The darkest, dankest song of the 1991 Nirvana album Nevermind — Something In The Way — is suddenly trending on social media, thanks to the trailer of The Batman that released on August 22. Over the years, many an iconic number has got a fresh lease of life courtesy films that have included them in their musical soundtracks (OSTs), and have used them in memorable scenes. Here is a list of a few of them, with the corresponding scenes where they were aptly used.

The Fighter (2010)

I Started A Joke, the Bee Gees 1968 hit, used brilliantly in The Fighter (2010), in the scene where Christian Bale sings it to placate his mother, played by Melissa Leo and to hide his drug addiction from her. Melissa sings with him at the end of what is arguably the best scene of the film, and the one that unequivocally won Bale and Melissa the Oscars.

Joker (2019) Still from the film

Joker (2019)

That’s Life, the popular song of Dean Kay and Kelly Gordon, made famous by Frank Sinatra in 1966, features in the last scene of Joker (2019), when Joaquin Phoenix’s titular character finally makes peace with his troubled mind by going on a killing spree at Arkham asylum. The song serves as a perfect foil to a brilliant performance by Phoenix.

I, Tonya (2017)

When Margot Robbie’s titular character finally breaks out of her abusive marriage after she calls the cops on her husband, we hear Supertramp’s 1979 hit Goodbye Stranger in the background. Quite an apt song to complement the scene.

Watchmen (2009) Still from the film

Watchmen (2009)

One of the best title sequences of a superhero movie, this film uses Bob Dylan’s 1964 anthem for the only thing that is constant — The Times They Are A-Changin’. The sequence shows an alternative view of iconic moments of the 20th century, with Dylan’s song playing in the background.

Almost Famous (2000)

Tiny Dancer, Elton John’s famous 1972 hit, got a fresh boost when it featured in Almost Famous, Cameron Crowe’s 2000 comedy drama. The song plays in the background with members of the rock band Stillwater and their groupies on a bus, and one by one they sing along.

Trainspotting (1996)

Trainspotting, Danny Boyle’s 1996 black comedy hit, resurrected Lou Reed’s 1972 classic Perfect Day, and gave it cult status. The song plays in the background in the scene where Ewan Mcgregor’s Mark Renton injects a lethal dose of heroin in himself that nearly kills him. The song is construed to be an allegory of drug use, although in a radio interview in 2000, Reed dismissed any claim of his song romanticising or having anything to do with drug use, calling the theory laughable.

Forrest Gump (1994) Still from the film

Forrest Gump (1994)

Just before Jenny boards the bus, Forrest gives her his medal of honour. Jenny asks him: “Why are you so good to me?” Forrest replies in his inimitable matter-of-fact way: “Cause you are my girl!” Jenny gets on the bus, waves goodbye to him and flashes the peace sign. Forrest reciprocates and The Byrds’ 1965 rendition of Pete Seeger’s plea for world peace, Turn! Turn! Turn!, plays in the background. One of the many memorable moments of an outstanding film with a brilliant OST.

What other resurrected songs can you add to the list? Tell t2@abp.in