13 Cringe-Worthy Movie Moments That Completely Ruined Great Songs

Great music is such an important part of the cinematic process: whether a classic song or a new orchestral arrangement, music can make an iconic scene much of what it is, and cement it in film history forever more. That said, sometimes a movie will use a song in such an unforgettably depraved, disturbing, cheesy or subversive way that it essentially ruins our perception of the song forever more. What may have been a pop sensation now just conjures up awkward images from the movie it was most prominently featured in. It also makes you consider why bands let their music be used in movies half the time: surely in allowing their song to be used by a serial killer, during a weird sex scene or in a terrible tween fantasy franchise, the artists must be aware that it's going to shift how the song might be perceived in the long run. But as they say, money talks, and these songs have been forever changed by their iconic, and in some cases much-parodied, use in films both good and bad. Music is a huge aspect of filmmaking so there are dozens more songs ruined by cringey movie scenes: did we miss any of your favourites? Let us know in the comments!