by Adam Riske
Song: “Nick of Time”
From: Always
Artist: Bonnie Raitt
I had to work to get this song on the list. What I mean by that was it was tough to Shazam because it’s featured in the background during a bar scene in Always while several cast members are talking over it. I desperately wanted them to shut up for 10 seconds so that Shazam had enough information to figure out what song this was. At first, I thought it was an R&B song I really like called “Never Knew Love Like This” by Alexander O’Neal (featuring Cherrelle), but it’s not, it’s Bonnie Raitt. This Raitts high (sorry) on my Bonnie ranking. She seems like a wise lady. P.S. Is there anything better than late-'80s doctor’s office waiting room music? I say no.
Song: “Greatest Day - Robin Schulz Rework”
From: Anora
Artist: Take That, Robin Schulz, and Calum Scott
I’ve seen Anora twice and while it didn’t “Best Picture” connect with me, there are many things I like about it, including Mikey Madison’s performance and the whirlwind first hour. “Greatest Day” is emblematic of the parts of Anora I like the most and it’s so good as an anthem that it gives the movie a bump. That’s about the best you could ask for of a song featured in a film. Try listening to this and not being in a better mood when it’s over. You can’t. It’s a perfect song. It should play at every Bar/Bat Mitzvah.
Song: “First”
From: Herbie: Fully Loaded
Artist: Lindsay Lohan
This song kicks ass. Lindsay Lohan always understands the assignment when it comes to rocking. Not sure she understands the assignment to not make songs sexy when they’re the lead single in, you know, a Disney movie. I checked out Herbie: Fully Loaded for the first time last month because I’m going through 2005 movies this year for their 20th anniversaries and it’s not bad. I liked the cast (Lohan, Justin Long, game performances from Michael Keaton and Matt Dillon) and I appreciate that Herbie knew to do his thing while also stepping aside and letting the next generation (Lohan) take over. It didn’t really work (because box office) but everyone’s heart/engine was in the right place. I like that the song is called “First” because she wants to come first with love but also on the racetrack. That’s just good songwriting.
Song: “Doctor’s Orders”
From: The Last Days of Disco
The Last Days of Disco was a highlight of my pre-F This Movie Fest 1998 movie binge watch. Where has this movie been all my life? A big part of its effectiveness is the amazing soundtrack full of disco staples and a few deeper cuts I was unaware of, like this jam by Carol Douglas. I Shazam’d so many songs while I watched the movie but “Doctor’s Orders” is the track I go back to again and again. It just makes me happy. I think it’s fair to say at this point that Disco is my second favorite music subgenre after Grunge/Alternative.
Song: “BGC”
From: One of Them Days
This banger (which if I remember right plays during the closing credits of the very funny One of Them Days) samples Carl Carlton’s “She’s a Bad Mama Jama.” When you do that, you’re like 90% of the way there to making a great song and it’s just up to you not to screw it up. Flo Milli does not. Also worth listening to from the movie is “I Believe in Miracles” by the Jackson Sisters. One of Them Days has a good soundtrack!
From: Rounders
Artist: Counting Crows
I always want to be better than Counting Crows but then they put together a song like this one that I really like and I’m not sure why I push back at them at all. This song has a real “we’re going back to the city, but this time we’re a little wiser” vibe. That makes sense in my head. I think most people like Rounders but the last time I saw it I thought it was still a bit underrated. Like, this is a classic in my eyes and nearly as strong as Good Will Hunting, which is a perfect movie.
Song: “I Found My Smile Again”
From: Space Jam
Artist: D’Angelo
The Space Jam soundtrack is still incredible and the one song I’ve been into a lot lately (after a rewatch of the movie) is D’Angelo’s track. I love his music. He’s maybe my favorite of the Neo-Soul/R&B wave of the mid-to-late ‘90s and this is a great song that no one talks about even in the context of the Space Jam soundtrack where the R. Kelly (barf), Seal and Monica songs get all the glory. Embarrassing biographical detail: I was really depressed recently and having trouble getting out of bed and I randomly decided that I was going to put this song on (based on the title) and I had to be out of bed and ready to go outside for a walk by the time the song was over, and it worked. So, thank you D’Angelo and Space Jam for helping me find my smile again!
Song: “When the Lights Go Out”
From: Stepmom
Artist: Five
So, there I am watching Stepmom for the first time a couple months back and not really liking it much and then a scene at a photo shoot takes place while Five’s “When the Lights Go Out” plays in the background and I locked into the movie. This song rules. I love a lot of the boy band music from the late-'90s and while Five is no 98 Degrees or anything, this song is timeless. If anyone wanted to know what I was like in high school all you have to do is watch this music video and you’re 80% of the way there.
I always love your music lists, Adam! Thanks for writing this list. First things first, I absolutely love "When the Lights Go Out" by Five. My primary boy band in 1999 was *N Sync, but anytime this song would come on the radio when I was driving around I had to turn it all the way up and do that thing where you try to dance in your seat while driving. Such a jam.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your "Raitt" joke, even though I haven't seen that movie or heard that song. Still need to see some of the movies on this list but I have to thank you and Patrick for campaigning Last Days of Disco during 1998 month because I finally watched it and it's SO GOOOD HOLY BANANAS. The soundtrack rules. As does everything else about it.
Thanks Rosalie!
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