EDM isn’t often a first choice of genre when it comes to soundtracks for films, but there have certainly been some notable instances of it. Here are our picks for the top 5 times EDM has appeared in films.
Blade
Confusion – New Order (Pump Panel Reconstruction Mix)
There are few songs out there that have a more synonymous relationship with a film than that of ‘Confusion’ with ‘Blade.’ This iconic acid techno banger kicks off the film in style and is part of an equally iconic scene, the blood rave. ‘Confusion’ was New Order’s follow up to their amazing track ‘Blue Monday’ and would earn them the number one spot on the UK Indie Chart as well as reaching number 5 on Billboard’s Dance Club Songs Chart. But it was when Pump Panel got a hold on the track that they would transform it into the thumping hit that would blast onto cinema screens with ‘Blade.’
Deadpool 2
Bangarang – Skrillex
Skrillex’s ‘Bangarang’ is one of the best dubstep songs ever made, but it was still a massive surprise to hear it make an appearance in ‘Deadpool 2.’ When a time traveller called Cable arrives from the future and meets Deadpool he asks if dubstep is still a thing leading into a fight scene scored by ‘Bangarang’ which made for a genuinely great fight song. Skrillex played a huge part in popularising dubstep with ‘Bangarang’ reaching the charts in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Austria, France, New Zealand, Norway and Sweden. Its appearance in ‘Deadpool 2’ proved a line from the film to be true, “Dubstep never dies.”
We Are Your Friends
Desire (Gryffin Remix) – Years & Years
‘We Are Your Friends’ has a stacked lineup of amazing EDM tracks in it with songs from the likes of Tchami, Deorro and Pete Tong, but the story behind ‘Desire’ making it into the film is an interesting one that Gryffin recently revealed on his Instagram. At the time he was still trying to get his name out there by releasing bootlegs of songs on Soundcloud when he was approached to make a remix of ‘Desire’ for ‘We Are Your Friends.’ Despite making three different versions of the song, he didn’t feel they were good enough but due to deadlines he just submitted one which is a decision he would soon be thankful for. The director loved the track and put it in the film and the track has now gone on to rack up over 300 million streams on Spotify making it Gryffin’s most successful song.
22 Jump Street
Can’t You See – Shermanology, GRX
Back in 2014, Martin Garrix was starting to make a name for himself with massive tracks like ‘Animals’ and ‘Wizard’, but little did people know that he was releasing music under another name. His GRX pseudonym is well known today but early releases under it such as ‘Gamer’ and ‘Can’t You See’ flew under the radar so not many people know that alongside Shermanology they provided a song for the EDM packed soundtrack of ‘22 Jump Street.’ The track is a wild mix of big room house with opera that perfectly matches the madness of the film itself and is a highlight of the soundtrack.
Trainspotting
Born Slippy .NUXX – Underworld
When it comes to the conversation of songs that are synonymous with films, ‘Born Slippy .NUXX’ in ‘Trainspotting’‘ is a match up that just about everyone knows with it being hard to mention one without the other. The track was originally released as ‘Born Slippy’ in 1995, however following the release of the film ‘Born Slippy . NUXX’ was issued as a single and would reach number 2 on the UK Singles Chart. This techno banger from Underworld went beyond the underground and has achieved icon status with it being one of the best songs to come out of the 90s while featuring in one of the best films to come out of the 90s as well.
