10 Best Rock Songs Written About Movies

Feature Photo: Toho Company Ltd., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

When musicians sit down to write, they often pull inspiration from the same place we all do: the movies. Whether it’s the storylines, characters, or themes, cinema has a way of lighting up the creative process in unexpected ways. This list of the 10 best rock songs about movies stands apart because it’s not about songs written for soundtracks or those featured in films. Instead, it’s all about songs inspired by movies that artists wrote after watching a movie and feeling so moved they had to express it musically. These aren’t songs you heard as the credits rolled or in the background of pivotal scenes. These are tracks where the magic of the silver screen inspired musicians to pick up their instruments and translate that inspiration into sound.

# 10 – Cinderella Man – Rush (Mr. Deed Goes To Town)

We open up with one inspired by the 1936 film Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, starring Gary Cooper. The movie’s story about a small-town man who inherits a fortune and then faces the moral complexities of big-city life left a profound impression on bassist and vocalist Geddy Lee, who penned the lyrics for this track. This is one of the rare instances where Lee took over lyric-writing duties from drummer Neil Peart, who generally wrote the band’s lyrics after joining in 1974. The song reflects the themes of goodness, morality, and innocence in the face of greed and societal cynicism, much like the character of Mr. Deeds in the film.

# 9 – “A Girl Like You” – The Smithereens (Say Anything…)

Written by frontman Pat DiNizio for Cameron Crowe’s iconic film Say Anything…, the track “A Girl Like You” was originally intended to be part of the film’s soundtrack. However, the song ultimately didn’t make it into the movie because producers felt it revealed too much of the plot. Despite its absence from Say Anything…, the song found its home on The Smithereens’ third studio album, 11, released in 1989. The song’s backstory, along with its potent lyrics, make it a compelling piece for any fan of rock songs inspired by film. Man, I loved this band. Long live the late Pat DiNizio.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Se_eSeEAoX0

# 8 – “Stranger in Town” – Toto (Whistle Down the Wind)

“Stranger in Town” by Toto is an atmospheric and haunting rock track from their 1984 album Isolation. Written by David Paich and Jeff Porcaro, the song was inspired by the 1961 film Whistle Down the Wind, starring Hayley Mills. The film tells the story of an escaped convict mistaken for Jesus Christ by a group of children. The lyrics of “Stranger in Town” reflect the theme of an outsider who becomes entangled in a confusing and dangerous situation, much like the convict in the film. This thematic connection is a strong example of how the cinematic world influences music, even when the song doesn’t appear in the movie itself.

# 7 – “Key Largo” – Bertie Higgins

Bogart had so many great lines, and this song showcases one of his most famous.. Released in September 1981 by Bertie Higgins as his debut single, the song became a significant hit, reaching No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1982. It remained in the top 40 for 17 weeks and earned gold certification from the RIAA, solidifying its place as Higgins’ most well-known track. In addition to its success on the pop charts, “Key Largo” topped the Adult Contemporary chart for two weeks, showcasing its wide appeal. “Here’s looking at you, kid.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U95Zk5nBQIM

# 6 – “Heartlight” – Neil Diamond (E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial)

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial - 40th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray + DVD + Digital

“Heartlight” by Neil Diamond is a tender ballad inspired by the 1982 film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Released in August 1982 as the lead single from Diamond’s album Heartlight, the song became a major hit, peaking at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping the Adult Contemporary chart for four weeks. The song’s themes of friendship, hope, and saying goodbye reflect the heartwarming and emotional elements of E.T., even though the song does not appear in the film itself.

# 5 – The Ghost Of Tom Joad – Bruce Springsteen (The Grapes Of Wrath)

Bruce Springsteen’s song and album titles “The Ghost of Tom Joad” were inspired by John Steinbeck’s classic novel The Grapes of Wrath and the subsequent 1940 film adaptation directed by John Ford. Released as the title track on Springsteen’s 1995 acoustic album The Ghost of Tom Joad, the song serves as both a tribute to Steinbeck’s character and a reflection on the ongoing struggles of the poor and disenfranchised in modern America. The song resonated with listeners, even though it did not become a mainstream hit, and remains one of Springsteen’s most critically acclaimed works.

# 4 – “2HB” Roxy Music, about Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca

Humphrey Bogart gets his second tribute on this list with this one. “2HB” by Roxy Music is a subtle, art-rock tribute to the iconic actor Humphrey Bogart, particularly celebrating his role in Casablanca. Featured on Roxy Music’s 1972 self-titled debut album, the song blends Ferry’s admiration for Bogart with the band’s signature experimental sound. The title itself, “2HB,” stands for “To Humphrey Bogart,” a clever abbreviation that encapsulates the song’s tribute nature without being overtly obvious.

# 3 – Bad Moon Rising – Creedence Clearwater Revival about The Devil and Daniel Webster

The Devil & Daniel Webster (The Criterion Collection) [DVD]

Written by John Fogerty and released on their 1969 album Green River, this classic tune takes its dark imagery from The Devil and Daniel Webster, a 1941 film about a man who makes a deal with the devil, only to face disastrous consequences. Fogerty specifically cited a scene where a hurricane ravages a town as the spark for the ominous lyrics, like “I hear hurricanes a-blowin’, I know the end is comin’ soon.”

Chart-wise, “Bad Moon Rising” was a significant success for Creedence Clearwater Revival, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming one of their most enduring hits. Its mixture of rock, blues, and a hint of country helped define the band’s unique sound, and it has been widely covered by artists across genres.

# 2 – “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” – Elton John – Title and imagery inspired by The Wizard Of Oz

“Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” stands as one of the greatest songs Elton and Bernie ever composed. The song intertwines personal reflection with cultural references, notably drawing imagery from The Wizard of Oz. Released in 1973 as the title track of Elton John’s double album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, the song has become one of his most beloved and iconic hits. I have written many articles about Elton John on this site, and multiple times I have argued that this is probably the greatest song he ever recorded. That’s a pretty big statement considering how many classics he has released throughout his marvelous career.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_3T4DGw10U

# 1 – “Godzilla” by Blue Öyster Cult – about Godzilla

Godzilla, the Showa-Era Films, 1954 1975 (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]

“Godzilla” by Blue Öyster Cult is a raucous and playful ode to the iconic Japanese monster, drawing direct inspiration from the 1954 film Godzilla, directed by Ishirō Honda. The film introduced the world to Godzilla, a massive prehistoric reptile awakened by nuclear radiation. Initially conceived as a metaphor for nuclear destruction—particularly in the wake of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings—Godzilla became an enduring symbol of both destruction and, in later iterations, reluctant heroism. The monster’s epic battles against other kaiju, like King Ghidorah and Mothra, cemented its status as the “King of the Monsters.” The cultural impact of the film was so profound that Godzilla spawned an entire genre of kaiju films, over thirty Japanese and American movies, and became an international pop culture icon. In the song, Blue Öyster Cult capture the chaos, destruction, and awe-inspiring power of Godzilla, while also maintaining a sense of fun with tongue-in-cheek lyrics.

“Godzilla” is the perfect closing track for this list. It celebrates not just the monster itself, but the broader impact movies can have on rock music. Blue Öyster Cult’s homage to one of cinema’s most enduring monsters perfectly encapsulates the theme of this article: rock songs inspired by the big screen. Whether through lighthearted tributes or deep metaphorical connections, films have influenced countless rock songs, and none do it better than Blue Öyster Cult’s monstrous anthem.