In an attempt to blockout the impromptu Backstreet Boys YouTube video sing-along yesterday in the MTV offices (seriously, stuff like this happens a lot around here), I turned to that promoter of productivity: Pandora. I felt a sense of ease as the various selections in my Snow Patrol channel wafted through my earbuds. That is, until Moby's "Extreme Ways" shuffled into the playlist, prompting me to sit up and proclaim (only to myself), "Bourne!"
If you're a fan of the "Bourne" trilogy, you're no doubt familiar with this electro-pop ditty. In the closing sequence of "The Bourne Ultimatum," we see super spy Jason Bourne floating lifelessly in New York City's East River after having been shot by the authorities—a scene that satisfyingly brings the trilogy full circle to "The Bourne Identity"'s opening moments. As the funky strains of "Extreme Ways" begin to sound, Bourne's body comes to life and he begins swimming for shore, outwitting the bad guys once again. No matter how many times I watch this scene (check it out on YouTube), I can't contain my smile.
This all got me thinking about what songs we'll forever and always equate with a particular movie or TV scene. I asked Hollywood Crush's trusty writers to confess their own scene-setting song memories. (Unsurprisingly, more than one referenced "Grey's Anatomy." Kudos, Alexandra Patsavas!) Read what they had to say after the jump, and let us know in the comments which songs are inextricably linked in your mind to a movie or television show.
"Sweet Disposition" by The Temper Trap
Even though it's being used for car and soda commercials, I will forever associate The Temper Trap's "Sweet Disposition" with "(500) Days of Summer." I was immediately hooked to the track in the scene where Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is showing Summer (Zooey Deschanel) all the beautiful architecture in downtown Los Angeles. The tune may be everywhere these days, but for me, its spot will forever be in the quirky movie about romance gone bad.—Aly Semigran
"Breathe (2AM)" by Anna Nalick
Anna Nalick’s "Breathe (2AM)" will forever remind me of the "Grey’s Anatomy" bomb episode in season two. The song starts as Meredith is trying to remove a bomb from a patient's stomach, Bailey is giving birth and Bailey’s husband is on Derek's operating table. All simultaneously. Just when you think everything's going to be okay, the music cuts to deafening silence as the bomb explodes outside the OR. So epic!.—Jyll Saskin
(Watch the scene)
"King of Wishful Thinking" by Go West
"King of Wishful Thinking" by Go West is permanently linked to the most classic rags-to-riches movie ever: "Pretty Woman." Prostitute meets millionaire on Hollywood Boulevard and woos her away from her life of street walking and onto Rodeo Drive. Does it get any better?—Aimee Curran
"Breathe Me" by Sia
I can never hear Sia's "Breathe Me" without thinking of the amazing, goosebump-filled series finale of "Six Feet Under." The song—which is the absolute most perfect song for this scene ever—plays over a montage of what happens to the characters throughout the rest of their lives. I actually have tears in my eyes just thinking about it. I got angry when the song was used to advertise ""Remember Me"—there are plenty of other moody songs they could've chosen; this one's been claimed!—Jean Bentley
(Watch the scene)
"Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey
Ever since the "Sopranos" finale, when "Don't Stop Believin'" comes on at a bar or restaurant, I'll suddenly turn to the person nearest me and scream, "I don't care what you think, Tony TOTALLY got whacked!"—Kat Rosenfield
(Watch the scene)
"Keep Breathing" by Ingrid Michaelson
My "Grey's Anatomy" obsession peaked with the season three finale, when Burke leaves Christina at the altar, and she has a breakdown in their apartment while Ingrid Michaelson's "Keep Breathing" plays in the background. I think I listened to that song on repeat for about three hours straight the day after. Not only did that episode break my heart, it also was my first introduction to Ingrid (ignoring the Gap sweater commercials), who is now my No. 1 go-to artist.—Terri Schwartz
(Watch the scene)
** Hollywood Crush Twitter