| Moulin Rouge – The Show Must Go On Lyrics | 23 years ago |
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This song is one of my favourites used in Moulin Rouge, mostly because it sounds the most like true musical theatre instead of pop. (It sounds so much like "One Day More" from Les Mis, for example.) I can relate to this song so much, and anyone who has theatre or art in their blood I'm sure could relate. It's about putting art and the pursuit of art above all else--and even when it hurts, you still wouldn't have it any other way. On with the show... |
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| Moulin Rouge – One Day I'll Fly Away Lyrics | 23 years ago |
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This song is one of my favourites, one of those that could be a "life theme song"... it describes me and my current situation to the letter. (Minus being a sickly prostitute, ya know! ;-) ) This is one of those songs (all of the Moulin Rouge music, really) that makes sure the dreaming days never end. |
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| Hedwig and the Angry Inch – The Long Grift Lyrics | 23 years ago |
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Hey, classic song about a f*ckwit. I can't listen to this without thinking of my very own... lol. As context to the play/film: it's very telling that this is the song Tommy is working on just before the pivotal "Love the front of me" scene. Also in the play, that Hedwig can't go on and ends up taking back-up and having the musical director sing the lead vocals: it's the beginning of the breakdown, the beginning of the mask falling. |
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| Hedwig and the Angry Inch – The Origin of Love Lyrics | 23 years ago |
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Read Aristophanes speech in Plato's Symposium to get the meaning of this song. (While you're at it, read the full text of Plato's Symposium... good read, but I digress.) I think this song is important to this story as this myth is Hedwig's motivation through much of the film/play: to find the "other half." (Listen to the reprise (Tommy version) of "Wicked Little Town" after "Origin of Love," and you can see the rise and fall of these ideals.) It also furthers the "absolute power corrupts," and "better to be powerless" ways of thinking Hedwig had been fed during childhood. Beyond analyzing, it's just beautiful, especially in the film. The looks John Cameron Mitchell (Hedwig) gives during the "The last time I saw you" verse... just breathtaking. |
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| Hedwig and the Angry Inch – Wicked Little Town (Reprise) Lyrics | 23 years ago |
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This song (and the whole film/play) is, indeed, "something beautiful and new." (I believe "That when everything starts breaking down/You take the pieces off the ground/And show this wicked town something beautiful and new" is the true meaning and inspiration of this whole piece of art to me.) I suggest listening to this one after "Origin of Love," as this song is about coming to terms with the ideals presented in "Origin." There's also added meaning if you listen to it after the original "Wicked Little Town." It is also the perfect preamble to "Midnight Radio"--I think this song is the beginning of the merging of the two characters (Hedwig & Tommy), which reaches height in "Midnight Radio". Hedwig is finally saying goodbye to the "wicked little town," and to previous crutches, masks and beliefs--ready to take back what was lost and create something "beautiful and new." |
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| Hedwig and the Angry Inch – Wicked Little Town Lyrics | 23 years ago |
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This is the song that pretty much means more to me than any other. I almost can't analyze it, it's just so beautiful and truly speaks to the emotions instead of the intellect. I can just relate to this so much. Get me in the right mood, and even after listening to it "on a loop, for three days" it can still make me cry. Anyone who has a personality for the big city but is stuck in a "wicked little town" could relate. On the DVD making of feature, Stephen Trask talked about writing this song while staying in a "wicked little town" and imagining what it would be like for a character like Hedwig to be in such an environment. Anyone who has been dealt bad hands in life ("The fates are vicious and they're cruel") and has played the best they know how with it could relate. Though Hedwig is singing this to Tommy, I think it's much more about Hedwig's character. ("You're turning tricks til you're turned out", "And then you're someone you are not," etc. are all about Hedwig in my point of view.) Then again, aren't both characters one whole? This is the song that gives me hope that I'll leave my own "Junction City" one day and that I'll have the courage to not look back. ("Remember Mrs. Lot and when she turned around.") Until then, it'll serenade me "through the dark turns and noise of this wicked little town." (Hey, about the movie--has anyone ever noticed the "two wishes" are in the film? The coin being dropped in the fountain at the mall, and Hedwig blowing the eyelash off Tommy's finger. Gee, maybe I still can over-analyze it!) |
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| Hedwig and the Angry Inch – Wig in a Box Lyrics | 23 years ago |
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I dare someone to listen to this and NOT be cheered up. Especially if you sing along when prompted. (Don't you just love the "follow the wig" graphic on the film during the sing-along? Wig out, man!) Besides the catchy lyrics and the catchy beat that goes from candy pop to head-banging material and back, the song also has deeper meanings and is the climax to the story. It shows how Hedwig is using the drag to cover his true self. ("Until I wake up, and turn back to myself.") And don't we all use something or someone to cover our true selves, at least at some point? Of course, on the surface, it's also just bloody fun to sing-along to as you "put on some make-up"... rock out! :-D |
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| Aimee Mann – Wise Up Lyrics | 23 years ago |
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This song is beautiful out of context, and even more meaningful embedded in the text of the film "Magnolia." In the film, it plays a part much like the chorus in a great Greek tragic play. When watching the film, pay attention to what character is singing what lyric: it shows the characters purpose and motive. It is very telling, for example, that they pan on the young quiz kid during the final lyric: "So just... give up." The youngest character with the most innocence and naivete is actually the one that knows the answers. In this song, it's one of the cases where giving up is the optimistic, not pessimistic, thing to do. All the characters in the film need to give up one way or another--give up their pride, give up their walls, give up their lies, give up misplaced love. Then again, isn't that sound advice for anyone? A beautiful song to listen to on it's own, extremely relatable to anyone. But put it in the context of the film, and it's pure music & movie magic. Two art forms coming together and making a masterpiece. |
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