10 Most Commonly Used Songs In Movies & TV Shows

The most used songs in movies and shows prove that some songs seem perfectly made for a cinematic world. Using the right music in movies and television shows is vital to fully immersing the audience into the world of the story. Storytellers can create a full soundtrack around the whole narrative like Baby Driver and Guardians of the Galaxy. Music can also be used to deepen a specific moment, like at the end of The Graduate when “The Sound Of Silence” by Simon & Garfunkel played as the main characters drive away in silence.

While some movies have made older songs popular and introduced obscure tunes to a mainstream audience, certain songs have become so widely used that they feel as though they are a trope at this point. Some of these songs were huge hits with their popularity making them a frequent choice in shows while offering a unique vibe for the story. By now, these songs have become iconic thanks to their many pop culture appearances, but it is interesting to look at all the different movies and shows that have used them over the years.

10

“Take On Me” By A-ha

Released in 1985

“Take On Me” by the Norwegian synth-pop band a-ha has been used 29 times, primarily in comedy TV shows like Family Guy, The Goldbergs, Superstore, and Mixed-ish. It was also used in The Last of Us season 1, episode 7 to illustrate Ellie’s journey and the significance of her relationships. The song’s unique sound makes it ideal for romantic moments in these shows, while also being used for bittersweet moments as well.

However, “Take On Me” has been just as prevalent on the big screen too. The song was used in a pivotal moment in Deadpool 2 when Wade sees his lost love, Vanessa, in the afterlife only for her to convince him to stay in the world of the living. The slowed-down version of the song provided one of the few serious moments in the superhero comedy.

Recently, the song was used in a sequence introducing the Monkey Kingdom in The Super Mario Bros. Movie. While it might seem like an unusual choice for the scene, the song was chosen because it was the #1 music single in the United States when the Nintendo Entertainment System launched in the US on October 18th, 1985.

9

“Escape (The Piña Colada Song)” By Rupert Holmes

Released in 1979

“Escape (The Piña Colada Song)” by British-American singer-songwriter Rupert Holmes has had 30 appearances in film and TV. This entertaining, classic rock song tells the story of a married couple who have grown apart, looking for an escape. In the end, they are brought back together, getting a second chance at love in their marriage. The bubbly tune of the song and the talk of piña coladas seems to make it a popular song choice for comedies that have an irreverent sense of humor.

It makes for a perfect addition to the soundtrack for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1, featured in the movie during the scene in which Star-Lord takes on the prison guards in order to retrieve his cassette player. It is also featured in the underrated comedy Dirty Work in which Chris Farley attempts to play The Rolling Stones’ “Street Fighting Man” on the jukebox during a bar fight, only to accidentally choose this upbeat song. It is also used in the action movie Wanted, juxtaposing the wild and fast-paced action of a car chase scene when Angelina Jolie’s character plays it on the radio.

8

PONY by Ginuwine

Released in 1996

“Pony,” by American R&B artist Ginuwine, was released in 1996. With the utilization of unique rhythms and percussion styles, it was one of a kind and went #1 on the R&B chart [via ALL MUSIC]. “Pony” has been used in 31 films and television shows, typically in comedies, like Black-ish, Sex Tape, Mid90s, and Let’s Be Cops. There also seems to be a common wedding theme when it comes to the song’s use in movies and shows with it appearing as part of a wedding playlist in Shotgun Wedding and as part of a bachelorette party in Riverdale.

It was also used in all three Magic Mike films, as Mike’s signature song and a staple of the Magic Mike franchise. The first use comes during Mike’s solo dance in the first movie where he shows off his impressive skills. In the second movie, when Mike is reluctant about going back to his old life as a dancer, this song playing on the radio convinces him to relive his glory days.

7

THIS IS HOW WE DO IT by Montell Jordan

Released in 1995

“This Is How We Do It” was a hip-hop party song released in 1995 by American singer, songwriter, and record producer Montell Jordan. Over the years, it’s been a part of 31 shows and films. “This Is How We Do It” is another upbeat song often used as a hype-up moment for characters or during a party. One standout moment in which the song was used was Yellowjackets season 1, where the girls dance to it as it is played on a Walkman amplified with a metal bucket, reminiscent of their times in the locker room as a team.

Indeed, there is a lot of nostalgia included in the song as a quintessential 90s party song, leading it to be used in period comedies set during that decade, including Fresh Off The Boat and That 90s Show. It can be heard in movies like 8 Mile, American Reunion, This Means War, and Sonic the Hedgehog 2.

6

SEPTEMBER by Earth, Wind, & Fire

Released in 1978

“September” by Earth, Wind & Fire, which has been used 31 times, is a groovy song that focuses on a carefree live-in-the-moment philosophy. It uses the joyful outlook adopted by the band, which embraced Eastern philosophies and often incorporated them into their music. As such, the song can often be heard signifying a character’s laid-back and worry-free outlook on things. This includes a bonding moment between the characters in The Intouchables as well as lighthearted moments in sitcoms like The Goldbergs, The Cleveland Show, and Black-ish.

The song can also be used ironically, using the upbeat lyrics against the backdrop of a violent scene. This includes it being used during an assassination in the thriller Polar and in the horror movie Ma in which Octavia Spencer listens to it in the car after a hit and run. It also plays in a number of period movies set in the 1970s, including The Nice Guys when Healy and March arrive at the party.

5

Let’s Get It On by Marvin Gaye

Released in 1973

“Let’s Get It On” by Marvin Gaye has appeared 31 times and was originally written about Gaye wanting to “get on” with his life after beating alcoholism. However, before it was finished, it was rewritten, with the new lyrics carrying strong, sexual undertones. As such, the show has been used endlessly in movies and shows during sexy scenes, usually used for comedic, on-the-nose musical cues.

Such instances include in the Rob Schieder sex comedy Deuce Bigalow Male Gigalo as well as in a memorable scene in Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me with Dr. Evil, who drinks some of Austin’s mojo, and seduces his henchwoman, Frau Fabissina. It also has been in shows like The Flash, Limitless, and Ugly Betty. While it was memorably used in the Best Picture winner CODA, the best use may have been Jack Black singing it in High Fidelity in a moment that shows his character has a surprising stage presence.

4

Spirit In The Sky by Norman Greenbaum

Released in 1969

“Spirit in the Sky” is a song by American singer-songwriter Norman Greenbaum that has been in 35 television shows and films. This song was inspired by Porter Wagoner, after Greenbaum saw him singing a gospel song, and speaking about Jesus. The song’s religious message is part of the reason it is used in so many movies and shows, as it is typically used in moments of characters looking to meet the end of their life, albeit in a way that is more upbeat, in keeping with the song.

The song is heard in the first Suicide Squad movie as the group of expendable supervillains set out on their deadly mission and in This is the End when Jay and Seth arrive in heaven. It is also such as Supernatural, Sons of Anarchy, and Shameless. In Apollo 13, the astronauts use this song as background music for their TV appearances transmitted to Earth, playing on the idea of going “up in the sky”.

3

U Can’t Touch This by MC Hammer

Released in 1990

Based on ‘Super Freak” by Rick James, “U Can’t Touch This” by MC Hammer has appeared in 39 movies and TV shows. This song exudes confidence and is arguably one of the most popular rap songs of its time. However, the song also came at a time when rap music was changing and taking on a harder edge not reflected in this song. As such, “U Can’t Touch This” is usually seen as a very dated throwback song in movies and shows, sometimes used by uncool characters.

One of its most memorable uses in film came in The Proposal, where it was played in the male strip bar during Margaret’s bachelorette party. It has been in shows like iZombie, Fuller House, MacGyver, and Lucifer. Movie appearances include Shark Tale, The Super, and Charlie’s Angeles: Full Throttle in which the three lead actors perform a dance together to the song.

2

PUSH IT by Salt-N-Pepper

Released in 1986

“Push It” by Salt-N-Pepper is a “hip-hop meets dance” track that has been in an impressive total of 43 TV shows and movies. On the television side of things, it is notable for being the first song in Glee performed by the main characters together at a school performance, with the aggressive dance moves mixed with the suggestive lyrics causing quite a stir for the glee club. It is also seen in TV shows like Scandal, Derry Girls, and Brooklyn 99.

In movies, the song usually comes up in comedies, like What Men Want, 40-Year-Old Virgin, and The King Of Staten Island. The song is about pushing it on the dance floor with your best girlfriends, which worked for the fun scene in the movie Something Borrowed where Darcy and Rachel do a dance in sync.

1

Eye Of The Tiger by Survivor

Released in 1982

Heard in 47 films and TV shows, “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor highlights the mission of the characters in the narrative to fight for what they want to achieve. First and foremost, it’ll always be associated with the Rocky franchise, having been the song that played during Rocky’s hotly-contested fight with Clubber Lang in Rocky III. Interestingly, it was recorded at the request of Sylvester Stallone himself, who had asked Survivor to pen a theme song for the film [via Louder].

Despite it being so associated with Rocky III and even receiving an Oscar nomination for the movie, “Eye of the Tiger” has been adopted by many other movies as well. This includes everything from shows like The Big Bang Theory and Billions to movies like Kicking and Screaming and Night School. However, many uses of the song are in reference to Rocky with it being sung by Hank in Breaking Bad when talking about the movie and in Shazam! as the superhero protagonist puts on a show on top of the Philadelphia Museum of Art Steps, famously used in Rocky.

Sources: My Nintendo News, Louder, ALL MUSIC