So with the Norbit DVD ads hitting the airwaves, I'm reminded of how the Pussycat Dolls song "Don't Cha" is often played in the background as some unattractive female character parades herself on screen (it was also used in Date Movie), and how the use of the song in movies goes the opposite way of the song's original, intended "meaning".

What are some other songs that are often used in movies, in scenes that are the opposite of the song's original meaning (for lack of a better word)?

"Singin' in the Rain"-A Clockwork Orange?

"What a Wonderful World" seems to always be played in sad/horrible situations.

it always brings a smile to my face when the beautiful coda from Layla plays over the discovery of the corpses in Goodfellas...i'd add Freebird at the end of the Devil's Rejects, but despite the fact that they are stone cold sociopaths, it kinda fits.

The Platters - Twilight Time on the X-Files

Slim Whitman - I Remember You from House of 1000 Corpses. Movie wasn't the greatest, but that scene was easily the best of the film.

First thing that popped into my mind was the circus-like music at the beginning of Eyes Without a Face. It hardly seems fitting for the task the doctor's secretary is performing.

Jeez, there's tons out there, but these stick out for me:
'My Favorite Things' in 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas'
'Hip to Be Square' in 'American Psycho'

Fade into You by Mazy Star in Starship Troopers?

Stuck in the middle - Reservoir Dogs
Does that one count?
It doesn't sound like a song to (spoiler)-torture/butcher someone to (end Spoiler)

I don't know if this qualifies, but "Down With the Sickness" as performed by Lounge Against the Machine is wonderful in Dawn of the Dead. The words match what's going on, but the sound very much doesn't.

What a Wonderful World by Fats Domino in 12 Monkeys

It was the Louis Armstrong version in 12 Monkeys. They used Fats Domino's "Blueberry Hill" in the movie.

But ironic use of "What a Wonderful World" really needs to end.

This is killing me. Just recently I saw a movie and I think it had a violent, bloody (shootout?) scene with (I think) "over the rainbow" being played. Does anyone know what movie I'm talking about.

I've just spent the last 45 minutes scouring the internet looking for the answer and I can't find it.

That would be Face/Off, the scene where the little boy is listening to it through his headphones while everybody is shooting eachother in the apartment

That's right.

For a second, I considered the possibility it may have been Good Morning, Vietnam!, but that's "What a Wonderful World".

Fats Domino? C'mon.

cheers,

-the Jesus

Thank you! I was looking up every movie I've seen in the last few months trying to place that.

They both sound similar.

no cheers,

-not the jesus

"All you need is love" by the beatles in the last episode of "The Prisoner" first came to mind.

"Perfect Day" by Lou Reed in Trainspotting? I'm not sure about that one because it's possible that either the song or the scene (or both) could be interpreted ironically.

I think everyone in this thread has missed the OP's qualifier of "often".

I'd say George Thorogood's Bad to the Bone, which is often played while showing someone weak or nerdy doing something weak or nerdy (though not in their mind or intent).

Wouldn't It Be Nice was used in such a way in Roger & me fairly effectively.

Awesome. I don't think it was inappropriate so much as FUCKED UP! (& ironic)

Great scene.

Umm. Winner.