In the driver's seat and in control of the radio |
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For Thanksgiving, I traveled to Ohio with my boyfriend and his son. We spent more than 10 hours on the road on Wednesday—first, the four hour drive (that's supposed to take two) thru the clusterfrick that is the Chicago metro, and then another five from northern Indiana to eastern Ohio. I drove most of it, the boys talked sports and slept for most of it, and it rained nonstop, leaving me time to listen to music and think.
I know I'm not the only one who, at many times in her life, imagined she was in a movie. It's not always the narcissistic I-am-so-fascinating-and-cool-that-my-life-should-be-chronicled kind of attitude (although I admit, it sometimes is); but rather, it's imagining how different circumstances and happenstances would play out if this life were written by a skilled professional instead of played by ear by a novice.
There's something about a road trip (especially when alone, or kind of alone) that brings out nostalgic self indulgence in a person, or maybe it's just me. Travel, change, reflection, music . . . I look forward to the occasional long drive the same way I look forward to a good cry. My boyfriend's iPod is loaded with way too much stuff, and for every five songs I skip on the shuffle, I listen to maybe one. The Dylan song that's been my favorite since high school ("Tangled Up in Blue") showed up early—still in Wisconsin. "Gimme Shelter" by the Stones came on in Indiana (the boyfriend really likes the Stones, but, along with 
Of course I went to see art when I skipped school. too |
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the comic books, Yankees, and white socks, I've accepted it) and I felt like I was in a Scorsese film (almost any Scorsese film; take your pick). When "Dear God" by XTC came on, I was surprised that I still knew the words. I thought about people I haven't seen for 10 years or more: college friends, bad blind dates, manipulative high school friends, all these people and experiences who've impacted me so much but that, paradoxically, I have no connection with today.
I thought again about the novel that I've been writing for two years, and how I already have the music chosen for the film version, even though most of the novel isn't written yet and the ending is still a mystery. "David" by Nellie McKay is the opening credits and the Cure song that supplied the book (and film) with its title is about two thirds through.
What is it about music that can make or break a film? I don't remember much about MAGNOLIA except Tom Cruise saying "Denise The Piece" and that amazing soundtrack of Aimee Mann's. (Please do not email me telling me that the songs came first and inspired P.T. to write the film; I read the liner notes, too).Tarantino's films' use of music is genius, especially "Flowers on the Wall." And can you hear "Jungle Boogie" or "Son of a Preacher Man" b>without thinking of PULP FICTION? One of my favorite moments in any film is the way FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF used "Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want," and I wonder how much of HAROLD AND 
Where do the children play? |
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MAUDE's impact is from all those perfect songs by Cat Stevens. I've shown HAROLD AND MAUDE to many of my humanities classes, and the students whistle "If You Want To Sing Out, Sing Out" for days afterward.
I love how an hour rolls by when I listen to The Cure's Disintegration or Morrissey's You Are The Quarry. I replay arguments from the past, rewording them so that I win, rewording so that there are more references and snappy comebacks, so these moments work better for My Life: The Film.
I'm sure I'll eventually be reliving events from this weekend in my head, probably in the car. Making dialogue revisions, changing the lighting. I didn't make the best impression on the relatives because I was just so tired the whole time. Plus, I made some poor wardrobe choices. I'll fix these problems in the next draft.
So now I want to know about you: what songs/artists do you need to have on road trips? What films do you feel have the best uses of music? And tell me why. I'd like to work some of your responses into a future column.
The drive home to Milwaukee will have a different vibe than the drive to Youngstown. First off, it should be daylight for most of it. And I probably won't be driving, at least not as much. And I'll probably be subjected to headache-inducing AM radio, as there will be college football games to follow. It'll be harder to daydream. But I'll be fine, because I have the Christmas drive to Minneapolis to look forward to.
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Semi-wholesome Midwestern girl and certified Geek Magnet offers her suggestions - often new, sometimes classic - for DVDs that are definitely queue-worthy.
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