Not only was the "American Graffiti" movie a hit, but so was the soundtrack album. However, the soundtrack (featuring most of the music heard in the film) is actually an odd hodgepodge of songs ranging from the years 1953-64. Some songs weren't even released until after the time the film is set (one night in late August 1962).
I don't know what writer/director George Lucas had in mind when deciding on what songs to use. Maybe he took songs that were easily available, maybe he just chose songs he liked or perhaps he felt certain songs were needed for certain scenes. Or maybe he didn't think using specific songs from 1962 was necessary.
But in reality, this was a time of teenage crazes. Songs (and dances, teen idols, clothing styles, etc. etc.) from even the previous year would have seemed old. So music playing on car radios would almost certainly have been current hits. Therefore, I looked at what songs were popular at the time the movie is set and tried my hand at an alternative soundtrack. Unfortunately, I don't have the ability to lift the Wolfman Jack dialogue that was used in the original. But truth be told, Wolfman Jack wasn't a thing until 1963, the year after the movie takes place.
SIDE A
1. Shout! Shout! (Knock Yourself Out) - Ernie Maresca
2. Roses are Red (My Love) - Bobby Vinton
3. Palisades Park - Freddy Cannon
4. Little Diane - Dion
5. The Loco-Motion - Little Eva
6. Breaking Up is Hard to Do - Neil Sedaka
7. At the Hop - Flash Cadillac & The Continental Kids
8. She's So Fine - Flash Cadillac & The Continental Kids
9. The Wah Watusi - The Orlons
10. She's Not You - Elvis Presley
SIDE B
SIDE B
1. Surfin' Safari - The Beach Boys
2. You Don't Know Me - Ray Charles
3. Sheila - Tommy Roe
4. Vacation - Connie Francis
5. Bring It on Home to Me - Sam Cooke
6. Peppermint Twist - Joey Dee and the Starlighters
7. Teen-Age Idol - Ricky Nelson
8. Twist and Shout - The Isley Brothers
9. Johnny Get Angry - Joanie Sommers
10. Do You Love Me - The Contours
11. Things - Bobby Darin
SIDE C
1. Dancin' Party - Chubby Checker
2. You'll Lose a Good Thing - Barbara Lynn
3. Soldier Boy - The Shirelles
4. Gravy (with My Mashed Potatoes) - Dee Dee Sharp
5. Snap Your Fingers - Joe Henderson
6. Playboy - Marvelettes
7. Party Lights - Claudine Clark
8. Don't Play That Song (You Lied) - Ben E. King
9. That's Old Fashioned (That's the Way Love Should Be) - The Everly Brothers
10. Papa Oom Mow Mow - The Rivingtons
SIDE D
1. Uptown - The Crystals
2. Lolita Ya-Ya - The Ventures
3. I Sold My Heart to the Junkman - The Blue-Belles
4. She Cried - Jay and the Americans
5. Johnny Angel - Shelley Fabres
6. Night Train - James Brown and the Famous Flames
7. Green Onions - Booker T. and the MGs
8. The One Who Really Loves You - Mary Wells
9. Sealed with a Kiss - Brian Hyland
10. Let's Dance - Chris Montez
The approach I took with this project was similar to what I did with the soundtrack to "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood."
There are two tracks on the original soundtrack by Flash Cadillac and the Continental Kids, the "house band" at a dance in the movie. I included both of their songs since they would obviously stay in the movie no matter what. All five songs that I kept from the original album remain in their respective spots on this version of the soundtrack as well.
Using Billboard charts for the summer of '62, I chose 36 tracks that were the biggest hits of the time to include with the five songs of the original soundtrack. Then I tried to match as best I could with the theme and/or sound.
To replace the opening track of "Rock Around the Clock" (released in 1954 and a hit in 1955), I needed something energetic and I think the best one of the lot for that purpose is "Shout! Shout! (Knock Yourself Out)" by Ernie Maresca. It might not be as iconic as the Bill Haley song, but I think it makes more sense time-wise. The next song on the original soundtrack is "16 Candles," a slow love song from 1958. So I replaced it with Bobby Vinton's "Roses are Red," and so on and so on.
Some changes were easier than others: "Party Doll" is replaced with "Party Lights" and "Crying in the Chapel" is replaced with "She Cried." "Goodnight, Well It's Time to Go" is replaced with another goodbye song, "Sealed with a Kiss." I thought the best song for the closing credits to replace the Beach Boys' "All Summer Long" was "Let's Dance" by Chris Montez.
So there you are: a new version of the soundtrack that I think is more realistic.
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ReplyDeleteSimply magnificent, Mr. AEC has made it again!. A work of musical art. Congratulation.If you allow me, we will give you a place in the future on my blog, referring to its author, you. Thank You.
ReplyDeleteSure, sounds great. Thanks
DeleteI have "wolfman Jack dialogue" where do we put it on the disc?
ReplyDeleteWolfman Jack originally appeared at the beginning of the tracks "That'll Be The Day," "Fannie Mae," "Barbara Ann," "The Book of Love," "Green Onions" and "Only You (And You Alone)." For this redo of the album, I've replaced those tracks with "The Loco-Motion," "Breaking Up is Hard to Do," "Teen-Age Idol," "Twist and Shout," "Green Onions" (this track was kept) and "The One Who Really Loves You."
DeleteWolfman Jack did not exist in 1962. The character didn't hit the airwaves until 1964 on XERF, Del Rio, Texas. So having him in the film is an anachronism. I'm a little surprised the author didn't mention this.
DeleteI did mention it: "Unfortunately, I don't have the abilities to lift Wolfman Jack dialogue that was used in the original. But truth be told, Wolfman Jack wasn't a thing until 1963, the year after the movie takes place." He started at XERF in 1963, but maybe he didn't create his Wolfman character until the following year.
DeleteYes. I realize this was done all in fun. It’s interesting in interviews with George Lucas he claimed when he was cruising in Modesto Wolfman was the “DJ of choice” Oddly enough when Wolfman first hit the airwaves in 1964 Lucas was attending college at USC in Los Angeles, CA. Although cruising took place on the Sunset Strip in ‘64, I’d venture to guess Lucas’ had stopped cruising by that time. Although many who were teens in 1962 claim the film is accurate, to me it is a revisionist view in some respects. That’s part of its charm. Great article. Keep up the good work!
DeleteThanks for your comments!
DeleteIt is fairly ridiculous to pretend that a pop radio station in 1962 would be playing singles from 1954...
ReplyDeleteAgreed!
DeleteYour style is so unique compared to other people I have read stuff from. Many thanks forposting when you have the opportunity, Guess I will just bookmark this site Debut n-Track Studio Suite
ReplyDeleteCool! Thanks
DeleteWhat would you replace Gee by The Crows with? Since it's the only song from the movie to not appear on the soundtrack.
ReplyDeleteFunny you should mention that. I considered it, but since it wasn't on the original soundtrack, I didn't pursue it. I'd have to relook at the charts to see what might be apropriate.
DeleteNice revamp of the soundtrack. A couple of comments if I may: In response to not knowing what Lucas had in mind when he included the songs on the soundtrack, The director has said in previous interviews that the songs in Graffiti were representing part of Wolman's Golden Oldies show on the night the film takes place. The first thing we hear at the beginning of the film is the radio station jingle, "XERB, Super-Golden." So, its suppose to signify that we're listening to an oldies program. Personally, I'm glad Lucas dipped back into older tunes because there wasn't really that much rock and roll on the airwaves in '62. Bobby Vinton, Chubby Checker, Connie Francis??? Really? Rock and roll radio was in a slump in 1962. It took the Beatles to revive it. I'm not defending these choices 'cause I do understand the confusion. But I think Graffiti is really not so much about the Autumn of '62 but rather the end of innocence and the end of the 1950s. Its a hodgepodge of that era.
ReplyDeleteBut I do get your point and I dig your soundtrack!
The biggest reality check or anachronism has to be using Bob Smith aka Wolfman Jack in the film because the character wasn't introduced to the airwaves until 1964.
Nice job!
Hey, thanks for your comments. Completely understand the idea that the film was depicting and end of innocence -- before JFK assassination, Vietnam, protests, Woodstock, etc. But I'm not sure I understand the concept of an "golden oldies" show in 1962. Would anyone have done that? Maybe a 1973 Wolfman show come to life? Now that would be an interesting concept. And yeah, as John Milner's character says, "rock and roll has been going down hill since Buddy Holly died." But his comment I think would carry more weight if the soundtrack was Connie Francis, Bobby Vinton, et al. If nothing else, this was a fun exercise. Thanks again.
DeleteI just reread this article & comments. Lots of fun. Thanks!
ReplyDelete