Poor girl (Molly Ringwald) crushes on rich boy (Andrew McCarthy). Poor girl’s best friend (Jon Cryer) crushes on poor girl and goes on to deliver one of the greatest lip-synching performances ever to appear on film (except for, well, the one on the previous page). Frantic, passionate, completely dorky and totally lovable, Duckie’s mouthing of Otis Redding’s “Try a Little Tenderness” inspired a legion of overlooked male “just friends” to express their feelings through pre-karaoke-era paroxysms of song. Most failed. But Hughes reminded us that victory lay in the attempt.
Top 10 John Hughes Moments
From Pretty in Pink to Ferris Bueller's Day Off, John Hughes, who died Aug. 6 at age 59, owned the 1980s teen comedy. TIME takes a look back at his greatest moments
Pretty in Pink — “Try a Little Tenderness”
Full List
Hughes' Legacy
- Ferris Bueller’s Day Off — Twist and Shout
- Pretty in Pink — “Try a Little Tenderness”
- The Breakfast Club — Let’s Dance, Awkwardly
- Planes, Trains and Automobiles — Those Aren’t Pillows!
- Sixteen Candles — Long Duk Dong
- National Lampoon’s Vacation — You’re All F_____ in the Head
- Ferris Bueller’s Day Off — Bueller? Bueller?
- Home Alone — Aaaahhh!
- National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation — Clark’s Bonus
- Ferris Bueller’s Day Off — “He Just Rubs It with a Diaper”
