Soundtrack Saturday: Grease (1978)

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Summer is pretty much here in the UK - with glorious sunshine all of this week (we'll ignore the thunderstorms for now). Schools are breaking up for holidays and all of this reminds me of the great summer musical classic - Grease. Let's revisit and groove to this much loved soundtrack.

This is one of the first film musicals I watched avidly growing up, wishing for a 'Pink Ladies' jacket and pining after John Travolta! The soundtrack is one of the most popular ever. To date the album has sold a staggering 40 million copies worldwide, becoming the best-selling soundtrack album of all time. In the UK, John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John had a number one for an incredible nine weeks with You're the One That I Want:

This song only took an afternoon to film and those tight leather trousers Newton-John wears? She was sewn into them after the zipper broke. She looks fab-u-lous (as you can tell from Danny's reaction).

Summer Nights has to be the best big sing-a-long, especially at the end with Travolta's ridiculous falsetto. Let's face it, we've all tried and failed at that part! 

Possibly my favourite sequence in the movie is Greased Lightnin'. 

You can't help but do the infamous dance moves to the chorus:

Other highlights include the solo songs There Are Worst Things I Could Do sung by Rizzo and Danny's song at the drive-in, Sandy. Although I'm not a huge fan of this song, Sandy's Hopelessly Devoted to You was nominated for an Academy Award. It was written and recorded after the movie had wrapped as producers felt the film needed a strong ballad.

As well as romantic ballads, Grease has two hilarious comedic songs. Rizzo's bitchy Look At Me, I'm Sandra Dee and Frenchy's Beauty School Dropout sung by Frankie Avalon. Did you know that Elvis Presley was offered the role of the Guardian Angel in the dream sequence? Also if you take a look below, the scene actually features Patty, Rizzo, Marty and Jan, along with the three T-Bird counterparts right at the end: 

We Go Together is the perfect summer soundtrack tune as the T-Birds and Pink Ladies graduate from high school. Celebrating at the carnival, the entire cast have a big musical rock out. However, I never understand why that car has to fly at the end. Sandy's face is ridiculous, but I guess you can get away with anything cheesy in a musical!

Available on Spotify? Yes

Best track? I haven't mentioned the fantastic title song, Grease, written by Robin Gibb and sung by Frankie Valli. But if I had to pick one of the top tracks, I'd go for Summer Nights.

Do you agree? 

What's your favourite Grease track?

Let me know in the comments below or tweet @TicketStubBlog

Soundtrack Saturday: Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)

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"Come with me and you'll be in a world of pure imagination"

Continuing the Easter themed posts this weekend, I have picked an appropriate Soundtrack Saturday for your ears to sink into (and you'll probably fancy eating some chocolate too!) 

Yes, this week I have chosen Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.

Although the film may not stay true to Roald Dahl's childhood classic, the film is enriched with catchy songs and has gained a cult following over the years.

The best song, undoubtedly, has to go to Pure Imagination sung by the genius Gene Wilder. He sings this as the children and adults enter the world of Wonka's factory in the Chocolate Room. I distinctly remember watching this as a child and it quickly became my favourite moment in the film. Purely magical. 

It has been covered quite a few times too. I highly recommend Jamie Cullum's version. Also check out Maroon 5's and Fiona Apple's interpretations.

Remember the Oompa Loompa song? Each of the five children have Willy Wonka's helpers singing the tune before each of their fates in the factory. Here is a compilation of them all together:

Veruca Salt also gets her own brilliantly bratty song - I Want It Now:

The Candy Man and (I've Got A) Golden Ticket are two other highlights. However, listening back, can Charlie actually sing in tune? I don't think so, but hey, it adds to the charm doesn't it?

If you fancy a charming and sweet trip down memory lane, I highly recommend this soundtrack for this Easter weekend.

Available on Spotify? Yes

Best track? Pure Imagination

Do you have any favourite movie soundtracks that should feature on Ticket Stub?

Comment below or tweet @TicketStubBlog

Soundtrack Saturday: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)

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On Thursday I ventured out to the cinema with my friends to see my first film of 2014. We chose to see The Secret Life of Walter Mitty after featuring the film as a Trailer Tuesday back in September. 

I will be doing a full review of Mitty in a new feature for this year - Ticket Stub's Film of the Month - where I shall write a short review of all the films I've seen for the month and pick the best one. I won't reveal too much of what I thought, but the biggest highlight is the soundtrack.

Many of the songs have a great driving force that makes you want to grab life by the hands. Other tracks just make you want to relax and, like Walter, let your imagination take over. Of Monsters And Men and Jose Gonzalez are the big hitters in this soundtrack. Listen out for David Bowie's Space Oddity in which Kristen Wiig sings along to (as she does in the film). Plus, there is a very cool version of the 80s classic Don't You Want Me performed by Bahamas feat. The Weather Station - think Radio 1 Live Lounge-esque. Also, Jack Johnson (remember him?) he has an adorable Pina Colada song which will brighten up your day no end.

The style of the soundtrack is predominately folky. If you like the style of Fleet Foxes, Mumford and Sons or Ben Howard then you'll love this album. I'm definitely going to put this one in the car.

Best Track? 

There are many I like - Far Away by Junip has a great running bass line but let's go for

Dirty Paws by Of Monsters and Men (as featured in the trailer below)

Available on Spotify?

Yes, though for Space Oddity - Mitty Mix you'll have to seek out on YouTube

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is out in cinemas NOW

Have you seen The Secret Life of Walter Mitty? 

What did you think?

What do you make of the soundtrack?

Comment below or tweet @TicketStubBlog 

Soundtrack Saturday: Mary Poppins (1964)

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With yesterday's release of Saving Mr. Banks, I thought it would be appropriate to listen back to the wonderful Mary Poppins soundtrack.

If you do not know the story, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN? Go watch it now! 

But if you are otherwise engaged, Mary Poppins is about the magical nanny who ends up working for the Banks family, looking after the children Jane and Michael. Combining live action and animation, Mary (Julie Andrews) opens the eyes of the Banks family and brings them closer together. Chimney sweep, Bert (Dick Van Dyke), adds plenty of comedy, least because of Van Dyke's infamous 'cockney' accent but we will ignore this! 

How can you not love these songs? Listening to the orchestral overture immediately captures the charm and magic of the film. If you grew up watching Mary Poppins, a grand wave of nostalgia comes with listening to this soundtrack. 

Remember these tunes?

A Spoonful of Sugar

Jolly Holiday

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious

And what about these musical gems?

Stay Awake

Chim Chim Cher-Ee

Let's Go Fly a Kite

There are so many highlights, nearly every song is a treat. The Step In Time sequence has been featured several times on Ticket Stub - for the dance sequence and for the fireworks effects. However, my personal favourite song has to be Feed the Birds:

The Sherman Brothers certainly created one of the best loved motion picture soundtracks. I urge you to listen again to truly appreciate their genius. 

It is practically perfect in every way! 

Best Track? How could I possibly pick? Let's go for the Overture - it captures every favourite tune.

 (See below)

Available on Spotify? Yes

What's your Soundtrack Saturday? 

Tweet @TicketStubBlog or comment below

Soundtrack Saturday: Dirty Dancing (1987)

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I may not have included Dirty Dancing in my Top Ten Dance Sequences in a Film post, but fear not - I am featuring it this week as my Soundtrack Saturday.

Yes, it has been a very dance filled week on Ticket Stub and what a soundtrack to finish it off with. 

Dirty Dancing, of course, has the classics that you'd expect from the film - (I've Had) The Time of My Life and Hungry Eyes - but there are some wonderful hidden gems here to channel your Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey moves to.

Dirty Dancing is definitely one of the top compilation soundtracks. Some of the best songs come from when Baby first sees Johnny at the secret after-party for staff at the Kellerman's resort. Here, Baby sees the 'dirty dancing' for the very first time. You cannot help but stare in awe of all the dancers and, like Baby, want to try it with Johnny. Do You Love Me is without a doubt one to shake those sexy hips to.

Other highlights include Hey Baby, as Johnny tries to show Baby the art of balance, and the perfect 80s power ballad She's Like the Wind. The track is sung by Swayze himself, played as Johnny says goodbye to Baby and drives away. You can even recreate the adorably comical 'Lover Boy' scene with the track Love is Strange. There are a bunch of other dancing tunes to shake your rumba or dance the foxtrot to, however, one of the slower tracks stands out. 

Cry to Me is played in the sexiest scene of the movie. I have posted the moment the song appears in the film below as me explaining it would never do it justice. 

I had this CD in car all week and it makes me want to watch the film all over again. If you haven't ever listened to it, take the time to...it will be the time of your life.

(YES, I went there with a disastrous Dirty Dancing pun! I do apologise.)

Best track? Hungry Eyes

Played during the montage of Baby and Johnny becoming dance partners (see below)

Available on Spotify? Yes, though not all tracks from the Ultimate Dirty Dancing album are available

Got any Soundtrack Saturdays? 

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Your Response: Favourite Film Scores of All Time

After my post promoting BBC's Sound of Cinema season last week, I took to Twitter to ask what your favourite film score of all time was. To my surprise, Ticket Stub was retweeted by the wonderful BBC Radio 3 and I had some interesting recommendations.

I thought I would share the replies I received so we can all take a listen and enjoy some new soundtracks:

What do you think of these film scores? 

Do you know any better ones? 

Comment below with your favourite film score of all time...

BBC: Sound of Cinema Season

Image: bbc.co.uk

I saw an advert for this season a few weeks back and immediately got excited about sharing this on Ticket Stub. The BBC is starting a new season: Sound of Cinema. Across radio platforms and TV, the series will look at the composers, songs and film scores which have created some of the most iconic soundtracks. From the piercing strings of Herrmann’s Psycho to the more modern sound of Tarantino’s movies, it looks to be a fascinating insight into how these soundtracks are made and how some of the styles have changed over the years.

I will link the trailer below for you to watch. The first programme starts on BBC4 tonight at 9pm, titled ‘The Big Score’. I’ll definitely be watching but if you cannot see it tonight you’ll be able to catch up on iPlayer. Who knows, maybe we’ll be introduced to some more Soundtrack Saturdays...

Soundtrack Saturday: Up (2009)

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"Adventure is out there!" Up (2009)

We’re carrying on with the Disney theme this week after Tuesday’s post on Saving Mr. Banks...this week’s Soundtrack Saturday is Pixar’s Up.

Up tells the astonishing tale of Carl, a 78 year old who wishes to fulfil his and his late wife’s dream of reaching Paradise Falls in South America. From meeting as kids, Ellie and Carl dream of being adventurers, and share a passion for the explorer C.F. Muntz and his ‘Spirit of Adventure’ to reach the Falls. Once Ellie dies, Carl realises that they never made that dream trip to Paradise Falls. He therefore decides to tie thousands of balloons to the house he built with Ellie, as you do, and sets off on a fantastical journey with a young stowaway named Russell. Along the way they encounter Dug, a dog who can talk via a special collar, and Kevin, a rare tall bird that Muntz has been trying to capture for decades.

This soundtrack is an original score by Michael Giacchino, who has composed for films such as Star Trek, Mission Impossible III and other Pixar movies including Ratatouille and The Incredibles. The reason I love this soundtrack is how it captures childhood dreams of adventure. This is certainly true with the track ‘Carl Goes Up’ as Carl releases the balloons and the apt title ‘Seizing the Spirit of Adventure’ at the climactic end of the movie. However, the most memorable track is found right at the beginning of the film and is full of emotion. Tissues at the ready...

I had to share this soundtrack just for one piece of music. ‘Married Life’ displays Carl and Ellie’s life together from marriage, building their house and dreaming of moving to Paradise Falls. They save money, but life gets in the way. I won’t describe every detail because this moment is cinema in its purest form – image and music, no dialogue. And it works. For me, it is arguably one of the greatest sequences not just in animation but in cinematic history. You may think that’s over dramatic, but it is quite a feat to achieve this kind of emotion within a short sequence of 4/5 mins and, more importantly, displaying it through animation. I’m not going to lie, I cry nearly every time I watch it. I AM NOT ASHAMED. If you do not listen to the whole soundtrack, at least watch this clip. The music will break your heart. Plus, it is a better love story than you’ll ever find in any romantic comedy.

Best track? Married Life

Available on Spotify? Yes