You'll never listen to these songs the same way after seeing the movies or TV shows that ruined them.

A soundtrack can make a film or TV show. Giants in the industry; names like Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino, Wes Anderson, James Gunn, and others; pay a ton of attention to the songs they select for their films. Scores are great (what’s a more iconic duo than Steven Spielberg and John Williams?), but a soundtrack creates an instantly recognizable backdrop to the action for the audience. 

Sometimes, the pairing of that backdrop and the action its supporting is so good that we can no longer listen to that song the same way. The music will always take us to the specific moment or scene from that show or movie. This has to be some kind of badge of honor for the aforementioned directors and their music supervisors. Whatever experience you used to have listening to this song is gone forever. Now it’s all about the movie or show you saw it in. 

Here are ten songs in particular that are now ruined by movies and TV. 

1. "Stuck in the Middle With You" - Stealers Wheel: Reservoir Dogs

A groovy folk rock hit from the 70s about being out of place at a big music party? A few decades ago, maybe. Now? This song makes me think of Vic Vega (Michael Madsen), AKA Mr. Blonde from Reservoir Dogs, dancing along before cutting a cop’s ear off. 

2. "Don’t Stop Believing" - Journey: The Sopranos

Arguably the most talked-about ending in the history of television, The Sopranos finale culminated in a diner scene with Tony and his family, while Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing” seems to get louder and louder. “Dooooon’t stop-”....*cut to black*. Did Tony get whacked? I think he absolutely did. Regardless, I can’t listen to one of Journey’s biggest hits without thinking of this ending. 

3. “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” - Wham!: Zoolander

Is “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” about a man who’s in love with a girl he wants to go dancing with? Allegedly. To me, though, it signifies a gasoline fight accident between four really, really, ridiculously good-looking people. This Wham! hit makes me want an orange mocha frappuccino. 

4. “Tuesday’s Gone” - Lynyrd Skynyrd: Happy Gilmore

You can’t listen to that dreamy synthesizer intro on “Tuesday’s Gone” and not think of Happy Gilmore doing his best to get his grandmother’s house back. The lyrics have been called lead singer Ronnie Van Zant’s masterpiece, but all I see is Chubbs, an alligator, and Abraham Lincoln waving down at Happy from heaven above. 

5. “Hip to Be Square” - Huey Lewis and the News: American Psycho

The only song on this list in which the characters actively talk about it, "Hip to Be Square" is the background track of one of the most shocking scenes in American Psycho. Look up this song on YouTube and check the comments section; you'll find almost nothing but Patrick Bateman quotes. Hey Paul!

6. “Time to Say Goodbye” - Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman: Step Brothers

A beautiful song about being devoted to the love of your life? Sure, I guess. A beautiful song that brings the house down at the Catalina Wine Mixer, culminating in a drum solo for the ages? Now that’s more like it. “Time to Say Goodbye” (its Italian title is “Con te partiò”) will forever be linked to the climax of Step Brothers. It’s hard to even listen to it without peppering in a random “boats and hoes!” 

7. “Where Is My Mind?” - The Pixies: Fight Club

The iconic ending of Fight Club has become synonymous with The Pixies’ “Where Is My Mind?” You instantly picture collapsing buildings as two incredibly unstable people watch the destruction unfold. This song wasn’t a commercial hit when it was released in 1988, although it was a staple on college radio. Now, though? One of Rolling Stone magazine’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (number 494), and, of course, the end of Fight Club. 

8. “Canned Heat” - Jamiroquai. Napoleon Dynamite

The most famous scene in perhaps the most famous cult classic of the 2000s, “Canned Heat” simply can’t be listened to without thinking of Napoleon Dynamite lighting up the stage with his dance routine. The moon boots. The curly afro. The “VOTE FOR PEDRO” shirt. The whole scene ensures Jamiroquai’s 1999 single will never leave our minds, regardless of you loving or hating Napoleon Dynamite.

9. “A Thousand Miles” - Vanessa Carlton: White Chicks

What was once the debut hit single of Vanessa Carlton, anchored by one of the best piano riffs ever written, has become a punch line related to not knowing the words. That was the scene in White Chicks as Marlon and Shawn Wayans, AKA Tiffany and Brittany, can’t quite remember the lyrics in the car with their “friends.” Song is still a banger, though! You’re lying if you say it’s not. 

10. “Layla” - Derek and the Dominos: Goodfellas

“Layla” is one of the best rock songs ever written. But the second half of the song, the softer, melodic portion with the piano and slide guitar, calls to mind images of dead bodies in a variety of places, starting with that pink Cadillac. This is thanks to Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas. It’s the prettiest part of the song, and maybe the prettiest piece of music Eric Clapton ever produced, but to many, it’ll always equal Jimmy (Robert De Niro) tying up loose ends. 

BONUSES:

11. “Rock ‘n’ Roll (Part 2)” - Gary Glitter: Joker

My body wants to imitate Joaquin Phoenix’s chaotic dance down the steps every time I hear the drumming and clapping intro to “Rock ‘n’ Roll (Part 2).” A despicable character at his most ruthless? Yes. One of the most badass villain entrances ever? Also yes. 

12. “Master of Puppets” - Metallica: Stranger Things

A modern one, “Master of Puppets” will just be one of Metallica’s biggest hits for anyone born before 2000. If you’re born this millennium, however, you likely think of the Season 4 finale of Stranger Things, in which Eddie Munson unleashes his guitar solo to draw in the demobats of the Upside Down, before sacrificing himself. Hellfire Club forever!

Any I missed? Do you not think of these movies or TV shows when you hear these songs? Let me know in the comments.

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