Top 10 Greatest Classic Movie Songs

Director Alfred Hitchcock remade his own project “The Man Who Knew Too Much,” with this version being released in 1956. The movie stars James Stewart and Doris Day as married couple Ben and Jo. “Que Sera Sera” is initially sung by Jo with their son Hank in their hotel room. Later in the plot, the music makes a reappearance in a pivotal scene where the couple look to reunite with their taken son. Day’s classic voice brings a soothing, almost lullaby-like quality to the music. The singalong feel embedded within it encourages listeners to follow along with the simple melody. This single arguably overshadows the thriller itself, having become a reference and mantra all its own.

At the finale of the WWI film “Paths of Glory,” French troops gather at a tavern to celebrate their break from battle. A German woman is made to sing in front of them. It could have been a chance for the audience to boo, hiss, or just get extra rowdy – but her choice stuns the soldiers. She performs this folk song that resonates across cultural barriers. Many of the faces watch and get teary, clearly connecting on an emotional level to the melody. They even participate. The music gives them all a moment of humanity, away from the harrowing world of the Western Front.

Although full of hardship and painful struggles, “The Grapes of Wrath” features sequences of brightness in its story of migrant workers heading West. The Joad family saddles up to a party that gets Tom interested in dancing the night away. Bringing his mother along with him, the hero sings softly along with the folk tune “Red River Valley.” Henry Fonda’s brief yet extremely authentic performance brings out a quiet moment of happiness between loved ones. Even though the story confronts the worries of 20th century America, it also allows a musical scene like this one that showcases the importance of community.

Centering around a traveling band, “Some Like It Hot” also has one of Marilyn Monroe's finest showings as their magnetic singer Sugar. In this memorable sequence, she performs “I Wanna Be Loved By You,” showing everything she has to offer. Able to carry musical scenes as well as comedic ones, Monroe’s effortless charms emanate from her every motion and note. It's impossible to watch this and not recognize her presence as an indisputable star from the Golden Age of Hollywood. Her underrated voice brings the show tune home, wooing the audience with her talents in Billy Wilder’s classic comedy.

Standing as the central theme song for this film, “Everybody’s Talkin’” beautifully reflects its core values. The story sees Joe Buck leave Texas to find success in the big city, aka New York. But he’s unable to achieve his hustler dreams, living on the fringes of society with Dustin Hoffman’s Rico. The lyrics of this song take listeners on a melancholic journey out of the urban jungle and into the country. With Harry Nilsson’s delicate vocals, the music comes alive in a folksy classic full of emotional nuances. “Midnight Cowboy” could be interpreted as depicting the failure of the American dream, and this track serves as a stirring companion piece.

Every great James Bond movie needs an amazing theme, and “Goldfinger” is no exception. For the third entry in the franchise, composer John Barry co-writes a tune with lots of luster. And his efforts provide a standard for the entire series to follow. Although none of it would matter without the vocal performance by Dame Shirley Bassey. Her powerful tone first sends shockwaves through listeners during the film’s title sequence, doing so again over the closing ones. Bassey was so perfect on this track that she was invited back for multiple Bond themes. Needless to say, her work on the brass-heavy “Goldfinger” set a high bar for the future.

Director Stanley Kubrick’s sci-fi epic, “2001: A Space Odyssey,” needed a triumphant piece of music to explore the farthest reaches of space. And this Richard Strauss piece, which accompanies images of the solar system, is the perfect choice to open the film. Indeed, it’s exactly the kind of monumental sound that you’d want to explain the vastness of the universe. The track also accompanies the famous sequence with the hominins, as they repurpose bones into weapons. Interestingly, Kubrick’s usage of the classical composition has become a cultural reference all its own. Because of this film, “Also sprach Zarathustra” has become the quintessential track to score an especially dramatic revelation.

Simon & Garfunkel recorded this track in 1964, but it became an even larger part of the public consciousness after being used in “The Graduate.” It serves as a sort of theme that follows the title character around. Benjamin finds himself lost after graduation, with the song describing his inner turmoil in rather poetic terms. Simon’s lyrics essentially echo the hero’s wayward existence as he contemplates an uncertain future. The single has a darkness to it that resonates as a timely meditation on life, which makes it perfect for the story it’s a part of. Long before it became a meme, “The Sound of Silence” was an essential part of this classic romantic dramedy.

For audiences of a certain age, “Moon River” might be the most hummed tune in their personal repertoire. After all, its catchy melody has permeated popular culture for decades, especially considering it was sung by Audrey Hepburn in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” Her character Holly Golightly performs it with a guitar on her fire escape, creating a gorgeous moment. The humble rendition features a lot of heart from Hepburn, harnessing the soul of her iconic character. The track won an Oscar and Grammys, and serves an important purpose in the film, exploring Golightly’s personality. Now, it’s a go-to for singers of all kinds due to its compelling music and lyrics.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

"Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head", “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” (1969)
A Cheerful Biking Sequence Allows for This Number to Lighten the Mood

"Smile", “Modern Times” (1936)
Chaplin’s Instrumental Punctuates the Pathos of the Comedy

"We'll Meet Again", “Dr. Strangelove” (1964)
Bringing a Brilliant Satire to a Close with Irony & Style

Rick and Ilsa reunite in this classic romance, having been torn apart by circumstance and their different paths in life. Their reunion comes with baggage that can be summed up by this track. Every relationship is defined by a song, and “As Time Goes By” might be the ultimate statement of love. The only trouble is that the two heroes can never truly be together again, emphasizing the emotions they feel in hearing it. If you want a surefire way to get people misty-eyed, just play this melancholic number. “Casablanca” wouldn’t be the same without it, using the track to bring together its themes in an effective way.