Movies often give us more than just stories; they give us music. Some of the most memorable movie moments feature fictional bands with surprisingly catchy songs. These tunes, often written by talented musicians, sometimes climb the actual music charts! Let’s dive into ten great songs by fictional musicians.
To make this list, the songs had to be written specifically for a movie and not performed by someone with a big music career already. So, you won’t find “Shallow” from A Star is Born or “The Climb” from Hannah Montana: The Movie here.
“Through the Trees” by Low Shoulder
In Jennifer’s Body (2009), Low Shoulder, an indie rock band, sacrifices Jennifer (Megan Fox) to Satan. This turns her into a demonic character but also makes Low Shoulder famous, launching “Through the Trees” into the spotlight.
Amy Driscoll-Dunning from Fox Searchlight wanted a song like Snow Patrol’s “Chasing Cars” and suggested Test Your Reflex (now Wildling). Ryan Levine, the band’s frontman, used lyrics from Diablo Cody, the film’s writer, and added his own. The result? A dark, memorable hit.
In the movie, Adam Brody plays the band’s evil frontman, lip-syncing to Levine’s vocals. Levine and his bandmate Sal Cortez also appear in the film, adding real musical talent and charisma to the fictional band.
“Pretend to Be Nice” by Josie and the Pussycats
While The Archies’ “Sugar, Sugar” is famous, it wasn’t written for a movie. Josie and the Pussycats (2001) gave us a whole album of catchy songs.
The band includes Riverdale residents Josie McCoy (Rachael Leigh Cook), Melody Valentine (Tara Reid), and Valerie Brown (Rosario Dawson). Kay Hanley from Letters to Cleo sang the main vocals for Josie, while musicians like Adam Schlesinger from Fountains of Wayne wrote and produced the tracks.
“Pretend to Be Nice,” written by Schlesinger, became a hit in the movie, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. In real life, the soundtrack did well too, reaching No. 16 on the Billboard 200 and earning a gold certification.
“Nobody Like U” by 4*Town
Pixar’s Turning Red (2022) is set in 2002, featuring 4*Town, a boy band that Mei loves. The band has three songs: “1 True Love,” “U Know What’s Up,” and the popular “Nobody Like U.”
Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas O’Connell wrote the songs, mimicking the style of *NSYNC and Backstreet Boys. Jordan Fisher, Finneas O’Connell, Josh Levi, Toher Ngo, and Grayson Villanueva voiced the band members.
“Nobody Like U” became a real hit, peaking at No. 49 on the Hot 100. Some of the voice actors even performed it live, showing the song’s impact beyond the film.
“Garbage Truck” by Sex Bob-Omb
Music is key in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010), with Sex Bob-Omb competing for a record deal. Director Edgar Wright wanted different artists for each fictional band’s music.
Beck wrote Sex Bob-Omb’s songs, and the actors learned to play their instruments. Michael Cera already knew bass. “We Are Sex Bob-Omb” won an award, but “Garbage Truck” is a fan favorite.
Metric wrote “Black Sheep” for The Clash at Demonhead, and Dan the Automator created “Slick” for Matthew Patel, adding to the film’s rich musical landscape.
“Drive It Like You Stole It” by Sing Street
Sing Street (2016), set in 1985 Dublin, features Conor (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo) starting a band. The soundtrack includes songs by Duran Duran and The Cure, along with original tracks by Sing Street.
Gary Clark from Danny Wilson, along with John Carney and Ken and Carl Papenfus from Relish, crafted Sing Street’s sound. “Drive It Like You Stole It” is a highlight, featured in a fantasy scene reminiscent of Back to the Future.
The film won awards from the San Diego Film Critics Society and the St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association for its music, showing its impact.
“Fever Dog” by Stillwater
Almost Famous (2000) boasts a great soundtrack, including songs by Lynyrd Skynyrd and Led Zeppelin, and Stillwater, the fictional band. The soundtrack even won a Grammy.
Based on Cameron Crowe’s life, the movie follows a teen journalist on tour with Stillwater. Nancy Wilson from Heart and Peter Frampton created Stillwater’s sound. Wilson co-wrote “Fever Dog” and played rhythm guitar for the band.
In 2021, the Stillwater Demos EP reached No. 95 on Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart, showing the band’s lasting appeal.
“On the Dark Side” by Eddie and the Cruisers
Adapting P.F. Kluge’s Eddie and the Cruisers, director Martin Davidson hired Kenny Vance to find the right band for the music. Vance found John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band, who resembled Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.
Michael “Tunes” Antunes, the band’s saxophonist, was cast in the movie. “On the Dark Side” became a huge hit, reaching No. 7 on the Hot 100, and “Tender Years” reached No. 31.
“Walk Hard” by Dewey Cox
Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (2007) is a parody of music biopics. John C. Reilly, who plays Dewey Cox, aimed to make the songs genuinely listenable.
Dan Bern and Mike Viola wrote many songs, but Marshall Crenshaw’s song was chosen for “Walk Hard.” Reilly sang, played guitar, and received writing credits, even touring as Dewey Cox.
“That Thing You Do!” by The Wonders
Tom Hanks looked for a song for That Thing You Do! (1996), about The Wonders’ rise to fame in the 1960s.
Adam Schlesinger, later famous for Fountains of Wayne’s “Stacy’s Mom,” wrote a song that sounded like an American band imitating The Beatles. He recorded it with friends and sent it in.
Hanks hired Schlesinger to co-produce the song, and Mike Viola sang the vocals. The song reached No. 41 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it a real hit.
“Tonight I’m Gonna Rock You Tonight” by Spinal Tap
Spinal Tap is perhaps the most famous fictional band, starring in the mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap (1984). The film follows their disastrous tour, with improvised dialogue.
Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, and Harry Shearer wrote and performed the songs. Spinal Tap has a large discography, with popular songs like “Tonight I’m Gonna Rock You Tonight” and “Big Bottom.”
Spinal Tap has played live shows and toured, even performing at Wembley Stadium. “Break Like the Wind” hit No. 61 on the Hot 100, and “Back From the Dead” hit No. 52, showing their chart success.
These fictional bands in movies prove that great music can come from anywhere, even the silver screen. The talented musicians behind these songs have created memorable hits that continue to resonate with audiences.
What’s your favorite song by a fictional movie band? Leave your comment below!
