Often times great movies make a song a hit, or a hit song draws attention to a movie that needs a little box office attention. Here are examples of movies that used classic songs to enrich a scene, or add drama to the storyline.
“St Elmo’s Fire” from John Parr from the movie of same name was a studio hit. Let’s explain. No one knew who John Parr was up until that moment, but the song needed to be recorded by John who didn’t have a band. Check out this group of stars on the single: the legendary David Foster on keyboards, Steve Lukather, David Paich and Steve Porcaro from Toto, plus a young and unknown Richard Marx.
In 1985, the movie ‘Breakfast Club’ needed a song at the beginning and the end of the credits. “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” from Simple Minds fit the bill. An unknown song writer from England asked Billy Idol, The Fixx, and Brian Ferry to record the song, but they all hated it! However, Jim Kerr and Simple Minds took a chance on the song, and they have been living off this song since.
Kenny Loggins gave us two great movie songs: “Footloose” from movie of same name, and of course “I’m Alright” from another spectacular film ‘Caddyshack.’ Eddie Money sang background. “Footloose” the song was Grammy winner, came from the soundtrack of that movie, which had another song from Kenny, “I’m Free,” plus Bonnie Tyler, Denise Williams scored on this soundtrack and in the movie.
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Photo credit: Universal Pictures Home Ent