Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones in "Men in Black"
Photo: MCA/Universal Pictures/Getty Images

When writer/producer/star Seth Rogen was putting the finishing touches on his uproarious action/comedy "Pineapple Express" (due August 8), he commissioned none other than Huey Lewis for a theme song, giving the '80s icon one key request: The name of the movie must be in the lyrics.

"He was like, 'I don't know about that, because "The Power of Love" doesn't have the words "Back to the Future" in it,' " Rogen recalled, shrugging his shoulders. "And then he did it anyway!"

The rockin' results got us thinking about the best (and worst) moniker-dropping songs written solely to shamelessly promote a feature film. With apologies to Oingo Boingo's "Weird Science," "The Never Ending Story" by that dude from Kajagoogoo and the Cult singing about "The Cool World," here are our most memorable soundtrack songs that name-check their movies:

"One Way Love (Better Off Dead)" by E.G. Daily (1985)

Do bands ever play proms anymore? According to every '80s teen movie, no school dance was complete without a really cheesy group that may or may not already be famous (but is still getting booked at local high schools ... hmmm). The '80s-est example has to be E.G. Daily and her backing band in "Better Off Dead," one of John Cusack's first films. Daily was probably best known for her roles in "Valley Girl" and "Pee-wee's Big Adventure," but her performance as a prom singer in a tinfoil-inspired minidress deserves just as much recognition. It's hard to say whether she was asked to squeeze the phrase "better off dead" into the chorus or the lyrics just happened to be there, but it's safe to assume that the studio dictated the song's parenthetical title.

"Snakes on a Plane (Bring It)" by Cobra Starship (2006)

For those too young to remember the majority of this list, Cobra Starship took matters into their own hands by bringing back the name-checking trend with the song "Snakes on a Plane (Bring It)." Unlike most of the other songs on this list, Starship's song was entirely voluntary — written without any affiliation to the movie at all. Gabe Saporta and crew were so inspired by the gloriously cheesy movie title that they just had to hit the studio. The song earned its way into the movie's closing credits, and Samuel L. Jackson made a cameo in Starship's music video. Nothing says dance-rock like hundreds of poisonous snakes!

"Ghostbusters" by Ray Parker Jr. (1984) and "Too Hot to Handle" by Bobby Brown (1989)

Next time you're out in a public place, we dare you to take a deep breath and scream: "Who you gonna call?" Sure, you might get some weird looks, but inevitably a few people will respond, "Ghostbusters"! That theme song, just like the first movie, will be held in our hearts forever as an '80s gem. Less successful was Bobby Brown's song "Too Hot to Handle" from the sequel, which stood the test of time about as well as "Ghostbusters II" did. Brown's neon-filled, cameo-stuffed music video, however, was an appropriate companion piece for Parker's classic clip (was that Peter Falk?) from the original film.

"Streets of Philadelphia" by Bruce Springsteen (1993)

Sorry to bring this party down, but there has never been a name-checking soundtrack song quite as powerful as Springsteen's Oscar- and Grammy-winning track from the 1993 Denzel Washington/ Tom Hanks drama "Philadelphia." Raw, moody and crafted with a minimalist aesthetic, Springsteen rarely performs the song in concert to this day. It captured both its film and its moment in time brilliantly.

"9 to 5" by Dolly Parton (1980)

"Working 9 to 5, what a way to make a living," Dolly sang, presumably after chugging down a cup of ambition. She wrote the tune for her acting debut as Doralee Rhodes, and the song inspired women to get through a workday in a male-dominated labor force. Now it just makes us nostalgic for the eight-hour workday. A stage production of "9 to 5" hits Los Angeles in September, and Dolly's description of an office in which "that man is out to get me" will undoubtedly be the show-stopper. That is, if the producers haven't attempted to update the song to something like "7:30 to 6," which just doesn't have the same ring.

"Theme From Shaft" by Isaac Hayes (1971) and "Superfly" by Curtis Mayfield (1972)

One of the few soundtracks to outgross the film it accompanied, "Superfly" was an instant hit. Hayes, meanwhile, kicked in Hollywood's door with an Oscar-winning ode to a black private dick who's a sex-machine to all the chicks. Combined, the two songs capture the true essence of 1970s soundtrack soul. Thanks to those songs, all these decades later, Shaft and Superfly are still remembered as two bad mutha ... shut yo' mouth!

"Footloose" by Kenny Loggins (1984)

Say what you will about the '80s, deep down everbody has a soft spot for Kenny Loggins' leg-shaking song from the movie that made us all want to be within six degrees of Kevin Bacon. The "Footloose" song also has a knack for burrowing deep into your brain and remaining there long after you'd like it to — which might explain why John Lithgow was so intent on banning Bacon's never-ending dance party.

"Goonies 'R' Good Enough" by Cyndi Lauper (1985)

Hand-picked by Steven Spielberg to create the soundtrack for the children's adventure flick, Lauper became so stressed out working 12-hour days that she reportedly wound up in the hospital. This might explain her hit single from the film, which surely wins the award for lyrics having the least to do with the movie. The final two minutes consist of the rainbow-haired songstress endlessly repeating, "Good enough for you/ Good enough for me" (keep in mind, the song is only three and a half minutes long). Naturally, there's no mention of pirate ships, buried treasure or even a "Heeeeeyyy youuuuu guyyyys!" anywhere in the song. Lauper hated the song so much that she didn't put it on a proper album for 20 years. Captain Lou Albano fans, however, will forever treasure its two-part music video.

"Men in Black" (1997) and "Wild Wild West" (1999) by Will Smith

In the history of pop culture, never has there been a man more aware of movie-music synergy than Will Smith. On the downside, both of these songs now feel like an unwelcome visit from a long-forgotten ex and have rendered it impossible to ever listen to Patrice Rushen's "Forget Me Nots" or Stevie Wonder's "I Wish" again without getting caught up Big Willie's alternate, movie-promoting chorus. Hey, come to think of it: Where's our "Hancock" song?

The James Bond themes

Just like the Bond films themselves, some are good (Paul McCartney & Wings' "Live and Let Die"), some are bad (Tom Jones' "Thunderball"), some stand the test of time (Shirley Bassey's "Goldfinger"), and others were forgotten by the end credits (Madonna's "Die Another Day"). Still, the best Bond films always give birth to songs that allow us to listen along while some high-profile star (Tina Turner, Sheryl Crow, Sheena Easton) attempts to force-feed the movie's unwieldy title into a song's chorus. It's just one more reason we can't wait for November's "Quantum of Solace."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

• '9 To 5' To 'Pineapple Express': The Best Movie-Name-Dropping Tracks

• "Snakes On A Plane" Photos
• Cobra Starship Shoot "Snakes On A Plane (Bring It)" Video

• Huey Lewis
• Huey Lewis & the News
• Cobra Starship

Janet Jackson
Photo: Jason Millstein/Image Direct

Backstreet Boys will kick off Sunday's United We Stand — What More Can I Give benefit in patriotic style by singing "The Star-Spangled Banner," and while Janet Jackson won't appear at the Washington, D.C., show, she will contribute a "video montage" that will be shown during the concert, according to a spokesperson for the event.

Organizers don't yet know what Jackson's video will consist of, and representatives for the singer were unavailable at press time. Veteran singer/songwriter Carole King and '80s pop-rockers Huey Lewis and the News have also been added to the lineup, which includes 'NSYNC, Aerosmith, Michael Jackson and Mariah Carey (see "Destiny's Child, P. Diddy Added To D.C. Benefit Concert").

More artists are expected to be announced before the event, the spokesperson said.

Proceeds from the sold-out concert at RFK Stadium will benefit the American Red Cross Liberty Relief Fund, the Salvation Army Relief Fund and the Pentagon Relief Fund.

For more information on and audience reaction to the attacks, including tips on how you can help, see "9.11.01: Moving Forward."

Share your thoughts on the attacks in Afghanistan in You Tell Us.

• Janet Jackson
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Huey Lewis and the News
Photo: Aaron Rappoport

It may be hip to be square, as Huey Lewis and the News once sang, but no one ever tried to argue that it was hip to be washed up, forgotten, finito. So the '80s R&B-rockers have a plan to be, well, square again. First Lewis sang and acted with Hollywood heartthrob Gwyneth Paltrow in last fall's "Duets," scoring a hit single with his cover of Smokey Robinson's "Cruisin'" along the way. Now it's on to Plan B. Huey Lewis and the News will release their first album of original material in 10 years in July, according to their management. Plan B follows 1996's The Time Flies: The Best of Huey Lewis & the News and the 1994 covers collection Four Chords & Several Years Ago. The group — Lewis and original members guitarist/saxophonist Johnny Colla, drummer Bill Gibson, and keyboardist Sean Hopper, along with longtime bassist John Pierce and guitarist Stef Burns — will promote the new album with a 25-date tour of amphitheaters across America.

Joining the band on tour will be its veteran horn section, the News Brothers: trumpeter Marvin McFadden, saxophonist Rob Sudduth and saxophonist Ron Stallings. Lewis and the News will plug the album July 20 on "Live with Regis and Kelly." The San Francisco band is best known for the 1983 album, Sports, which spawned four top-10 hits, including "The Heart of Rock & Roll." Fore! followed three years later and featured the friendly hits "Stuck with You" and "Hip to Be Square." Huey Lewis and the News tour dates, according to their management:

• 7/2 - Livermore, CA @ Wente Vineyards
• 7/3 - Livermore, CA @ Wente Vineyards
• 7/4 - Salt Lake City, UT @ University of Utah
• 7/21 - Mahwah, NJ @ Sheraton Plaza Tennis Center
• 7/22 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Iron City Light Amphitheater
• 7/26 - Hyannis, MA @ Cape Cod Melody Tent
• 7/27 - Boston, MA @ FleetBoston Pavilion
• 7/28 - Gilford, NH @ Meadowbrook Farm Musical Arts Center
• 7/29 - Verona, NY @ Turning Stone Casino
• 7/31 - Providence, RI @ Providence Performing Arts Center
• 8/2 - Big Flats, NY @ Budweiser Summer Stage
• 8/3 - Wallingford, CT @ Oakdale Theatre
• 8/4 - Wantagh, NY @ Jones Beach Amphitheater
• 8/5 - Vienna, VA @ Wolf Trap Filene Center
• 8/7 - Atlanta, GA @ Chastain Park Amphitheater
• 8/8 - Portsmouth, VA @ Harbor Center
• 8/28 - St. Paul, MN @ Minnesota State Fair
• 8/30 - Clarkston, MI @ DTE Energy Music Theatre
• 8/31 - Merrillville, IN @ Star Plaza Theatre
• 9/8 - Kelseyville, CA @ Konocti Harbor Resort
• 9/14 - Reno, NV @ Silver Legacy Casino
• 9/15 - Reno, NV @ Silver Legacy Casino
• 9/18 - Saratoga, CA @ Villa Montalvo Historic Mountain Winery
• 9/19 - Saratoga, CA @ Villa Montalvo Historic Mountain Winery
• 9/20 - Saratoga, CA @ Villa Montalvo Historic Mountain Winery
• 9/21 - Saratoga, CA @ Villa Montalvo Historic Mountain Winery

• Huey Lewis

Huey Lewis
Photo: Chrysalis

Ray Parker Jr. is suing Huey Lewis over comments he made in his "Behind the Music" special, accusing the pop singer of breaking a confidentiality agreement concerning Parker's 1984 hit "Ghostbusters." The suit, filed Thursday in Los Angeles Superior Court, states that Lewis breached the agreement by publicly discussing the lawsuit he filed against Parker 17 years ago, claiming "Ghostbusters" infringed on the copyright of Huey Lewis and the News' hit "I Want a New Drug." The settlement agreement Lewis and Parker reached for that lawsuit in 1995 banned them from revealing any information that was not included in a press release they jointly issued at the time. The press release stated that the matter had been "amicably resolved." Parker's lawsuit quotes Lewis (born Hugh Cregg) saying on "Behind the Music": "The offensive part was not so much that Ray Parker Jr. had ripped this song off, it was kind of symbolic of an industry that wants something — they wanted our wave, and they wanted to buy it. ... [I]t's not for sale. ... In the end, I suppose they were right. I suppose it was for sale, because, basically, they bought it." That money was paid to resolve the lawsuit was protected by the confidentiality agreement, Parker claims.

The lawsuit states that the confidentiality agreement was "directly related to [Parker's] comfort, happiness and welfare," and that Lewis' comments were "inflammatory and disparaging" and "false" and caused Parker emotional distress.

Parker is seeking an unspecified amount of compensatory and punitive damages as well as lawyer's fees and "further relief as the Court deems just and proper." Huey Lewis' lawyer, Gerry Margolis, said he could not offer comment when reached Friday evening (March 23). He said he had just received a copy of the suit and had not had a chance to review it fully.

• Huey Lewis
• Ray Parker, Jr.

The soundtrack to the upcoming yuppie slasher flick "American Psycho" hits stores on Tuesday, but the album will feature one less song than originally planned.

• Huey Lewis

MTV 20th Anniversary Party

• Black Rob
• Boy George
• Huey Lewis
• Foxy Brown
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