Runner- "Comin' Back to Me" by Jefferson Airplane
The whole concept of this movie is based on the song "Highway Patrolman" by Springsteen, so it isn't too much of a stretch to think that director Sean Penn knew this obscure Jefferson Airplane song, sung not by Grace Slick but Marty Balin. I love how the tenderness of the song contrasts Viggo at his insane best.


American Psycho- "Hip to be Square" by Huey Lewis and the News
I hate this song and every other piece of crap song that Huey Lewis made. However, this lovely moment, based on the sickest, most depraved novel I've ever read, finally shows that there is one good use for the music of Huey Lewis.


Pretty in Pink- "Try a Little Tenderness" by Otis Redding
I couldn't make this list without including the genius of John Hughes. This movie is a romantic hot mess and super melodramatic, but I'll always love it. If there's ever been an arguement for Andie choosing Duckie over Blaine, this settles it. The use of New Order's music in the film really adds to the atmosphere, and Cassie and I listened to this soundtrack while we were getting ready for prom.


And finally, at number one, there is only one film I could pick as my favorite music movie moment...

Almost Famous- "Tiny Dancer" by Elton John
I could list a million moments from this film that give me the chills: Anita's leaving to Simon and Garfunkle's "America," Lester Bangs rocking out to the Stooges' "Search and Destroy," Penny and Russell meeting again to "River" by Joni Mitchell, William looking for Penny set to "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" by Elton John, exiting the plane to "Cortez the Killer" by Neil Young.
But this moment is the one everyone remembers, and for good reason. It shows the transcendent power of music, the way it elevates us from the depths and brings us together when we're pulling apart. It shows how music makes us feel infinite. But most of all, as Penny Lane says, it brings us home.


See you again on the flipside of Lollapalooza.