movies/tv

The Most Iconic Songs from Classic Film Soundtracks That Stand The Test of Time

Musicnotes

• 4 min read
the wizard of oz - classic film soundtracks

Part of what makes movies so inspiring is the music that complements the scenes. Many feature films have soundtracks that generate top hits which endure for decades.

Whether you’re new to an instrument or a seasoned player, iconic songs from classic film soundtracks are a great addition to your musical repertoire. Here are some of our favorite all-time crowd-pleasers.

‘Over the Rainbow’

“Over the Rainbow” won the Academy Award for Best Original Song and became Judy Garland’s signature tune. The piece captures the sense of longing and adventure that The Wizard of Oz inhabits.

The song has a melody that is easy to learn and a bouncy bridge that mimics a piano exercise. Another tip for beginners: you can memorize the interval between the first two notes of the melody as an easy way to identify an octave.

This composition is so culturally significant that the Library of Congress preserved it in the National Recording Registry. Additionally, the American Film Institute and other associations have placed it as the best movie song of all classic film soundtracks.

‘Mrs. Robinson’

The third time was the charm for Paul Simon with “Mrs. Robinson.” The director of The Graduate decided to use existing songs by Simon & Garfunkel in the film but also wanted an original number. The director rejected the first two submissions, but Simon was able to update an unfinished song and turn it into the theme of the film.

You can play this bright tribute to nostalgia and lost innocence on any instrument, and people will instantly recognize it because it comes from one of the best classic film soundtracks. Like other folk music, it has a simple chord progression and lends itself to delightful harmonies for singers.

‘I Will Always Love You’

This tune was a hit three times over, twice by its writer, Dolly Parton, and later as a massive hit for Whitney Houston on The Bodyguard soundtrack. Mimicking either rendition is sure to be a tearjerker. Dolly sang it soft and sweet while Whitney put her powerhouse vocals over a swelling arrangement.

This song made it into the top 100 of Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, with good reason. This selection is a staple of singing competitions and an iconic entry from one of the most classic film soundtracks.

‘Eye of the Tiger’

For a rousing number to pump up a crowd, you can’t do better than this rocker by Survivor from Rocky III. Famously, Sylvester Stallone and company cut a training montage to “Another One Bites the Dust” by Queen but couldn’t secure the music rights.

This turn of events worked out in Survivor’s favor. They watched the scene and wrote a new standard that you can hear everywhere, from stadiums to karaoke bars, 40 years later.

This one is more than just a catchy tune with a great beat. While you might associate minor keys with sad songs, “Eye of the Tiger” is a great example of a minor melody and progression that can get people on their feet and inspire them.

‘They Can’t Take That Away from Me’

You can’t talk about American standards and classic film soundtracks without mentioning George and Ira Gershwin. Their music dominated the radio, sheet music sales, live theater, and movie musicals throughout the 1920s and 1930s.

A frequent collaborator and foremost interpreter of their songs was Fred Astaire. The dancer and film star brought “They Can’t Take That Away from Me” to life in his seventh picture with Ginger Rogers, Shall We Dance?

As you dig into this song and other Gershwin hits, get ready for a masterclass in sophisticated songwriting. This tune goes beyond your typical three or four-chord structure and uses complicated changes.

Don’t be afraid if you’re a beginner, though. You can find easy arrangements for this classic, too.

‘My Heart Will Go On’

In the late 1990s, you couldn’t escape the impact of Titanic. The film and its theme song perfectly complemented each other and overwhelmed the awards circuit, putting it squarely on any list of classic film soundtracks.

The ballad contains a motif that flows throughout the film and relies heavily on instrumentation. Whether you’re singing along or only playing the arrangement, the music will carry listeners back to the romantic story.

‘Stayin’ Alive’

Not every cinema standard has to be slow and romantic. Saturday Night Fever opened with the funky disco standard “Stayin’ Alive” by The Bee Gees and it hasn’t left the public consciousness yet.

While the song is upbeat and gets people on the dance floor, the lyrics are a description of the difficulty of surviving life in the city. Show everyone how well you can groove by playing the riff from this hit.

‘Let It Go’

It’s hard to pick one Disney song or soundtrack above others when the studio has so many classic film soundtracks from its animated films. The depth of the music and lyrics in many of these songs become hits on adult contemporary charts, including “Let It Go” from Frozen.

This song became an anthem of self-acceptance and a global phenomenon, teaching powerful lessons to children, especially those of marginalized groups. The tune became so beloved that it was a hit in over 40 languages.

The structure of this song is simple enough that kids of all ages can learn it, but it also leaves open room for inventive interpretations and improvisations.

Other Classics Worth Checking Out

The great thing about learning to play iconic songs from movie classic film soundtracks is that you’ll never run out of excellent choices. A few other pieces you might enjoy are:

The next time you’re watching a favorite movie with a classic song, don’t hesitate to find the sheet music to start learning it.

A Large Selection of Music from Classic Film Soundtracks at Musicnotes

Classic film soundtracks contain many of the most memorable tunes in history. Check out the selection available at Musicnotes to find an endless supply of top options.