3 Rock Songs From Unforgettable Movie Soundtracks of the 1990s

Movie soundtracks are important for telling a film’s story and adding a special effect to scenes. Oftentimes, you hear a song and instantly think of the movie it’s from. Some songs get a resurgence of popularity from being added to a movie soundtrack, even decades after their initial release. Other times, songs are created for a movie, and their popularity helps promote the film. Here are 3 rock songs from unforgettable movie soundtracks in the 1990s.

“That Thing You Do” by The Wonders

This 1996 film was famously written and directed by Tom Hanks. It’s a story of a fictional 1960s rock group, The Wonders, who were similar to The Beatles and other bands of the time. The band records and releases a hit record, with the help of new drummer Guy Patterson in Erie, Pennsylvania. His slick and quick style behind the set, paired with a set of sunglasses, launches the band’s record to No. 2. It chronicles the band’s journey, touring fairs in the US with Hanks as their manager. Eventually they land a spot on a variety television showcase for the whole country to see. This is the kind of film that makes you wish the band and its story were true. But the one-hit wonder group never really existed.

The band’s songs, including the title track “That Thing You Do,” were written and performed by Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne. Mike Viola sang on the track, who also contributed to other movie soundtracks, including Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, and Get Him To The Greek. “That Thing You Do” peaked at No. 41 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 18 on the Adult Top 40 chart. Additionally, the track reached No. 22 on the Adult Contemporary chart.

“Fortunate Son” by Creedence Clearwater Revival

Many songs from Forrest Gump perfectly capture the movie’s decade-to-decade layout. One song in particular stands out, and you can’t help but see the scenes when hearing it. Creedence Clearwater Revival’s iconic Vietnam era hit “Fortunate Son” appears in the film when Forrest goes to war. Scenes of Helicopters flying over Vietnam are a mental visualizer every time this song comes on.

Forrest Gump: The Soundtrack peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 in 1994. It reached No. 1 in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. The soundtrack contains many iconic tracks throughout the decades. The movie was a huge success, starring Tom Hanks at the peak of his career. Ultimately, it’s one of the most successful movie soundtracks of all time.

“Slow Ride” by Foghat

Among many iconic rock tracks used in Dazed and Confused in 1993, this song was used twice in the film. The film takes place throughout one whole day in the 1970s. Sets of middle schoolers and high schoolers are hazing each other, getting into trouble, while all gathering for a party at the end of the night. The film opens with “Sweet Emotion” by Aerosmith, which wasn’t included on the official soundtrack due to licensing. This was also the case for Bob Dylan’s “Hurricane.”

Foghat’s “Slow Ride” was used during two important scenes in the film. The first was at the end of Matthew McConaughey’s infamous speech, ending with “You just gotta keep livin’ man, L-I-V-I-N.” Notably, the film launched McConaughey’s career. Additionally, the second appearance of the song is towards the end of the film. The main character, Mitch, returns home after a long night out at a high school party. His mom grills him before he lies in his bed, puts his headphones on, and “Slow Ride” returns. It continues to play as the final scene of the film sees some of the high schoolers on their way to an Aerosmith concert.

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