I asked myself: self, what’s the best way to start a new series about great music and films? Well, to begin at the beginning… with amazing combinations of songs and opening credits. This is not meant to be a top ten, just ten of my favorite opening credits (the ones I manage to find on youtube, alas From Dusk Till Dawn title scene with the great sound of Dark Night is not there!). Some films use songs that were already famous, others made the song known to a bigger audience and, in a few cases, the combination is iconic, so much that it has been quoted, spoofed and imitated in later films, TV-shows and commercials.
1. Reservoir Dogs – Little Green Bag, George Baker Selection (1970)
After an opening scene that introduces the main characters and Tarantino’s trademark penchant for verbal incontinence and silly topics, we get this:
2. The Big Chill – Heard It Through the Grapevine, Marvin Gaye (1968)
Main characters introduction while the stirring voice of Marvin Gaye sets the mood:
3. Easy Rider – BornTo Be wild, Steppenwolf (1968)
Ultimate badasses… no more comments needed:
4. RocknRolla – I’m a Man, Black Strobe (2007)
Modern badass with the plus of Mark Strong’s heavily accented voice-over:
5. The Departed – I’m Shipping Up To Boston, Dropkicks Murphys (2005)
Celtic punk and American-Irish underworld… match made in heaven:
6. Watchmen – The Times They Are A-Changin’, Bob Dylan (1964)
Visually stunning and an amazing prologue:
7. Shrek – All Star, Smash Mouth (1999)
Irreverent and energising:
8. Guardians of the Galaxy – Come and Get Your Love, Redbone (1974)
Lip-synching using an alien-rat as microphone… this will be remembered for a while:
9. Dirty Dancing – Be My Baby, The Ronettes (1963)
Just tidbits of what’s to come: music and dancing!
10. Juno – All I Want Is You, Barry Louis Polisar (1977)
Half fairy tale style, half everyday life, it sets the pace well:
Ramblings of a cinephile 