3 No. 1 Hits That Found Fame From Movies

If you think about it, some of your favorite movies are the ones with the best soundtracks. Movies like Pulp Fiction, Forrest Gump, and Dazed and Confused introduced songs to fans of all kinds, from classic rock to funk to soul. But sometimes movies introduce a new kind of song to fans—the chart-topping No. 1 hit.

Here below we wanted to explore three such songs. A trio of No. 1 hit tracks from the Billboard Hot 100 that came to the world thanks to popular films. Indeed, these are three chart-topping wonders that found fame thanks to the movies they were in.

[RELATED: 3 Energetic One-Hit Wonders That Are Perfect To Dance Along To]

“Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor from Rocky III (1982)

When Sylvester Stallone was in search for a hit theme song for the third installment of his Rocky franchise, Rocky III, he first sought Queen and their hit “Another One Bites the Dust.” But when the Freddie Mercury-led, British-born band denied him, he sought another avenue. Enter Survivor and their inspiring, heart-racing track “Eye of the Tiger.” That track, which hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, also earned Survivor a Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by Duo or Group with Vocal. And on it, lead vocalist Dave Bickler sings,

Risin’ up, back on the street
Did my time, took my chances
Went the distance, now I’m back on my feet
Just a man and his will to survive

So many times, it happens too fast
You trade your passion for glory
Don’t lose your grip on the dreams of the past
You must fight just to keep them alive

“St. Elmo’s Fire (Man in Motion)” by John Parr from St. Elmo’s Fire (1985)

This song, which hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, comes from the British-born singer John Parr. And it was written for the popular “Brat Pack” movie St. Elmo’s Fire, which included the likes of Emilio Estevez, Rob Lowe, and Demi Moore. Like the movie, Parr’s song is about the challenges of transitioning from youth to adulthood. This in-between phase when your youth is waning and your future is staring at you in the face. Indeed, on the track, he sings,

Growin’ up, you don’t see the writing on the wall
Passin’ by, movin’ straight ahead, you knew it all
But maybe sometime if you feel the pain
You’ll find you’re all alone, everything has changed

Play the game, you know you can’t quit until it’s won
Soldier on, only you can do what must be done
You know in some way you’re a lot like me
You’re just a prisoner and you’re tryin’ to break free

“Here Comes the Hotstepper” by Ini Kamoze from Ready to Wear (1994)

This reggae classic track from Ini Kamoze, which hit No. 1 on the Hot 100, may not be recognizable by name but as soon as it comes on the stereo or airwaves, it’s immediately known. From the chorus to the brash and beloved delivery, the song is known instantly by music fans. Indeed, on the energetic song, Kamoze sings,

Nah, na-na-na-nah
Na-na-na-na, na-na-na, na-na-na
Na-na-na-nah
Nah, na-na-na-nah
Na-na-na-na, na-na-na, na-na-na
Na-na-na-nah

Here comes the hotstepper (murderer)
I’m the lyrical gangster (murderer)
Pick up the crew in-a de area (murderer)
Still love you like that (murderer)

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Photo by Ron Wolfson/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images