What would movies be without music? As far back as the silent era, accompanying musicians (often organists) or small orchestras were fundamental to the moviegoing experience. Today, major films produce a legion of best-selling soundtracks — and often memorable songs that remain popular long after the films themselves have been forgotten. (Here’s the most popular movie soundtrack every year since 1964).
To assemble a list of the 50 greatest songs from American movies, 24/7 Tempo reviewed a ranking by the American Film Institute entitled “100 Years…100 Songs.”
AFI members nominated some 400 memorable songs, from throughout movie history, for consideration, then a panel of jurors ranked them according to these criteria: Songs had to come from English-language feature films; they had to “set a tone or mood, define character, advance plot, and/or express the film’s themes in a manner that elevates the moving image art form;” and they had to have had cultural impact, becoming part of our collective memory of the film itself and resonating across the decades.
Click here to see the 50 greatest songs from American movies
From Julie Andrews and Diсk Van Dyke singing “Supercalifragilisticeexpialidocious” to Public Enemy’s “Fight the Power,” each song on our list enhances the enduring iconography of the film it comes from. Of course, don’t take that to mean they’re employed toward similar ends. Movies run the full gamut of ideas and emotions and so too do the songs they feature. (These are the 50 absolute best songs in history.)
Take the aforementioned example of “Supercalifragilisticeexpialidocious,” which delivers pure escapist fantasy. By contrast, “Fight the Power” is a call to action with overt socio-political messaging. A song like “Wind Beneath My Wings” invokes sadness while “Rock Around the Clock” instantly transports us to a bygone era. These songs and others like them help movies evoke emotional experiences. Movies wouldn’t be the same without them.
![](https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/imageForEntry1-i5y.jpg)
Source: Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
50. “Rock Around the Clock”
> Composer(s): Bill Haley and the Comets
> Performer(s): Bill Haley and the Comets
> Movie: Blackboard Jungle
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![](https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/imageForEntry2-up6.jpg)
Source: Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
49. “Make ‘Em Laugh”
> Composer(s): Nacio Herb Brown, Arthur Freed
> Performer(s): Donald O Connor
> Movie: Singin’ in the Rain
![](https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/imageForEntry3-dPz.jpg)
Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
48. “Whatever Will Be, Will Be (Que Sera, Sera)”
> Composer(s): Ray Evans, Jay Livingston
> Performer(s): Doris Day
> Movie: The Man Who Knew Too Much
![](https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/imageForEntry4-dDV.jpg)
Source: Courtesy of RKO Radio Pictures
47. “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah”
> Composer(s): Allie Wrubel, Ray Gilbert
> Performer(s): James Baskett
> Movie: Song of the South
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![](https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/imageForEntry5-74w.jpg)
Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures
46. “Don’t Rain On My Parade”
> Composer(s): Jule Styne, Bob Merrill
> Performer(s): Barbra Streisand
> Movie: Funny Girl
![](https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/imageForEntry6-VYv.jpg)
Source: Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
45. “That’s Entertainment”
> Composer(s): Arthur Schwartz, Howard Dietz
> Performer(s): Fred Astaire, Nanette Fabray, Jack Buchanan, Oscar Levant
> Movie: The Band Wagon
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![](https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/imageForEntry7-oHZ.jpg)
Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures
44. “Wind Beneath My Wings”
> Composer(s): Larry Henley, Jeff Silbar
> Performer(s): Bettie Midler
> Movie: Beaches
![](https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/imageForEntry8-MAA.jpg)
Source: Courtesy of RKO Radio Pictures
43. “The Way You Look Tonight”
> Composer(s): Jerome Kern, Dorothy Fields
> Performer(s): Fred Astaire
> Movie: Swing Time
![](https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/imageForEntry9-Bmd.jpg)
Source: Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
42. “Luck Be A Lady”
> Composer(s): Frank Loesser
> Performer(s): Marlon Brando, Ensemble
> Movie: Guys and Dolls
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![](https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/On-The-Town-1949.jpg)
Source: Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
41. “New York, New York”
> Composer(s): Leonard Bernstein, Betty Comden, Adolph Green
> Performer(s): Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Jules Munshin
> Movie: On the Town
![](https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/imageForEntry11-tQ6.jpg)
Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures
40. “Fight the Power”
> Composer(s): Carlton Ridenhour, Hank Shocklee, Eric Sadler, Keith Shocklee
> Performer(s): Public Enemy
> Movie: Do the Right Thing
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![](https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/imageForEntry12-oGt.jpg)
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
39. “Days of Wine and Roses”
> Composer(s): Henry Mancini, Johnny Mercer
> Performer(s): Chorus
> Movie: Days of Wine and Roses
![](https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/imageForEntry13-LfN.jpg)
Source: Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
38. “Theme from Shaft”
> Composer(s): Isaac Hayes
> Performer(s): Isaac Hayes, Chorus
> Movie: Shaft
![](https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/imageForEntry14-xkd.jpg)
Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
37. “Swinging on a Star”
> Composer(s): James Van Heusen, Johnny Burke
> Performer(s): Bing Crosby
> Movie: Going My Way
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![](https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/imageForEntry15-y20.jpg)
Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Distribution Company
36. “Supercalifragilisticeexpialidocious”
> Composer(s): Richard M. Sherman, Robert B. Sherman
> Performer(s): Julie Andrews, Diсk Van Dyke, Ensemble
> Movie: Mary Poppins
![](https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/imageForEntry16-opV.jpg)
Source: Courtesy of United Artists
35. “America”
> Composer(s): Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim
> Performer(s): Rita Moreno, George Chakiris, Ensemble
> Movie: West Side Story
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![](https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/imageForEntry17-870.jpg)
Source: Courtesy of RKO Radio Pictures
34. “Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off”
> Composer(s): George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin
> Performer(s): Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers
> Movie: Shall We Dance
![](https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/imageForEntry18-J0Z.jpg)
Source: Courtesy of United Artists
33. “Aquarius”
> Composer(s): Galt MacDermot, Gerome Ragni, James Rado
> Performer(s): Ren Woods, Ensemble
> Movie: Hair
![](https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/imageForEntry19-iaA.jpg)
Source: Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
32. “I Got Rhythm”
> Composer(s): George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin
> Performer(s): Gene Kelly
> Movie: An American in Paris
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![](https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/imageForEntry20-BSR.jpg)
Source: Courtesy of United Artists
31. “Theme from New York, New York”
> Composer(s): John Kander, Fred Ebb
> Performer(s): Liza Minnelli
> Movie: New York, New York
![](https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/imageForEntry21-NZq.jpg)
Source: Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox
30. “Stormy Weather”
> Composer(s): Harold Arlen, Ted Koehler
> Performer(s): Lena Horne
> Movie: Stormy Weather
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![](https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/imageForEntry22-yoi.jpg)
Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures
29. “Born to Be Wild”
> Composer(s): Mars Bonfire
> Performer(s): Steppenwolf
> Movie: Easy Rider
![](https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/imageForEntry23-h7H.jpg)
Source: Courtesy of Magna Theatre Corporation
28. “Some Enchanted Evening”
> Composer(s): Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II
> Performer(s): Rossano Brazzi
> Movie: South Pacific
![](https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/imageForEntry24-qfZ.jpg)
Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
27. “Unchained Melody”
> Composer(s): Alex North, Hy Zaret
> Performer(s): The Righteous Brothers
> Movie: Ghost
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![](https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/imageForEntry25-iMD.jpg)
Source: Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
26. “The Trolley Song”
> Composer(s): Hugh Martin, Ralph Blane
> Performer(s): Judy Garland
> Movie: Meet Me in St. Louis
![](https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/imageForEntry26-lnD.jpg)
Source: Courtesy of United Artists
25. “High Noon (Do Not Forsake Me, Oh My Darlin)”
> Composer(s): Dimitri Tiomkin, Ned Washington
> Performer(s): Tex Ritter
> Movie: High Noon
[in-text-ad]
![](https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/imageForEntry27-DLO.jpg)
Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures
24. “Ol’ Man River”
> Composer(s): Jerome Kern, Oscar Hammerstein II
> Performer(s): Paul Robeson
> Movie: Show Boat
![](https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/imageForEntry40-60q.jpg)
Source: Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox
23. “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head”
> Composer(s): Burt Bacharach, Hal David
> Performer(s): B.J. Thomas
> Movie: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
![](https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/imageForEntry29-kiW.jpg)
Source: Courtesy of United Artists
22. “Everybody’s Talkin'”
> Composer(s): Fred Neil
> Performer(s): Harry Nilsson
> Movie: Midnight Cowboy
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![](https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/imageForEntry30-Ksq.jpg)
Source: Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
21. “Jailhouse Rock”
> Composer(s): Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller
> Performer(s): Elvis Presley
> Movie: Jailhouse Rock
![](https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/imageForEntry31-OTi.jpg)
Source: Courtesy of United Artists
20. “Somewhere”
> Composer(s): Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim
> Performer(s): Natalie Wood (voiced by Marni Nixon), Richard Beymer (voiced by Jimmy Bryant)
> Movie: West Side Story
[in-text-ad]
![](https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/imageForEntry32-zkl.jpg)
Source: Courtesy of RKO Radio Pictures
19. “Some Day My Prince Will Come”
> Composer(s): Frank Churchill, Larry Morey
> Performer(s): Adriana Caselotti
> Movie: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
![](https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/imageForEntry33-MUj.jpg)
Source: Courtesy of Allied Artists Pictures
18. “Cabaret”
> Composer(s): John Kander, Fred Ebb
> Performer(s): Liza Minnelli
> Movie: Cabaret
![](https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/imageForEntry34-3KS.jpg)
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
17. “I Could Have Danced All Night”
> Composer(s): Frederick Loewe, Alan Jay Lerner
> Performer(s): Audrey Hepburn (voiced by Marni Nixon)
> Movie: My Fair Lady
[in-text-ad-2]
![](https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/imageForEntry35-nPH.jpg)
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
16. “Evergreen (Love Theme from A Star is Born)”
> Composer(s): Barbra Striesand, Paul Williams
> Performer(s): Barbra Streisand
> Movie: A Star Is Born
![](https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/imageForEntry36-W7v.jpg)
Source: Courtesy of RKO Radio Pictures
15. “Cheek to Cheek”
> Composer(s): Irving Berlin
> Performer(s): Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers
> Movie: Top Hat
[in-text-ad]
![](https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/imageForEntry37-Nu8.jpg)
Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
14. “My Heart Will Go On”
> Composer(s): James Horner, Will Jennings
> Performer(s): Céline Dion
> Movie: Titanic
![](https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/imageForEntry38-d16.jpg)
Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures
13. “People”
> Composer(s): Jule Styne, Bob Merrill
> Performer(s): Barbra Streisand
> Movie: Funny Girl
![](https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/imageForEntry39-Eui.jpg)
Source: Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox
12. “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend”
> Composer(s): Jule Styne, Leo Robin
> Performer(s): Marilyn Monroe
> Movie: Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
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![](https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/imageForEntry40-9ie.jpg)
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
11. “Man That Got Away, The”
> Composer(s): Harold Arlen, Ira Gershwin
> Performer(s): Judy Garland
> Movie: A Star Is Born
![](https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/imageForEntry41-yzo.jpg)
Source: Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox
10. “Sound of Music, The”
> Composer(s): Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II
> Performer(s): Julie Andrews
> Movie: The Sound of Music
[in-text-ad]
![](https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/imageForEntry46-nRO.jpg)
Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
9. “Stayin’ Alive”
> Composer(s): Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb
> Performer(s): The Bee Gees
> Movie: Saturday Night Fever
![](https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/imageForEntry43-Mg4.jpg)
Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures
8. “The Way We Were”
> Composer(s): Marvin Hamlisch, Alan and Marilyn Bergman
> Performer(s): Barbara Streisand
> Movie: The Way We Were
![](https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/imageForEntry44-KEb.jpg)
Source: Courtesy of RKO Radio Pictures
7. “When You Wish Upon a Star”
> Composer(s): Leigh Harline, Ned Washington
> Performer(s): Cliff Edwards
> Movie: Pinocchio
[in-text-ad-2]
![](https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/imageForEntry45-dqJ.jpg)
Source: Courtesy of Embassy Pictures
6. “Mrs. Robinson”
> Composer(s): Paul Simon
> Performer(s): Paul Simon, Art Garfunkel
> Movie: The Graduate
![](https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/imageForEntry46-nka.jpg)
Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
5. “White Christmas”
> Composer(s): Irving Berlin
> Performer(s): Bing Crosby
> Movie: Holiday Inn
[in-text-ad]
![](https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/imageForEntry47-sy0.jpg)
Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
4. “Moon River”
> Composer(s): Henry Mancini, Johnny Mercer
> Performer(s): Audrey Hepburn
> Movie: Breakfast at Tiffany’s
![](https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/imageForEntry48-ClY.jpg)
Source: Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
3. “Singin’ in the Rain”
> Composer(s): Nacio Herb Brown, Arthur Freed
> Performer(s): Gene Kelly
> Movie: Singin’ in the Rain
![](https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/imageForEntry49-D19.jpg)
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
2. “As Time Goes By”
> Composer(s): Herman Hupfeld
> Performer(s): Dooley Wilson
> Movie: Casablanca
[in-text-ad-2]
![](https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/imageForEntry50-mIX.jpg)
Source: Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
1. “Over the Rainbow”
> Composer(s): Harold Arlen, E.Y. Harburg
> Performer(s): Judy Garland
> Movie: The Wizard of Oz
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