10 Classic Rock Songs That Made These Iconic Movie Scenes Unforgettable

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Music plays an important role in movies, whether it's an original score or a licensed song audiences already know; the right song can set the scene. Eventually, some of these songs become synonymous with the film or TV show they're played in, giving the track new life years after its release.

While most modern movies aim for original songs so they can win "Best Original Song" at the Oscars, some projects aim for what's already familiar. Surprisingly, some of these songs fall under the classic rock genre. Perhaps it's their versatility, as these songs can fit into any story, regardless of genre. And once played, they not only find a new audience; they also find new life. So, out of all the classic rock songs played in various films, these are the ones that had an impact on the projects they were associated with.

10 "I Wanna Rock" by Twisted Sister (The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie)

Released in 1984, "I Wanna Rock" by Twisted Sister became a 2x Platinum hit in Canada and earned praise from fans and critics alike. But in 2004, the song found new life in The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie through a parody version called "Goofy Goober Rock." In 2020, Twisted Sister's Dee Snider commented on the parody in an interview with Blabbermouth, sharing his praise and excitement after learning that one of the biggest kids' shows of all time was interested in his song and wanted to re-record it with new lyrics.

"Goofy Goober Rock" uses elements of "I Wanna Rock," including its recognizable riffs, but features a different arrangement and new lyrics that fit the Nickelodeon animated film. Additionally, "Goofy Goober Rock" is performed during the film's climactic sequence, where SpongeBob (Tom Kenny) uses the power of music, his love for Goofy Goober, and his childlike wonder to save Bikini Bottom from Plankton (Mr. Lawrence). It is the most unexpected way to save the day, but it is also very memorable.

9 "Back in Black" by AC/DC (Iron Man)

In 2008, the Marvel Cinematic Universe takes its first step with the release of Iron Man, starring Robert Downey Jr. as billionaire Tony Stark, who eventually becomes a superhero using his own technology. The first scene that introduces Tony shows him riding in a military Humvee in Afghanistan with AC/DC's "Back in Black" playing. This is a perfect way to introduce the character, showing that Tony is arrogant and confident, thinks he is invincible, and treats the trip through Afghanistan like a stroll in the park. That quickly changes when the convoy is attacked, and the billionaire is kidnapped.

8 "Don't You (Forget About Me) by Simple Minds (The Breakfast Club)

One of the most iconic coming-of-age films of the '80s is The Breakfast Club, directed by John Hughes, where five students spend an entire Saturday in detention. "Don't You (Forget About Me)" by Simple Minds is used as the film's theme and ending, and its lyrics resonate with the movie's message: how these teenagers bond despite their differences, how the world sees them, and whether they will forget each other despite being in different cliques. It is the perfect song to summarize The Breakfast Club, and having it play at the end ties the whole thing together into a perfect package.

7 "Mr. Blue Sky" by Electric Light Orchestra (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2)

The Guardians of the Galaxy films have a reputation for using classic rock songs in their soundtracks, to the point where fans question which songs will make the cut in each installment. But out of all the songs featured in this Marvel trilogy, nothing is more memorable than the use of "Mr. Blue Sky" by Electric Light Orchestra in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. Played during the film's opening, it contrasts with what the Guardians are dealing with. While the adults fight a giant space monster, Baby Groot (Vin Diesel) is seen dancing around the battlefield, minding his own business and showcasing his adorableness while the battle unfolds around him. It is an entertaining way to set the scene for this movie, showcase what Groot has become since the first film, and how The Guardians still take him on dangerous missions despite these changes.

6 "Blitzkrieg Bop" by Ramones (Spider-Man: Homecoming)

While Spider-Man: Brand New Day gives audiences a new montage of Peter Parker fighting crime following the events of No Way Home, one cannot forget how this web-slinging superhero looks out for the little guy in his first solo MCU film, Spider-Man: Homecoming. After returning home from Germany with Tony Stark and resuming his everyday life in his new suit, Peter (Tom Holland) becomes the friendly neighborhood superhero again while waiting for his next assignment. "Blitzkrieg Bop" accompanies the montage as he helps people around and takes on relatively minor crimes. The song's youthful and energetic sound fits this version of Spider-Man, showing that he is still a hero in training despite already fighting alongside the Avengers.

5 "Immigrant Song" by Led Zeppelin (Shrek the Third)

Shrek has a history of using classic rock songs in its movies, twisting the fantasy genre on its head. While most people will mention "Holding Out for a Hero" in Shrek 2, one cannot forget the use of "Immigrant Song" by Led Zeppelin in Shrek the Third. The scene starts with Snow White (Amy Poehler) singing to the forest creatures like a typical princess, but things change when her voice grows raspy, and she belts out the song's iconic opening line, telling the animals to attack and signaling the other princesses to make their move. The transition from a generic princess song to this classic rock anthem from the 1970s is genius and unexpected, even if the song doesn't stick around for long.

4 "We Built This City" by Starship (Rock of Ages)

"We Built This City" was a massive commercial success when it was released in 1985, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, but it also developed a reputation among critics and is even described as one of the worst songs of the '80s. Despite that reputation, the song remains a recognizable hit, and its message is utilized to its full extent in the 2012 musical Rock of Ages. Lonny Barnett (Russell Brand), an employee at the Bourbon Room rock club, along with other supporters of the Los Angeles rock scene, uses the song during a confrontation with Patricia Whitmore's (Catherine Zeta-Jones) anti-rock campaign. The song is mashed up with Twisted Sister's "We're Not Gonna Take It," performed by Patricia and her anti-rock protesters. By putting the two songs against each other, the scene uses what both classic rock songs have to offer to create a powerful moment of defiance and fighting for what you believe in.

3 "Welcome to the Jungle" by Guns N' Roses (Megamind)

In 2010, DreamWorks released a film that flips the tropes seen in the superhero genre on their head. Megamind follows its titular blue alien (Will Ferrell), who eventually steps up to save the day with a showstopping entrance set to Guns N' Roses' "Welcome to the Jungle." The scene feels like something you would see in a wrestling or boxing match, where a contender makes an entertaining entrance before the fight. It is one of the most memorable moments in Megamind, showing that the blue alien hasn't lost his touch for theatrics, even when he's the one trying to save the day from the villain he created.

2 "Holding Out For a Hero" by Bonnie Tyler (Shrek 2)

Speaking of films that give new life to classic songs, the same can be said for Shrek 2, whose cover of Bonnie Tyler's "Holding Out for a Hero" gives new meaning to the song because of the scene in question. The version heard in the movie is performed by Jennifer Saunders as the Fairy Godmother and accompanies one of the most memorable sequences in the Shrek sequel.

In Shrek 2, the song plays as Fiona (Cameron Diaz) notices something is off with Shrek, not knowing that it is actually Prince Charming (Rupert Everett) impersonating him. Meanwhile, the real Shrek (Mike Myers), still in his human form, storms the castle with his allies to save Fiona once more. The stakes are high, but the sequence still retains its comedy, and the accompanying music heightens the intensity. Not to mention, the lyrics and title are a literal take on the scene in question. While the Fairy Godmother sings about needing a hero, the actual hero is storming the castle in an attempt to reach Fiona.

1 "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen (Wayne's World)

If there is one movie that takes advantage of "Bohemian Rhapsody's" high energy, it's Wayne's World. The headbanging scene near the start of the film becomes so synonymous with the Queen song that it is later referenced in the Bohemian Rhapsody biopic. In the film, fictional record executive Ray Foster (Myers) argues that "Bohemian Rhapsody" isn't the kind of song teenagers will crank up in their cars and bang their heads to, an obvious reference to what Myers does in Wayne's World.

The headbanging scene in Wayne's World gave the song a major resurgence in popularity after the film's release, and there are also conflicting accounts of whether Freddie Mercury saw the Wayne's World scene before his death. Regardless, the scene helps introduce "Bohemian Rhapsody" to a new generation and creates one of the most memorable uses of a classic rock song in a movie.