If you've ever heard a song and thought, "wait, what movie was this in?" Firstly, same, and secondly this intrigue got me thinking...
Here's a list of songs that were either created specifically FOR a movie, or have become suuuuper associated with a particular movie, but actually existed ~way~ before.
1.As a Twilight stan, learning that "Decode" by Paramore was written for the soundtrack makes it even more iconic.
Here's the official video:
2.By contrast, "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" by Frankie Valli wasn't written for 10 Things I Hate About You, but Heath Ledger did give this song a whole new lease of life!
Here's the scene from the movie:
3.Was I the only one who didn't know that "Don't You Forget About Me" by Simple Minds was written specifically for The Breakfast Club?
Here's the scene from the movie:
4.Whereas "A Thousand Miles" wasn't written for the film, but who could forget when it was included in White Chicks? Seriously, it lives in my head rent free.
Here's the scene from the movie:
5.Of course, "Ghostbusters" by Ray Parker Jr. was written for the movie Ghostbusters, but that doesn't make it any less of a bop.
Here's the official video:
6.Conversely, although not written for the animated classic, can anyone listen to "All Star" by Smash Mouth post-2001 without thinking of Shrek?
Here's the scene from the movie:
7.I loved learning that "Gangsta's Paradise" by Coolio was written for Dangerous Minds, especially given how popular the song still is today!
Here's the official video:
8.However, "Don't Stop Me Now" by Queen obviously wasn't written for Shaun of the Dead, despite the fact that I'm instantly transported back to that film whenever I hear it!
Here's the scene from the movie:
9.It makes sense that "Eye Of The Tiger" by Survivor was written for Rocky III – it would match WAY too well if it wasn't.
Here's the official video:
10.But the 1971 hit "Ain't No Sunshine" by Bill Withers, despite pairing so perfectly with Notting Hill, was not written for the film.
Here's the scene in the movie:
11."See You Again" by Wiz Khalifa was composed for Furious 7 as a tribute to the late actor Paul Walker – yes, it still makes me cry.
Here's the scene in the movie:
12.Meanwhile, "Chasing Pavements" by Adele was already a hit and wasn't written for the teen comedy, Wild Child. They just really made it their own!
Here's the scene in the movie:
13.Let's be honest, Hannah Montana: The Movie would not have been the same without "The Climb" by Miley Cyrus – AKA the ultimate power ballad of my youth.
Here's the scene in the movie:
14.On the other hand, I only just learned that "You Make My Dreams" by Hall and Oates wasn't written for 500 Days Of Summer, and existed way before the movie was released!
Here's the scene in the movie:
15."All The Stars" by Kendrick Lamar and Sza was written to be the lead song of Marvel smash-hit Black Panther.
Here's the official video:
16.But you're telling me that "Just The Two Of Us" by Will Smith WASN'T written with Austin Powers in mind???
Here's the scene in the movie:
17.And finally, if you're into the classics, then I'm sure you'll agree that writing "Moon River" for Audrey Hepburn to sing in Breakfast At Tiffany's was a golden idea.
Here's the scene from the movie:
18.But no matter how well it syncs, "Supermassive Black Hole" by Muse was NOT written for Twilight. In fact, the song came out two years before the movie was released.
Here's that epic scene for ya:
Are there any other songs we missed out? Let us know in the comments which songs you always link to a movie!