Some of the greatest soundtracks of all time that feature classic rock include films such as Almost Famous, Dazed And Confused, Guardians Of The Galaxy, The Big Lebowski, and Easy Rider. If you’ve seen every single one of those movies, you can probably concur with our perspective that the classic rock featured makes those movies objectively better. Well, one specific classic rock band that often makes movies better is The Rolling Stones, and here are three times they did so.
“Gimme Shelter” & Martin Scorsese
Alright, we are starting off cheating a bit, but other than gang violence being a staple of Martin Scorsese’s films, so are The Rolling Stones, specifically, “Gimme Shelter”. “Gimme Shelter” alone has been featured in Scorsese’s classic films Goodfellas, Casino, and The Departed.
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If you’ve seen these films, then you know that The Rolling Stones’ “Gimme Shelter” serves as the perfect background song for the montages in question. We won’t spoil anymore other than what we just told you, but just know that Scorsese uses this piece of music perfectly on every occasion.
“Can’t You Hear Me Knocking” & ‘The Fighter’ by David O. Russell
David O. Russell’s film The Fighter uses The Rolling Stones’ “Can’t You Hear Me Knocking” in arguably the same fashion Scorsese uses “Gimme Shelter”. Is it a rip-off? Sure, if you want to call it that. However, it’s entertaining as all get out and heightens the gritty sentiments and backdrop of the film.
Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Mick Jagger, and boxing? For certain movie and music fans, it doesn’t get much better than that, and if you are one of those fans, then you know exactly when this song plays in the movie. Without “Can’t You Hear Me Knocking”, the scene in question just might be an insignificant montage, but thanks to this addition, that is not the case.
“(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” & ‘Apocalypse Now’ by Francis Ford Coppola
Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now is one of the most harrowing films that recounts the tragedy of the Vietnam War. However, it does not do just that, as it also paints a vivid picture of American pop culture and how it contrasts with the gloom and destruction of war.
Again, we don’t spoil, but Coppola’s use of The Rolling Stones’ “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” appears to be aesthetic, when in reality it’s utterly symbolic. When you watch the movie and hear this song, remember that a deep subtextual and societal point is being proven, and that the Stones’ piece is simply not there for mere entertainment.
Photo by CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images
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British guitarist, singer and songwriter Mark Knopfler (left) plays a Schecter Stratocaster as his band, Dire Straits, including Hal Lindes (right), performs live in concert at Wembley Arena in London, England, July 1985. Dire Straits played twelve dates (between 4th July and 16th July) at the venue as part of their 'Brothers in Arms' Tour. (Photo by Fin Costello/Redferns/Getty Images) -
1990 MTV Video Music Awards (L-R) American musicians Brad Whitford, Tom Hamilton, Joe Perry, Steven Tyler and Joey Kramer, of the American rock band Aerosmith, pose with their Moonman award backstage during the 1990 MTV Video Music Awards at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles, California, September 6, 1990. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images) -
Richie Blackmore of Deep Purple, who recorded a classic rock album any dad would love to have. -
Queen – Freddie Mercury, Queen – Freddie Mercury (Photo by Brian Rasic/Getty Images) -
(Photo by John Lynn Kirk/Redferns/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) -
Phil Collins (born in 1951), British actor and singer-songwriter, during a concert at Bercy. Paris (12th arrondissement), March 5, 1985. (Photo by Christian Rose/Roger Viollet via Getty Images)
