You all remember the romantic rite of passage known as the mix-tape, right? Where you would try and convey how deep, charming, profound, and downright cool you were by compiling a group of songs for your intended? In the world of movies, filmmakers use songs all the time to create a mood, explain an emotional 'state of mind', or even to fill in what they don't have time to explain. As it turns out, so do we, and that's where the art of the mix-tape comes in. But this isn't just about music, and Cinematical is a film site after all, so I thought it would be fun to put together a little mix tape of songs I've come to love thanks to hearing them in the movies.

Now before we start, I should warn you that my mix tape isn't just a collection of run-of-the-mill love songs, because as I keep telling everyone, I'm not a run-of-the-mill girl. Instead, I've put together a 'celluloid compilation', that if given to me would guarantee that I fell head over heels into film geek love.

After the jump; some movie songs that would woo me right off of my feet (in no particular order)...



1. License to Kill: License to Kill


I really have no defense for liking this song as much as I do...but here we are.

2. Slave to Love: 9 1/2 Weeks (warning: the video gets a little NSFW)


This song was the first release from Ferry's Boys and Girls, and rose to fame when it was used in Adrian Lyne's 9 1/2 Weeks. Personally, I love it because it has that sexy euro-trash vibe that Ferry does so well.

3. Love Song For a Vampire: Bram Stoker's Dracula


Coppola's Dracula may not be my favorite vampire movie, but the former in Goth in me can't resist Lennox's tragic (and romantic) song about everlasting love.

4. Darling Nikki: Purple Rain

Romance isn't all about hearts and flowers..sometimes you want something a little nasty, and nobody does baby-making music like Prince.

5. May This Be Love: Singles


If Darling Nikki is all about getting in on, then this song is definitely about the afterglow. It's a mellow kind of love song, and was the perfect addition to Cameron Crowe's soundtrack to the story of romance among the 'flannel set'.

Now it's your turn, what movie songs would be on your mix-tape? Sound off in the comments...