Tam’s Think Tank

Music sometimes makes a scene, or a movie for that matter. Here’s a selection of tunes used in films that had an impact on me. By no means a comprehensive list, but a few who sprung to mind when I thought of doing this post. Enjoy and feel free to add your own in the comments section. Always looking for new music, new films to see, or reminders of films and music I’d forgotten about.

Let the River Run     – Carly Simon – Working Girl

A nice little fable of a film. The song, at the end, sort of sums it up and lends itself to that feel good feeling.

Band of Brothers Requim – Band of Brothers

Beautiful piece of music and a fantastic mini series. If you haven’t seen it… do so. You may cry a lot, I did, but it’s amazing.

Have a Little Faith in Me – John Hiatt – Benny and Joon

I fell in love with this song after hearing it in this movie. A little fable of a film. This film just works.

Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon – Urge Overkill – Pulp Fiction

Tarantino knows how to use music in his films. This scene is just plain riveting. And the music in it is perfect for it.

Come What May – Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman – Moulan Rouge

I had no idea these two could sing, and sing so well. Besides which, this is a lovely lovely song.

Cell Block Tango – Various – Chicago

Fun fun. Listen to this a couple of times and you’ll find yourself singing along.

She’s Like The Wind – Patrick Swayze from Dirty Dancing

Patrick Swayze singing. Who doesn’t love that? Or love this movie for that matter. No one puts baby in a corner.

I Am Changing – Jennifer Hudson – Dreamgirls

Jennifer Hudson’s defining movie moment.

Long Ride Home – Patty Griffin – Elizabethtown

One of my favorite songs which was used really well in this movie.

Falling Slowly – Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova – Once

A fantastic little film with some awesome music. If you have never seen this, or heard the soundtrack, or listened to the Frames, check some or all of that out. The two from this movie now have their own band called The Swell Season.

Vianne Sets Up Shop – Chocolat

This music just simply makes me happy.

Cruisin’ – Gwyneth Paltrow and Huey Lewis – Duets

Who knew Gwyneth could sing this well. Wow.

You’re The One That I Want – John Travolta and Olivia Newton John – Grease

No list is really complete without this. If you are a person of my age, give or take 10 years either way, you know and at least secretly, if not down right openly, love this song and this scene.

Back Where You Belong – Sinead O’Conner – The Water Horse

Just a really gorgeous song.

You Sexy Thing – Hot Chocolate – The Full Monty

Who doesn’t love rough burly guys dancing… I ask you.

All I Want Is You – U2 – Reality Bites

This song sort of sums up this entire movie.

Stuck In The Middle With You – Steeler’s Wheel – Reservoir Dogs

Ear cutting off scene so beware…. Tarantino knows how to use music in his films.

Goodbye Horses – Q Lazzarus – The Silence of the Lambs

R Rated, for those who care. I’d advise not watching if you do.

In Your Eyes – Peter Gabriel – Say Anything

Iconic image from film this one. I think this spawned thousands of incidents where guys stood outside girl’s homes and played music.

Lust for Life – Iggy Pop – Trainspotting

Ok… so the voice over is in french, but for the purposes of this post it’s the music that counts….

In The Deep – Bird York – Crash

A truly intense gritty movie. Loved it. And loved this song in it.

People Are Strange – Echo & The Bunnymen – Lost Boys

The song in the first part of this clip is Gerard McMann’s Cry Little Sister, also good… Love when People Are Strange is playing and scenes of regular people doing what they do.

Sweet Jane – Cowboy Junkies – Prelude To A Kiss

Unfortunately I couldn’t find a video clip from the movie with the song in it so I had to settle for the video. A lot of people haven’t even heard of this movie. I liked it. Also a little fable of a movie.

American Girl – Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers – Silence of the Lambs

The girl, before being kidnapped, drives along singing this song at the top of her lungs, no care in the world… and then… the second tune from this film. What can I say?

Like To Get To Know You Well – Howard Jones – Better Off Dead

This is the music video, not the clip from the movie… unfortunately.

Across 110th Street – Bobby Womack – Jackie Brown

A fantastic intro/opening credits to a movie. Love this and again love Tarantino’s use of music in a film.

Shoe, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

There was a flurry of activity, as you would imagine, that day. Girls getting ready, but not really having to rush, which was nice. The boys arrived some time after the girls did, after having gone to breakfast and gotten ready themselves. They finished getting the coach house ready for the ceremony, which was great of them. It was beautiful by the time we went downstairs.

The Brides Room, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

At this point we are, the girls that is, all at the Glessner House. This is the room they provided for the girls to get ready. It was perfect actually. Great size, loads of room, good light, mirrors, and private. You can see Mary putting a little makeup on Karen back in the corner. So cute.

30 East Huron, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

The second to last shot I took in Chicago. The only thing connected with Chicago to blog after this is… the wedding. Yes folks, there’s a whole lot more coming. Hope you enjoy looking/reading as much as I’m going to enjoy blogging about it. LOVED the whole experience of it.

Olives, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

Martin enjoyed a two olive martini.

96, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

The view from the 96th floor.

Jay, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

Jay looking out over Chicago from the 96th floor of the Hancock.

Signature Lounge, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

You can see the Sears Tower (now known as the Willis Tower) in the corner window. I love this shot for some reason. Love the blurry guy walking in front of the window on the right and the view past all the people in the lounge.

Gothic and Unknown Guy, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

Just to show how big these two were I thought I’d include this photo of them with some unknown guy. Thanks unknown guy for providing perspective. You rock.

Enjoying The Show, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

Karen and I clowning around at Pritzker.

Pritzker, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

The Jay Pritzker Pavilion. An amazing outdoor concert area designed by Frank Gehry. The metal “net” over the lawn is designed to be a sound system. There are speakers attached to it all over. The idea is that you get the same sound, sitting out there on the lawn, that you’d get from being in a great auditorium. Pretty cool.

Walking The Bridge, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

We walked over part of Frank Gehry’s BP Bridge in Millennium Park. Pretty amazing looking and great views from it to the city.

Feet on Feet, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

We had to. After all, it’s us. What’s a trip without a foot shot or two.

Skating, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

Was a beautiful day for skating, though it was still very very cold out. These people didn’t seem to mind.

Along The Chicago River, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

I thought I’d post a few more shots of Chicago and possibly throw in a bit of commentary about the wedding, our time in this lovely city, and our coming back home.

Trump, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

We, Karen and Mary included this time, walked down Michigan Avenue to Millennium Park today so Karen could see the bean, otherwise known as Cloud Gate, and a bit more of the city. It was a great day for a walk. Cold out. Forecast said a high of 20 today and it felt like it out there. Colder actually when the wind was blowing. But man oh man was it beautiful. The color of the sky was amazing. I think I took about 220 photographs during our two or three hours out. Not bad considering I took this same walk a few days ago and took photos then as well.

We are having an excellent time here. Karen is doing much better. Still improving all the time. I think the walking we’ve been doing, in moderation of course, has been good for her and for the lungs. Opening them up, stretching their capacity a bit.

Today Becky, one of the bridesmaids, and Ulf, a friend of Mary and Martin’s from England, who is actually German, and moving to Chicago for a year, arrived. We had a really nice dinner out with them at Vong’s Thai Kitchen. It’s Mary’s favorite Chicago restaurant and it’s closing in it’s current location tomorrow. Nice that we got in and were able to get some tasty vittles before it shut it’s doors.

Tomorrow a lot of family starts to arrive. It will be great to see everyone. Only four days to go….