# AFI Top 100 Film Songs **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 23, 2004, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/afi-top-100-film-songs/251782 "2004-06-23T11:33:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![bienville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@bienville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bienville)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2004, 7:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/afi-top-100-film-songs/251782/41 "2004-06-24T07:39:54Z")
> [@stuyguy](#): > > 1. To address **bienville** ’s comment about the age of the songs, it should be noted that \*Yankee Doodle Boy \* (later renamed _Yankee Doodle Dandy_) was written for the Broadway show \*Little Johnny Jones \* which opened in 1904. So the program title is sort of right. **stuyguy:** 1 **ignorance:** 0 Good job! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Rieux](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@Dr.Rieux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Rieux)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2004, 8:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/afi-top-100-film-songs/251782/42 "2004-06-24T08:03:21Z")
But, “Hakuna Matata” \*is \*the best song from _The Lion King_! ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Carnage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/max_carnage/32/12775_2.png) [@Max\_Carnage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Carnage)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2004, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/afi-top-100-film-songs/251782/43 "2004-06-24T16:15:32Z")
> [@yosemite](#): > > … but it isn’t a _song._ Where are the lyrics? Who sings it? The Entertainer Green Onions Telstar Spanish Flea The Hustle None of these are “songs”? ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Carnage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/max_carnage/32/12775_2.png) [@Max\_Carnage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Carnage)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2004, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/afi-top-100-film-songs/251782/44 "2004-06-24T16:20:52Z")
I will concede though that **Waloon’s** post of the AFI guidelines stat “music and lyrics” so if that’s what they want to limit themselves to, fine. Awfully closed-minded for a film institute. ---
**Author:** ![yosemite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/3ab097/32.png) [@yosemite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yosemite)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2004, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/afi-top-100-film-songs/251782/45 "2004-06-24T17:19:49Z")
> [@Max Carnage](#): > > The Entertainer > Green Onions > Telstar > Spanish Flea > The Hustle > > None of these are “songs”? From [dictionary.com:](http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=song) > [@](#): > > n 1: a short musical composition **with words** ; “a successful musical must have at least three good songs” So, to answer your question, no. If they do not have lyrics, they are not songs. 😉 Hey, I understand how you feel about AFI short-changing film scores, but honestly, I would have been disappointed had they actually chosen musical themes for this thing. Because themes are not songs. They are orchestral or instrumental pieces. Not songs. No lyrics. No singing. Frankly, I’m sick of people calling any old musical piece a song. I’m glad that AFI actually _meant_ “song” with this one. But, like you, I’d be elated if they’d do a 100 Top Film Themes list. I’m not holding my breath, but I’d be elated. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2004, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/afi-top-100-film-songs/251782/46 "2004-06-24T17:25:28Z")
One song from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and it Some Day My Prince will Come? Not Whistle While You Work. Not Heigh Ho Not the one that the Beatles nicked the opening of for one of their songs. Whatever. ---
**Author:** ![stuyguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@stuyguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stuyguy)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2004, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/afi-top-100-film-songs/251782/47 "2004-06-24T17:41:50Z")
I want to bring up something I mentioned earlier that no one addressed. What the heck is with the \*High Noon \* theme , **Do not Foresake Me, Oh My Darlin’** , which weighed in at an unbelieveable #25? I mean, was it a hit back then or anytime since? Is it considered a standard or a classic? Has anyone besides the original singer even recorded it? Now, I should mention that I’m no newcomer to olde time musical numbers. I’m quite familiar with every single song that was in the list – except the \*High Noon \* number (which, I suppose I heard when I saw the movie, but simply forgot). I say, chuck it off the list entirely and replace it with **Lydia the Tatooed Lady**. You know I’m right. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2004, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/afi-top-100-film-songs/251782/48 "2004-06-24T18:09:09Z")
When we were planning our wedding we told my future in-laws that we wanted to start at noon. They both instantly broke into singing “Oh don’t forsake me oh my darling…” I was disappointed that Babysitting Blues didn’t make the cut. I knew they should have released it as a single. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Carnage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/max_carnage/32/12775_2.png) [@Max\_Carnage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Carnage)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2004, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/afi-top-100-film-songs/251782/49 "2004-06-24T18:41:44Z")
The tune to “Do Not Forsake Me” was also lifted by Mel Brooks for **Blazing Saddles** for the “Now comes a time of great decision…are we to stay or up and quit…” song. ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2004, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/afi-top-100-film-songs/251782/50 "2004-06-24T18:42:44Z")
> [@stuyguy](#): > > I want to bring up something I mentioned earlier that no one addressed. What the heck is with the _High Noon_ theme , **Do not Foresake Me, Oh My Darlin’** , which weighed in at an unbelieveable #25? > > I mean, was it a hit back then or anytime since? Is it considered a standard or a classic? Has anyone besides the original singer even recorded it? Yes, it was a hit record for both Tex Ritter (who sang it on the soundtrack over the opening titles), going to #1 on the Billboard pop singles chart; and Frankie Lane, whose recording peaked at #5 on the Billboard pop singles chart. It was also recorded by Connie Francis, Merle Travis, Moe Bandy, Billy May, Duane Eddy, Peter & Gordon, Henry Mancini, The Boston Pops, Billy Vaughn, Eddie Fisher, and many others. And the song won an Academy Award, too. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Carnage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/max_carnage/32/12775_2.png) [@Max\_Carnage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Carnage)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2004, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/afi-top-100-film-songs/251782/51 "2004-06-24T18:47:31Z")
Grrrrr…I’ll never be able to admit that instrumentals (not even counting movie themes) are technically not songs. Stupid technicalities!!! Song Sing Sang Sung Since the last three imply there must have been words, I can see where the first should as well, but I’m not gonna be the one to tell Booker T & the MGs that their most famous “song” wasn’t one at all. Thank you, **yosemite** (you’ll always be ‘yosemite babe’ to me), for the closest thing to a Great Debate I’ve ever participated in 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2004, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/afi-top-100-film-songs/251782/52 "2004-06-24T18:55:25Z")
I should add that Tex Ritter’s recording of _Do Not Forsake Me_ stayed in the Top Ten for _ten months_. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2004, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/afi-top-100-film-songs/251782/53 "2004-06-24T19:17:29Z")
I just think it’s criminal that “We’ll Meet Again” from _Dr. Strangelove_ isn’t on the list. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2004, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/afi-top-100-film-songs/251782/54 "2004-06-24T19:55:22Z")
> [@Zebra](#): > > One song from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and it Some Day My Prince will Come? > > Not Whistle While You Work. > > Not Heigh Ho > > Not the one that the Beatles nicked the opening of for one of their songs. > Whatever. OK, I’m wracking my brains trying to think of the Beatles/Snow White song you have in mind, and I’m coming up blank. You’re not thinking of the Marseillaise/All You Need is Love, are you? (speaking of which…the Marseillaise in **Casablanca** would’ve been a good choice for the list) ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2004, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/afi-top-100-film-songs/251782/55 "2004-06-24T20:05:15Z")
> [@Walloon](#): > > I should add that Tex Ritter’s recording of _Do Not Forsake Me_ stayed in the Top Ten for _ten months_. And I should add that Tex Ritter was John Ritter’s father. Trivia like that is _always_ relevant. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2004, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/afi-top-100-film-songs/251782/56 "2004-06-24T20:46:30Z")
> [@Ilsa\_Lund](#): > > Although it’s true that the AFI is Satan incarnate, committed to destroying any remnant of what is truly great about American cinema in favor of Jack Valenti’s masturbatory self-congratulation, I was somewhat impressed by this list. In case you hadn’t realized already, Jack Valenti has nothing to do with the AFI. You are getting mixed up with the MPAA. Ed ---
**Author:** ![NDP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ndp/32/55_2.png) [@NDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NDP)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2004, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/afi-top-100-film-songs/251782/57 "2004-06-24T21:31:28Z")
For the record, [here is the full list of songs considered for the AFI’s Top 100](http://www.afi.com/Docs/tvevents/pdf/songs400.pdf). (The link is in PDF format.) ---
**Author:** ![Ilsa\_Lund](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a6a055/32.png) [@Ilsa\_Lund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ilsa_Lund)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2004, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/afi-top-100-film-songs/251782/58 "2004-06-24T21:52:26Z")
> [@suranyi](#): > > In case you hadn’t realized already, Jack Valenti has nothing to do with the AFI. You are getting mixed up with the MPAA. > > Ed I am aware of that. However, having been MPAA president for an ungodly amount of time, he is responsible for a great deal of the whitewashing, bland-izing and general dumbing down and homogenization of mainstream hollywood films, which is really all the AFI takes notice of. Blurb from website: > [@](#): > > Founded in 1922 as the trade association of the American film industry, the MPAA has broadened its mandate over the years to reflect the diversity of an expanding industry. The initial task assigned to the association was to stem the waves of criticism of American movies, then silent, while sometimes rambunctious and rowdy, and to restore a more favorable public image for the motion picture business. Jack Valenti represents what is narrowminded, greedy, and reprehensible about the Hollywood machine and the subsequent dumbing down of an art, while the supposed curators of that art revel in that same homogenized product. But enought about that. No “On The Street Where You Live?” “I’ve Grown Accustomed To Her Face?” ---
**Author:** ![Algernon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a183cd/32.png) [@Algernon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algernon)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2004, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/afi-top-100-film-songs/251782/59 "2004-06-24T22:16:30Z")
> [@Ilsa\_Lund](#): > > How could any list of the greatest songs in film ignore You’ll Never Walk Alone?.. Amen. And nothing from Oliver? ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2004, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/afi-top-100-film-songs/251782/60 "2004-06-24T22:57:23Z")
> [@suranyi](#): > > In case you hadn’t realized already, Jack Valenti has nothing to do with the AFI. Jack Valenti is on the AFI’s [board of trustees](http://afi.com/about/bod.aspx) and has been on the board [since its founding](http://afi.com/about/history.aspx) in 1967. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/afi-top-100-film-songs/251782.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/afi-top-100-film-songs/251782.md?page=4)