Music Loves a Screen

Music and film, a most unrivaled pair, you must admit. She is not complete without his voice, the love songs he sings. He is the melody that accompanies her, giving life to a scene. They, essentially, are the perfect couple.

We’ve met them here once before (of course), not too long ago, jotting down the names of a few tracks on our list of favorites. Part One saw elaborate elephant love melodies and had us falling slowly, only a brief glimpse into this mellifluous world of movie-music. Today we delve even deeper, belting out Pop tunes and gloomy ballads, dancing on tabletops and strumming our guitars.

It’s an endless adventure and we’ve only just begun.

There was a time when we couldn’t stop singing this anthem. It was in our heads night and day. There was no escaping it. The group might have broken up, but that doesn’t mean we’ve forgotten them. They’re one of the best fictional bands of all-time, doing That Thing You Do! Jimmy. Shades. The Bass Player. Lenny. Who would have thought we’d come to love this film so much? No point in denying it. You love it. I love it. I want to go watch it again right now!

“Here they are, playing that thing that’s been racing up the charts . . . The Wonders!”

For this next one, you might want to get comfy and pour yourself a glass of wine. Maybe bring out the tissues while you’re at it. The Man That Got Away. It will undoubtedly go down in the books as one of best songs of all-time, let alone in all of movie-music history. From A Star is Born (1954), Judy Garland sings this famed tune with a depth of emotion that is hard to come by nowadays. With each crescendo of her fervent voice, Garland reaches into our hearts and makes us believe – with every ounce of what we are – her melancholy story, that it’s actually happening to us. There is nothing more heartbreaking, or musically satisfying, than hearing the horns blast and piano shift as Garland declares each genuine, beautiful lyric.

“A one man woman, looking for the man that got away.”

You all know I have a rather potent obsession with classic movie musicals, so it shouldn’t be a surprise to know Singing In the Rain is listed amongst my many favorites. Moses Supposes has always captured my heart, not only because it’s a hilarious, melodic earworm, but it also has one of the most memorable dance routines in all of film. Gene Kelly and Donald O’Connor tap their toes, defying all which we thought possible. The comedic tune is only overthrown slightly by its astonishing dance partner, but fused together brilliantly to generate a scene you will always remember.

“Moses supposes his toeses are roses, but Moses supposes erroneously.”

Now, I’m going to tell you something that you might not understand, nor want to admit you’ve gone through yourself. I was in high school and had just seen that low-budget independent film, Pirates of the Caribbean (the first in the series). The moment that sweet smirk came onto the scene, I was done for. The rest, as they say, is history. It was then I began my Orlando Bloom phase. I know. Not what you were expecting, was it? Sorry. Anywho, that was the start of our four-year love-affair, and how I was introduced to Elizabethtown and the music of Ryan Adams (You can expect a Press Play soon. Just saying). English Girls Approximately is just one of several Ryan Adam favorites I have off the film’s soundtrack – which is a unique mix of well-known tracks, covers, and a slew of Indie-Rock artists. Adam’s honey-covered rasp and sorrowful lyrics combine in their usual manner, creating a strange blend of heartbreak and musical optimism.

“Said you didn’t love me, it was right on time. I was just about to tell you that it’ll be alright. Said you didn’t love me, didn’t mean a thing. English girls can be so mean.”

I want YOUR music suggestions! You can Tweet, Facebook, or E-mail your suggestions to me. And you can always leave your song, artist, or album suggestions in the comments below.

What did you think of the featured songs above? What is your favorite soundtrack? Your favorite musical? What is your favorite song from a film? Tell me in the comments!

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