I love music, you love music, we all love music! Our tastes may differ (sometimes considerably), but I'm sure you'd agree without rhythmic sound our world would be a much duller place. It’s no wonder music remains a major part of the cinema; hell, even during the silent era of film music played a huge role in a film’s showing (nowadays, silent films have the added benefit of letting the distributor pick its accompanying tunes…or misfortune depending on the distributor’s taste). Usually it’s the soundtrack brought up when referring to a film’s music, but this is not what I’m writing about; instead I’m paying tribute to the best 2014 songs in cinema.
My definition of how “song” and “soundtrack” differ is a bit hazy; a song has to be original (or a remixed version from the series if the film’s a sequel, remake, reboot, etc…), lyrical, and for the most part prominent to the film’s plot. Think “Disney style musicals”, such as The Lion King or Tarzan; with either an original song sung by the characters themselves (Lion King), or a background/credits song which fits the film’s theme/situation (Tarzan). Ironically, Disney animation made no attempt at a musical this year (guess they needed a breather after Frozen); never fear however, as there were plenty of other great songs to choose from (many of them from the Muppets).
#10: Muppets Most Wanted: Interrogation Song
Writer(s): Bret McKenzie, Paul Roemen
Singer(s): Ty Burrell, Sam Eagle, Muppets
Yes! Finally, a musical number sung by my favorite Muppet, Sam Eagle; and not just any song might I add, but one that’s catchy, fun, humorous and incredibly silly. Singing alongside our feathered patriot is Ty Burrell's “completely not at all stereotyped” French character Jean Pierre Napoleon (your average French name). These two wacky characters were virtually made for each other, with the Interrogation Song best showcasing their wonderful buddy-cop chemistry; in particular their behind one-way mirror conversations, seamlessly bickering (through witty rhyme schemes) over the Muppets’ involvement in a robbery. The OST version even adds an extra part where the duo interrogates Gonzo and Camilla (as expected, things don’t turn out well). What else can I say, the Interrogation Song is a really fun song which features my favorite Muppet character being his typical pompous, awesome self.
#9: How to Train Your Dragon 2: Where No One Goes
Writer(s): Jónsi
Singer(s): Jónsi
Where No One Goes is a lovely song, perfectly encompassing the tone of the How to Train Your Dragon series. It captures the feeling of the film’s majestic flying scenes; the feeling of freedom, of soaring through the clouds and skies. The song’s Nordic tone fits ideally with the film’s Viking setting, even incorporating pieces of the previous film’s soundtrack (namely the flying theme which in itself is an amazing masterpiece of music). It’s a beautiful piece of music, fitting for a beautiful scene in an overall beautiful movie.
#8: Muppets Most Wanted: Something So Right
Writer(s): Bret McKenzie
Singer(s): Muppets, Celine Dion
Some people don’t care for Celine Dion; I’m not the biggest fan myself (my wife’s a completely different story), but I've always had a great fondness for her theatrical music (where would Titanic be without My Heart Will Go On!?...ok, it’d probably still be incredibly sad…but slightly less so than with the song!) Something So Right is the powerhouse song for Muppets Most Wanted, filled with energy and passion not simply from Celine Dion (ok, primarily from Celine Dion) but also from the Muppets themselves. The bittersweet duet between Miss Piggy and Kermit about their supposed future is both heartwarming and a tearjerker. The grand culmination of all the Muppets (plus Celine Dion) singing together brings the song to an epic finale, before dissolving into simple melancholy notes. It’s a grand song, which practically overshadows the film’s own finale; one may take such statement as a criticism towards the film’s ending, instead take it as a complement towards the song’s own triumph.
#7: The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies: The Last Goodbye
Writer(s): Billy Boyd
Singer(s): Billy Boyd
The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies is by far my least favorite of the Tolkien/Jackson combinations; I liked it, but the excessive filler made it seem an unnecessary cash grab where two parts were sufficient enough (its most memorable character was Alfrid the sleazy yes-man!) Who could have guessed one of my favorite aspects would be in the credits…and no, not because it was over. The Last Goodbye is a beautiful song by itself, but its true power is the nostalgia blast representing a 6-film journey I've gone through since I was 10 years old. Getting Billy Boyd to sing The Last Goodbye was both a great marketing tactic and a delightful, sentimental treat to my (and I presume many others’) ears. The song truly made it feel the series was concluded, a final bow as the curtain closes…whether Hollywood will actually allow a multi-billion dollar franchise to end is another story entirely.
#6: Muppets Most Wanted: We’re Doing a Sequel
Writer(s): Bret McKenzie
Singer(s): Muppets
The Muppets are masters when it comes to opening songs, We’re Doing a Sequel is no exception. Let me get my checklist out: an incredibly lively song with an irresistibly catchy tune? Check! Plenty of meta-jokes and witty comedy? Check! Referencing several older movies such as Gone with the Wind, The Godfather Part III, and The Seventh Seal, the latter of which only film-buffs would have gotten. Check! We’re Doing a Sequel combines all three aspects into a grand spanking opening for Muppets Most Wanted, starting the film off with a bang and the most enthusiastic tune throughout!
#5: Dragon 2: For the Dancing and the Dreaming
Writer(s): John Powell
Singer(s): Gerard Butler, Mary Jane Wells
OH, oh the feels! I..I don’t know if I can listen to this without feeling equal qualities of joy and absolute sadness. For the Dancing and the Dreaming is a simple, yet exceptionally touching love song between our two Viking singers. It starts off touchingly nostalgic, gets heartbreakingly melancholy, turns around and becomes emotionally touching, and concludes with a joyous romp of festiveness! That’s a lot of emotions contained within a single song, and it ends on..on such a happy note (sniff)…yep, so wonderful to see a family reunited after all those..those……WHY DREAMWORKS, WHY!!!? THEY WERE ALL SO HAPPY!!! Now whenever I hear it I can’t help but think about what’s going to happen about 5 minutes later! Oh the tragedy...but I guess within tragedy there’s beauty, and For the Dancing and the Dreaming is the most beautifully tragic song of 2014 (in general, not just film-wise).
#4: Muppets Most Wanted: Cockatoo in Malibu
Writer(s): Bret McKenzie
Singer(s): Bret McKenzie
Muppets Most Wanted treats us with not one, but two villain songs; I’m Number One and Cockatoo in Malibu! While I’m Number One is a lot of jazzy fun (and features a singing Ricky Gervais), I’d choose Cockatoo in Malibu over it every other day. Our amphibian singer Constantine (Bret McKenzie) shows off his Casanova side as he charms Miss Piggy with all the bizarre, outlandish things he can get her (with the exception of going to the moon…he has to see what he can do). Alongside his charismatic singing is an incredibly suave, smooth tune I couldn't help but hum while writing this entry (Cockatoo…Malibu…Kangaroo). Seriously, go listen right now and try to resist singing along, I’ll wait……..back yet?...yeah, I know; couldn't help but sing along (maybe even snap your fingers to the beat). Don’t be ashamed, the song’s just too charming to resist! Cockatoo in Malibu is not only my favorite Muppets Most Wanted song, but also best villain song of 2014…possibly even the half-decade (though I’d have to double check to be sure).
#3: The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1: The Hanging Tree
Writer(s): James Newton Howard, Suzanne Collins, Jeremiah Fraites, Wesley Schultz
Singer(s): Jennifer Lawrence
Few actors can claim a song spot on the billboard charts without even trying, Jennifer Lawrence is one of them. Apparently Lawrence was quite hesitant about singing The Hanging Tree, a tune her character Katniss sings during a propaganda shooting; she even wanted singer Lorde to step in for the vocals (Lorde sang the film’s official single Yellow Flicker Beat). Lawrence was eventually convinced to sing, and it proved the correct choice as she sings it beautifully; her singing feels natural, with a bit of roughness which only adds to the realism of her character. There’s such passion and emotion coming from the song, starting off soft and subtle while slowly picking up the beat until it’s grown to an epic magnitude. The song’s impact is amplified by the spine-tingling scene accompanying it, a powerful showcasing of sacrifice for the cost of freedom. It’s an emotionally stunning song (I wish the radio would play the original version more than the decent, but severely deficient remix), and another reason why Mockingjay – Part 1 is my favorite of the Hunger Games series.
#2: The Lego Movie: Everything is Awesome
Writer(s): Shawn Patterson, Joshua Bartholomew, Lisa Harriton, The Lonely Island
Singer(s): Tegan and Sara, The Lonely Island
Talk about a complete 180! I went into The Lego Movie hating Everything is Awesome and walked out humming it all the way home. The song (within the plot) starts off as a satire on conformity; an addictively catchy tune meant to help keep the Lego citizens inline and obeying (basically a subliminal mind control technique). By the film’s end however, the song takes on the opposite representation of being one’s individual self, working together as a team with other unique individuals. This becomes particularly apparent when the full version’s played during the end credits with The Lonely Island verses intact (who are most definitely awesome); listing off various things a controlled, totalitarian society would consider unacceptable (dipping your body in chocolate frosting, wearing clogs, a ”no bell prize”, etc…), yet unique individuals could consider awesome. The song goes from meaning “everything is awesome, nothing is wrong, Big Brother is watching” to “Everything IS Awesome…with you; no matter what others say you’re unique, he’s unique, she’s unique, and when working as a team the creative opportunities are limitless!” That’s quite an amazing 180 for the song’s meaning to take…also it’s catchy as hell!
#1: Frank: I Love You All
Writer(s): The Soronprfbs
Singer(s): Michael Fassbender
I love this song; it’s so unique, so different from the array of songs (both good and bad) released in 2014. It’s a risk taker; a wonderfully bizarre, experimental, and individual sound. It doesn't hurt to know the song’s circumstances regarding its film’s conclusion, sung by our title character in one of the best and most emotionally satisfying scenes this year. The circumstances are quite bittersweet, but the song is an absolute joy to listen over and over again. Here is where I’d usually write how it’s an absolute crime the Oscars snubbed I Love You All for best original song (alongside other snubs…cough..Ava DuVernay for best director…cough..The Lego Movie for best animated picture...cough), but such anger would oppose the purpose of the song. I Love You All is a peaceful, thoughtful tune not meant to appeal for the masses, but instead the occasional individual; listening makes me serenely happy, perhaps it does for you too.