Plenty of movie songs become hits, but fewer start life as a commission for a specific scene or story. Even fewer climb all the way to the top of the Billboard Hot 100. The ones that do tend to outlive the films they came from.
This list sticks to songs that were written for a movie and later reached number one on the Hot 100. Songs that were adapted from earlier recordings, such as a famous ballad from a certain 1992 thriller, are left out on purpose. What remains is a cross section of four decades of pop, rock, rap, and soul.
Endless Love by Diana Ross and Lionel Richie
Lionel Richie wrote this ballad for the 1981 film of the same name, which starred Brooke Shields. The duet with Diana Ross was released that year and became a major crossover hit.
It spent nine weeks at number one on the Hot 100. The song also earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song, even though the film itself was received poorly.
Flashdance… What a Feeling by Irene Cara
Irene Cara co-wrote this track with Giorgio Moroder and Keith Forsey for the 1983 film Flashdance. Moroder’s synthesizer production gave it a pulse that matched the movie’s dance sequences.
The single reached number one on the Hot 100 and stayed there for six weeks. It won the Academy Award for Best Original Song and also took home a Grammy.
Ghostbusters by Ray Parker Jr.
Ray Parker Jr. wrote and recorded the theme for the 1984 comedy Ghostbusters. The catchphrase chorus and the music video, with its cameos, helped it spread quickly.
It reached number one on the Hot 100 and held the spot for three weeks. Singer Huey Lewis later claimed the song resembled his hit “I Want a New Drug,” and the dispute was eventually settled.
Take My Breath Away by Berlin
Giorgio Moroder composed this one with lyricist Tom Whitlock for the 1986 film Top Gun. Berlin, led by singer Terri Nunn, recorded it, and its slow, atmospheric sound stood apart from the movie’s high speed flight scenes.
The song climbed to number one on the Hot 100 in 1986. It later won both the Academy Award and the Golden Globe for Best Original Song.
Eye of the Tiger by Survivor
Sylvester Stallone wanted a theme for Rocky III in 1982 and reached out to Survivor after the band’s earlier work caught his attention. Guitarist Frankie Sullivan and keyboardist Jim Peterik wrote the song, building its famous opening riff to suit the film’s training scenes.
It went to number one on the Hot 100 and stayed for six weeks. The song also received an Oscar nomination and remains a staple at sporting events.
Lose Yourself by Eminem
Eminem wrote this song for the 2002 film 8 Mile, in which he also starred. He co-wrote it with Jeff Bass and Luis Resto, and the lyrics echo the film’s story of a young rapper getting one shot at success.
It reached number one on the Hot 100 in late 2002 and stayed there for twelve weeks. At the 2003 Academy Awards it became the first rap song to win Best Original Song.
Happy by Pharrell Williams
Pharrell Williams wrote and recorded this song for the 2013 animated film Despicable Me 2. It was released in late 2013 and built momentum gradually, helped by a widely shared video.
It reached number one on the Hot 100 in 2014 and eventually spent ten weeks at the top. The song also earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song.
See You Again by Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth
This song was created for the 2015 film Furious 7 and served as a tribute to actor Paul Walker, who died during the production period. Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth were credited as writers alongside Andrew Cedar and Justin Franks.
It reached number one on the Hot 100 and logged twelve weeks in the top spot. The song was also nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Original Song.
