Movies and music have a natural synergy, where one significantly amplifies the other. A good needle drop will set the tone, emphasize themes, and generally alter the vibe for a viewer. Moreover, a great film will also change the context in which we associate a great song. That perfect scene will come to mind or certain emotions will be felt due to how a film used it.
In the rich history of Hollywood and cinema as a whole, there are too many great examples of needle drops to count. However, Noisey pulled seven phenomenal instances in which movies and music combined for a beautiful artistic experience.
7 of the Best NEEDLE-DROPS in Film History
‘Dreams (Cover)’ by Faye Wong (Chungking Express)
Few records match the sheer euphoria in Faye Wong’s take on The Cranberries classic “Dreams.” In the film Chungking Express, she finally shows how utterly smitten she is by Tony Leung’s character. With the dreamy guitar riff and her sweet crooning, it makes sense that she’d sneak in his house and clean everything for him.
‘Questions in A World Of Blue’ by Julee Cruise and Angelo Badalamenti (Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me)
So often, people get caught up in the seemingly indiscernible surrealism of David Lynch. But the best musical moments in his film yearn for life, a deep longing to survive in spite of grief and tragedy. Julee Cruise and Angelo Badalamenti had a keen understanding of this, especially during their run on Twin Peaks. “Questions In A World of Blue” is so frail and delicate, desperately trying to understand how the light can go out in someone’s eyes. Laura Palmer weeping and then sighing into a cigarette as two reprehensible men approach tells the whole story.
‘Just To Keep You Satisfied’ by Marvin Gaye (Baby Boy)
John Singleton’s use of Marvin Gaye’s “Just to Keep You Satisfied” elevates Baby Boy from raw coming-of-age to Shakespearean melodrama. Tyrese as Jody is falling apart as his mom is swooning for a man he hates and his girlfriend and baby mother Yvette aren’t exactly on speaking terms.
Consequently, when she comes by to ask for help, Jody is scorned and leaves her out in the rain. “It’s too late for you and me, it’s too late for you and I,” Marvin coos as Yvette’s heart breaks. “He don’t love me no more,” Taraji P. Henson weeps as her friend consoles her.
‘Sometimes’ by my bloody valentine (Lost In Translation)
The haze in the my bloody valentine classic “Sometimes” is what makes Sofia Coppola’s Lost In Translation sing. Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson aimlessly wander Japan as the quiet discontent of their lives sets in. The ghostly Kevin Shields vocals and disorienting buzz of the guitars become somewhat comforting as ScarJo stares outside the taxi window at a world she can hardly wrap her mind around.
But in that comfort, there’s also a cold loneliness. It’s hard not to feel small and insignificant, like just another number in the global population when everything feels so distant and unfamiliar. Through the my bloody valentine needle drop, life is all left to interpretation—dreamy bliss or hazy, harsh reality.
‘Blackberry Molasses’ by Mista (ATL)
The car scene in ATL between T.I.’s Rashad and Lauren London’s New New offers an incredible combination of needle drops. Aaliyah’s cover of “At Your Best (You Are Love)” garners all the love and adoration, the romantic intensity between the two characters amplified by the sweet crooning. But it’s “Blackberry Molasses” that captures the essence of Atlanta in all of its muggy weather, gold grills, and Chevys.
‘I Want to Be Your Man’ by Zapp (Love & Basketball)
Love & Basketball is chock full of phenomenal needle drops. The sexy dorm room scene set to Guy’s “I Like“, the tense heartbreaker “Fool Of Me“, “Sweet Thing” by Rufus and Chaka Khan, all masterfully placed in the Gina Prince-Bythewood masterpiece. But it’s the deep yearning from Omar Epps when he looks at Sanaa Lathan during their respective slow dances that takes the cake. Zapp’s howling as the romantic tension peaks makes for one of the best moments in film history.
‘Dirty Work’ by Steely Dan (One Battle After Another)
“Sixteen years later, the world had changed very little,” Teyana Taylor sighs during the time jump in One Battle After Another. This refrain echoes as Steely Dan’s “Dirty Work” paints the morbid present day, weary and hardened to the seemingly never-ending injustice in the world. All Leonardo DiCaprio could do was suppress his stress by lighting one up in the car.