1990s Song Titles, Singers and Movies Quiz

Answer: Celine Dion

I say enchanted and annoyed as "My Heart Will Go On" (1997) was without a doubt a magical song, which fit the blockbuster movie perfectly. However as the movie and song both grew in popularity, it seemed like there was no escape from hearing it 24/7. While it continues to be Celine Dion's most popular hit, I do sometimes wonder if it is also a millstone around her neck.
A good sign of the popularity of the song is the fact that I didn't need to mention the song title in the question. The lyrics and the movie title alone are enough to reach the answer.

Answer: Seal

Seal had several high charting hits in the 90s, but it was "Kiss From A Rose" (1994) for which he is mainly remembered.
The song was a minor hit in its year of release after being included on the soundtrack for "The NeverEnding Story III: Escape from Fantasia" (1994) and became a monster hit the following year following the success of "Batman Forever" (1995).
Not only did it reach the top ten in many countries, including the number one spot in Australia and in USA on the Billboard Hot 100, but it also scooped the Grammy's for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, Record of the Year and Song of the Year.

Answer: Aerosmith

Aerosmith hadn't had a top ten hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in USA since "What It Takes" in 1990 and the fact that their previous movie soundtrack works had all flopped didn't look good.
However, following on from the failures of "Less Than Zero" soundtrack (1987) and "Air America" soundtrack (1990) came "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" (1998) from the movie starring Steven Tyler's daughter Liv, "Armageddon" (1998).
"I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" (1998) went places no other Aerosmith track had gone, giving the band their first Billboard Hot 100 number one in USA and first top ten hit in UK and sold in the millions all over the world.

Answer: Gangsta's Paradise

Coolio hit number one all around the world with "Gangsta's Paradise" in 1995, but by 1997 the hits had dried up for him, and he remains best known for this monster hit. "Gangsta's Paradise" was nominated for Record of the Year at the 1996 Grammys, losing out to Seal's "Kiss From A Rose", coincidentally also from a movie soundtrack as it was used in "Batman Forever" (1995).
The movie, "Dangerous Minds" (1995) starred Michelle Pfeiffer and was based on the true story of former U.S. Marine LouAnne Johnson who became a teacher after leaving the service.

Answer: The Bodyguard

Another 90s smash that doesn't require the song title in the question as Whitney Houston's cover of Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You" (1992) just couldn't be avoided.
Dolly had a minor hit with the track when it was originally released in 1974, hitting the top five on the Canadian country chart and topping the Billboard country chart in USA. When she re-released it in 1982, as part of the soundtrack to "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas", she had greater success as the track was a top ten hit in Canada, Netherlands and Belgium as well as reaching number 53 on the Billboard Hot 100 in USA.
Enter Whitney and her 1992 cover though and Dolly's success pales into insignificance as the track went to number one all over the world and in many countries set records for the amount of time spent at the top spot.
Bizarrely, the movie it was taken from, "The Bodyguard" (1992) was universally panned by critics and was nominated for seven Golden Raspberry Awards, including Worst Picture, Worst Actress (for Houston) and Worst Actor (for Houston's co-star, Kevin Costner). It went on though to become a box office smash, raising the question, did the music make the movie seem so much better than it really was?

Answer: Urge Overkill

Diamond had a top ten hit on the Billboard Pop chart in USA with "Girl, You'll Be A Woman Soon" way back in 1967 and in UK it was Cliff Richard who charted with a cover in 1968 when he released it as the B side to "I'll Love You Forever Today".
Urge Overkill though, reached a wider audience thanks to "Pulp Fiction" as their cover entered the top 30 in countries such as Australia, New Zealand and France where it was a top ten hit.
In the movie, the song was used as Mia (Uma Thurman) danced while wearing Vincent's (John Travolta) coat and took on a more menacing sound than either Diamond or Richard could ever have imagined when they recorded their versions.

Answer: Reality Bites

"Stay (I Missed You)" (1994) charted in many countries, hitting the top ten in most, including USA where it topped the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks.
At the time, Loeb didn't have a record deal and the track was included on the "Reality Bites" soundtrack and later reissued on her "Tails" album in 1995 after she signed with Geffen Records.
"Reality Bites" (1994) starred Ethan Hawke and Ben Stiller alongside Winona Ryder and has largely been forgotten as it was a movie of the moment, perfectly capturing the time period, but not aging too well.

Answer: Good Will Hunting

Smith was known for his deeply personal lyrics about his alcoholism, drug use and mental illness and had gained a cult following as well as a level of success with tracks such as "Waltz #2 (XO)" (1998) and "Son Of Sam" (2000) prior to his still unsolved death in 2003.
Perhaps much of that success was helped by him being thrust into the public eye following the use of "Miss Misery" in "Good Will Hunting" (1997) and the subsequent Oscar nomination but there is no denying it, and more was deserved.
A talented lyricist gone far too soon.
"Miss Misery" is used in the closing scenes of "Good Will Hunting", which to me seems like the perfect excuse to watch the whole movie again.

Answer: Bruce Springsteen

"Streets Of Philadelphia" (1994) was Springsteen's first top ten hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in USA since 1987s "Tunnel Of Love" and showcased Springsteen doing what he does best - telling the story of a life, with lyrics so poignant it is as if he has lived it.
Not only did Springsteen win the Oscar for Best Original Song, but he was joined in his celebrations by Tom Hanks who won the Oscar for Best Actor for his role as Andrew Beckett in the movie.

Answer: Stuck In The Middle With You

Stealers Wheel were amazingly only around for three years between 1972 and 1975 and "Stuck In The Middle With You" (1973) was their first hit, charting in the top ten in UK, Canada and on the Billboard Hot 100 in USA.
This would be their only top ten hit, and although this track remained popular, the band were largely forgotten by the time Quentin Tarantino used the song in "Reservoir Dogs" (1992).
In an inspired piece of scriptwriting, once seen, it becomes impossible to hear the track and not picture Mr Blonde, played superbly by Michael Madsen, as he tortures Marvin Nash (Kirk Baltz).