Popular Songs Used in Movies Too Quiz

Answer: Nobody Does It Better

Released in 1977, "The Spy Who Loved Me" starred Roger Moore, Barbara Bach and Richard Kiel in this tenth "Bond" offering. The movie had Bond joining forces with a Russian agent to investigate a plot to start a nuclear war with missiles launched from submarines.

"Nobody Does It Better" was written by Hamlisch with lyrics by Sager and was performed by Carly Simon. It was the first "Bond" theme song to not contain the title of the movie in the title of the song (although the title of the movie was used as a line in the lyrics). Released in 1977, it made it to the number two spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was named the Number One Adult Contemporary Hit of 1977.

Answer: (I've Had) The Time of My Life

Starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey, "Dirty Dancing" was released in 1987 with some unforgettable dance scenes. The movie was set in the early 60s at Kellerman's, a large resort, where Frances 'Baby' Houseman and her family went for a summer vacation. With a reasonably sheltered life, Baby had aspirations to change the world. Falling in love with dance instructor, Johnny, exposed her to a different side of life.

"(I've Had) the Time of My Life", written by Previte, Nikola and Markowitz for the movie, was recorded by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes. It was used in the finale of the movie. It won the Academy Award for Best Original Song and a Grammy for Best Pop Performance by Duo or a Group with Vocals. It topped the Billboard Top 100 and Adult Contemporary charts.

Answer: Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head

"Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" (1969) claimed to be loosely based on the story of two outlaws of the same names, from the Wild West era, who were relentlessly pursued by a posse because of their success as train robbers. The banter between Paul Newman (as Butch) and Robert Redford (as Sundance) raised the movie above a typical Western.

"Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head" was written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David for the movie, and recorded by B.J. Thomas. It was heard when Butch took Sundance's woman, Etta (played by Katharine Ross), on a ride on the handles of his new-fangled bicycle.
It topped the charts (including Billboard Hot 100) in many countries and won the Oscar for Best Original Song.

Answer: Unchained Melody

Starring Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg, "Ghost" was released in 1990. In his role of a banker, Sam (Swayze) uncovered something suspicious and told his friend Carl. Because he was implicated, Carl arranged to have the information stolen from Sam, but Sam was killed instead, leaving Molly (Moore) devastated. Sensing that Molly was in danger Sam hung around as a ghost, to figure out why he was killed. He stumbled upon Oda Mae (Goldberg), a fraudulent psychic who was stunned to learn that she really did have the gift. Together they saved the day and gave Molly some closure.

Written in 1955 by Alex North and Hy Zaret, "Unchained Melody" has been covered by many artists over the years. The Righteous Brothers' 1965 version (used in the movie) reached number four on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. In the movie the song played during a sensual and romantic scene where (pre-ghost) Sam and Molly throw some clay on a potter's wheel. The song re-charted after the release of the movie, as did a re-recording of the song by The Righteous Brothers. Both versions were on the charts at the same time.

Answer: Listen

With an all-star cast, including Jennifer Hudson, Beyonce Knowles, Anika Noni Rose and Jamie Foxx, "Dreamgirls" (2006) told the story of the rise of three young singers from Detroit who made it big in the 60s and 70s. It drew inspiration from the rise of Motown with many parallels (in story line and costume) with the Supremes. It touched briefly on the riots in Detroit in 1967 and the Viet Nam War. "Dreamgirls" won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for Jennifer Hudson.

"Listen" was written for the movie by Krieger, Cutler and Preven (with contributions from a few other writers). "Listen" was sung by Beyonce later in the movie, as she became frustrated with the life that Foxx had made for her, controlling everything she did. It peaked at 61 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Answer: In Your Eyes

A teen comedy/romance, "Say Anything" (1989) starred John Cusack and Ione Skye as mismatched high school sweethearts (she the class valedictorian, he an underachiever) who managed to make it work, despite her father's disapproval.

"In Your Eyes" was written and recorded by Peter Gabriel in 1986. It hit number one on the Hot Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks. It charted on Billboard Hot 100s, reaching number 41. In "Say Anything", the song is best remembered for the romantic scene in which Cusack's character held a boom box, playing the song, over his head to 'serenade' Skye's character, after she broke up with him due to pressure from her father.

Answer: Time Warp

A tribute to campy, science fiction/horror films, "The Rocky Horror Show" began life as a musical play in 1973. In 1975 the movie, "The Rocky Horror Picture Show", was born and became a cult classic. The story was about a straight-laced, recently engaged couple who stumbled into a world they had never even imagined, after their car broke down in the rain. Many fans of the film/play dress up in character and participate in the movie by doing things like throwing toast at the screen when the actors are making a toast. Tim Curry was delicious as Dr. Frank-N-Furter.

The "Time Warp" was a song/dance performed early in the movie, with the colourfully dressed actors, following instructions heard in the song, "It's just a jump to the left...". Audience participation is high!
The song never charted but has become well-known and is often played at gatherings.

Answer: Mrs. Robinson

Released in 1967, "The Graduate" starred Dustin Hoffman as a directionless, college graduate who was seduced by an older woman...the named Mrs. Robinson (played by Anne Bancroft), before falling in love with her daughter (played by Katharine Ross). It was a quirky film with an even quirkier ending.

"Mrs. Robinson" was a song that Simon and Garfunkel had begun writing, that had no real title and was loosely called "Mrs. Roosevelt". The movie's director was quite taken with the duo's music and had approached them to write songs for the movie. He didn't like their initial offerings so they suggested this song, using the name Robinson instead of Roosevelt, and history was made.
The song became Simon and Garfunkel's second number one hit and charted well around the world.

Answer: Wind Beneath My Wings

Released in 1988, "Beaches" starred childhood friends C.C. (Bette Midler) and Hillary (Barbara Hershey). The movie started with C.C. leaving rehearsal for a concert to travel to her sick friend's bedside. As she traveled she reminisced on their shared history, from the day they met. The movie was definitely a tear-jerker with the sterling performances from its two stars preventing it from dissolving into schmaltz.

"Wind Beneath My Wings" was written by Jeff Silbar and Larry Henley in 1982 and recorded by a number of different artists. Bette Midler recorded it for the movie "Beaches", and her version was the highest charting one, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and earning Grammys for Record of the Year and Song of the Year.

Answer: Moon River

Released in 1961, "Breakfast at Tiffany's" starred Audrey Hepburn as a quirky socialite determined to marry for money. Her plans didn't work and she ended up engaged to her neighbour Paul (played by George Peppard) instead.

"Moon River" was written by Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer, and performed by Audrey Hepburn in the movie. She could be seen sitting in an open window, strumming a guitar and singing. It won the Academy Award for Best Original song. It has been covered by many artists, most notably Andy Williams.

Answer: Up Where We Belong

Gere played Zack Mayo, a troubled young man with a hard life who signed up for the U.S. Navy's Aviation Officer Training Candidate School. He was given a hard time by his Gunnery Sergeant (played by Lou Gossett Jr.) who tried to force Zack into quitting. Zack stuck with it and fell in love with Paula (played by Debra Winger).

"Up Where We Belong" was written by Jack Nitzsche, Buffy Sainte-Marie and Will Jennings. It was recorded by Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes for the film. It was Warnes' idea to make the song a duet with Cocker. Initially, many stations refused to play it, because it was seen as a bit of a sell-out on Cocker's part, but it won the Grammy for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or a Group and a live version made "Billboard" magazine's, 2020 list of the 25 Greatest Love Song Duets. In the movie, the song played as a uniformed Zack entered Paula's work place (a printing press) and literally swept her off her feet while the other employees applauded.

Answer: (Everything I Do) I Do It for You

"Prince of Thieves" was a 1991 re-telling of the "Robin Hood" story, starring Kevin Costner with help from Morgan Freeman, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio and a brilliant performance by Alan Rickman as the Sheriff of Nottingham.

"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" was written by Michael Kamen and Robert John "Mutt" Lange and recorded by Bryan Adams. The single spent a then unprecedented 16 weeks on top of the UK Singles Chart and seven weeks on top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It played over the end credits of the film.

Answer: Gonna Fly Now

Released in 1976 "Rocky" starred Sylvester Stallone as The Italian Stallion, an unsuccessful boxer who got a chance to fight the world champion, Apollo Creed (played by Carl Weathers), as a publicity stunt. To everyone's surprise Rocky gave Creed a run for his money and Creed only won the match by a split decision. Rocky's life changed in more ways than one, as he also found and wooed the love of his life (played by Talia Shire).

"Gonna Fly Now", also known as the "Theme from Rocky" was written as the theme song for the movie by Bill Conti with lyrics (such as they are) by Carol Connors and Ayn Robbins. Conti's version hit number on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and earned an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song. The song can be heard through scenes of Rocky training for the big fight.

Answer: The Power of Love

This 1985 film about time travel starred Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd and dealt with the possible implications of time travel (such as erasing your very existence) and stealing plutonium from terrorists. All turned out in the end and two sequels were spawned.

"The Power of Love" was written and recorded by Huey Lewis and the News. Huey Lewis was approached to write the song for the movie but felt uncertain he could do that. So he was encouraged to write whatever song he wanted. It was heard while McFly (Fox) skateboarded to school and again when McFly's group played a harder version at an audition, where Huey Lewis played an adjudicator who pronounced the group "just too darned loud". It was nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Song.

Answer: When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going

"The Jewel of the Nile" was a 1985 sequel to "Romancing the Stone", both starring Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner and Danny DeVito in exotic locations. Suffering from writer's block Joan (Turner) let herself be persuaded to accompany Omar (Spiros Focas) to write about his rise to power and the way his people adored him. Unlikely allies, Douglas and DeVito had to free her while they searched for 'The Jewel of the Nile' unaware that they had it already.

Co-written and recorded by Billy Ocean for "The Jewel of the Nile", the song reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The entertaining video for the song starred the film's three stars, lip-syncing the back-up vocals and moving to the music. In the video, DeVito mimicked playing a saxophone which resulted in a temporary ban of the video from "The Top of the Pops" because he was not part of the Musicians' Union.