Songs In Film

SONGS IN FILM: THE SMASHING PUMPKINS- 1979 in CLERKS 2

Today is a cold and rainy day in Southern California. When I woke up this morning and looked out my window and saw the rain falling, a song popped in my head and it was one of those “OH?!” moments. I’m not entirely sure what the “OH” was all about but the song that popped up was The Smashing Pumpkins “1979” from their amazing album, Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness. Still wrapping my head around that album being 30 years old now. Anyways, as “1979” played in my mind and I stared out the window it reminded me of this really poignant scene in Kevin Smith’s Clerks 2, that has Dante in a very deep contemplative state about his life. This is a perfect song for this scene and I can’t believe I forgot about it. Now I feel like watching all the Clerks movies again! Enjoy this scene and song because both are great!

The Smashing Pumpkins- 1979 in Clerks II:

SONGS IN FILM: SID VICIOUS (FRANK SINATRA)- MY WAY FROM GOODFELLAS

I love watching movies and TV shows and having those moments when a song really brings a scene or moment to life. It’s genuinely a really great experience and those that last in your mind for quite some time. The other night I was watching the classic and one one the best mob movies of all time, Goodfellas. This movie is downright fantastic. Sometimes I wish it were a longer movie like Casino is. The scene at the end of the film and how things play out is one of those that should be studied in film school. The way it’s shot, the actors, and of course the song. Martin Scorcese has always had a great ear for picking songs for his films and his inclusion of “My Way” the Sid Vicious version not the Frank Sinatra one really adds to this even more. The attitude in the Sid version has always stood out to me and it comes even more to life with being a part of this scene.

Sid Vicious (Frank Sinatra)- My Way in Goodfellas:

Songs In Film: The Pixies Debaser in This Is 40

There are just some movies/films that get the music just ever so right. When you watch Judd Apatow’s This Is 40, there are a plethora of great songs used at such perfect moments. Lately I’ve been delving back into the the catalog of the Pixies and while listening to Doolittle of course this scene came to mind. Paul Rudd in this movie is absolutely perfect as well! It’s quite interesting too how spot on his characters take is on music and how it relates from yesterday to today.

Paul Rudd explains The Pixies “Debasser” off of Doolittle in This Is 40:

Pixies- Doolittle:

Songs In Film: Refused- New Noise in Crank

Last night while looking for something to watch before bed, I found a movie I haven’t seen in a little bit. Thankfully too it just started. One thing I forgot about is the first song used in the movie and it inspired this post. While watching it dawned on me that the song that kicks the movie off is “New Noise” by Refused. What a perfect song to start this movie! It’s seriously very fitting for the scene and the things that happen next. Take moment and watch! And if it’s been a minute since you’ve seen Crank, I suggest a good re-watching! I’m now waiting for Crank 3 hahaha!

Crank with Refused’s “New Noise”:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=BxLrTbxDNR0%3Fstart%3D152

Songs In Film: Peter Gabriel- In Your Eyes in Say Anything
Say Anything (1989) Original One-Sheet Movie Poster - Original Film Art - Vintage Movie Posters

The film Say Anything has one of the most iconic scenes ever involving a song. John Cusack’s Lloyd Dobler stands beside his car, boom box over his head, blasting Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes” (from his stellar debut solo album, So) into Diane Court’s bedroom window, just to let her know that he has not given up on her. When talking about the scene writer/director Cameron Crowe (that’s right Say Anything is a Cameron Crowe film if you didn’t know) said “That scene is like Romeo under the trellis, But I have this feeling when I watch it that it’s filled with double emotion – both with the story and the actors, whose own trepidation bleeds in.” This scene and song is truly amazing and one that will stand up for centuries. Interestingly, Peter Gabriel initially turned down Crowe because he confused the film with another film in production at the time, a John Belushi biography called Wired.

The Scene:


Peter Gabriel- In Your Eyes:

Songs In Film: ACDC in Empire Records
Empire Records [usa-movie] (1995) - AC/DC's Soundtrack - YouTube

Empire Records is one of my all time favorite movies. It’s one of those movies that really does capture the time period and the connection of life to music. Over the years, the cult status of the film has grown by leaps and bounds. Besides launching many careers for a lot of the actors in it, the soundtrack was amazing. There is one scene in particular that I’ve always been fond of and have wanted to recreate if I had a job and boss like that. I’m talking about the scene when Lucas and AJ are rocking out to “If You Want Blood” by AC/DC while their boss Joe, locks himself in his office and plays along on the drums to blow off some steam. “If You Want Blood” is my all time favorite AC/DC song so, it’s only fitting that I share this with you!

AC/DC- If You Want Blood (in Empire Records):

Songs In Film: Lou Reed- Satellite of Love in Adventureland
Adventureland - Original Cinema Movie Poster From pastposters.com British Quad Posters and US 1-Sheet Posters

The movie Adventureland is one of those movies that flew under the radar a bit when it was released but has since become a sort of Dazed and Confused type of cult movie. It’s got a really good ensemble cast, a good story, decent performances but, the real standout is the soundtrack. There are so many great songs found in this movie. One of my favorite scenes in the movie is this part when Jesse Eisenberg and Ryan Reynolds are driving and talking and Lou Reed’s “Satellite Of Love” is playing in the background. The whole scene plays out perfectly and this song plays an interesting and pivotal role for the characters. If you haven’t seen the movie, I recommend it. I’m sure it’s streaming somewhere. AND, if you’ve never listened to Lou Reed’s Transformer album, you should most definitely do that as well!

Lou Reed- Satellite Of Love in Adventureland:


Songs In Film: Elton John- Tiny Dancer in Almost Famous

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This has got to be one of the best, if not top 5 all time uses of a song in film. Personally, anytime I hear Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer” I immediately think of this scene from Almost Famous. It’s seriously one of the best uses of a song in film EVER. It’s absolutely perfect. It also makes me want to watch the movie too. There isn’t much need to go on rambling about this one. Just enjoy it, especially if it’s been a minute since you’ve seen the movie.

Elton John- Tiny Dancer in Almost Famous:

 

Songs In Film: Lynyrd Skynyrd- Tuesday’s Gone in Happy Gilmore

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When you think of Lynyrd Skynyrd, I’m sure the first thing that comes to mind is “Free Bird.” That’s the same for me too. Over the years though, I’ve really come to the realization that “Tuesday’s Gone” is a better song than “Free Bird.” That’s just my opinion, and we can talk about that later if you’d like. Anyways, the other night while looking for something mindless to watch, I noticed Happy Gilmore was about to start and so I settled in and watched. As it began I couldn’t help but remember that “Tuesday’s Gone” opens and closes the movie and its the perfect song to do both. So with that in mind, check out this great use of the song in one of the funniest movies ever!

Tuesday’s Gone in Happy Gilmore:
Opening Credits:

 

 

Ending:

 

Songs In Film: Donovan- Hurdy Gurdy Man in Zodiac

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David Fincher’s film Zodiac, is quite a remarkable film. There isn’t one thing about this film that I have any complaints about. Everything about it from the performances, the cinematography, art direction, etc, it all makes this film something great. The soundtrack for the film is also something special. You know how Quentin Tarantino has a knack for picking the right songs, well David Fincher is right there with him. In the first scene in the film, Fincher’s song selection of the Donovan song “Hurdy Gurdy Man” is absolutely perfect. I still remember the first time I saw this film and thinking what a perfect use of a song for this scene. If you’ve never seen Zodiac, I highly recommend it.

Donovan- Hurdy Gurdy Man in Zodiac:

 

 

Donovan- Hurdy Gurdy Man (Album Version):