When it comes to pairings of rock royalty, a few names instantly come to mind. Lennon and McCartney, Jagger and Richards, Townshend and Daltrey and, of course, Hall and Oates. Yes, the unstoppable American “rock and soul” duo has been improving our lives by gracing the airwaves since the late ‘70s with hit after endless hit.
Even better, Hollywood producers recognize our need for Hall & Oates in our lives and continually utilize their creations for our repeated pleasure. Perhaps considered the undeniable perfect “montage” song, Hall & Oates’ “You Make My Dreams” has graced the screen numerous times both on television and in films.
To honor the best employments of the classic hit, we have compiled our Top 5 Best Uses of Hall & Oates “You Make My Dreams.”
5. – The Office
Originally airing immediately following Superbowl XLIII, the episode “Stress Relief” of the fifth season of The Office cleverly employs the Hall & Oates classic while simultaneously featuring a couple of special guest actors. Andy makes known his habit of downloading entertainment illegally before it’s released, and “allows” Jim and Pam to preview a yet-to-be-released film. The fictional movie stars engaged couple Jack Black and Jessica Alba. However, upon meeting Alba’s grandmother, played by Cloris Leachman, Black clearly stands no chance for the pull of true love. Cue musical greatness.
4. The Wedding Singer
1998’s The Wedding Singer features one of Adam Sandler’s less cartoonish and more endearing characters. Sandler plays a hopeless romantic working as a wedding singer with dreams of stardom and true love. Set in the ‘80s, the film fittingly features a montage near the end of the second act detailing the wedding preparations for Sandler’s crush, played by Drew Barrymore.
3. Saturday Night Live
Just in time for 2008’s election season, the writers at Saturday Night Live took the liberty of re-writing the Hall & Oates track to create a juxtaposition between the two candidates, and, horrifyingly, the duo itself. Cast members Will Forte and Fred Armisen beautifully portray the iconic performers, and thankfully avoid catastrophe by overcoming their political differences by the end of the song.
2. Step Brothers
Step Brothers, Adam McKay’s beautiful tribute to the improvisational skills of comedians Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly, simply wouldn’t make any sense without the inclusion of “You Make My Dreams.” The song perfectly compliments the match made in heaven that occurred when the two boys became in-laws and serves as the perfect backdrop for karate in the garage.
1. (500) Days of Summer
How does it feel to be in love? Hall & Oates knows. And so do the creators of the 2009 film (500) Days of Summer. After chasing his dream girl for more than a half-hour of screen time, Joseph Gordon-Levitt finally lands the fabulously quirky Zoeey Deschanel and simply cannot hold back his excitement. What follows is one of the most uplifting sequences captured on film in recent memory and arguably the epitome of Hall & Oates representation.
And, just in case this list didn’t quite fill your Hall & Oates fix, check out this amazing mash-up of nearly every appearance “You Make My Dreams” makes in film and television history, put together by Youtuber Joe Dewitt. (And good luck in keeping it out of your head for the rest of the day).