SOUNDTRACKING LIFE**

**Not to be confused with the exceptional blog LIFE AS A SOUNDTRACK -- Check it out.  http://lifeasasoundtrack.blogspot.com/

 First off, a confession.  This blog was completely inspired by another blog which painstakingly documents the 50 Best Musical Moments in Cameron Crowe films ( http://the-screen-door.blogspot.com/2012/01/50-greatest-music-moments-in-cameron.html)  So, credit where credit is due.  Take the time to read it.  Let me just say this.  It is a great three-part piece of writing but way more intensive a study than my brain is willing to engage in on any specific topic and -- OOH, A SQUIRREL!!!

But it did get me thinking.  I love Cameron Crowe's work.  And music has always been an essential component that intertwines with the dialogue and direction that makes a movie a Cameron Crowe creation.  But I could only think of a few stand-out moments because, to me, music is so much a part of the greater fabric of the films.  My brain began to wander - as it's wont to do when left unattended and unleashed - to other movie moments featuring music and song, and then, well,  a flurry of memories and a Spotify queue as the background to my work day begins...

So, below is a somewhat random, train-of-thought, listing of musical moments from motion pictures that I adore.   This is in no way a "best of" list.  Nor is it about musicals, per se.  And this isn't really a list featuring scores; these are first and foremost pop culture moments from movies that are personal favorites.  (And, what will be blatantly obvious to the reader but which I'll admit upfront anyway -- it in no way is an attempt to come off as remotely cool.  As you'll see, I'm offering up damning evidence of just how big of a dork I am.)

Sure, everyone remembers Joel Goodman in BVDs, white socks & an Oxford button-down sliding across the hardwood floors to kick off a living-room-only performance of "Old Time Rock 'n' Roll."  Or Goose and Maverick serenading Kelly McGillis to "You've Lost That Loving Feeling."  Or Mr. Blonde dancing around sadistically to "Stuck In The Middle With You" with a straight edge and a bloody, earless victim.  Or Tom Hanks doing "Chopsticks" on that giant piano at FAO Schwarz.  Or John Travolta and Uma Thurman dancing at Jack Rabbit Slim's.  Or the brain, the athlete, the basket case, the princess, and the criminal dancing to "We Are Not Alone" (could Molly Ringwald's dancing BE any more 80's?)  No Dirty Dancing.  No Ghost.  No Footloose (although, it should be noted, while I'm very vocal about being very anti-remake with regards to the film, only one song from the entire original soundtrack still holds up in 2012: Sammy Hagar's "The Girl Gets Around.")

Point is, some of those are scenes everyone knows, so if I've included something so obvious below, it's because I truly love them.  On the other hand, since this isn't an attempt at some declarative "Top 10" of anything, I threw in a bunch of musical movie moments that are maybe only interesting/funny/memorable to me (and my dork posse.)  But, I know this much.  When I hear these songs -- on the radio, on my iPod, in an elevator -- I immediately think of these movie moments.  The songs and the scenes are so intertwined in my mind.  And so, without further ado:

AMERICAN GIRL by TOM PETTY / SILENCE OF THE LAMBS

I hear this song and I think of the Senator's daughter, driving alone at night, singing along... it's exactly what I'm doing when the track comes on the radio while I'm at the wheel.  And then, come on, admit it, the next thought in your head is "Hey... are you about a Size 14?"  Deny it and you're a liar.

A THING CALLED LOVE by DARKNESS / BRIDGET JONES 2: EDGE OF REASON

Here in America, we didn't quite "get" The Darkness.  It was a gimmick, a put-on, a schtick mocking 80's glam rock.  Unsure if the band took themselves seriously or not, we didn't.  But this song (despite the hideous video) was solid.  But what sold me on it?  Sissy fight! Mark Darcy & Daniel Cleaver's beyond pathetic girly-fight rematch in the Italian Fountains inside Kensington Gardens.  Again, I'm all for any movie involving Colin Firth emerging from bodies of water in a wet shirt.  It's quite Pavlovian at this point.  [Also, to be fair, and entirely truthful, the Darcy/Cleaver match-up in the first Bridget Jones film was also smashing, unforgettable, and renders me unable to ever hear "It's Raining Men" without visions of the two men plunging themselves out the window of a Greek restaurant. ]


I CROSS MY HEART by GEORGE STRAIT / PURE COUNTRY

Such an underrated little movie.  George Strait plays a huge country star fed-up with touring and the over-the-top lifestyle and production of his show and the stranglehold his manager has over his life.  Disillusioned, he disappears and hides out in a small town, falls in love with Harley... but returns to the stage, frills-free and serenades her with this song.  The song is brilliance and if you don't know it because you don't know country music, give it a chance (and always, always give George Strait a chance.)

EVERYBODY WANTS SOME by VAN HALEN / BETTER OFF DEAD

Clay-mation hamburgers shredding like Eddie Van Halen? A bizarre Busby-Berklee-esque animated sequence with french-fry swimgirls diving into pools of oil?  It's, in short, deranged - just like Savage Steve Holland, the writer/director of BETTER OFF DEAD (and ONE CRAZY SUMMER.)  John Cusack may not like to acknowledge this movie but I can quote it almost start to finish and this scene is legendary. 

I CAN'T TAKE MY EYES OFF OF YOU by FRANKIE VALLI & THE FOUR SEASONS / DROP DEAD GORGEOUS

A film crew is chronicling the Mount Rose America Teen Princess Pageant in Mount Rose, Minnesota.  This mockumentary is so, so WRONG on so, so many levels and I love every damn one of them.  But the talent portion of the local competition?  Contestant #6, Rebecca Ann Lehman (Denise Richards) can't dance nor can she sing... but she certainly plays to the crowd.  The best way to explain my reaction - after the initial dropped-jaw shock, is to simply look to Ellen Barkin's reaction.  P.S. The Swan Ate My Baby

TRY A LITTLE TENDERNESS by OTIS REDDING / PRETTY IN PINK

Long before Two And A Half Men, teenage girls across America fell in love with DUCKIE DALE who blows into the record shop TRAX where his unrequited love Andie works and renders her speechless with a lip-synch and dance to the classic tune.  "You ever have one of these?"  Another movie I can recite from opening credits to closing kiss, it's quintessential John Hughes, whose profound love of music and uncanny ability to weave it into a film seamlessly is a trademark of his craft.  Poor, Duckie.  It's OK.  He ends up with Buffy The Vampire Slayer.  But try as he might, and despite current TV employment, Jon Cryer remains now, and always will be, a Duckman.

EVERYBODY WANTS TO RULE THE WORLD by TEARS FOR FEARS / REAL GENIUS

Oh, there are no words to express how much I adore this film (or how often it is quoted in my real, day-to-day life.  It's a moral imperative.)  The song appears at the end of the movie and whenever I hear it playing, all these years later, I always think I smell popcorn.   I guess it goes from God, to Jerry, to you, to the cleaners.

MOON RIVER by HENRI MANCINI / BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S

I adore Audrey Hepburn and her simple rendition of the song written to suit her limited vocal range is just perfect in this movie (which, is chock full of crazy because, let's face it, despite the Truman Capote short-story lineage, is about a call-girl-with-a-heart-of-gold.)  It was also my parents' wedding song and I get weepy whenever I hear it -- there's just optimism about what's "up around the bend" in life.  When I witnessed Andy Williams sing "Moon River" live, I rushed home in my black tie attire and called my Mom & Dad.  It also means more when you have a Huckleberry Friend.


IN YOUR EYES by PETER GABRIEL / SAY ANYTHING

Yes, yes, I know.  Lloyd Dobler.  The boombox outside Diane Court's window.
SO predictable.  SO typical.  SO expected.   SO what.
It's brilliant, poignant, and terminally iconic.  It never gets old.  And knowing "In Your Eyes" wasn't the song originally planned, or even shot to, and realizing how much embedded this scene is into the collective pop culture identity of an entire generation weaned on Cameron Crowe and whose personal romantic moments and memories in their real lives share the soundtrack of the SO album?  It's perfection.  Period.

JUMP by THE POINTER SISTERS / LOVE ACTUALLY

Two admissions: 1) I actually love everything about LOVE ACTUALLY.   There are so many moments, and so many musical moments, that Richard Curtis nailed.  Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now" and The Beach Boys' "God Only Knows"... and the Craig Armstrong score especially.   And my absolute favorite musical part?  (OK, aside from the luscious Portuguese Love Theme while Jamie marches to find Aurelia...) The wedding scene -- where the choir begins to point at the newly married couple and sings, "Love, love, love" before a surprise band performs The Beatles' "All You Need Is Love."  Heartmelting.  But here's the clip I chose because 2) I hate this song.  I always have.   But, if you use it during a scene where Hugh Grant is mindlessly and badly dancing around 10 Downing Street, it's more than tolerable.  Don't buy drugs... become a pop star and they give you them for free!

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUm2K6eDuMU

THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO by MOZART / THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION

OK, so I've strayed from the pure pop culture sensibility but is there a more resonating, powerful scene set to music?  MOONSTRUCK brought us across the bridge from Brooklyn to Manhattan to to see Puccini's LA BOHEME at The Met.  And PRETTY WOMAN flew us up to San Francisco for Verdi's LA TRAVIATA.  But this scene? Totally worth all the time in solitary.

                            I have no idea to this day what those two Italian ladies were singing about. 

                            Truth is, I don't wanna know. Some things are better left unsaid.

                            I'd like to think they were singing about something so beautiful it can't be expressed in words, 

                             and it makes your heart ache because of it. 

                            I tell you those voices soared, higher and farther than anybody in a grey place dares to dream.

DANCING QUEEN by ABBA / MURIEL'S WEDDING

Face it.  This independent movie from Australia kicked off the resurgence of all things ABBA long before the musical MAMMA MIA! hit the West End in 2000 or came to Broadway or became a Hollywood movie.  The end-of-movie scene where Muriel returns to her hometown to invite her wheelchair-bound best friend, Rhonda, to return to Sydney with her to make a new start is deeper and more emotional than you'd expect.  Also, it's now physically impossible for me to not yell out, "GOODBYE, PORPOISE SPIT!" whenever I hear this song.  Much to the dismay of other customers on the Gristede's check out line.  Or in Bed, Bath & Beyond.  Or on the LIRR.

WATERLOO by ABBA / MAMMA MIA!

Well, now you've got me on the ABBA kick.  And it's no secret.  I love everything about the movie MAMMA MIA!  (Well, not everything.  Not Pierce Brosnan's singing.  Which is tolerable.   Not tolerable?  Pierce Brosnan removing his shirt.  But, we do get the obligatory Mr. Darcy in a white, wet shirt shot so, well done, Hollywood.) Simply, the whole movie makes me SMILE, start to finish.  But this bit of silliness -- the end credits with the whole cast donning spandex and performing "Waterloo?" - love. 

JAMBALAYA by HANK WILLIAMS (performed by TOMMY FUNDERBURK) / STEEL MAGNOLIAS

Yeah.  I can't find a link to this.   Which sucks.   So you'll have to trust me on this.  STEEL MAGNOLIAS.  It's set in Louisiana so of course it's got Zydeco/Cajun influences and music.   This is the dance number playing -- the classic Hank Williams song performed by Tommy Funderburk in the movie -- that has everyone up and dancing at Shelby and Jackson's wedding.   Makes you work up an appetite for red velvet armadillo cake!

EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY by ROD STEWART / ALMOST FAMOUS

Another Cameron Crowe film.  Another genius display of musical storytelling, this time about rock 'n' roll itself... and there areWAY too many moments to choose amongst (and too many moments which resonated with me personally.)  But thanks to my best friend, Jenny, for reminding me how much the scene set to "Every Picture Tells A Story" moves her and makes her move, watching William and Penny Lane dart across Sunset to the Riot House...  Also, if anyone needs an answer, I can explain why you're blurry in the band photo.

COLORBLIND by COUNTING CROWS / CRUEL INTENTIONS

Isn't it funny how a not-so-great movie sometimes gets just the right song in just the right scene?  Ryan Phillipes's Sebastian meets Reese Witherspoon's Annette at the train station then takes her home to lose her virginity.   It's filmed beautifully and the song draws out the emotions of the relationship (but it's a bit too voyeuristic when you think about the fact that the two actors went on to marry and have two kids together.)  But, given this is a reworking of Les Liasons Dangereuses, let's just bemoan the fact it's not a Colin Firth love scene while rejoicing it's not John Malkovich.  And I'm not really much of a Counting Crows fans.  In fact, Adam Durwitz just baffles me.   I simply don't get it.  However, this movie, this scene, is the sole reason "Colorblind" is on my iPod.

I WILL FOLLOW by U2 / THE LAST AMERICAN VIRGIN

You remember this movie.  Tell me you remember it, please.  I can't be the only one.  Poor Lawrence Monoson... such bittersweet teenage love.  Nice guy Gary is head-over-heels in love with new girl Karen but Karen falls (so typical) for overall player & douchewad Rick.   Gary comes in and plays White Knight when Rick breaks Karen's heart but it doesn't end well for Gary -- so rare for a movie to end on such a sad note, with the protagonist crying as he drives away to the sounds of James Ingram's "Just Once," but it felt so real.  So much great music of the moment was in the film;  The Cars, The Police, Devo, Blondie, Journey, Lionel Richie... but for me, the stand out track is U2's "I Will Follow."  It was the music used during a montage where Gary runs around town pawning his personal belongings and collecting enough money to cover the cost of Karen's abortion (can you say early 1980's teen movie?)  I'm not the hugest U2 fan but "I Will Follow" remains my favorite U2 song and (bizarre as it is) this is the scene that comes to mind every time I hear it.  Even if I wasted $110 dollars to watch the band climb out of a giant lemon on my birthday.  At least they played the song.  And this was the image going 'round my mind.  Bonus: here's a link to a vintage performance of "I Will Follow" by U2 (because I can't find a clip of the abortion fund montage anywhere online....)  http://youtu.be/jtq6rt0hYus

IF YOU WERE HERE by THE THOMPSON TWINS / SIXTEEN CANDLES

See, this is one of those really obvious "duh" moments.  Come on.  I'm a girl.  I grew up in the 80's.  Or course Jake Ryan was the ideal (though, to be honest, I pined for the heir to McDonough Electronics and his BMW but you get the point.)  Imagine this (no, really, imagine this because all the clips of this scene - except for one with Spanish overdubs - have been removed from YouTube!)  Samantha standing outside the church after her sister's wedding, the crowd disperses, everyone seems to have forgotten her, and there he is -- her crush, in a sweater vest (really?), leaning against his red Porsche waiting just for her.  TWO WORDS, barely audible, heavenly, reassuring words:  YEAH, YOU!  Swoon, every time.  Even Dad gives her the thumbs up.  If you'd like to O.D. on all things Jake Ryan, check out the blog Searching For Jake Ryan! (http://www.searchingforjakeryan.com/blog/)  and make sure you download and/or buy a hard copy of Jen Lancaster's novel IF YOU WERE HERE (http://www.amazon.com/If-You-Were-Here-Novel/dp/0451234383/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1327074615&sr=8-1) the somewhat fictionalized story of a young Chicago couple buying the real house used as Jake Ryan's home in Sixteen Candles. (www.jennsylvania.com)

SOMEBODY'S BABY by JACKSON BROWNE / FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH

Another movie with Cameron Crowe's DNA on it... another classic early 80s soundtrack.  (Three girls at Ridgemont were cultivating the Pat Benatar look!)  So many moments to choose from.  Can you honestly tell me you forgot? Forgot the magnetism of Robin Zander, or the charisma of Rick Nielsen? But for me, the song automatically linked to a scene is Jackson Browne's "Somebody's Baby" -- the track playing as Stacy loses her virginity.  In reality, it's a pathetic scene... but for better or worse, it's what comes to mind when I hear "Somebody's Baby."  Also, Mr. Hand is right. Everyone IS on drugs.  Again, can't find a link to the scene I have in my mind, so you'll just have to enjoy the "carrots as practice" cafeteria scene.


MY SHARONA by THE KNACK / REALITY BITES

Once upon a time, this song instantly took me back to the Levittown Roller Rink.  But once this movie came out, when I hear "My Sharona," I do a spastic dance like Janeane Garofolo.  Sure, there are other, awesome, songs on the movie soundtrack (and yes, this movie was responsible for unleashing Lisa Loeb on the world,) but talk about capturing a moment in time on celluloid.  Turn this up, please.  You won't be sorry.

BUILD ME UP BUTTERCUP by THE FOUNDATION / THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY

Yes, it's a cheesy behind-the-scenes sing-a-long by cast and crew that runs over the end credits.  But it's fun.  And now, thanks to the Farrelly Brothers, I can't hear THIS song without thinking of Brett Fah-vuh-rah.  Or hair gel.


The WHOLE DAMN SOUNDTRACK by Various Artists / VALLEY GIRL

If you haven't seen this movie, stop reading this and go watch it.  Seriously.   Before Nick Cage got really weird... Hollywood "punk" falls in love with a "valley girl" with hippie parents. Can love transcend labels and cliques in high school?  Quintessential viewing from my '80s adolescence.  It's where I first heard Modern English's "I Melt With You."  The Plimsouls' "A Million Miles Away?" Josie Cotton's "Johnny Are You Queer?"  Seriously awesome soundtrack.

DO YOU THINK I'M SEXY? by ROD STEWART / SO I MARRIED AN AXE MURDERER

One of my all-time favorite movies -- another one I randomly quote on any given day.  But everyone here calls me Vicki.  The songs in the movie are a time capsule of the mid-90's - Soul Asylum, Big Audio Dynamite, Spin Doctors, Ned's Atomic Dustbin... plus tracks crucial to the characters (The Bay City Rollers play in the home of Charlie's Scottish parents) and plotline (can you sing "Only You" in  several languages?) Also, some truly bad, spoken word, quasi-coffeehouse-jazz performance art poetry ("woman... WHOA, MAN!")  It even has two - count 'em - two versions of "There She Goes" (The LAs and The Boo Radleys) but the stand out (or drop down) musical moment is the bagpipes at the wedding reception... and worth a spit-take when performed in real life at a friend's Scottish wedding.  Sorry, Rod.  We have a piper down.

IF YOU WANNA BE HAPPY by JIMMY SOUL / MERMAIDS

There is no rhyme or reason to why this song is so addictive -- it's what Cher, Winona Ryder, and Christina Ricci dance around to in their kitchen at the end of the movie as they skewer gumdrops and marshmallows for an appetizer buffet.  But the damn song is a relentless earworm.  I will be singing it for days after hearing it (or after typing this.)  It just makes me happy.  Charlotte! We're Jewish!

How about a few random memories?
.38 SPECIAL's "Caught Up In You" from SPRING BREAK?
VAN MORRISON's "Moondance" during the love scene from AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON?
JOHN WAITE'S "If Everybody Had A Heart" from ABOUT LAST NIGHT.  Yeah, it's a theme song, yeah, it only ran over the end credits... but it makes me want to go BOOM! at the top of my lungs.
ELLIOT SMITH's "Miss Misery" from GOOD WILL HUNTING?
TOM PETTY'S "Free Fallin'" while JERRY MAGUIRE is driving?
PEARL JAM's "State of Love And Trust" from SINGLES during the club scene?

I WILL NEVER BE THE SAME by MELISSA ETHERIDGE / WELCOME HOME, ROXY CARMICHAEL

Speaking of Winona Ryder... remember this movie?  I was in college up in Albany.  I was newly obsessed with Melissa Etheridge.  And she had two new songs in this movie.  So I bought my ticket to The Spectrum movie theatre on Delaware Ave and got lost  in this movie.  The song "In Roxy's Eyes" was really "I Will Never Be The Same" (which would go on to be reworked and released on a regular ME album later on.)  Still love the song.  Not such a fan of Almond Rocca.


YOU GOT IT by ROY ORBISON / BOYS ON THE SIDE
http://youtu.be/dakYbfalzr8

This is most definitely not the little ditty Roy Orbison released in 1989... for this soundtrack Bonnie Raitt recorded a version as well.  But it's the scene from the movie where it takes on new meaning.  Slowed down, simple, and performed in character by Mary Louise Parker who is dying of AIDS and Whoopie Goldberg, her friend who is also in love with her... it's such a statement about friendship.  Poignant.  Tearjerking.  Especially when the screen eventually shows an empty wheelchair noting Parker's passing.  Go on.  Watch it.  And try not to cry.

And finally.... for me, the ultimate.

THIS WOMAN'S WORK by KATE BUSH / SHE'S HAVING A BABY

For my money, the most perfect song accompanying the most poignant scene.  Written for the movie, the lyrics are from the man's point of view.  Kevin Bacon, tearfully, impotently, desperately waiting while his wife has difficulty in the delivery room and undergoes emergency surgery to save the baby.  The montage of precious moments that flash before him, and the viewer, while he awaits his wife's and child's fate.  Kudos to John Hughes.  Kudos to Kate Bush.  And kudos to the shot of one single tear rolling down Kevin Bacon's cheek and a single droplet of blood splashing on the operating room linoleum floor.  It's sheer perfection.  I CRY.  EVERY TIME.  Plus, I'm very protective of this song -- no need for remakes, no need for covers... and no need for it to be used in Party Of Five.  Jennifer Love Hewitt in a hospital bed does NOT warrant licensing of this masterpiece.  This is a perfect musical moment in cinema.  [Sidebar: Also love Bryan Ferry's version of "Crazy Love" that follows.]  

So, there's the rambling thoughts in my pop-culture saturated frontal lobe that connects movies and music.  I'm sure I missed your favorites.  Hell, I'm sure I missed even some of mine.  And sometimes, yes, directors are manipulating our emotions by dropping songs into the scenes.  And sometimes, when done right, I'm totally OK with that.

** Thanks to Tony Kuziminski for some of the inspirational spark even if I deviated so far from the road
** Thanks to Jen Wohlfarth for sharing my brain, and thus my memories, on alternate Mondays and Thursdays