MovieChat Forums > Almost Famous (2000) Discussion > Tiny Dancer - Best use of song ever?

Tiny Dancer - Best use of song ever?



I think everybody who loves Almost Famous would agree that the "Tiny Dancer" scene was breathtaking.

It's a rare example of an already popular song - not written for the movie - being used extraordinarily well to advance the story line. It wasn't just some random song used in the movie merely to set a mood or to fill in the gap in a timline. It wasn't akin to a glorified music video.

The "Tiny Dancer" scene played a pivotal role in the movie. The movie would be much less without it.

It makes me wonder what other movies use a pre-existing popular song as well as Tiny Dancer was used in Almost Famous.

One I can think of is "Tunnel of Love" in "An Officer and a Gentleman".

It's more subtle than Tiny Dancer in that the scene is set in a bar and the song is portrayed as background music playing on the jukebox as Richard Gere and Debra Winger play out a pivotal scene in the story line. I've always thought that Tunnel of Love was the perfect choice for that scene, so full of lament and nostalgia for a happier time. To me, it set the mood perfectly.

As much as I hate to say it, "Unchained Melody" was also used very well in "Ghost".

The scene - involving Demi Moore with the clay spinning wheel - has been parodied so many times it's now a little hard to take it seriously. However, when Ghost was first released, the scene was very moving, particularly given that the tune was used throughout the movie to denote the love between Moore and Patrick Swayze.

There must be other examples.

What do you think?

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Speranza9, the original poster said:

There must be other examples. What do you think?
"Mr. Sandman" in The Right Stuff (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086197/) easily comes to mind.

Peace, Love, and

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Oh I think its hilarious when Phoebe sings it in Friends and she calls, Tony Danza. Hilarious moment, me and the hubby since that instead of the real lyrics to this day.

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[deleted]

Did anyone else notice the horse in this (Tiny Dancer) scene? Maybe I've watched this movie too many times. ha ha

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[deleted]

Scene from the bus when they get an exterior shot they go past a farm with a red horse outside grazing.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHH3FoJUEbg

2:00- 2:03 mark

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[deleted]

Lust for Life - Iggy Pop, Trainspotting.

Terrible Quality YouTube Videos Here: http://www.youtube.com/user/oneironaut33

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I don't know who will remember this, but there was an episode of WKRP about a communist defector which utilized this song. I remember it as a very emotional episode, especially for a sitcom.

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Loved this scene. I sang right along with it!

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[deleted]

epic scene i always sing along with them and sometimes when the movie is on t.v i just watch so i could watch that clip

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Watching this again today, I still love that scene - but it feels a little out of place. Like it should be the last scene of the movie, instead of only halfway through it. But it's still great.

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yeah I love that scene sometimes I would watch the movie just to hear them singing but then again the movie is full of great scenes like when penny lane was dancing and when she says to William that he's home in the bus and she dose this move with her hand that kills me , and to answer your question I'd say across 110th street in American gangster and a change is gonna come in Malcolm x

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Because of that scene, it always pops into my head whenever the song comes up. Crowe just seems to know what works.

"Thanks, guys." "So long, partner."

- Toy Story 3 (9/10)

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Number One....Tiny Dancer

My other favorites, in no particular order:

My Sharona (The Knack) Reality Bites
You Can't Always Get What You Want ( Roliing Stones) The BIg Chill
Ain't Too Proud To Beg (Temptations) The Big Chill
The End (The Doors) Apocalyspe Now
Sister Christian (Night Ranger) Boogie Nights
Twist and Shout ( The Beatles ) Ferris Buehler
Born to Be Wild (Steppenwolf)) Easy Rider

Can I add 2 from a TV show?

******Spoiler Alert*****SPOILER ALERT*********************************SPOILER ALERT**************

El Paso (Marty Robbins) Breaking Bad
Baby Blue (Bad Company) Breaking Bad

Perfection! Thanks, Vince Gilligan


"The only baggage you can bring is all that you can't leave behind."

U2

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