Today, there are about a billion-and-a-half television channels available. From sports to cooking shows to who knows what. But one channel that we know exists is the classic movie channel. There, you can see your favorite black-and-white films and remember your favorite songs from them. That’s also what we wanted to do here below. We wanted to remember three classic songs from three classic movies. Three times that the films we loved also provided tunes we adored. Indeed, these are three one-hit wonders that classic movie fans will surely recognize today.
“Goldfinger” by Shirley Bassey from ‘Goldfinger’ (1964)
Shirley Bassey’s voice could probably fill up the entire celestial universe if she really tried. But here on Earth, it filled concert halls and movie theaters alike thanks to its booming quality. Bassey lent her voice to the 1964 theme song for the James Bond spy movie Goldfinger. But while they came for the espionage, they stayed for Bassey singing over the rolling credits. In the end, the tune hit No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Videos by American Songwriter
“St. Elmo’s Fire (Man In Motion)” by John Parr from ‘St. Elmo’s Fire’ (1985)
Flashing forward about two decades, we move from a spy thriller to a group of confused young people. What will the future hold? What are they good at? Who loves them? Who do they love? These are the questions facing those in St. Elmo’s Fire, and the theme song for the film was a comet in the night sky, too, making its way to the Billboard Hot 100 and peaking at No. 1 on the Hot 100.
“Main Theme From The Man With The Golden Arm” by Elmer Bernstein from ‘The Man With The Golden Arm’ (1955)
Did you say you wanted a music and movie crossover? Well, you’re in luck! This film, which is about the trouble that comes with drug addiction, stars none other than Frank Sinatra in its lead role. But its famed instrumental theme was written by Elmer Bernstein. Enjoy it—it’s a cacophony, a traffic jam of sound in the best of ways.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Dezo Hoffman/Shutterstock
More The List
-
CIRCA 1977: Dennis DeYoung, Chuck Panozzo, James Young Tommy Shaw, John Panozzo of the rock quintet "Styx" pose for a portrait in circa 1977. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) -
Photo by Doug Griffin/Toronto Star via Getty Images -
(Original Caption) A singer called Joni. Joni Mitchell, Canadian singer-songwriter, United Kingdom, 1968. The guitar-pickin' gal is Joni Mitchell, a long blonde haired Canadian folk singer. Pictured last night outside the Revolution club, Joni is here (until 1st October) for radio, television and concert appearances. Apart from concert appearances, 25 year old Joni will be heard on "Top Gear" on Radio One and "The Monday Show" on BBC 1. (Photo by © Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images) -
English rock band the Beatles arrive at London Airport from the USA, with their manager Brian Epstein (1934 – 1967, in coach doorway), 2nd September 1965. From left to right, John Lennon (1940 – 1980), George Harrison (1943 – 2001), Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. (Photo by George Stroud/Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) -
George Jones, who released several country songs about whiskey -
Elvis Presley and Scotty Moore (left) performing on The Milton Berle Show at NBC's Hollywood studio, Los Angeles, California, 5th June 1956. Presley performed 'I Want You, I Need You, I Love You' and 'Hound Dog'. Press reaction to his performance was largely negative with his gyrating movements during 'Hound Dog' proving particularly controversial. (Photo by Bettmann Archive/Getty Images) -
Singer and musician Merle Haggard performs at the Poplar Creek Music Theater, Hoffman Estates, Illinois, August 16, 1983. (Photo by Paul Natkin/Getty Images) -
John Rzeznik of Goo Goo Dolls at event, New York, 1990s. (Photo by Steve Eichner/Getty Images)