Every guy from our generation remembers the feeling of uncontrollable anticipation coursing through our boring human veins when we found out that our favorite animated heroes were being brought to the big screen. I won't go into the significance of the movie in this post, as I am known to ramble about things close to my heart. However, I will take this moment to revisit the song that blared from the theater speakers as the credits rolled.
I was a huge fan of the Simpsons when I was a kid. Although the quality has dropped off over the years, I still watch the show fairly regularly. In the early 90's, the animated family was at the absolute peak of popularity. Therefore, they cashed in on every marketing opportunity and promotional gimmick known to yellow-skinned man. The album "The Simpsons Sing the Blues" was one of my very favorite cassettes, mainly because of this gem. Take that establishment! You tell 'em Bart.
This scene comes from the pilot episode of Freaks and Geeks. If you've read any of the entries in this blog at all, you know all about my admiration of this series. Earlier in this particular episode, Sam was denied by Cindy when he asked her to the dance. In a moment stemming from the all too popular "charitable cheerleader syndrome," she reluctantly agrees to save him one dance. At least she's doing her part, right?
Well, after a quick collaboration with his buddies, Sam comes to the instant conclusion that this one sacred dance would have to be of the slow variety. In typical F&G fashion, the music takes a firm grip on the scene and helps steer the plot. In this case, it's the definitive example of guilty pleasure arena rock, Styx's "Come Sail Away." Anyone that's ever shamefully held up a lighter to this saccharin-infused moment of cheese rock knows that it starts innocently enough as a piano-laden ballad, perfect for slow dancing. The rest of the scene speaks for itself.
Again with this show? That's right. The producers really knew what they were doing with their song selections and the corresponding scenes in which they were so brilliantly utilized. There are a lot of cool things going on in this one too. An awkward conversation between Nick and Lindsey, Kim and Daniel's traditional bickering, and Ken finally getting some sideburn action all take place at an early 80's planetarium laser show. They thought they were going to hear some Pink Floyd. Turns out, it's southern rock night. All is not lost though, since they get to hear this Skynyrd classic.
Freaks and Geeks is one of my all time favorite TV shows, and it's a damn shame that it only lasted one (magnificent) season. Linda Cardellini, James Franco, Seth Rogen, and Jason Segel served as key pieces to a nearly perfect cast. The final scene, in which Lindsay has fooled her parents into believing that she is leaving for an academic summit for two weeks when she is actually departing to follow The Grateful Dead on the road, is so well done and captures the bittersweet moment perfectly. The use of "Ripple" here provides a stunning and memorable ending to a brilliant show.
As a kid, I loved many of the same classic 80's cartoons as the next guy. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Transformers, He-Man, Thundercats, etc. all spent their fair share of time on my 19" Magnavox screen. I also liked some of the more obscure stuff like Danger Mouse, Hair Bear Bunch, and this gem, The Mysterious Cities Of Gold. This was a Japanese-French show that featured a Spanish boy named Esteban, and it ran from 1986-1990 in the U.S. on Nickelodeon. I remember it having a really interesting storyline, and my internet digging in recent years confirms that this show has quite the cult following.
Anyway, the point of this post is to highlight the greatness that is the theme song for this childhood treasure. It reminds me of some of the other great theme songs of the era including David The Gnome and Gummi Bears. Tell me this isn't dripping with overly dramatic 80's pop goodness.
I claim this movie as my all-time favorite, and this is one of the best scenes. This is a great film for any music lover, so check it out if you haven't already. "I have to go home." "You are home."
How is that music can have such a profound impact on movie and television scenes? As a member of the audience, a song can often communicate with me more effectively than the actual dialog or imagery taking place on the screen. My first example of this takes place in my favorite scene from 2004's Garden State. Call me a hipster for liking the movie, that's fine. But it's the inclusion of Simon & Garfunkel's classic "The Only Living Boy In New York" that makes this particular section ring. "Good luck exploring the infinite abyss!"
