Best Songs from War Movies All Soldiers Should Know

War movies as a whole have so much meaning behind them. Even though they're based on wars, they're also about the individual soldiers who were significantly involved in these wars. We know that going into war is a terrifying experience that can either lead to victory or death. And these brave individuals are fighting for their country and beliefs. Yet, many of us don't entirely know the experience of heading into a battle. And these war movies made sure that we get the whole picture.

As beautiful and astonishing each of these war movies are, the soundtrack also plays a huge role in every film. Picking songs that would perfectly suit each film, and the majority of these songs are well-known, too. If you're looking to listen to the best songs from war movies, check out some of our favorites from iconic war films.

One of the best war movies ever is Apocalypse Now, which takes place in Vietnam in 1970. Captain Willard goes on a dangerous and increasingly hallucinatory journey upriver in order to find and terminate Colonel Kurtz, a once-promising officer who was reported that he’s gone totally mad. With others on a Navy patrol boats filled with street-smart kids, a surfing-obsessed Air Cavalry officer, and a crazy photographer, Captain Willard continues to travel further into darkness.

One of their most loved songs from the track is "The End" by The Doors. The Doors is a phenomenal rock band in the late 60s and their song "The End" perfectly fits the amazing film. The song is basically about death—loving the mother and killing the father.

Starring Tom Cruise, Top Gun is a great war film to watch. The movie is about a Top Gun Naval Fighter Weapons School where only the best students are trained to refine their flying skills. While hotshot fighter pilot Maverick is sent to this school, his fresh and reckless behavior and cocky demeanor puts him at odds with other pilots. Most importantly, the Iceman. Even though he’s aiming to become the top fighter pilot, he’s also aiming to win the attention of the stunning flight instructor, Charlotte Blackwood.

Among the best songs from war movies, “Danger Zone” by Kenny Loggins is an amazing song. If you’ve never listened to this, you have to now. American singer-songwriter and guitarist Kenny Loggins' song perfectly suits Top Gun and they couldn't have picked a better track to put on their soundtrack. Full of energy and catchy, “Danger Zone” can be your next favorite song, too.

Forrest Gump… easily among the best military comedies of all time and Tom Hanks genuinely nailed the character to a T. The slow-witted Forrest Gump placed himself in many activities and partook in major events. With his supportive mother, Gump was a college football star, he fought in Vietnam, and he’s even captained a shrimp boat. Inspiring, sweet, and optimistic, Gump was looked up at by numerous people. However, there was one person Gump cared for the most. and it's his childhood love Jenny.

Forrest Gump has beautiful songs on its soundtrack and it’s loved by those who truly enjoyed the war film. But “California Dreamin’” by The Mamas and Papas is a classic song that is still adored to this day. And it's even more loved once it was placed as one of the tracks in Forrest Gump. Joyful and head-bobbing, this song that's been released in the 60s is still being listened to by many people.

Good Morning Vietnam is an amazing war film that has the perfect blend of comedy and war. Starring the unforgettable Robin Williams, he plays radio host Adrian Cronauer, who is sent to Vietnam in order to bring a bit of humor back into the lives of soldiers. Once setting up the shop, Cronauer humors the G.I.s but shocks his superior officer, Sergeant Major Dickerson—from his irrelevant take on the war. As Dickerson tries to censor Cronauer’s broadcasts, Cronauer gets in a relationship with a Vietnamese girl named Trinh who shows him the deep and horrifying truth of war.

Of course, one of the Beach Boys' songs had to be part of this war film. But the song is none other than “Get Around,” which is seen to be one of the best songs from war movies to listen to. Super catchy and pleasing to listen to, for a war film that revolves around humor and entertainment, this song is the perfect choice.

Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Jarhead is a fantastic movie that takes place in the late 1980s. Anthony Swofford enlists as a Marine, who’s in a boot camp training under a sadistic drill instructor. Swofford takes a sniper course which is taught by Staff Sgt. Sykes during the time, which is right before the advent of the Gulf War. Once the US got involved, Swofford is shipped out and so is his spotter, Alan Troy. Yet each day, the two try to maintain composure.

Out of the best songs from war movies, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” by Bobby McFerrin is a great song that certainly brings up moods. Since Jarhead is a serious war movie that shows the difficulty of a solider through training and in battle, this song is a form up uplifting—showing that everything will be okay.

Here’s another great war film that Tom Cruise starred in—Born on the Fourth of July. Taking place in the mid 60s, a suburban New York teen Ron Kovic enlists in the Marines, in attempt to see what his patriotic duty is. In the midst of his second tour in Vietnam, Kovic accidentally kills his fellow solider during a retreat and then later he himself becomes permanently paralyzed in battle. After returning home to an uncaring Veteran's Administration bureaucracy, the people on both sides of the political divide can’t acknowledge what exactly he went through. Kovic then became an impassioned war critic.

Born on the Fourth of July has beautiful and heartfelt songs on the track. From the best songs from war movies, “Brown Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison is an edgy song that's still enjoyed by many. As significant as the song is in the film, “Brown Eyed Girl” is a great tune that can be listened to through generations to come.

From the best war movies ever, Unbroken is a phenomenal film that won’t easily be forgotten about. Louis “Louie” Zamperini was always a troubled individual when he was young. With the help of his older brother, he’s able to turn his life around and channel his energy through running. He then later qualified for the 1936 Olympics. Once World War II breaks out, Louie enlists in the military. And when his plane crashes into the Pacific, he managed to survive 47 days adrift on a raft... until he was captured by the Japanese navy.

Touching, extraordinary, and amazing overall, Unbroken features great songs in the film. Among the best songs from war movies, “Miracles” by Coldplay is a great song that seems to fit the theme of the war film. It's mellow, but moving, that certainly has an effect on anyone who listens to it.

Full Metal Jacket is about Stanley Kubrick’s take on the Vietnam War who follows Private Davis, quickly named as “Joker” by his cussing drill sergeant, as well as Private Lawrence. They endure the struggles of basic training and though Pyle takes a terrifying detour, Joker ends up graduating the Marine Corps and is sent to Vietnam as a journalist. Joker is ordered to cover and eventually participate in the bloody Battle of Hué. And this film is certainly one of the best military training movies to watch.

Among the top best songs from war movies, "Wooly Bully" is a great and entertaining song that is ultimately timeless. Created by Sam The Sham & The Pharaohs, they managed to make a catchy song that's fitting in Full Metal Jacket. Head-bobbing and finger-snapping, this uplifting song must be in your playlist, especially if you're a fan of the war movie.

Released in 1986, Platoon revolves around Chris Taylor, who leaves his studies to enlist in combat duty in Vietnam in 1967. While he’s on the ground during battle, his idealism completely fades. He's infighting in his unit as well as between Staff Sergeant Barnes, who believes that the nearby villagers are harboring Viet Cong soldiers, and Sergeant Elias. Elias has a more sympathetic view of his locals and even ends up pitting the soldiers against each other and against the enemy. This film is also one of the best anti-war movies ever.

"The Tracks of My Tears" by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles is one of the best songs from war movies to listen to ASAP. While it's a song that can be listened to anytime, it was a great choice in Platoon. This song also stood out among viewers of the movie.

Action-filled and adventurous, Hot Shots! is an astonishing war film that’s the spoof of Top Gun. It’s based on former US Navy pilot Topper Harley who is haunted by an accident where his father lost control of a fighter jet. Lt. Cmdr. James Block asks Topper to return out of retirement in order to help him complete a mission. Topper then returns to active duty against the advice of his psychiatrist. But he notices that he might be a pawn in the devious arms manufacturing conspiracy.

Last among the best songs from war movies is "Dream Lover" by Bobby Darin. While it's a super catchy tune that causes you to sway your head, it's one of the best songs on the soundtrack of Hot Shots! Not to mention the melody of the song is certainly... dreamy.