Photos: ‘Ghostbusters’ ‘to ‘Pineapple’: Novelty numbers or songs with legs?
By Todd Martens, Times Staff Writer
The big rock n roll movie theme is a bit of a lost art. Or is it an art at all?
Huey Lewis has recorded the theme for Pineapple Express, and director David Gordon Green recently talked to The Times about drawing inspiration from Ray Parker Jr.s theme to Ghostbusters. Tapping Lewis, it seems, was done with a bit of nostalgic pride for the giant soundtracks of the ‘80s.
Lewis himself has been drafted for the role before, having recorded The Power of Love and Back in Time for 1985s Back to the Future. And his hiring for Pineapple Express came with distinct orders. Lewis told The Times, They said, We want a track called Pineapple Express. I said, Ooh. Thats going to be tough. They said, Its a kind of marijuana. I said, Like Panama Red? No problem.
Songs that overtly make reference to the film theyre in are increasingly becoming a rarity, save for the odd Snakes on a Plane. But while theres no denying the catchiness of a song such as Ghostbusters, does it have a life outside the film, or is it little more than a novelty number? Not counting any James Bond films, here’s a look back at some self-referential rock n roll movie songs, to try to find an answer. (Darren Michaels / Associated Press)
A life without the film? Pineapple Express has already shown it has the ability to power a song up the charts, as it has done with M.I.A.s Paper Planes,” looped in the film’s trailer. But Lewis Pineapple Express probably wont be so lucky, or at least it shouldnt, as the film title punctuates the end of the chorus with all the finesse of a pineapple to the head, and soul keys and horns mark the song as pure lounge. (Karen Tapia / Los Angeles Times)
Song: 9 to 5, Dolly Parton
A life without the film? There was a film? OK, of course there was, but Dollys song has such an across-the-board, mutli-generational appeal that it fully stands on its own. Its a song thats as fit for a show tune (the musical opens this fall in Los Angeles) as it is happy hour. Perhaps no other song marries such a merry melody with lyrics that capture the struggle to maintain a sense of ambition while stuck with a thankless gig. (Stephen Lovekin / Getty Images)
Song: Weird Science, Oingo Boingo
A life without the film? No offense to Danny Elfman, but many of these Oingo Boingo songs arent exactly aging well. Weird Science is no exception, as its mix of synths, horns and B-level sci-fi effects is most likely today to elicit a halfhearted smile at an 80s dance party. (Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)
Advertisement
Song: Against All Odds (Take A Look at Me Now), Phil Collins
A life without the film? A solo breakout hit for Collins, and a Grammy-winning song from the 1984 Jeff Bridges film of the same name. Its still a scorching slow-dance number, even if the teary-eyed piano drip is a bit manipulative. Ultimately, its the songs gradual build, smattering of synthy rhythms and Collins passionate yell that carry it. (Samir Hussein / Getty Images)
Song: Bring It! (Snakes on a Plane), Cobra Starship
A life without the film? Snakes on a Plane hasnt exactly become the camp classic the world hoped it would be, and thats probably part of the reason this song falls a little flat. While it has A-level mall-punk guitars, and some PG-13 come-ons from striking blond vocalist Maja Ivarsson, it reeks of a hyped-movie craze that just wasnt meant to be. (Bryan Bedder / Getty Images)