The first ten songs that come up that have made a significant appearance in a movie or TV show. Rating for their use in the film, not for the song itself.
1. “Follow Me,” 1983. Original song from the Fraggle Rock pilot. This one makes me five years old all over again, and gets major points for it. 8/10
2. “Son of a Preacher Man,” Dusty Springfield, 1969. In Pulp Fiction, when Uma Thurman is readying for her “date” with John Travolta. Among the sexiest songs Tarantino has ever used. 9/10
3. “For the Widows in Paradise, For the Fatherless in Ypsilanti,” Sufjan Stevens, 2003. Used in a third season episode of The O.C. ’nuff said. 2/10
4. “A Quick One While He’s Away,” The Who, 1970. From the revenge montage in Rushmore. 10/10
5. “Aqualung,” Jethro Tull, 1971. Allegedly it was in Fahrenheit 9/11, but I’m damned if I can remember it. Still, had to be better than anything in The O.C. 3/10
6. “Tired of Waiting for You,” The Kinks, 1966. What hasn’t it been in? Clichéd! 5/10
7. “Pinball Wizard,” Elton John, 1976. From the Tommy film. The. Tommy. Film. -10/10
8. “Piece of My Heart,” Big Brother & The Holding Company, 1968. Gets used a lot by people who think they have earned Janis without really doing so. Can’t think of anything specific. 4/10
9. “The Moonbeam Song,” Harry Nilsson, 1971. Just saw this in Breakfast on Pluto, in a standard sort of “pensive sadness montage.” Still, good song and good movie. 6/10
10. “Scarborough Fair/Canticle,” Simon & Garfunkel, 1968. From the granddaddy of all “pop song soundtrack movies,” The Graduate, in which it is used often and always well. 9/10