To see the intro to this project, as well as links to other decades, click here. 68) “Cups,” from Pitch Perfect (2012) When this movie was released, we were still four years away from TikTok. It’s a rare case where the movies feel like they’re running ahead of the zeitgeist rather than trailing behind it… Read More Listen to America: The 2010s and 2020s
To see the intro to this project, as well as links to other decades, click here. 60) “Man of Constant Sorrow,” from O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000) I don’t think any movie has ever used the word “damn” to humorous effect quite like O Brother. “Damn we’re in a tight spot!” is one of… Read More Listen to America: The 2000s
To see the intro to this project, as well as links to other decades, click here. 52) “Kid vs. Play (The Battle),” from House Party (1990) If there’s a rap battle in an earlier American narrative feature, I don’t know of it, and if there’s a more fun charismatic rap battle in a movie I… Read More Listen to America: The 1990s
To see the intro to this project, as well as links to other decades, click here. 43) “Out Here on My Own,” from Fame You know the title song from this movie isn’t really eligible for the same reason “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” isn’t eligible? Good trivia. I wouldn’t have chosen it… Read More Listen to America: The 1980s
To see the intro to this project, as well as links to other decades, click here. 33) “Suicide is Painless,” from M*A*S*H (1970) In 1973, there were two movie musicals which feature a scene with Jesus at the Last Supper. In Godspell, which is a silly but honestly pretty faithful adaptation of Matthew, Jesus gives… Read More Listen to America: The 1970s
To see the intro to this project, as well as links to other decades, click here. 27) “America,” from West Side Story (1961) The most illuminating song performances of the 1960s are bookends with dance numbers which, if we’re being honest, outshine the songs themselves. In the case of “America,” the signature song from West… Read More Listen to America: The 1960s
To see the intro to this project, as well as links to other decades, click here. 20) “S’Wonderful,” from An American in Paris (1951) The first Best Picture winner in color since Gone with the Wind, An American in Paris likewise hearkens back to what weary viewers might have seen as a simpler time. After… Read More Listen to America: The 1950s
To see the intro to this project, as well as links to other decades, click here. 9) “Go Down, Moses,” from Sullivan’s Travels (1941) Writer-directors throughout movie history are rarely good at just shutting up and letting the work speak for itself, and Sullivan’s Travels is proof that even the best of them can stumble… Read More Listen to America: The 1940s
To see the intro to this project, as well as links to other decades, click here. 1) “The Broadway Melody,” from The Broadway Melody of 1929 (1929) One of the ironies of Hollywood in the talkie years is that the Californians spent years in thrall to the New Yorkers. Hollywood would not overtake truly overtake… Read More Listen to America: The 1920s and 1930s
This is Listen to Britain, Humphrey Jennings’s short documentary combining popular British music with images of homefront Britain in the midst of World War II. (I’m linking via YouTube, but there is a version in much better visual and especially audio quality on the Criterion Channel for subscribers.) I don’t typically spend a lot of… Read More Listen to America: 75 Movie Song Performances Which Illuminate American Cinema
Seeing Things Secondhand 