Popular Songs That Have Been Featured In Movies & Video Games

There are now many different types of apps that people can access while they are on the go. From gaming apps and banking, to social media and music, there are a lot of types of content that people can access at all times of the day, wherever they may be. For example, film fans can also watch a trailer on Youtube and then search on Spotify for the soundtrack to listen to.

Over the years, Apple Music, Spotify, Youtube, and more have kept music listeners up to date with the latest tracks and albums. The video game and movie industry are familiar with showcasing popular songs in their soundtracks. More times than not, these features have significantly boosted the songs’ popularity. There’s even popular slot games based on movies as this casino review site illustrates, that capture imaginations and undoubtedly get people hooked on a particular soundtrack. Popular film and tv-themed slot machines are also found in various land-based casinos along with slots based on other titles like “Sex in the City” and “Grease”.

Below are some popular songs that got a boost from movies and video games.

Goldfinger – Superman (Tony Hawk Pro Skater)

When Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 and 2 was officially announced for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, the gaming world was at an all-time high. However, the excitement wasn’t all about the video games but also because of the game’s soundtrack. Goldfinger’s Superman is one of the most memorable songs from the series and was part of the initial and original soundtrack for the game, gaining massive popularity because of this. The game also features several other songs by Goldfinger. Superman is one of Goldfinger’s biggest hits, mostly because it’s a great song but also due to its appearance in the Tony Hawk video game franchise.

Dragon Force – Through the Fire and Flames (Guitar Hero)

“Through the Fire and Flames” is one of the best hit songs by the power metal band, Dragon Force. The music is recognized as the most successful and popular song by Dragon Force. The popularity of the song can be highly attributed to its appearance in Guitar Hero as one of the game’s notoriously difficult songs. Guitar Hero is a popular video game among gamers in the UK and other parts of the world. The game’s launch played a significant role in introducing the song and the band, plus many other greats, to a new audience of gamers. The song sold more than 1.1 million copies in the US alone and it is also worth noting that it has been certified Platinum by the RIAA.

Gary Jules – Mad World (Gears of War)

Mad World, a cover by Gary Jules, propelled in popularity when launched as part of the series’ trailer, Gears of War. The song had the atmosphere of Sera, which made it the perfect fit for the series. The song is also featured twice in the series Gears of War 3, although it is an instrumental version. It appears in act three’s ending cutscene and as a musical easter egg in Gridlock. While it was used for the Gears of War 3 trailer, the song was also used prior to that in 2001 for the film Donnie Darko. The original song, Mad World, was first performed by British band Tears for Fears in 1982.

Beastie Boys – Sabotage (Star Trek Reboot)

Sabotage by Beastie Boys is, without a doubt, an absolute classic. However, the song got a bit of a boost when it was featured in the official reboot of Star Trek. It has also featured in the video game industry too, in Destiny 2. The song was initially released as the first single of Beastie Boys’ fourth studio album. It features a traditional rock instrumental and legendary vocals from Ad-Rock. The song has also featured in the Rock Band and Guitar Hero video game franchises. It was featured in the 2011 film Horrible Bosses, was part of the official soundtrack of This Means War in 2012, and also featured in an episode of How I Met Your Mother.

Eminem – Lose Yourself (8 Mile)

Eminem has so many hit songs under his belt so Lose Yourself is just one of many greats. It features in the film 8 Mile, starring Eminem, about a young rapper struggling to make it big. The song’s massive success is partly attributed to the music being used in this film soundtrack. The song won the Best Original Song in the 2003 Oscars and several other awards and nominations. The song and lyrics have proven to be so popular that they have been referenced many times in TV shows like South Park and Chuck. It was also used in the 2019 video game DJ Hero 2 as DLC and has previously been played at various sports matches, from the English Rugby Union to UFC entrance songs.

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About the Author

Dr. Jerry Doby Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.