SONGS ABOUT MOVIES 12 – HENNING GOES TO THE MOVIES
The Internet is oft maligned, but it does provide opportunities for artists to share work with one another in a most interesting way. Such was the case with Henning Ohlenbusch, a talented singer-songwriter who contacted me after seeing this here series posted on my blog.
Performing under the name Henning, this gentleman has completed an entire album of songs inspired not just by the existence of the movies he has chosen, but their emotional and thematic content as well. It’s a wonderful project called Henning Goes to the Movies, and his repertoire is taken from all sorts of eclectic films, from science fiction to indie dramas to goofball comedies like Meatballs:
Here is the full list of songs on Henning’s album:
Joe Vs. The Volcano
The Straight Story
Poltergeist
The Year My Voice Broke
Planes Trains and Automobiles
Logan’s Run
Superbad
Amélie
Meatballs
SONGS ABOUT MOVIES 11 – THE SEVENTH SEAL
A great bonus of deciding to do this series has been finding out about movie-referencing songs that were not on my radar. First it was a song paying homage to John Cassavetes, and now this, a song honoring Ingmar Bergman’s The Seventh Seal, by experimental pop legend (not to be confused with a governor embroiled in a recall scandal) Scott Walker. (Read about him here.) Thanks to YouTuber guidofski for the photo montage presentation.
SONGS ABOUT MOVIES 10 – ACT NATURALLY
Yes, sometimes being a colossal idiot can make Hollywood casting directors come running to cast you as a colossal fool. Not sure if it was coincidental that they gave it to Ringo to sing. The song was written by Johnny Russell and Voni Morrison and first made popular by Carl Perkins. I could not locate the Perkins original on the Internet for this series, but have included another of his tunes that the Beatles covered for the proper historical context, sans movie tie-ins.
SONGS ABOUT MOVIES 8 – THE UNION FOREVER
You would think there would be more songs about Citizen Kane, but God bless the White Stripes for cooking one up and I’m thrilled to include it in this series. The song features a word for word homage to a political song used in the Welles film. The wonderful video clip version from YouTube is by jacktmup.
SONGS ABOUT MOVIES 7 – I’VE SEEN THAT MOVIE TOO
This fine tribute to how to recognize a lying lover by consulting the classic adulterers of the movies is a fine cinematic reference well in line with this series. Elton John before he went all Lion King.
SONGS ABOUT MOVIES 6 – HAMMER HORROR
The legendary horror film factory Hammer came from Britain to update Dracula and many others in gruesome ways. So, obviously, it inspired a dark love song from the one and only Kate Bush. Hope you are enjoying this series.
SONGS ABOUT MOVIES 5 – DEBASER
How can you not love a band that decides to pay tribute to one of the defining moments of the Surrrealist film movement? Pixies do justice to Bunuel and Dali’s “Un Chien Andalou” with Debaser. A most delightful addition to this series.
SONGS ABOUT MOVIES 4 – CASSAVETES
What a thrill to learn that thrash metal band Fugazi had recorded a tribute to one of the godparents of independent cinema, and one of my favorite filmmakers to boot. A perfect addition to this series.
The video features terrific clips from Cassavetes’ black & white work. Lyrics are included below.
Crush my calm you cassavetes
I was sitting tight so quiet quiet
In the dark till the lights came up my heart
Beating like a riot riot
Hollywood are you sitting on a sign
For someone to come on bust a genre
You poor city of shame
Ask me what you’re needing
I’ll sell you his name
cos he was the one to send it with truth
That’s something from someone
And gena rowlands complete control for cassavetes
If it’s not for sale you can’t buy it buy it
Sad-eyed mogul reaching for your wallet
Like hand to holster why don’t you try it try it
Hollywood are you waiting on a sign
For someone to come on bust a genre
You poor city of shame
Ask me what you’re needing
I’ll front you his name
cos he was the one to send it with truth
that’s something from someone and gena rowlands
Here is the site where I park everything that is not The Dictionary of Sarcasm or my self-help parody persona Mr. Paul Maul. That means my dramatic short films, reviews of films I like, other writing, and my web series Rock Paper Scissors: A Dialogue. Thanks for stopping by.
