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As some of you may recall, I can’t stand Cameron Crowe’s semi-autobiographical rock flick Almost Famous. Among the many scenes that didn’t work for me is the key tour bus party sing-along to Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer.” I have to think that even rock fans of that film found that an especially wimpy and unrealistic song over which the fictional hard rock band would unite.
Assuming you agree that a more appropriate song was needed, what song would you have chosen for this scene?
Although not nearly as popular or upbeat, I just got done listening to Van Morrison‘s “St. Dominic’s Preview” while reflecting on the exciting comeback my boys soccer team made in their final game, overcoming a 3-0 deficit with 12 minutes left to dash the dreams of another team contending for the division title. The game ended in a tie, but that says a lot about my perspective on life. We felt extremely proud as even that fictional band in that ass-kissing movie should have felt. I would have had that busload of rockers singing along to “St. Dominic’s Preview.”
I barely watched that movie — which is to say, it was on the teevee and I managed to fold my laundry to it, or something. If I remember correctly (and there’s a good chance I don’t), that scene is one having to do with young rock critic’s coming of age, mixed with band unity and redemption, and coming to grips with the inevitable personality evolution that comes with fame, or something.
Seems to me that a more fitting song might have been “Slow Ride” by Foghat. I can more easily see members of the movie band smiling through soup-encrusted moustaches, bobbing their head in agreement with the song’s 1970s-era admonition to “take it easy,” to mellow out, to chill and let the sweeping, two-lane highway of life take them where it may, either collectively or as individuals. A joint would be passed.
That wasn’t soup encrusted on some of those mustaches. “Maggie May” would have been more fitting.
God, I hate that scene. I get the same feeling at all “sing-alongs”
I think “Let it Be” or “With a little help from my friends” would have been more realistic choices
I’d Like to teach the World to Sing
I don’t think it’s the song so much as the sing-a-long that makes me wince in this scene. Though Throbbing Gristle’s Blood on the Floor might have worked for me.
Honky Tonk Women?
THAT’S a good choice, mockcarr!
“Like a Rolling Stone”: Travelin’ song, any rock band would know the words, anthemic chorus, can’t sing it worse than Bobby D.
If the early 70’s USA setting isn’t important, “Free Falling” or “Live Forever” if the band is English.
Camptown Races.
“100 Bottles Of Beer.” Duh!
War Pigs
Your Pretty Face is Going to Hell
For true 70’s authenticity, it would have had to have been “Kumbaya.”
I haven’t seen this movie is ages, and I didn’t like ti much, but I thought the whole idea was that Tiny Dancer was an unlikely choice for this band, but it showed that they weren’t as hardass as they pretended. And that Elton John was ubiquitous in a way they were not.
So far, I give it to “Camptown Races.” I mean, if that was really the song, other aspects being the same, it is pants-pissingly funny.
I think Steve is on to something, though. The concept makes me wince more than the choice of song, and as like as not, when people start singing along in that way, it is rarely to something I really enjoy, myself.
Mr. Buskirk, what is that great depressing LA movie you turned me on to that I can never remember the title of? 1973 or 1974? That was the movie that made me download “Tiny Dancer.” Even though I maintained my self-cred by downloading it for free, I did feel that its use in that film made me hear things in it I hadn’t previously.
I would have thought Bowies “Life On Mars” would have had more rock cred, but is possible the director was wanting the extra cheese given to it by Elton. With this in mind, I’d suggest “C’mon Get Happy” by the Partridge Family would have given it a suitable Disney-esque ending.
I have avoided seeing Almost Famous. Crowe jumped the semi-proverbial shark for me with Jerry Maguire and the mere thought of this scene in Almost Famous makes me cringe.
But I like “Tiny Dancer” as a song, always have. Especially that line “count the head lice on the highway.” No, seriously, I do think it is a great pop song. I assume the idea is that it is such a great song that everybody, even so-called ruff ‘n’ tuff rockers, likes it and sings along with it, even if only secretly. Still doesn’t mean I want to see the movie.
Mod, I love the idea of them singing “St. Dominic’s Preview,” one of my top 5 Van songs. Except who the hell knows all the words to that?
I actually think “Tiny Dancer” is exactly the kind of song that the band, the journalist, and the groupies would all like…can’t imagine what else they’d all have in common, really. And it totally epitomizes its era.
Didn’t like this movie (or Jerry Maguire) and especially cringed during the Tiny Dancer scene (even though I think it’s a good tune). “Hey Jude” would make the most sense, but it would probably be the most obvious too.
And he shall be Levon
And he shall be a good man…
they should have sang that shit-ass tune. It wouldn’t have mattered. that movie blew.
The only good part is where Valania takes Sweeney to breakfast and teaches him how a real rock critic rolls:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kss5QLQlM9w
BINGO, kilroy!