There’s a brilliant moment in the underrated, relatively obscure film I’m Gonna Git You Sucka, where Keenan Ivory Wayans sees Bernie Casey walking with a band of musicians behind him, and asks him who they are. Casey looks at him like he’s an idiot and claims, “They’re my theme music. Every hero’s got to have some.” After the film’s big, ridiculous climax, Wayans has bought into it, and walks off with his own band in tow — the wonderful 90’s funk/rock/ska band Fishbone, no less.*
And it’s true. Music is a critical part of film, and I don’t just mean the score. I love a perfectly placed song in a movie — there are plenty of movies with good soundtracks, but rarely is the placement of those songs as well thought-out. That’s the part that I find myself obsessing over.
Last week, I presented you with a glimpse into that obsession, admitting to the fact that I spend an inordinate amount of time thinking about what songs I would use for scenes to movies that don’t exist. What can I say? I like movies and I like music, and oft the twain shall meet.
So, we’ve already gone over the Drama And Romance Edition.
Now is the time when we rock the fuck out:
I present to you — Choose Your Own Soundtrack, Part II: Action/Adventure Edition.
Bursting in guns blazing: “The Gun Show,” In This Moment
The foot chase (no cops): “Full on Kevin’s Mom,” Soundgarden
The foot chase (with cops): “Sound Of Da Police,” KRS One
Planning the heist: “Lex,” Ratatat
Walking into the arena: “Walk,” Pantera
The drug dealer’s warehouse: “Ain’t The Devil Happy,” Jeru The Damaja
The bar brawl (Redneck Edition): “Mississippi Breaks,” Mule
Beating the bully: “On A Rope,” Rocket From The Crypt
The fighter training montage: “Long Road To Ruin,” Foo Fighters (minus the first 30 seconds of the video)
The killer training montage: “Blood And Thunder,” Mastodon
The shootout: “Just A Shock,” Maylene And The Sons Of Disaster
TELL ME WHERE HE/SHE/IT IS: “Calm Like A Bomb,” Rage Against The Machine
Defusing the bomb: “A Song For Our Fathers,” Explosions In The Sky
Everyone dies: “Callous Heart,” Devil Sold His Soul
Walking away, last one standing: “You’ll Find A Way,” Dead Prez
Next week: Choose Your Own Soundtrack, Part III: Horror/Sci-Fi Edition. Stay tuned.
*yes, I know the header pic is Kung Fu Joe, not Casey or Wayans. But I love that scene too much to not use it.