Top Ten Musical Numbers in Non-Musicals

Because sometimes life is a musical..but usually it’s just awkward.  As usual in no particular order.

Day-0/Beetlejuice (1988)

It’s easy to forget that everyone’s favorite scene lasts less than 2 minutes of the entire movie because it’s so damn good it permeates the whole thing like one big reggae ghost adventure. Catherine O’Hare is at her absolute best here as the lead human-marionette, she’s completely terrified but still manages to dance fabulously.  I think the world would be a better place if we were all forced to act out musical numbers at random by grudge-holding ghosts, we’d all be too steeped in terror to worry about the little things anyway.

Bohemian Rhapsody/Wayne’s World (1992)

In an entire movie about the music industry, the Bohemian Rhapsody sing-a-long in the opening credits expresses the absolute most musical satisfaction. Not only did this scene introduce a whole new generation of kids to Queen but it perfectly exemplifies how driving around with your friends rocking out to really loud music is quite possibly the greatest feeling in the world. Head banging to Queen is a close second.

Twist and Shout/Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)

 This is the scene that really clinches it for me in the whole “Ferris is really just a Fight Club style figment of Cameron’s mind” theory. As Cameron walks along the parade, angsting about how hard everything is for him and all comes so easy for Ferris, we hear a smug voice rise above the crowd dedicating an impromptu musical performance to “a young man who doesn’t think he’s seen anything good today. Cameron Frye this one’s for you.” And of course all of Chicago comes together to dance and party for one glorious, surreal moment because that magical scamp Ferris Bueller has done it again. Which is totally fun, but not nearly as likely as it all just being part of Cam’s elaborate and anxiety-fueled fever dream.

Billy Madison (1995)

It’s the only original song on this list and a brief glimpse into what Billy Madison: The Musical might have sounded like…thank god that didn’t happen. But it works for to have Billy coming to terms with his responsibility through song in one super ridiculous moment. Plus what other musical number would ever sing “don’t I have nice rack?” None other and I think the world is better for it.

Chopsticks and Heart and Soul/ Big (1998)

Performing a musical number is the best way to showcase how free spirited and juvenile a character is…in Big it did all that and got child-turned-adult Josh a job as a toy designer with zero degree or experience. I clearly need to spend more time lurking in toy stores so I can impress eccentric executives with my immaturity.

Sugar High/Empire Records (1995)

If movies have taught me anything, the number one way to damn the man (and save the empire!) is always to throw an illegal rooftop rock concert. Always. Honestly I just love this scene and the energy of it so much I can’t really find anything to snark about. Except for how I will NEVER get over the terrible travesty of a soundtrack which omits most of the movie’s best music but especially the version of “Sugar High” sung by both Renee Zellwegger and Coyote Shivers. It’s her character’s goddamn breakthrough! Fucking travesty.

My Little Buttercup/Three Amigos (1986)

It’s classic Amigos ego that leads the clueless silent film stars throughout their entire real-life adventure but especially in this bar scene. Their Hollywood hubris is at its all-time peak when they decide to break the tension amongst the dangerous locals by “giving the people what they want” and performing an impromptu vaudeville number. What follows is a cringe-worthy performance Bworthy of a BBC comedy and a hilarious hostage sing-a-long…which really needs to be utilized more because people singing at gunpoint is pretty damn great.

You Make My Dreams/500 Days of Summer (2009)

JGL is all of us in this adorable I-just-got-laid musical number. I mean honestly who hasn’t felt like Han Solo starring in your own personal flash mob during a particularly satisfying post-coital glow?

Say A Little Prayer for You/My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997)

I really don’t get how Julia Roberts is the heroine of this story, even with that magnificent mane. She spends the whole time acting like the bride’s bestie while actively trying to steal the groom and generally being a mega bitch to everyone else. Her palpable disdain is never more obvious than in the musical restaurant scene. How DARE her unpaid beard really sell their fake relationship with a charming song?! She’s the thief of joy and love and probably the worst RomCom protagonist ever, but whatever this scene is still adorable.

Johnny B. Goode/Back to the Future (1985)

Michael J. Fox has never been cooler than when he went back in time to save his parents from nerdom and accidentally invented Rock n Roll…and possibly guitar solos. It’s the perfect celebration of the triumphant climax of the movie. McFly just helped his Dad knock out Biff and get the girl, what better way to celebrate than with a hard rocking performance that just happens to redeem his musical failure from the beginning! Yay everything worked out perfectly — except of course this rewritten version of history has white people literally stealing the invention of rock for themselves. #collateralappropriation

Honorable Mention – The Penis Song/ The Sweetest Thing (2009)

Because the list needed more Cameron Diaz singing in restaurants. Except this time she’s getting explicit in this surreal fantasy musical scene never mentioned again. This entire restaurant is on drugs, it’s the only explanation.

T- Amelia