Music and movies have been inextricably linked since talkies came into vogue in the 1920s, and the tradition continues today with this year’s MTV Video Music Awards.
From Macklemore & Ryan Lewis to Robin Thicke, many of this year’s nominees have seen (and heard) their hits take the spotlight in a movie trailer.
Before the VMAs air live from Brooklyn’s Barclays Center on Sunday, August 25 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, let’s look at the musicians whose ear candy found a place next to the Milk Duds at the theater.
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Song: “Can’t Hold Us,” featuring Ray Dalton
Nominations: Best Hip Hop Video, Best Cinematography, Best Direction, Best Editing
Movie: “Jobs”
An inspired choice for the Steve Jobs biopic starring Ashton Kutcher, if only for the use of the line, “Return of the Mack.” We see what you did there.
Song: “Thrift Shop,” featuring Wanz
Nomination: Video of the Year
Movie: “The Internship”
Are Macklemore & Ryan Lewis secret cinephiles? Now, we’re not sure what bargain hunting for gator shoes and leopard minks has to do with landing an internship at Google, but the song does add a certain kooky vibe to the promo for the Vince Vaughn- and Owen Wilson-starring comedy.
Imagine Dragons
Song: “Radioactive”
Nomination: Best Rock Video
Movie: “The Host”
“Radioactive” — a song essentially about the end of the world — is right at home in the trailer for this alien invasion flick based on Stephenie Meyer’s best-selling novel.
Robin Thicke featuring T.I. and Pharrell
Song: “Blurred Lines”
Nominations: Video of the Year, Best Male Video, Best Collaboration, Best Song of Summer
Movie: “We’re the Millers” (red band trailer)
“Tried to domesticate you” is a perfect sentiment for this film about four strangers who pose as a big, happy family to smuggle drugs over the Mexican border.
Devlin featuring Ed Sheeran
Song: “Watchtower”
Nomination: This song isn’t nominated for a Moonman, but Sheeran’s “Lego House” is up for Best Male Video.
Movie: “2 Guns”
This revamp of the Jimi Hendrix classic accompanies stars Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg as they shoot ’em up and blow ’em up in the promo for this action comedy.
One Direction
Song: “Best Song Ever”
Nomination: Best Song of the Summer
Movie: “One Direction: This Is Us”
Duh.
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