Movies have gifted us in so many ways over the years. They offer an escape, especially during times of crisis. They can bring people together, much like a concert or sports event. We can be inspired by them, or learn something we didn’t know. They can even help us work through our thoughts and feelings. Musicals, in particular, typically offer an additional social awareness though. They often tackle difficult subjects in interesting ways.
Oftentimes, movie musicals are based in fictional realms. However, even the most over-the-top musical film will usually be able to connect to us on a human level. How do these song-based movie adaptations connect with us? By addressing subject matter we can relate to, or by making us think about something in a new way. The tunes on this list can only barely scratch the surface of the best movie songs out there. However, they all offer meaningful messages that can be interpreted in different and important ways.
6 “That’s the Worst Thing I Could Do” — Grease (1978)
“I could stay home every night / Wait around for Mr. Right / Take cold showers every day / And throw my life away / On a dream that won't come true / I could hurt someone like me / Out of spite or jealousy / I don’t steal and I don’t lie / But I can feel and I can cry / A fact I'll bet you never knew / But to cry in front of you / That's the worst thing I could do”
The character of Rizzo in Grease had a tough past and puts up her guard around others. She has a bad reputation at school and at times decided to hurt others before they can hurt her. Deep down, though, she isn’t really a bad person. This song shows both her strength and vulnerability at the same time. Also be sure to check out “Look At Me, I’m Sandra Dee” from Grease, sung by Olivia Newton-John, which talks about the sometimes unrealistic expectations put on us by both ourselves and others. People are complex and are too often unfairly labeled or stereotyped based on what they look like, or perhaps due to the jealousy of others. Many fans of the movie Grease cite Rizzo as their favorite character, often due to “That’s the Worst Thing I Could Do.” This song sums up Rizzo’s background over the course of a few minutes, which otherwise may have taken the whole film to properly portray.
5 “Spotlight” — Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (2021)
“Don't wait for tomorrow / Be happy today / And all of those stupid people / Who cares what they say / I know it's not easy, but I know you’re strong / And I know that somewhere they're playing your song / Out of the darkness, into the spotlight / Everyone's waiting, jamming / In a place where you belong”
Life is short, and we only get one shot at this to get things right. Tomorrow is not guaranteed. “Spotlight” is about making the most of every moment and not putting off the things that are important. Too often, we give a lot of weight to other people’s comments and opinions. What others think is usually not all that important though. What really matters a lot more is how we feel about ourselves. Everybody's Talking About Jamie is about the journey to self-acceptance and this song helps get that across.
4 "Put on a Happy Face" — Bye Bye Birdie (1963)
“And if you're feeling cross and bitterish / Don't sit and whine / Think of banana split and licorice / And you'll feel fine / I knew a girl so glooming / She'd never laugh or sing / She wouldn't listen to me / Now she's a mean old thing / So spread sunshine all over the place / Just put on a happy face / So, put on a happy face”
In today’s fast-paced world, there’s a seemingly never-ending barrage of news headlines and social media status updates. We virtually live through the filtered lives of others, so we can gauge where we stand in comparison to people we often have never even met. Too often, many of us equate success by likes and views. In this “virtual reality,” too many of us feel the need to compete just to get by. This isn’t a good way to live and be happy. Sometimes we have to leave all that behind, put on a happy face, and try to keep a positive attitude. This doesn’t mean we can’t be unhappy sometimes though. We need to be able to work through our feelings when needed. This just means the world is often what we make of it. Positive thinking often brings upon more positive outcomes. “Put on a Happy Face” is a throwback to an earlier generation who had their own different, yet still universal struggles and challenges to overcome.
3 "Lamest Place in the World" — 13: The Musical (2022)
“It's the lamest place in the world / But it just got a little bit better / So don't disappear / It's the lamest place in the world / But I'm pretty sure it's not as lame as it was before / Now that you're here”
A lot of people eventually end up thinking the place they grow up is boring and uneventful. There’s this thought that things will be drastically different when moving somewhere else. In some cases, this may end up being true. That being said, you may also learn to appreciate what you had before a lot more when you no longer have it. In the case of this song, it’s about the character’s thought that having a new kid in town is going to make things more exciting. When we’re young, even the small things may seem like monumental shifts in our lives.
2 "Waiting for Life" — Once on this Island (1990)
“Oh gods / Let me fly / Send me to places / No one before me has been / You spared my life / Show me why / You get me to rise / Like a fish to the bait / And tell me to wait / Well, I'm waiting / Waiting for life to begin”
This song is about looking for meaning and purpose in life. We can be given purpose through activities at work, school, or having hobbies we enjoy. However, often we need to create opportunities and joy for ourselves. Finding a greater purpose beyond the mundane day-to-day activities of life is something worth striving for. This can be accomplished with friends and family, meaningful romantic relationships, or even alone. Making attainable goals and following through on them is key.
1 “Helpless” — Hamilton: An American Musical (2015)
“Helpless! / Look into your eyes (Oh, look at those eyes) / And the sky's the limit (Oh!) / I'm helpless (I know) / Down for the count / And I'm drownin' in 'em”
The overwhelming success of Hamilton into the mainstream over the past few years made the show’s star and writer Lin-Manuel Miranda a household name. The semi-biographical play (and later Disney+ special attraction) about Alexander Hamilton’s life (as well as other political leaders of their time) has connected with fans of all ages. Practically any song from this musical could have been chosen for different, yet relatable reasons which bring depth to the story of the movie. “Helpless” is a standout and fun Pop/R&B love song that focuses on the relationship (and ultimately the marriage) of characters Eliza Schuyler and Alexander Hamilton. So why this song? Because love between a story’s characters is the most universal and popular plot device in the history of movies. This song helps lay the backstory for Hamilton in his journey into political power in the United States with the woman who is very much the opposite of him. Hamilton is an orphaned immigrant and Eliza came from a well-off wealthy family. Despite their differences, their love for one another was enough to overcome the obstacles in their way.