This week I’m revisiting an old theme; the songs below are all used in feature films. You might say the films sighted are a mixed bag. I’d say, you’re right, but the songs themselves are uniformly great (each in their own way, naturally).
For your consideration this week:
1. Frank Sinatra – Come Fly with Me (Catch Me If You Can, 2002)
Catch Me If You Can tells the remarkable story of Frank William Abagnale, Jr. Based on a true story, young Frank, in the wake of his parents break-up runs away from home. Living on his wits alone, Frank becomes one of the greatest con-artists in the world, stealing millions before he was finally caught (by Tom Hanks in the movie). The film is story of escape with a central tension between perception and the truth, image and self-image. Sinatra’s hit from the late ’50s perfectly locates the film historically and informs the character play by Leonardo Dicaprio. Suave, sophisticated and care-free, the voice in Come Fly with Me is how Frank sees, or would like to see, himself.
2. Beck Hansen Sex Bob-Omb – Threshold (Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, 2010)
Like a little stick of dynamite this song is just what you need at the end of the day. It’ll blast away all you parochial concerns and put a smile on your face. In the movie Scott Pilgrim vs. the World we see our hero’s patience tried yet again by The Katayanagi Twins. The lyrics prove fitting when in angry frustration he and Sex Bob-Omb summon up something to put the twins down https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URGTdsCD1D0. Below is the song in full, and while there is no footage of Michael Cera rocking out in this version, it’s worth hearing uninterrupted.
3. Rammstein – Feuer Frei (XXX, 2002)
Little heavier than Threshold, Rammstein’s Feuer Frei. The movie it is used in is not a classic by any definition, but, the song is solid. It was a track that seemed to channel all my early onset teen angst and anger. Like any song not in your native language getting onto a decent translation can be troublesome, and Feuer Frei is no exception. In fact with lyrics so sparse it is perhaps trickier than many, if not most. As the new year rolls approaches, I find myself checking my middle and think that this will make for good workout music. Meantime, head-banging is an exercise, right? Surely?
4. Jimi Hendrix – All Along The Watchtower (Watchmen, 2009)
All Along The Watchtower was written and recorded by Bob Dylan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YanjY9CsPDQ in 1967 . However, the song is best remembered as a cover by Jimi Hendrix. It is Hendrix’s version that is used in Watchmen (2009) when Night Owl and Rorschach storm the Antarctica Ice Palace. Before becoming recognized as an artist in his own right Hendrix was a session musician that played in many musical outfits. He learned to play in a variety of styles and genres that would cumulatively influence his own sound, a sound now recognized as formative of innumerable guitarists of note.
5. Wannadies – You and Me Song (Romeo + Juliet, 1996)
Baz Luhrmann’s 1996 adaptation of Romeo and Juliet was an uncertain project. The commingling modern setting and music with Jacobean dramatic verse was something studios struggled to get their heads around. The success of the project is still debated, and still has its detractors, but for me the juxtaposition flatters the source material and makes for great viewing. Wannadies’ You and Me Song is all very upbeat and for that unusual. Decent songs that tell of love’s woes are hard enough. Those that tell of its joys are damn near impossible. Most songs telling of how great it is to be in love are vomit inducing affairs. By being bitter-sweet this number pulls it off, and rather well too.
6. Wild Cherry – Play that Funky Music (Evolution, 2001)
From 1976, Wild Cherry’s Play that Funky Music is the kind of song that is design to shake your ass. Admittedly, the fashion choices are hit-and-miss, but the sound is great. Great and used to great effect in Evolution https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLgvvgcDDm8, abridged though it is.
7. The Specials – Ghost Town (Shaun of the Dead, 2004)
There is something undeniably odd praising a film’s soundtrack when said film features a two men throwing LPs. Admittedly they are throwing the records in self-defense. Even so, such a lack of respect by the characters makes yours seem a little misplaced. Unlike the former entry on this list, the subject-matter is of no small weight. The song is about the urban discontent that defined England in the ’80s. Ghost Town offers a nightmare vision of the unemployment, violence and the decaying inner cities. Shaun and his friends experience an apocalypse too, but with less political subtext. Less political subtext and more zombies.
