Buckle up for a one-way trip to the darkest, most psychedelic side of musical cinema! A journey through some of the best and most mind-bending musical scenes ever put on film, featuring sex, drugs, and of course, infinite rock & roll. From Reefer Madness to Meet The Feebles, here are 20 songs you won't be able to stop humming.
Before we start listening to these beautiful, irreverent cinematic ballads, a few notes: 1) We're not including overdone classics—that list is too obvious and already replicated all over the web. Why would you want another copy? 2) Only film scenes count, no series or music videos. 3) Obviously, these scenes are infinitely funnier in the context of their full movies; they may not make sense on their own if you haven't seen the original film. 4) Finally, remember: these are MY favorite musical scenes, not necessarily yours. But feel free to share your own list in the comments!
Reefer Madness (2005) – Listen to Jesus Jimmy
A brilliant parody of the absurd anti-marijuana propaganda film of the same name, released in 1936 in the United States. The original black-and-white version is so stupid, misinformed, and malicious that the parody barely had to try to make it look ridiculous. All the songs in Reefer Madness: The Musical are great, and no wonder—they were inspired by the music of Frank Zappa! My favorite is this one, where one of the protagonists (Jimmy), totally possessed by the demon of marijuana, decides to rob a church's tithes to buy more cannabis to inject himself. But not before listening to what Jesus has to say about his behavior...
The Fifth Element (1997) – Diva Plavalaguna's Song
The Fifth Element is Die Hard in space and one of Luc Besson's best films, giving Leon a run for its money. Everything in The Fifth Element is well done, but the scene that lifts the movie into another dimension, separating it a bit from basic popcorn cinema, is the Diva hypnotizing us with her song while Leeloo "Multipass" kicks some Mangalore butt. You can listen to the full version, almost five minutes long, at this link.
The Kids in the Hall: Brain Candy (1996) – I'm Gay!
The comedy troupe The Kids in the Hall was a cult sensation during the 90s. Often compared (unjustly) to Monty Python, these Canadian comedians capped their career with one of the most irreverent movies of the decade: Brain Candy. If you haven't seen it, I don't know what you're waiting for. If you know it, I'm sure you remember the musical hit called I'm Gay!
Earth Girls Are Easy (1988) – Cause I'm a Blond (Julie Brown)
If you want a hint of the quantity and quality of drugs consumed in Hollywood during the 80s, just look at the psychedelic gem Earth Girls Are Easy. It's a stupid romantic sci-fi comedy in which a trio of aliens (played by young Jeff Goldblum, Jim Carrey, and Damon Wayans) lands in the pool of a California girl (starring Geena Davis), kicking off a hilarious love story. To add even more psychodelia, Julie Brown (a cult 80s music icon, creator of incredible videos like The Homecoming Queen's Got a Gun!) adds music to a couple of super fun scenes. Cause I'm a Blond is my favorite.
Monty Python's The Meaning of Life (1983) – Every Sperm is Sacred
How hard it is to choose just one song from all the Monty Python movies! With classics like The Galaxy Song, Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life, and Knights of the Round Table, among many other gems, deciding can be a real challenge. But here it is: social criticism, black humor, and blasphemy, in a combo called Every Sperm is Sacred.
Back to the Future (1985) – Johnny B. Goode
What can I write about this scene that you don't already know? I'll even spare you the bad joke about Michael J. Fox's Parkinson's and his enviable ability to shred the guitar. That's it. Better I stay quiet and we enjoy.
Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny (2006) – Beelzeboss
It's simple. Either you love Tenacious D or you hate them. There's usually no middle ground. Those who hate them, however, are missing out on a lot. Jack Black and Kyle Gass are immensely talented musicians, and the songs from The Pick of Destiny testify to the truth of my words. The movie has great tunes of all kinds, but the choice here is easy, and I think everyone will agree: the final showdown with Beelzeboss is the one that deserves the prize and all the applause.
Plaga Zombie 3: Revolución Tóxica (2011) – Plaga Zombie
The final of the Plaga Zombie trilogy by Farsa Producciones is, by far, the best that Argentine independent cinema has ever seen. A crowning jewel for a cult saga, fully self-managed and 100% independent of everything except love. On stage, three luminaries: Pablo Parés (Daemonium), Hernán Sáez (NAVE and DOBOTONE) and Sebastián Muñiz (AKA Berta), singing an ode to friendship to distract the zombies and escape alive from the tight spot they're in. Be careful! The song has a super contagious rhythm you won't get out of your head: “Plaaaage Zooooombie! It's a plaaage zoooommbie!”
Miami Connection (1987) – Friends (Dragon Sound)
Speaking of the power of friendship and independent cult cinema, here's a gem from the past revived in 2012 by Drafthouse Films. A rather absurd and fun super-action soap opera that has everything: gunfights, ninjas, motorcycles, women, and plenty of rock & roll. The synthesis of 80s American B-movie cinema in a single film: Miami Connection.
Hamlet 2 (2008) – Rock Me Sexy Jesus
A super irreverent comedy about a failed actor who decides to teach drama classes in a Tucson high school, staging—no less—the sequel to Hamlet, written by himself and his students. Hamlet 2 is one of those hidden gems that has everything but that few people know about. Don't be like those ugly people and give this movie a chance; you won't regret it! It features a Jesus Christ who travels through time to save Gertrude and Ophelia, two classic characters from Shakespeare's original play.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/UzwJTOogKycStep Brothers (2008) – Boats 'N Hoes
Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly make a dream duo, pure charisma and chemistry. And in Step Brothers, that ridiculous and silly movie that puts them as stepbrothers fighting for their parents' love, they shine like nowhere else. The film has several musical moments and an operatic finale, but I chose Boats 'N Hoes because it best captures the spirit of the work. Boats 'N Hoes! Boats 'N Hoes!
South Park: Bigger Longer & Uncut (1999) – La Resistance
Possibly the best and most thoughtful animated movie of all time, putting all of Disney's propaganda pamphlets to shame. Excreted from the incomparable minds of Trey Parker and Matt Stone, South Park: Bigger Longer & Uncut has super catchy songs and great social commentary (as everything these two luminaries do). I chose La Resistance, among so many beautiful things to choose from, not only because it's an excellent song, but also because it brings together the rest of the film's songs in an exquisite revolutionary medley that fills our hearts with courage. Viva la resistance! (Special mentions to America Fuck Yeah from Team America and Now You Are a Man from Orgazmo.)
Crossroads (1986) – Guitar Duel
The guitar duel in Crossroads has everything needed to be epic. It pits Lightning (Ralph Macchio) against a demonic Steve Vai, in a battle for the fate of old Willie Brown's soul. It doesn't match the scope of Tenacious D vs. Beelzeboss, but the virtuosity the musicians show on stage deserves a place on this list, especially if you like guitar solos. In short, it's like the final fight of Karate Kid but with guitars.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/bMAkr_Z74E8Beetlejuice (1988) – "Day O" (Harry Belafonte)
A classic scene from Tim Burton's best film, long before he started repeating himself over and over. It's, of course, the dinner scene where Winona Ryder's parents laugh at the possibility that the house is haunted. Well... it seems they were wrong!
Wayne's World (1992) – Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen)
The movie that conquered 90s kids, starring Mike Myers and Dana Carvey, two lovable loonies from the depths of Saturday Night Live. Although it's not a musical, it has many scenes with great music. The best, by unanimous consent, is the opening one, where Wayne, Garth, and the rest of the band sing Bohemian Rhapsody in the car. Imitated to death, but never surpassed. Wayne's World! Wayne's World! Party Time! Excelent!
40 Year Old Virgin (2005) – The Age of Aquarius / Let The Sunshine In
After 40 years of virginity, Steve Carell finally manages to introduce his member into a woman's body, and the result is this gem full of good vibes. We agree that the combination of The Age of Aquarius / Let the Sunshine In explodes with brilliance (as we already experienced in Hair), but Carell's charisma and that of all the greats accompanying him catapult both songs into the stratosphere. I'd be just as happy if I ended a 40-year no-sex streak!
Un Viernes Negro – La Maldición del Gato 2 (2011) – Xanadu (Olivia Newton-John)
The Xanadu video from the slasher "Un Viernes Negro – La Maldición del Gato 2" is out of this world. Its creators, Ezequiel Endelman and Leandro Montejano, are the same ones who previously surprised us with the brilliant web series No Podrás Dormir Esta Noche, which we've already discussed on NeoTeo. And with as much skill as love, they managed to make these two first features (which together tell the story of a serial killer roaming the nights in the mask of the Hombre Gato) unforgettable. I love these two directors, who are currently filming "Mirada de Cristal," a heartfelt homage to Italian horror cinema. In the video you have the full film; the song starts at minute 51:21. If you want to skip straight to it, click here.
The Blues Brothers (1980) – Everybody Needs Somebody to Love
"And remember, no matter who you are, what you do to live, prosper and survive, there are still some things that equal us. You, me, them, everyone." With those words, Elwood Blues (Dan Aykroyd) begins the live show of the Blues Brothers in the movie of the same name, with all the police watching the duo and minutes away from singing Jailhouse Rock from jail. To which Jake Blues (played by the incomparable John Belushi) responds: Everybody Needs Somebody to Love. Can't get more classic than that. A luxury that honors these lines with its presence.
Little Shop Of Horrors (1986) – Mean Green Mother From Outer Space
The musical based on the stage play inspired by Roger Corman's classic (in which a carnivorous plant from outer space uses a poor low-self-esteem devil to feed it humans) is one of the best musical films of all time. At least for those of us who love horror and science fiction. In this scene, Seymour discovers the evil plan of his supposed carnivorous friend, and things get quite out of control. Warning! This is the end of the movie, so if you haven't seen it and plan to, better move on to the next song.
Meet The Feebles (1989) – "Sodomy"
And to close, the most misunderstood film by Peter Jackson, from when he made cheap, bloody, cult cinema and not those boring epic tales of hobbits and rings. Meet The Feebles is a puppet movie on steroids with excessive doses of heavy drugs. It's a fun, gory, and psychedelic story—too psychedelic! As a sample, this little clip where the fox, in the absence of one of the show's stars, decides to go on stage with his own song: an ode to the joy of being sodomized. SODOMY!
Want more musical scenes? Check out the second part of this article—there's more music for everyone. As I said before, these aren't meant to be comprehensive lists. They are the musical scenes I like the most, and they don't have to be your favorites. Plus, I left out the well-known classics (like "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious", "Singing in the Rain", "If I Only Have a Brain", and those) because 1) it would be an endless list, and 2) nobody likes to read about things they already know, unless they're just looking to reinforce their ego through confirmation bias. But here at NeoTeo we don't do that. I hope you enjoyed the moment!
