Needle Drop

What is a needle drop in film and TV?

When an existing song is used in a movie or show

If you're a fan of James Gunn or Edgar Wright, you likely love needle drops. This is when a pre-existing song plays in a movie or show - either as background music or in-scene music.

A (very, very incomplete) list of notable needle drops includes when:

  • Come and Get Your Love plays in Guardians of the Galaxy
  • I Want It That Way plays in Magic Mike XXL
  • The Chain plays in Our Flag Means Death
  • Where Is My Mind plays in Fight Club
  • Johnny B. Goode plays in Back to the Future

If hearing those songs makes you think of the scene(s) they have played over, then the needle drop has done its job.

Example

My favorite needle drop is Day-O in Beetlejuice. It makes me laugh every time

Related Slang

Jump the sharkTo decrease in quality
Nuked the fridgeA movie series drastically decreased in quality
DramedyDramatic and comedic movie
Binge-watchTo view many episodes or movies in a row
Schmuck baitA ludicrous tease for a show plot
Show holeSadness after finishing a great show
Netflix cheatingWatching future episodes of a favorite Netflix show without your partner

Categories

Pop Culture
Updated May 3, 2022

Needle drop definition by Slang.net

This page explains what the slang term "Needle drop" means. The definition, example, and related terms listed above have been written and compiled by the Slang.net team.

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