To celebrate The Academy Awards this weekend. While none of these songs are nominees themselves, you'll find this playlist is composed of select songs from Oscar Nominated movies that were either used in pivotal scenes or just really good tracks that deserve as much attention as "I Dreamed a Dream."
The Monster Mash by Crabcorps in Silver Linings Playbook
If you listen closely, this cover to the beloved Boris Pickett classic can be heard in the Halloween diner scene where Pat (Bradley Cooper) and Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence) go on their “not-a-date” dinner and both start to really get to know each other. The use of the song is ingenious as both “crazies” get to see the extent of their madness. Their “monstrous” reputations “mash” as we see them battle for the title of who is more mentally unstable, with the scene spiraling out of control until Jennifer Lawrence loses it in a very memorable fashion.
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Image: Weinstein Company
Paperman Score—Christophe Beck
The popularity of the wonderfully romantic short Paperman that played in front of Wreck-it Ralph led to an out-pour of wishes to have the score released as a single. Disney heard the demand and did release it on iTunes and other outlets such as Spotify much to the appreciation of the fans. This short gives hope that you can meet people organically if you remember to look up and away from your phone in public places and that accidents can lead to so much. So download this song before you leave the house and pop it on while waiting for the train and true love.
Download: Amazon iTunes
Image: Walt Disney Studios
Django—Rocky Roberts and Luis Bacalov in Django Unchained
When Tarantino gave his hero Django his very own theme, he did so in order to invoke the feel of an Old Spaghetti Western. The titular track backdrops the introduction to the story and Django himself before he is unchained. The song is so awesome because very few movies use actual songs, not just scores, that push the boundaries of visuals and are used as emotional anchors to draw you in. Some of the things you remember most about Tarantino’s filmmaking are his selections of songs in pivotal moments, even with his use of modern songs like the Unchained James Brown/2Pac mash up near the end of the film. What happens when you listen to Stuck in the Middle with you from Reservoir Dogs or You Never Can Tell from Pulp Fiction? You immediately have the scene play out in your head clearly – that’s how effective Tarantino’s use of songs are! Sometimes you even find yourself imitating the Vincent Vega & Mia Wallace dance at Jack Rabbit Slims, don’t you?
Download on: Amazon iTunes
Image: Weinstein Company
“Lost Cause” By Imagine Dragons—Frankenweenie UNLEASHED!
Imagine Dragons created this song for the music inspired by Frankenweenie compilation and it’s a pretty hardcore alternative song for a Disney movie about a dog that gets brought back to life. The track is relatable to the brooding artistic types moreso than the usual Disney crowd. Selection from Lyrics: Oh, dig my shallow grave/ It’s not me you’ll save/ ‘Cause I’m a lost cause/ I’m a lost cause/ A lost, lost cause/ Wait, all this time that I have spent away/ Makes me think that I might be okay,/The kiss of death will have to wait/ My head, is holding on to all those things you said/ You taught me to be strong and get through it, the mist of darkness/ In my head.
See? Kinda not kid friendly.
Frankenweenie UNLEASHED! also includes songs by Karen O, Neon Trees, Robert Smith and even Winona Ryder’s performance of “Praise be New Holland”.
Download here: Amazon iTunes
Image: Walt Disney Studios
Misty Mountains Cold – The Hobbit Soundtrack
One of the best things to see in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey was the care Jackson took to bring to life the moments of song. When the Dwarves sing the ode to their homeland “Over The Misty Mountains Cold” it is truly a chilling moment to see and hear in the performances the sadness at the loss of their native land. When Thorin joins in, the song gets even more painful and powerful. This is one of the greatest moments in the film that shows how important it is for Bilbo to take part in the journey. Just putting this on takes you there, to that yearning for home and, hey – it’s good to sing along to on a road trip with friends to Middle Earth.
Download on: Amazon iTunes
Image: Warner Bros Pictures
“When Can I See You Again?” Owl City – Wreck-it Ralph Soundtrack
This catchy video game influenced single is used in the end credits of the movie, so you might have not caught it unless you waited for most of the crowds to empty out of the theater. In addition to Owl City contributing to Wreck-it Ralph, director Rich Moore approached DJ Skrillex to provide a piece of score for the Bug Battle in Heroes Duty as well as giving him a cameo in a party scene.Download on: Amazon iTunes
Image: Walt Disney Studios