Music, Movies, and TV Shows

Everybody has those songs that remind you of movies.  And no I'm not talking about musicals.  Like You're the One That I Want reminding you of Grease.  I'm talking about regular movies that everybody thinks about when a certain song plays.

For example, Old Time Rock N Roll by Bob Seger brings back images of a young Tom Cruise in a pink dress shirt, tighty whities, and socks sliding across a hard wood floor singing into a candle stick like a microphone.  And speaking of TC, who doesn't think of Top Gun when they hear Danger Zone, right?

And everybody knows Ghostbusters.

Just like (I've Had) The Time of My Life always brings back memories of that final dance scene in Dirty Dancing.  Those are the kinds of things I'm talking about.  But, let's go a little less iconic in the film department, shall we?

For me, whenever Foxy Lady by Jimi Hendrix plays on the radio, I always want to run home and pop in Wayne's World.  Dana Carvey as Garth Algar, dancing along and acting out that song just makes my life every time.  And I keep hearing it on the radio, seriously.  It's kind of epic.  Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen and Tia Carrere's cover of Ballroom Blitz, though the original version is what I hear on the radio all the time.  And while I'm talking about a Mike Myers vehicle here, let's not forget Do You Think I'm Sexy by Rod Stewart bringing back memories of So I Married an Axe Murderer.  That is one of my most favorite scenes ever.  And There She Goes by The La's also reminds me of that movie.

Back in Black by ACDC makes me want to watch Iron Man every single time I hear it.  That and, well, Iron Man by Black Sabbath.  But then I don't really need an excuse to watch a movie with Robert Downey Jr in it.

She's a Lady by Tom Jones brings back thoughts of Miss Congeniality.  Which brings me to To Make You Feel My Love (I could only find the Adele cover of the song) originally performed by Garth Brooks makes me remember watching Hope Floats and wishing I hadn't.  And Proud Mary brings back memories of a lot of movies, but also Miss Congeniality: Armed and Fabulous.

The Garth Brooks song When You Come Back to Me Again makes me want to watch Frequency again.  Though it's my understanding that the song was written specifically for that movie so that would make total sense.

Songs also remind me of various episodes of TV shows.  Or sometimes, of the TV shows themselves.  The various CSIs using songs by The Who as their themes means I think about them every time I hear those songs on the radio.  Who Are You, We Won't Get Fooled Again, and Baba O'Reilly.    You Can't Always Get What You Want (Band From TV cover) by The Rolling Stones reminds me of House, M.D.  Though Hugh Laurie covering the song with Band From TV does help.

Minnie The Moocher by Cab Calloway reminds me of a particularly hilarious episode of Jeeves and Wooster, from back in the early days of Laurie and Fry.  Or I guess I should say Fry and Laurie.

And both Twist and Shout by The Beatles, and Danke Schoen by Wayne Newton remind me of Ferris Bueller's Day Off.

I'm not going to mention Glee other than to say, it counts in the musical category.

Sympathy for the Devil by The Rolling Stones reminds me of a short lived TV show called Viva Laughlin.  The song was sung by Hugh Jackman, over the original track.   And, in that same manner, One Way or Another by Blondie makes me think of the English version of the same variety (it came first of course) called Blackpool in which David Tennant sings over the original track to a man he's trying to put away for murder.

You're My First, My Last, My Everything (I wish I could find the clip from the episode) by Barry White makes me think of the 4th season of Ally McBeal episode titled In Search of Barry White in which Taye Diggs, Robert Downey Jr, and Peter McNichol do a rather interesting dance routine in the unisex bathroom to this song.  For giggles, Just Dance 4 has that song on it including some of the dance moves from that episode.

Ben by Michael Jackson reminds me of an episode of Queer as Folk: US in which Hal Sparks sings the song to a man named Ben played by Robert Gant, in an attempt to keep him from leaving Woody's.  Hal did a very good job with the song.

And now I'm at a point where I am sitting here trying to actively remember songs that remind me of TV shows or movies which kind of defeats the whole purpose.  It's supposed to be effortless.  So I guess this is the point where I wrap it up.

It's amazing to me how music brings back memories like that.  It even triggers things you can't really reach out and grasp.  I've heard several songs on the radio that I think "That was in a commercial but I can't remember which one."  And things like that.  Like Too Close by Alex Clare reminding me of an Internet Explorer commercial.  There are several car commercials that I hear the songs on the radio but I can't remember which car it was advertising.

It all comes down to music bringing back memories that aren't all that bad and making me want to rewatch the various TV shows or movies of which they remind me.

The Snowmen @bbcdoctorwho

Okay, this was one of the best Doctor Who episodes ever.  I loved the whole episode and I loved Clara.  I'm not going to go much into the details because it will be spoiler rich and I'm staying away from that for now.

I was a little iffy about Clara because I love Amy and Rory, but Clara is AWESOME!  She's hilarious and perverted and curious and wonderful.  She's not in love with the Doctor, but she obviously wouldn't mind a shag if he offered it, though she knows he never would.

The Snowmen were pretty amazing, and the whole concept was great.  I do love that The Doctor's go to way to admit that someone is right is to tell them to shut up.  I also love the reference of Conan Doyle.  That was pretty great.

Over all, I loved the episode, I loved Clara, and I am VERY looking forward to the next season.

Seeking a Friend for the End of the World

This was a good but sad movie.  Steve Carrell (I know I spelled that wrong) continues to amaze me.  He's not just funny. He's sweet and adorable and an amazing actor.  Keira Knightly is just as wonderful in this film.  I can't really say much more than that.  It's a beautifully tragic love story that makes you wish somehow the world didn't have to end. 

I highly recommend this movie.