When it comes to movies, sometimes the soundtrack is what makes you love it so much. So I've put together a list of great oldies songs from some of my favorite movies (which happen to have amazing soundtracks... go figure!). Listen, watch, make a playlist! Perfect for lazy summer days....
"Why can’t we be friends"- War- Dazed and Confused
"You make my dreams come true"- Hall and Oates- (500) days of summer
"Free Bird"- Lynyrd Skynyrd- Outside Providence
"Lollipop"- The Chordettes- Stand by Me
"Sparks"- The Who- Almost Famous
"Fortunate Son"- John Fogerty- Forrest Gump
"The Red Telephone"- Love- Taking Woodstock
"Somebody’s Baby"- Jackson Browne- Fast Times at Ridgmont High
"Ring Me Up"- The Divinyls- Sixteen Candles
"Don’t You"- Simple Minds- The Breakfast Club
"Twist and Shout"- The Beatles- Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
"This Magic Moment"- Ben E. King and the Drifters- Sandlot
"Burning Down the House"- The Talking Heads- Revenge of the Nerds
I don't have the words to explain how I feel when I listen to Jeff Buckley sing. His voice is so pure and complex and honest, it evokes an incredibly intense emotion that seems to be injected directly into the listener just by hearing the song. He takes you to another world, where music is life, and his poetry is all you need to know. You feel everything he feels when you listen to him sing, and that's a beautiful thing.
Lover, You Should've Come Over
And the lyrics, oh my the lyrics. Just poetry on the most fantastic drugs I could ever imagine. I often sit perplexed how he makes his songs in transform from words into imagery, like the song is coming to life even if your're just reading the lyrics. Just think how amazing it will be when actually sings the poetry... Yes, just as expected. Mind-blowing.
"All Flowers In Time"
all flowers in time bend towards the sun
i know you say that there's no-one for you
but here is one,
all flowers in time bend towards the sun
i know you say that there's no-one for you
but here is one, here is one... here is one
"Grace"
there's the moon asking to stay
long enough for the clouds to fly me away
well it's my time coming, i'm not afraid to die
my fading voice sings of love,
but she cries to the clicking of time
oh, time
wait in the fire...
and she weeps on my arm
walking to the bright lights in sorrow
oh drink a bit of wine we both might go tomorrow
oh my love
and the rain is falling and i believe
my time has come
it reminds me of the pain
i might leave
leave behind
wait in the fire...
and i feel them drown my name
so easy to know and forget with this kiss
i'm not afraid to go but it goes so slow
But, as you may know, Jeff Buckley's life was short lived. At the ripe age of 30, he died in an accidental drowning incident in the Mississippi River. What a tragedy to lose such a beautiful musician and man. A friend once told me that even though it was a heartbreaking loss that he died at such a young age, we will always remember him at this pinnacle. He had gained great recognition and respect, and he left the perfect legacy in his soulful music. For all you've written and performed, Mr. Buckley, the world owes you appreciation. You died a legend and your music will live on forever.
Almost Famous. My favorite movie of all time. I mean Patrick Fugit, Kate Hudson, Billy Crudup, Frances McDormand, Jason Lee, Zooey Deshanel, Anna Paquin, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jimmy Fallon and many others... Is that even fair? Yes, it definitely is. Because it's the most rad movie ever. With rock and roll as its core, its reason for existance, Almost Famous changed the way I think about and listen to music forever.
In the words of Jeff Bebe (Jason Lee) "Some people have a hard time explaining rock 'n' roll. I don't think anyone can really explain rock 'n' roll. Rock 'n' roll is a lifestyle and a way of thinking... and it's not about money and popularity. Although, some money would be nice. But it's a voice that says, "Here I am... and fuck you if you can't understand me." And one of these people is gonna save the world. And that means that rock 'n' roll can save the world... all of us together. And the chicks are great. But what it all comes down to is that thing. The indefinable thing when people catch something in your music".
Needless to say, the best rock movie of all time has a KILLER soundtrack. Tracks from the movie's Stillwater, plus hard rock classic hits make it just as powerful as the movie itself. Listening to the soundtrack brings me right back to the exact moment in the movie when that song played. And that's a beautiful thing.
Track Listing
1. America - Simon and Garfunkel
2. Sparks - The Who
3. It Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference - Todd Rundgren
4. I've Seen All Good People: Your Move - Yes
5. Feel Flows - The Beach Boys
6. Fever Dog - Stillwater
7. Every Picture Tells A Story - Rod Stewart
8. Mr. Farmer - The Seeds
9. One Way Out - The Allman Brothers Band
10. Simple Man - Lynyrd Skynyrd
11. That's The Way - Led Zeppelin
12. Tiny Dancer - Elton John
13. Lucky Trumble - Nancy Wilson
14. I'm Waiting For The Man - David Bowie
15. The Wind - Cat Stevens
16. Slip Away - Clarence Carter
17. Something In The Air - Thunderclap Newman
*Stillwater
Music... The poetry of our generation... Almost Famous makes music and love cool again... This movie is all about the music and that's what makes it so great and honest and life-altering.
Two guys. One with a beard, Ray Ban shades, and a guitar, the other tall, thick black frames, and a drum set. Put them together and what do we have? A band with a crazy cool, old rock sound that just makes you feel like dancing like an idiot. I could listen to their album "Brothers" all day. Easily. Every track is just so interesting and cool- It's a must buy for old rock enthusiasts, someone who needs to be inspired, or anyone who's looking for a new listen.
Two of their popular songs, Tighten Up and Howlin' For You have AWESOME music videos, proving that their creative spark goes further than the music.
"Tighten Up"
"Howlin' For You"
I would consider their songs to be easy listens with a deeper and more intriguing sound if you pay attention to it. The Black Keys are one of those bands that truly everyone would like- something that definitely cannot be said about many bands today. For me, I've always believed that I was born in the wrong decade. About 30-40 years later than my soul wants to be. I would've loooved 60s and 70s rock, so the fact that a cool rock band like The Black Keys is so popular today and available for my listening pleasure in a more mainstream way than oldies rock is pretty groovy baby!
And some day... I will see The Black Keys live. I count the days until then.
“Everyone’s trying to be a preacher or a politician— telling you how to live your life. I’m not running for Senate. I’m doing this for fun and I don’t watch my mouth.” -Prof
Prof. Minneapolis, MN. Rapper. Killer Mustache. His songs show humor and a carefree party attitude that exemplifies his airy approach toward hip hop. But do not confuse this coolness with laziness; his rhymes are clever and beats refreshing, showing real precision and talent. He rocks his shows and is a big part of the increasing popularity and credibility of midwest hip hop.
Hard rock of the 1970s... Could I choose a more broad musical era? But right now, it's less about the revolutionary music, and more about their hard hitting style choices. With so much cultural change encompassing the time, these 70s rockers set a statement in both their music and their clothing choices.They came just before the eyeliner, tight leather pants, and big hair of the 1980s rock bands (thankfully). Yeah, these boys were different. Effortlessly cool and very 'Almost Famous'-esque, this is definitely my favorite era to emulate in my own personal clothing style. And because of their long-living tunes and threads, these bands will never be forgotten. Their cool fashion choices have become iconic styles and can be seen everywhere in American culture today.
Led Zeppelin
Tight pants, open button-ups, graphic t's, unkempt hair, and a cavalier attitude are the basic elements of Led Zepp's timeless look. And thinking into the present day musicians, you can realize that music style trends like these never die.
The Rolling Stones
The Stones exemplify the preppy style of the era- well groomed men with tailored jackets, slim trousers, dress shoes and an arrogant air about them. A timeless look that many have since duplicated.
Deep Purple
Hippie-chic boys of 70s match up perfectly to the breezy styles seen at Coachella and other bohemian music festivals. The same look seen today in hipsters everywhere, these boys are rockin' messy long hair, denim, schoolboy caps, shades, and a cool mind-set.
AC/DC
AC/DC has a chill California skater style, another trend of the moment, which encompasses skinny jeans, loose shirts, and a careless cool attitude.
Seeing how much style has transgressed from this era to today emphasizes that music not only influences how we view the world, our mood, and the people we hang out with, but also our personal style choices. These bands were style mavericks and I'd emulate every one of these looks... while listening to their music (of course).
