Mrs Robinson, Buzz Lightyear and Danny Zuko: Movies and Music

Soundtracks can so often make a film.  In some cases the music becomes synonymous to the movie rather than the artist. When your hear that song you can picture the scene perfectly. Stuck in the Middle With You, conjures up the image of Mr Blonde dancing in Reservoir Dogs and Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head takes you to the bicycle scene in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. So plug in your speakers, turn up the volume and get comfortable as I take a look at some of the best ever movie soundtracks.

The Graduate

If Mrs Robinson didn't manage to seduce you then Simon and Garfunkel most certainly did. The Mike Nichols' film, features songs solely from Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel that have contributed to make The Graduate so iconic. The Sound of Silence is used on three separate occasions in the film and most memorably plays over the classic bus scene at the end. Nevertheless, the song most associated with the 1967 comedy is of course, Mrs Robinson. Paul Simon's working title for the song was actually Mrs Roosevelt, a tribute to Eleanor Roosevelt but it was changed to the known version for The Graduate. 

Grease

The story of Grease isn't exactly a good moral lesson and it may have one of the most surreal endings but there is no doubting that it has a classic soundtrack. The film includes some incredibly catchy upbeat tunes such as Greased Lightning, You're The One That I Want and Summer Lovin. A trio that you can be sure to hear in a Grease Megamix at your next family wedding. Nonetheless, one of my favourites is perhaps the most underrated, There Are Worse Things I Can Do sung by Stockard Channing. Grease may not be everyones' cup of tea but perhaps it is the soundtrack that makes the film rather than the story.

Michael

Nora Ephron's Michael didn't get the most positive reviews from the critics but the soundtrack is certainly worth listening to.  The film stars John Travolta as an angel that isn't particularly angelic and Sir Terry Wogan once stated that he loved the film but loved the soundtrack more. Singers such as Randy Newman, Van Morrison and Aretha Franklin bring a charm to the film but it is Bonnie Rait's Feels Like Home that steals the show. The song, written by Randy Newman, was originally featured in his musical, Faust.  Rait's rendition can be heard below with Newman on the piano.

Midnight Cowboy

Interestingly, Bob Dylan wrote the song, Lay Lady Lay, for the Jon Voight and Dustin Hoffman classic but another song was chosen, Everybody's Talkin' by Harry Nilsson. The song is played many times throughout the film and was listed as number 20 in the American Film Institute's top 100 movie songs.  In a biography on director, John Schlesinger, it was stated:

"one cannot imagine Midnight Cowboy now without Everybody's Talkin'."

Forrest Gump

Forrest Gump is a film that follows a journey, an extraordinary life of an an extraordinary American. Consequently, the music matches perfectly to the moments in Gump's life from fighting in Vietnam and discovering Elvis Presley to running across the country. It's a love letter to American music with songs from Elvis, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, The Supremes and The Beach Boys.

Singin' in the Rain


I wanted to stick a classic musical into the mix and for me they don't come better than Singin' In The Rain. Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor and Debbie Reynolds treat us to a musical masterpiece with Good Morning and Make Em' Laugh but there is of course one song and scene that really stands out. Gene Kelly disregards his umbrella and mesmerises the audience as he splashes and sings he way through one of the greatest ever movie scenes.

Toy Story

There are some modern animated films that have great soundtracks including Shrek, Monsters Inc and Cars but the Toy Story trilogy stands head and shoulders above them all. Randy Newman's comforting and jolly You've Got a Friend In Me works wonderfully in accompanying the relationship between Andy and Woody but where he really excels is in the songs that strike a melancholic tone. Strange Things shows Woody struggling with the arrival of Buzz Lightyear and I Will Go Sailing No More plays as Buzz realises he isn't a real spaceman.

"I have had power. I was respected. But not anymore
 And I've lost the love to the one whom I adored" 

 -Strange Things

The final film saw Newman pick up an Academy Award for We Belong Together and The Gypsy Kings spanish version of You've Got A Friend In Me also featured. However, it is Toy Story 2 that steals the show when it comes to music. Newman penned When She Loved Me, sung by Sarah McLachlan. Disney Pixar had the bravery in a children's film to play the whole song. The sad tune combined with the story of Jessie's relationship with her former owner makes for a poignant and emotional scene.

Breakfast at Tiffany's

This was a choice by @JulietaLucca who believes that Moon River by Audrey Hepburn is the most iconic song in movie history. Henry Mancini wrote the song specifically for Hepburn but in a post production meeting, a studio executive suggested the first thing they needed to do was get rid of the song. Hepburn protested, 'Over my dead body' and thus the song remained.  Gladly she stood firm and Moon River went on to win a Grammy and Best Original Song at the Academy Awards.

The Lion King

Tim Rice is one of the best living lyricists and this was highlighted in several Disney movies of the 1990s. The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin are rich with some of the wittiest and catchiest tunes. Alan Menken wrote the melody for the cheesy A Whole New World which was originally titled "The World At Your Feet" but Rice came on board and changed it. He worked alongside Elton John with the music for The Lion King in which Can You Feel The Love Tonight won an Academy Award for Best Original Song, although the film's producers initially intended the song be a duet sung by Timon and Pumba. The quality of the music in The Lion King is further emphasised with the global success of the stage show. Additionally, a Broadway production of Aladdin  is currently in production and is expected to open at the New Amsterdam Theatre in 2013.

500 Days of Summer

500 Days of Summer was a surprise hit when it was released with its original and charming take on the romantic comedy. I'd argue it has one of the best soundtracks of the last decade with The Smiths, Regina Spektor, Simon and Garfunkel and The Temper Trap. Nonetheless, it is the upbeat Hall and Oates hit, You Make My Dreams, that sticks in the mind as Joseph Gordon Levitt stars in a grand musical number on the street.

I realise there are many other films with amazing soundtracks but these are just a few that have made their mark. Leave a comment below to let me know your favourite.

My next blog post will look at some of the best movie scores ranging from The Big Country and The Magnificent Seven to The Rock and Disney's Up, so make sure you visit soon and follow me on Twitter @sam_batty.

The Golden Oldies

Eligible for a free bus pass and pension but some of the best artists I've seen live have been over sixty-five years old. You would think that as artists get into OAP status their performances may deteriorate, in some cases this is true but in others they are just as good. This blog post will look at four concerts I've been lucky enough to go to over the past two years. Some people have still got it and others haven't.

Randy Newman

Newman is an incredibly underrated songwriter and in my opinion a legend. Often known for his movie scores in Disney Pixar films such as the Toy Story and Monsters Inc he provides a memorable and iconic soundtrack. I've seen him twice at the Sage in Gateshead and both times has given a humorous and at times moving performance. No support act, no band and no fuss. Just a man and his piano. He chats to the audience, shows a sense of humour and gives a background to many of his songs. This is an artist who has written satirical masterpieces such as, 'Short People' and "Political Science' but also moving classics such as 'Louisiana 1927', 'Feels like home'  and 'Marie'. To many he is known for 'You've got a friend in me' and the Academy award winning 'If I didn't have you' and these are no doubt great songs. Nonetheless, he also wrote the often covered , 'You can leave you hat on', 'Mama told me not come' and 'I think it's going to rain today'. This short selection show a tremendous selection of songs. Interestingly, during his concert he suggested that he wrote the song 'Lonely at the top' in the hope that Frank Sinatra would sing it. A song about the difficulties of being so famous:

'I've been around the world

Had my pick of any girl

You'd think I'd be happy 

But I'm not.......

Oh its lonely at the top'

                                                                                     (Randy Newman, Lonely at the Top)

If you only know the Pixar songs I urge you to delve into his wonderful catalogue of evocative lyrics, stunning melodies and a dry humour. Newman is a pleasure to watch live, a 68 year old that is still captivating and you really feel as if you're in the presence of greatness.

Clevescene.com

Frankie Valli


Oh what a night! Franki Valli was one of the best concerts I have been to recently and he is an incredible 78 years old. He got everyone out of their seats clapping and dancing to classic hits such as 'December 1963', 'Can't take my eyes off you' and 'Working my way back to you'. Like Newman, he engaged with the audience and did every song you would expect. I've had the misfortune of going to some concerts and they've missed out many of their big hits to promote their new album. Valli was perfect. It would be hard not to enjoy the concert. I couldn't believe how good his voice actually was and it rarely varied from the iconic sounds of the 1960s. To have the stamina to put on such a quality concert at his age was phenomenal. If you love the classic hits from 'Beggin' and 'Sherry' to ' My eyes adored you' and 'Big Girls Don't Cry' this concert is for you. I wore a smile from start to finish.

The Beach Boys


Now this was a concert I went to several years ago but one that will always be etched in my mind. People dancing in the aisles! Hit after hit! I would jump at the chance to see The Beach Boys again. Every song I loved they sang, whether that be tunes such as 'Help me Rhonda' and the classic, 'Surfin' USA'. The Beach Boys will always put me in a great mood, the happiness in their music is infectious as are their concerts, even today.

'Aruba, Jamaica, ooo I wanna take you;  

To Bermuda, Bahama, come on pretty mama 

Key Largo, Montego baby why don't we go 

Down to Kokomo '

(The Beach Boys, Kokomo)

Clashmusic.com

Paul McCartney

Hyde Park, July 2010. This was the best concert I've ever been to. I love the Beatles but also the Wings, and in his late sixties, McCartney didn't disappoint. There was no way he could do all his songs otherwise we would be there for hours but the diverse selection he performed was incredible. Classic Beatles hits such as 'Something' placed next to the energetic, 'Jet'. McCartney ensured he built a rapport with the audience, insisting they joined in and giving stories behind certain songs. For example, 'Blackbird' was a song written in support of the civil rights movement. The songs remain iconic, the goosebumps appeared with songs such as 'Let it Be' and of course the crowd pleasing, 'Hey Jude'. Two and half hours of legendary music, value for money was an understatement and McCartney thoroughly appreciated the audience's attendance. The best concerts achieve a relationship between the audience and the artist, McCartney still has it.

There are some artists I've seen that have been incredibly underwhelming, leaving out their biggest songs, with poor vocals and  zero chat to the audience. Nevertheless, the best I've seen of the older generation are those listed above. If Randy Newman, Frankie Valli, The Beach Boys or Paul McCartney are ever on near you I guarantee you'll have an unforgettable time. All over 65, all legends, all still amazing live.

Randy Newman

Hugely underrated. A living legend. Randy Newman. Last night I had the pleasure of seeing Randy Newman at the Sage in Gateshead. He is simply a songwriting genius. To many he is known for his Disney songs, "You've got a friend in me", the Oscar winning "If I didn't have you" and "We Belong Together"but there is so much more to his extensive catalogue.

"You Can Leave Your Hat On", "Feels Like Home" and "Mama Told Me Not to Come" were all written by Newman and have arguably become more famous by other artists. Nonetheless, Newman sings his fantastic and often humorous songs in a way only he could. To many, Newman's voice may not be the most melodic but that is often what makes his music so individual and charming. Bob Dylan is very similar, their voices are often nasally and gruff but it is this uniqueness that makes them memorable. They don't have a vocal range, like Mariah Carey or Elton John but it's this difference that makes Newman and Dylan stand out.

Newman has a wonderful capability to tell stories through his music but is often know for his satirical outlook in which he sings from the point of view of another person. For example, "Political Science" is sung from the view of an American Nationalist and the infamous "Short People" is sung by a someone who hates short people. His song "Louisiana 1927"became an anthem for the floods that engulfed New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina.

Chat with audience was prevalent throughout the night, remarking on events such as the Brit awards and his family. This made the concert far more personal and he clearly appreciated the audience being there, something artists often don't always do. Not only did he sing 37 songs but he spoke and engaged with audience.

Nominated for 20 Academy Awards, Newman is firmly in a group of songwriting legends, Bob Dylan said in a interview about Newman, "Not that many people in Randy's class". A voice full of dry wit but at times sorrow with ability to write masterpieces or add a stunning score to a movie. Newman is an underrated singer, songwriter and most definitely a legend of music.