Source: Musician Prince attending the premiere of “Purple Rain” on July 26, 1984 at Mann Chinese Theater in Hollywood, California. (Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Movies and music have gone hand and hand since sound was paired with the film projected onto silver screens across the world. Music often makes movies, as we’ve seen with hit films like Guardians of the Galaxy bolstered by a fantastic 70s soundtrack, or the iconic Bohemian Rhapsody car karaoke scene in Wayne’s World. Often times, we’ve had some iconic rock songs written and recorded for movies that have gone down to be just as iconic as the films they’re featured in.
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From 80s-movie staples performed by soundtrack superhero Kenny Loggins, to edgy tone-setting songs, courtesy of bands like Van Halen, here’s 25 iconic rock songs made for the movies:
25 Iconic Rock Songs Made for the Movies
1. Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door – Bob Dylan (Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid)
2. Purple Rain – Prince & The Revolution (Purple Rain)
3. Danger Zone – Kenny Loggins (Top Gun)
4. Eye of the Tiger – Survivor (Rocky III)
5. I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing – Aerosmith (Armageddon)
6. Ghostbusters – Ray Parker Jr. (Ghostbusters)
7. Footloose – Kenny Loggins (Footloose)
8. Live and Let Die – Paul McCartney (Live and Let Die)
9. Don’t You (Forget About Me) – Simple Minds (The Breakfast Club)
10. Power of Love – Huey Lewis & The News (Back to the Future)
11. Heavy Metal (Original) – Sammy Hagar (Heavy Metal)
12. Humans Being – Van Halen (Twister)
This song comes on during the iconic 1996 natural disaster movie when the group of tornado chasers heads off-road in an attempt to get into the path of the storm. It’s perfection.
