I went to see Watchmen yesterday and while I enjoyed it, I couldn’t help but think about the music. Maybe it’s because I read this review by Will Leitch.
Someone desperately needs to buy Snyder an iTunes gift card. His music decisions seem pulled straight from the Now THAT’S What I Call A Soundtrack! rack at Wal-Mart. Need an ’80s song? “99 Red Balloons!” Need a Vietnam song? “Flight of the Valkryies!” Need a song for a sex scene? Hilariously, Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah!” I’m honestly surprised we didn’t hear “Fortunate Son” when Nixon’s on screen and “In Your Eyes” when Night Owl tries to woo Silk Specter.
That I couldn’t get it out of my head, but the fact of the matter is that I couldn’t get it out of my head. This is a movie that I wanted to like. I read the graphic novel and while it was very, very good I am not a huge Watchmen fanboy. Either way, I wanted this movie to be good and I want it to succeed. I think that it is and that it will, but the music just ended up bugging me.
You see, my favorite movie of all time is Boogie Nights. Which (not) coincidentally has the greatest soundtrack of all time. The music is right for the time and fits with the themes of the scenes. It’s never generic like the Watchmen soundtrack is. WHICH IS INSANE. Could you be imagine being told in the 60s that the Jimi Hendrix and Bob Dylan songs you are listening to would one day be considered generic? It blows my mind. Anyways, since much of this movie takes place in the 70s and early 80s, how could they NOT use Velvet Underground tracks? Or even some crazy Bowie songs (a fake Bowie makes an appearance)? And when we hit the 80s, why not something a bit more down like The Cure or New Order? The whole thing bothered me. Not, that I know what song should have gone in what place or anything like that. Just that I know it could have been better and the movie suffered because of it. In contrast to The Wrestler’s soundtrack which actually added quite a bit to the movie, it makes a difference.
I guess when it comes to music in movies I need something that is known, but not popular and overplayed. I need something that I’ve maybe never heard by a respected artist. I need a song that takes on a new meaning when I hear it in the scene. Directors like Paul Thomas Anderson, Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino understand this. Quentin Tarantino especially. Quentin Tarantino has given me at least one song that I have fell in love with in each of his movies.
- Reservoir Dogs: Little Green Bag, Coconut and completely changed the signifigance of Stuck in the Middle with You forever.
- Pulp Fiction: Misirlou, Girl, You’ll Be A Woman Soon
- Jackie Brown: Pretty much all 70′s R&B. Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time) sticks out
- Kill Bill: Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down), Woo Hoo
- Death Proof: Baby It’s You, Hold Tight!
I’m a firm believer that the soundtrack is as important to the movie as the actors, screenplay, director and everything else. When I used to pretend I was a screenwriter (which I should probably start doing again at some point) I would ALWAYS write to music and think of music in key parts. Sometimes you can convey things with music that you can’t with words or emotions. Sometimes you have to let someone else tell the story for you, through music. This is probably the result of the movies I grew up on, but it is what it is and I believe it.
BONUS FEATURE: 5 songs I would use in a movie
- Jason Webley – Eleven Saints
Have I ever mentioned how much I love this song? So much. I don’t know the scene yet, but it would be a good one.- Oasis – You Know What I Mean
Always pictured the opening bit with the guitars as someone is walking dramatically somewhere. Maybe at the end of a movie where the lyrics kick in as the credits hit.- New Order – Crystal
I love the way this opens and it’s catchy and depressing at the same time. Could use this for anything really. Drug scene? Check. Sex scene? Check. Life spinning out of control scene? Check.- The Decemberists – Mariners Revenge Song
I have no idea what to use this song for, but I love it so much I would find a way. Even if it’s just scene background music.- ? and The Mysterians – 96 Tears
I might actually go with a cover of this, but anyone who knows me knows I die for this song. If it comes on a jukebox, you can be pretty sure I played it.HONORABLE MENTIONS: Kings of Leon – Use Somebody, Simple Minds – Alive and Kicking, Annie – Chewing Gum, Junior Senior – Boy Meets Girl, Marie Digby – Stupid For You, Terra Naomi – Say Its Possible, Veruca Salt – Volcano Girls
