DISCUSSION: we need to talk about these iconic ya movie soundtracks (part 1)

Hello, I am back to say that we need to talk about these iconic YA movie soundtracks. And yes, this is a part one because I had to split the post in half. YA adaption soundtracks just go too hard!! Anyways this started because I had Thoughts on Twitter (apparently a lot of my discussion post ideas come from some random thing I tweet . . . sorry about that), and thought, THAT, that right there is a post in and of itself.

I mean, Twilight is OBVIOUSLY on this list; I was eight when the first film (it's a film, I'm not even going to CALL it a movie) came out, and I knew, even then, that this was some good music. Let's break it down:

Twilight (2008)

"Supermassive Black Hole" by Muse

Do you think that, when they played this song during the baseball scene, they knew they were creating one of the best scenes in cinematic history? Because really, this song and the baseball scene are imprinted on my mind. Also, I really want to say that this was on a playlist that was on repeat at my eighth grade volleyball tournament, so thanks to whoever made that mix because they knew what would get me HYPED UP!! (We placed like sixth out of ten lol)

"Decode" by Paramore

I listen to this song on the daily (not really but I totally would). This is a truly iconic song that will and rightfully deserves to be remembered for eternity . . . by a vampire, I guess? Ignore that horrible joke if you didn't laugh :'). I did a group video project senior year that we loosely based on Twilight (I say loosely, but read: took the dialogue and changed a few words to fit our plot) (and we tried to do the cinematography as well) (and also I totally was not the one to do all this haha ha ha h a h a), and I demanded that this song be played. Anyways, the music video was also iconic, like I was eight but I Felt that Angst.

"I Caught Myself" by Paramore

I legitimately read the title and immediately started singing it in my head. After all these years, I still know all the lyrics :'). You heard it here first, folks: the Twilight stan in you never dies, just like a vampire. (I NEED TO STOP, I'm sorry!!)

Other notable songs:

• "Leave Out All the Rest" by Linkin Park

I'm skipping New Moon because apparently I didn't listen to anything on this soundtrack rip.

Eclipse (2010)

"Heavy in Your Arms" by Florence and the Machine

Florence and the Machine always provides absolute BOPS, especially for movie soundtracks. Also, I've said it before, and I'll say it again, but I DO NOT remember watching this movie (and I saw it in theaters), but this song is one that I listen to on a regular basis, so I guess maybe Eclipse does deserve rights?? I mean really, the line "I was a heavy heart to carry" still hits me over the head with a brick every time I hear it.

Other notable songs:

• "Jonathan Low" by Vampire Weekend
• there was another Muse song??

Breaking Dawn – Part 1 (2011)

"It Will Rain" by Bruno Mars

This song was on the radio. every. damn. day. What even was the context of this song within the movie? Someone please tell me because if I'm being honest, I barely remember this movie. The song goes hard though.

"A Thousand Years" by Christina Perri

This song was also constantly on the radio. My dad brings it up a lot, so you know it's good when your parent actually likes it. This was during the wedding scene right? I vaguely remember that. How on the nose are the lyrics though lol but this song is good🤧

Breaking Dawn – Part 2 (2012)

"Bittersweet" by Ellie Goulding

Ellie Goulding also provides such bangers for her contributions to movie soundtracks honestly. This song is so good; I used to listen to it constantly but stopped when I grew tired of it, so shout out to me for writing this post and discovering it again! Although again, what was the context of this song?

Moving on to another Big YA Franchise . . . The Hunger Games! They went all out for these movies, soundtracks included. I mean, having Lorde executive-produce one of them? Truly iconic.

The Hunger Games (2012)

"Abraham's Daughter" by Arcade Fire

I could never understand what they were saying in this song honestly. I remember that it was always used in gifsets of the movie? Specifically with Prim?

"Safe & Sound" by Taylor Swift

Oh my god, I listened to this song so many times. It was also used in every tumblr edit for anything and everything, not just THG. And writing this post made me watch the lyric video again and?? It brought back major nostalgia. This song is so depressing though, especially in the music video when she's just walking around the woods??

"Eyes Open" by Taylor Swift

This song was good too!! I lowkey cannot remember what it sounds like right now, but I also listened to this a lot way back when. Listening to it now . . . it definitely sounds like it's from 2012 lol.

Other notable songs:

• oh my god, Maroon 5 did a song for this soundtrack?? what was 2012

Catching Fire (2013)

"Elastic Heart" by Sia ft. The Weeknd & Diplo

Sia released this as a single a year or so later and I was like, excuse me, I know this already. And then I realized it was on this soundtrack, how iconic. I think I heard it in a store the other day, and it still slaps.

"Who We Are" by Imagine Dragons

This was when I was in my intense Imagine Dragons phase, so I was so into this song. I remember (back when I used to draw, not that I was any good at it rip) that I drew Katniss with the lyrics of this song. In red, orange, and yellow, no less.

"Everybody Wants to Rule the World" by Lorde

Dare I say, this song is even better than the original. Well, it's one of the best covers at least. Her voice in this one honestly sends shivers down my spine. Please, Lorde, release L3 already!

"Mirror" by Ellie Goulding

Yet another great soundtrack addition from Ellie Goulding. This was another one that I listened to on repeat; the lyrics fit the story so well!

Other notable songs:

• "Atlas" by Coldplay
• "We Remain" by Christina Aguilera
• "Gale Song" by The Lumineers

Mockingjay – Part 1 (2014)

Again the fact that Lorde curated this . . . her mind! Maybe that's why they didn't bother to do a soundtrack for the last movie: they knew they peaked with this album. Okay, I didn't listen to all of these songs but there are some big names on here that I didn't know made songs for this soundtrack?? Tove Lo, Haim, Chvrches, Ariana Grande, Tinashe??

"Yellow Flicker Beat" by Lorde

This is probably my favorite of all the songs on this list (minus "Decode," but that's a different mood); it's the best lyrically, at least. Again, this song was used in every tumblr edit, but it deserved it! I mean, "But I got my fingers laced together and I made a little prison / And I'm locking up everyone that ever laid a finger on me"!! Lorde's mind!!

"The Hanging Tree" by Jennifer Lawrence

I actually really liked the tune of this song? And then they did that weird remix and completely ruined it. It was on the radio constantly, which uh, falls exactly into what the books/movie show as bad, this obsession with media and turning things into something they're not. Sure, let's take a simple, intense song and set it to an EDM track, let's just focus on the superficiality of it (cough, the love triangle, cough).

Were you also obsessed with these soundtracks like me? Are there any songs I'm leaving off? Or are there more soundtracks that are also iconic (I do have more in mind! This is only part one!)? Comment below!