Somehow, a group of us got to talking about songs about stalking. You know the kind that sound really nice then you listen to the lyrics and realize the singer is probably fantasizing about wearing your skin like a coat. Those songs! We came up with a few and then were distracted, probably by a shiny object. Thankfully, the internet didn't let me down so I present to you a list of the best creepy, stalker-ific songs out there!
"Every Breath You Take"- Police- The granddaddy of them all! Sting wrote it shortly after his divorce. Wonder what he was thinking...
"One Way or Another"- Blondie- Gotta love a woman scorned.
"Someone Like You" - Adele- "I hate to turn up out of the blue uninvited. But I couldn't stay away, I couldn't fight it. I hoped you'd see my face and be reminded. That for me it isn't over." Oh girl, no.
"I Want You to Want Me"- Cheap Trick- Remember that commercial, I want to say it was for a credit card; about this perfect guy who knew all the lyrics to this song and we're watching him sing it in the shower? Yea, they got it.
"Run For Your Life"- The Beatles- "Rubber Soul" is my favorite Beatles album, hands down. There's also something about John Lennon singing about doing bad things to his girlfriend while she was running around on him that gives me pause... I don't know why it seems weird. According to Wikipedia, this was George Harrison's favorite song. Since he's my favorite Beatles, it seems it was meant to be!
"I Drove All Night"- Cyndi Lauper- Maybe it's the lady in me, but I always imagined this was about a girl going to see her long-distance boy friend and surprise him with morning sex. How could that be bad? Then I started making this list and it all changed for me. Damned list! Ruining another great love song!
"Sunglasses at Night"- Corey Hart- Yea, this song is creepy no matter which way you slice it. Pun intended.
"Private Eyes"- Hall & Oates- Okay, maybe Oates is a private detective. Or, maybe he's lost his crackers and just thinks he is.
"I Will Possess Your Heart"- Death Cab for Cutie- "There are days when outside your window, I see my reflection as I slowly pass. And I long for this mirrored perspective, when we'll be lovers, lovers at last." Girls are dumb. If a guy said any of these things to us we'd probably melt on the spot.
"I Will Follow Him"- Lesley Gore- Whether you're stalking some guy you casually met at a sock hop or the Lord, desperation is not a good scent.
"Possession"- Sarah McLachlan- Apparently, the lyrics come from real letter she received from a crazy fan who then sued her and committed suicide. Talk about stalker!
"Hungry Like the Wolf"- Duran Duran- Stalker or just another horny guy at the club?
"Pictures of You"- The Cure- Robert Smith says this song literally about looking at pictures of his wife. Boring! I like it better if I imagine a "Seven" or "Silence of the Lambs" kind of thing.
"Possum Kingdom"- The Toadies- A note to ladies: Do not go wandering into the woods or other remote areas with strangers, I don't care how good looking they may be. That is all.
"Alison"- Elvis Costello- Oh those crazy exes... "I think somebody better put out the big light, cause I can't stand to see you this way. Alison, I know this world is killing you. Oh, Alison, my aim is true."
"A Little Piece of Heaven"- Avenged Sevenfold- Um... I must be disturbed, because I really love this song. It's sexy in a "Devil's Rejects"/horror movie kind of way. Dude is so worried his girl is going to leave him he kills her, then himself, and they get married in hell. How Burton-esque.
"Walking After You"- Foo Fighters- Come now Dave Grohl. Let me comfort you. Leave that other girl alone. You'll be fine, you're a rock star! Cheer up, Buttercup!
"Happy Together"- The Turtles- Totally ruins the old "other fish in the sea" cliche.
"I Put A Spell on You"- Various- If you want to avoid jealous wrath; then don't cheat, just break up!
"Never Gonna Give You Up"- Rick Astley- Maybe she's a free spirit Rick, like Holly Holiday (yes, I totally just made a "Glee" reference. What are you gonna do about it?!) Gives getting "rick rolled" a whole new meaning.
"Until You Come Back to Me"- Aretha Franklin- Who would walk out on the Queen of Soul and fear endangering her wrath?
"#1 Crush"- Garbage- I think there are a lot of guys, and let's be honest, a lot of women; who wouldn't mind Shirley Manson trying to win them over.
Why aren't there more modern songs on this list? I feel like we're missing an incredible opportunity to both right the new "Every Breath You Take" and reference Facebook at the same time. Where's my song about cyber stalking your ex? Come on emo kids! Country music stars!
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
22 April 2011
19 April 2011
Kelly Canter and Jesus Christ
*** (3.5 stars)
A lot of people claim to hate country music. That's fair, we don't all have to like everything. But I guarantee those people like a country artist- Johnny Cash, early Elvis, Patsy Cline, Waylon Jennings. There's a song or two on their iPod for sure. Growing up in Texas you would think I would have a greater appreciation for country than say, someone from New York. That isn't the case. I was raised by Yankees and as such, country music was never really played in the house. However, I couldn't escape the above artists and others growing up. It's the new wave of country that annoys me. I don't like it's pop sound, as if it's trying to convince us it's something it isn't. Be country! I love bluegrass and the new alt-folk scene that's cropped up across the country. I like the music in this film because it's the perfect blend of both worlds- a little bit country, a little bit rock and roll. (I think I totally lose some point for quoting a Donny & Marie song though). Beau's songs are the most honest and classic. Young ingenue Chiles Stanton (Leighton Meester) is the current Carrie Underwood type. She's got a surprisingly good voice, but she doesn't really blossom until she meets Beau. My biggest complaint with her was that I didn't believe the growth of the character in so short a time span. Worse, I can't tell if it's the writing or her acting that caused this reaction.
The biggest problem with this movie is the story. I appreciate when a film drops us into the middle of the story, but you still have to flesh out the characters. If all roads lead to Dallas, as they do in this movie, then that scene must pop, must resonate, must be recognized as the pinnacle of the film. That a sold out show at the American Airlines Center can feel flat is a real feat. Hedlund rescues the movie time and again with his Honest Beau routine. I'm excited for his career and hope he continues to make interesting choices.
Writer/Director Shana Fest has made a solid sophomore movie (her first, the family tragedy/drama "The Greatest" is available on DVD) and if she can sharpen her storytelling skills, her career may continue. Unfortunately, that's a tall order in the film industry. You've got to make money when given the chance or at the very least create something a core audience and critics will like.
I'm glad I saw this movie, it was a lot better than expected. However, it made me long for better crafted (country) music movies like "The Thing Called Love" or "Nashville". If you have or had any interest, rent it. If you never cared, you may be surprised but you're more likely going to like something else.
For a movie I had no real intention of seeing, "Country Strong" really surprised me. I was anticipating something horrible I could laugh at while drinking a bottle of wine with a friend. Instead, what I got was a thoughtful though flawed film.
Gwenyth Paltrow stars as Kelly Canter, a Shania Twain/grown-up Carrie Underwood type with more demons than talent. Once again in rehab, she meets handsome orderly Beau, also an aspiring singer. When Kelly's husband-manager (never a good hyphenate) comes to get her a month early to start touring, she convinces him to take Beau with them on the road. Is obvious what will happen next, but it doesn't really matter. Unlike "CrazyHeart", our protagonist here is far more likable. She's someone you may know or have met- a woman married too young, suffering too much from and for her work, and lost inside her personal demons. The ending shocked me. I think I slapped my friend!
The stand out here is Garrett Hedlund ("Tron: Legacy") and actual country superstar Tim McGraw. McGraw has carved out a nice second career with acting. He's expressive and sincere in his acting, all the more impressive as his character is without a doubt the nemesis of the film. Hedlund left a budding impression in "Tron", and he's so much better here. He walks away with every scene he is in, and I would buy any record he put out.
A lot of people claim to hate country music. That's fair, we don't all have to like everything. But I guarantee those people like a country artist- Johnny Cash, early Elvis, Patsy Cline, Waylon Jennings. There's a song or two on their iPod for sure. Growing up in Texas you would think I would have a greater appreciation for country than say, someone from New York. That isn't the case. I was raised by Yankees and as such, country music was never really played in the house. However, I couldn't escape the above artists and others growing up. It's the new wave of country that annoys me. I don't like it's pop sound, as if it's trying to convince us it's something it isn't. Be country! I love bluegrass and the new alt-folk scene that's cropped up across the country. I like the music in this film because it's the perfect blend of both worlds- a little bit country, a little bit rock and roll. (I think I totally lose some point for quoting a Donny & Marie song though). Beau's songs are the most honest and classic. Young ingenue Chiles Stanton (Leighton Meester) is the current Carrie Underwood type. She's got a surprisingly good voice, but she doesn't really blossom until she meets Beau. My biggest complaint with her was that I didn't believe the growth of the character in so short a time span. Worse, I can't tell if it's the writing or her acting that caused this reaction.
The biggest problem with this movie is the story. I appreciate when a film drops us into the middle of the story, but you still have to flesh out the characters. If all roads lead to Dallas, as they do in this movie, then that scene must pop, must resonate, must be recognized as the pinnacle of the film. That a sold out show at the American Airlines Center can feel flat is a real feat. Hedlund rescues the movie time and again with his Honest Beau routine. I'm excited for his career and hope he continues to make interesting choices.
I'm glad I saw this movie, it was a lot better than expected. However, it made me long for better crafted (country) music movies like "The Thing Called Love" or "Nashville". If you have or had any interest, rent it. If you never cared, you may be surprised but you're more likely going to like something else.
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