Songs about movie stars
September 23, 2010 3:04 AM
I need inspiration for a playlist - all songs about actors [OR by movie stars that don't normally sing]. So - Gorillaz - "Clint Eastwood", works well, as does Clint Eastwood - "I talk to the trees". I prefer songs about the stars, but by is acceptable too.
Few off the top of my head:
Lambchop - Steve McQueen
Kim Carnes - Betty Davis Eyes
MDC - John Wayne Was a Nazi
Guardian: Readers recommend - songs about actors.
posted by Infinite Jest at 3:19 AM on September 23, 2010
Lambchop - Steve McQueen
Kim Carnes - Betty Davis Eyes
MDC - John Wayne Was a Nazi
Guardian: Readers recommend - songs about actors.
posted by Infinite Jest at 3:19 AM on September 23, 2010
Sorry, meant to link to the blog post with readers' suggestions
posted by Infinite Jest at 3:21 AM on September 23, 2010
posted by Infinite Jest at 3:21 AM on September 23, 2010
Calling him a movie star might be a bit of a stretch, but David Duchovny by Bree Sharp totally fits the bill otherwise.
posted by FakePalindrome at 3:23 AM on September 23, 2010
posted by FakePalindrome at 3:23 AM on September 23, 2010
Also: on the Guardian's blog page Infinite Jest links to: Stump's "Charlton Heston" is a masterpiece.
posted by MuffinMan at 3:25 AM on September 23, 2010
posted by MuffinMan at 3:25 AM on September 23, 2010
The Clash - The Right Profile (about Montgomery Clift)
posted by permafrost at 3:27 AM on September 23, 2010
posted by permafrost at 3:27 AM on September 23, 2010
"Grace Kelly" by Mika fits the former!
And for the latter, Scarlett Johanssen did an album of Tom Waits covers (can't remember the name) which might suit?
posted by greenish at 3:27 AM on September 23, 2010
And for the latter, Scarlett Johanssen did an album of Tom Waits covers (can't remember the name) which might suit?
posted by greenish at 3:27 AM on September 23, 2010
Sissy Spacek - John, You Went Too Far This Time (about John Lennon)
posted by Locative at 3:30 AM on September 23, 2010
posted by Locative at 3:30 AM on September 23, 2010
Oops, looks like Sissy Spacek's song is actually called John You've Gone Too Far This Time
posted by Locative at 3:32 AM on September 23, 2010
posted by Locative at 3:32 AM on September 23, 2010
Farrah Fawcett and Jean-Paul Vignon - You (Toi) -- actually a pretty catchy song
posted by Locative at 3:35 AM on September 23, 2010
posted by Locative at 3:35 AM on September 23, 2010
The Clash - One Emotion (inspired by a performance by Roger Moore)
posted by Devoidoid at 3:43 AM on September 23, 2010
posted by Devoidoid at 3:43 AM on September 23, 2010
Wow! thanks - keep 'em coming [I had Bananrama in my preview - nice we had the same thought!]
posted by dash_slot- at 3:52 AM on September 23, 2010
posted by dash_slot- at 3:52 AM on September 23, 2010
Bauhaus - "Bela Lugosi's dead" ....
posted by dash_slot- at 3:52 AM on September 23, 2010
posted by dash_slot- at 3:52 AM on September 23, 2010
Well, Slug and Murs have an album called Felt: A Tribute to Christina Ricci that includes that tracks "Christina Intro," "Ricci Outro," and "Rick James."
posted by pecanpies at 3:53 AM on September 23, 2010
posted by pecanpies at 3:53 AM on September 23, 2010
Being John Malkovich: Malkovich Masterpiece - (John Malkovich's remix)
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 3:55 AM on September 23, 2010
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 3:55 AM on September 23, 2010
Clem Snide, Made For TV Movie (about Lucille Ball).
posted by Catseye at 3:59 AM on September 23, 2010
posted by Catseye at 3:59 AM on September 23, 2010
Leonard Nimoy did at least one song in I think the 1970s. And a good chunk of the Star Trek TNG cast was on an album called, IIRC, "Old Yellow Eyes is Back."
posted by SMPA at 4:02 AM on September 23, 2010
posted by SMPA at 4:02 AM on September 23, 2010
SMPA, Leonard Nimoy's Ballad of Bilbo Baggins deserves to be linked to!
posted by Omnomnom at 4:05 AM on September 23, 2010
posted by Omnomnom at 4:05 AM on September 23, 2010
Anybody mentioned Jonathan Coulton's Tom Cruise Crazy yet?
posted by Bardolph at 4:18 AM on September 23, 2010
posted by Bardolph at 4:18 AM on September 23, 2010
I submit "C. Thomas Howell as The Soul Man" by Botch, though the reference is titular only and the song is probably not appropriate for such a compilation. They also have a song called "John Woo;" same caveats apply.
posted by The Michael The at 4:31 AM on September 23, 2010
posted by The Michael The at 4:31 AM on September 23, 2010
David Bowie- Andy Warhol (okay, stretching movie star)
Matthew Sweet- Winona (Winona Ryder)
posted by kimdog at 4:35 AM on September 23, 2010
Matthew Sweet- Winona (Winona Ryder)
posted by kimdog at 4:35 AM on September 23, 2010
Hank Pine & Lily Fawn: "David Hasselhoff"
Chocolat: "Johnny Depp"
posted by Johnny Assay at 4:45 AM on September 23, 2010
Chocolat: "Johnny Depp"
posted by Johnny Assay at 4:45 AM on September 23, 2010
Sung by movie stars:
Reeves Gabrels' You've Been Around features David Bowie and Gary Oldman on vocals. (The version on Gabrels' The Sacred Squall of Now, not the one on Bowie's Black Tie, White Noise. Sorry, couldn't find a suitable clip to link to.)
An obscure singer named Little Joe Pesci once recorded a version of The Beatles' Got To Get You Into My Life (Somebody stuck a NSFW scene from Casino at the beginning of that clip)
Eddie Murphy put out a non-comedy album some years back, didn't he? And there's always Boogie in Your Butt.
Rick Moranis is recording country music these days.
posted by usonian at 4:59 AM on September 23, 2010
Reeves Gabrels' You've Been Around features David Bowie and Gary Oldman on vocals. (The version on Gabrels' The Sacred Squall of Now, not the one on Bowie's Black Tie, White Noise. Sorry, couldn't find a suitable clip to link to.)
An obscure singer named Little Joe Pesci once recorded a version of The Beatles' Got To Get You Into My Life (Somebody stuck a NSFW scene from Casino at the beginning of that clip)
Eddie Murphy put out a non-comedy album some years back, didn't he? And there's always Boogie in Your Butt.
Rick Moranis is recording country music these days.
posted by usonian at 4:59 AM on September 23, 2010
it's in the Guardian piece, but it's a favorite of mine, so I must suggest The Postal Service's Clark Gable
posted by itesser at 5:01 AM on September 23, 2010
posted by itesser at 5:01 AM on September 23, 2010
No such playlist is complete without The Scofflaws' William Shatner!
posted by Jinkeez at 5:13 AM on September 23, 2010
posted by Jinkeez at 5:13 AM on September 23, 2010
Dan Bern - Marilyn - what Marilyn Monroe's life would have been like if she had married Henry Miller instead of Arthur Miller.
posted by mochapickle at 5:29 AM on September 23, 2010
posted by mochapickle at 5:29 AM on September 23, 2010
Savannah Smiles by Okkervil River is a good one about a star (albeit a pornstar), which was also nominated in something I once read as one of the saddest songs of all time.
Another Steve McQueen song is the unsurprisingly titled Steve McQueen by Drive By Truckers.
posted by broadway bill at 5:29 AM on September 23, 2010
Another Steve McQueen song is the unsurprisingly titled Steve McQueen by Drive By Truckers.
posted by broadway bill at 5:29 AM on September 23, 2010
Roy Rogers, from Elton John's Goodby Yellow Brick Road.
posted by Sculthorpe at 5:31 AM on September 23, 2010
posted by Sculthorpe at 5:31 AM on September 23, 2010
A whole ton of songs by Wesley Willis are about movie stars :)
Not a movie star herself, but you'll get the picture from the video for Wesley's song Alanis Morrissette.
posted by jozxyqk at 5:33 AM on September 23, 2010
Not a movie star herself, but you'll get the picture from the video for Wesley's song Alanis Morrissette.
posted by jozxyqk at 5:33 AM on September 23, 2010
I have to throw in the caveat that most or all of these songs aren't really about celebrities -- they just mention them over the course of the song and are named after them. Whereas, e.g., "Candle in the Wind" is actually wholly about Marilyn Monroe. Does this fall within the purview of what you're looking for?
Barenaked Ladies - Brian Wilson
Cake - Meanwhile Rick James
Cake - Frank Sinatra
Nine Days - Bob Dylan (kind of ashamed that I know this one)
Belle and Sebastian - Piazza New York Catcher (about Mike Piazza, for those of you not well-versed in the past decade of the Mets)
Guster - Timothy Leary (can't find a decent YouTube link for this one)
posted by pluckemin at 5:34 AM on September 23, 2010
Barenaked Ladies - Brian Wilson
Cake - Meanwhile Rick James
Cake - Frank Sinatra
Nine Days - Bob Dylan (kind of ashamed that I know this one)
Belle and Sebastian - Piazza New York Catcher (about Mike Piazza, for those of you not well-versed in the past decade of the Mets)
Guster - Timothy Leary (can't find a decent YouTube link for this one)
posted by pluckemin at 5:34 AM on September 23, 2010
Gibby Hanes' side project "P" (band and album) might be of interest. My first thought was of the song "Michael Stipe", which is not only a good song but references a number of actors. The band itself was manned by a couple of actors, most notably Johnny Depp on guitar. This was also the band playing at the Viper Room when River Phoenix died outside while they were singing a song (partly) about him.
posted by L'Estrange Fruit at 5:35 AM on September 23, 2010
posted by L'Estrange Fruit at 5:35 AM on September 23, 2010
Annnd apparently I totally misread (or misinterpreted) "actors" as "celebrities" more generally. Which means none of my suggestions are appropriate, except for maybe Frank Sinatra. D'oh.
posted by pluckemin at 5:35 AM on September 23, 2010
posted by pluckemin at 5:35 AM on September 23, 2010
Oh, and also check out Milla Jovovich's album, which is lovely and unexpected.
posted by mochapickle at 5:36 AM on September 23, 2010
posted by mochapickle at 5:36 AM on September 23, 2010
My all-time favourite: Nick Lowe's song about Marie Prevost. He spelled her last name wrong, but I suppose that fits the theme of forgotten silent stars. Lyrics.
posted by Beardman at 5:36 AM on September 23, 2010
posted by Beardman at 5:36 AM on September 23, 2010
I helped Patrick McGoohan escape byt the Times.
posted by itsjustanalias at 5:37 AM on September 23, 2010
posted by itsjustanalias at 5:37 AM on September 23, 2010
By actors: Sophia Loren & Peter Sellers - Goodness Gracious me
About an actor: Rolling Stones - Pass The Wine (Sophia Loren)
posted by ceri richard at 5:38 AM on September 23, 2010
About an actor: Rolling Stones - Pass The Wine (Sophia Loren)
posted by ceri richard at 5:38 AM on September 23, 2010
Manic Street Preachers - Let Robeson Sing
Adam Green - Jessica
posted by elsietheeel at 5:42 AM on September 23, 2010
Adam Green - Jessica
posted by elsietheeel at 5:42 AM on September 23, 2010
Rufus Wainwright - Natasha
Also I don't think She & Him counts because the OP asked for actors who don't normally sing. And Zooey Deschanel sings a lot; two albums so far and several films.
posted by elsietheeel at 5:51 AM on September 23, 2010
Also I don't think She & Him counts because the OP asked for actors who don't normally sing. And Zooey Deschanel sings a lot; two albums so far and several films.
posted by elsietheeel at 5:51 AM on September 23, 2010
Pony Up! - Matthew Modine
posted by pemberkins at 5:58 AM on September 23, 2010
posted by pemberkins at 5:58 AM on September 23, 2010
There are a whole bunch of these listed in this forum post at Roadfood.com.
A couple more I don't see mentioned either there or here:
Ingrid Bergman - Billy Bragg and Wilco
Car Jamming - The Clash ("I thought I saw Lauren Bacall")
posted by Dojie at 6:08 AM on September 23, 2010
A couple more I don't see mentioned either there or here:
Ingrid Bergman - Billy Bragg and Wilco
Car Jamming - The Clash ("I thought I saw Lauren Bacall")
posted by Dojie at 6:08 AM on September 23, 2010
The White Stripes - Take Take Take
posted by amicamentis at 6:10 AM on September 23, 2010
posted by amicamentis at 6:10 AM on September 23, 2010
John Prine - Picture Show - about James Dean (mostly)
posted by interplanetjanet at 6:16 AM on September 23, 2010
posted by interplanetjanet at 6:16 AM on September 23, 2010
Size 14 - Claire Danes Poster
The semi-novelty song from the mid 90s featuring the refrain "I'm gonna pick up some beer, and stay at home, and stare at my Claire Danes Poster."
posted by AgentRocket at 6:47 AM on September 23, 2010
The semi-novelty song from the mid 90s featuring the refrain "I'm gonna pick up some beer, and stay at home, and stare at my Claire Danes Poster."
posted by AgentRocket at 6:47 AM on September 23, 2010
Probably a stretch, but I submit for your review, Taylor Swift's song "Tim McGraw". Tim McGraw's claim to fame is as a singer, but he has also appeared in movies.
posted by SuperSquirrel at 6:53 AM on September 23, 2010
posted by SuperSquirrel at 6:53 AM on September 23, 2010
U2's strange Elvis Presley and America, and Mathew Sweet's Winona (and you'll have to settle for a Japanese guy singing the song since I can't find the original on YouTube).
posted by cropshy at 7:08 AM on September 23, 2010
posted by cropshy at 7:08 AM on September 23, 2010
A folk singer named Hugh Blumenfeld has a hysterical song called "John Wayne (Was a Thespian)." Lyrics here; should link to mp3 for purchase.
posted by dlugoczaj at 7:09 AM on September 23, 2010
posted by dlugoczaj at 7:09 AM on September 23, 2010
The Beach Boys - A Young Man is Gone (James Dean)
posted by Devoidoid at 7:12 AM on September 23, 2010
posted by Devoidoid at 7:12 AM on September 23, 2010
Walking Talking Johnny Cash Blues by The Godfathers
posted by nomisxid at 7:13 AM on September 23, 2010
posted by nomisxid at 7:13 AM on September 23, 2010
Siouxsie and the Banshees, "Kiss Them For Me" (Jayne Mansfield)
posted by Madamina at 7:22 AM on September 23, 2010
posted by Madamina at 7:22 AM on September 23, 2010
Al Stewart - "Year of the Cat" ("On a morning from a Bogart movie / In a country where they've turned back time / you go strolling through the crowd like Peter Lorre contemplating a crime...")
Suzanne Vega - "Marlene on the Wall" (Marlene Dietrich). Also "Freeze Tag" (another Bogart/Bacall reference)
Bertie Higgins - "Key Largo"
posted by dnash at 7:33 AM on September 23, 2010
Suzanne Vega - "Marlene on the Wall" (Marlene Dietrich). Also "Freeze Tag" (another Bogart/Bacall reference)
Bertie Higgins - "Key Largo"
posted by dnash at 7:33 AM on September 23, 2010
My two personal favorite songs about specific stars are River Phoenix by Nada Surf and Sandra by The Smoking Popes (about Sandra Bernhard). Also, I believe every single song by the band Edie Sedgwick is about a different celebrity.
posted by burnmp3s at 7:35 AM on September 23, 2010
posted by burnmp3s at 7:35 AM on September 23, 2010
Also Tom Waits is a movie star in his own right, and Goin' Out West is a song about heading out to Hollywood to be a leading man.
posted by burnmp3s at 7:41 AM on September 23, 2010
posted by burnmp3s at 7:41 AM on September 23, 2010
John Mayer's Your Body is a Wonderland is, supposedly, all about Jennifer Love Hewitt.
posted by Thorzdad at 7:45 AM on September 23, 2010
posted by Thorzdad at 7:45 AM on September 23, 2010
Natalie Merchant, "River," about River Phoenix's death.
posted by dlugoczaj at 7:53 AM on September 23, 2010
posted by dlugoczaj at 7:53 AM on September 23, 2010
Here's one that's both by and about - Bette Davis Eyes - Gwyneth Paltrow
posted by doctord at 8:23 AM on September 23, 2010
posted by doctord at 8:23 AM on September 23, 2010
Ahem. David Duchovy, why won't you love me...
Additionally, some others that haven't been suggested yet that might interest you from when I tried a similar playlist...
* Gene Autry (Beulah)
* Ingrid Bergman (Billy Bragg & Wilco)
* Grace Kelly Blues (The Eels) and Grace Kelly (Mika) which less about Grace Kellyherself
* Not sure if she counts, but there's Be My Yoko Ono (Barenaked Ladies) and I Won't Be Your Yoko Ono (Dar Williams). That's not even getting into all the songs about various Beatles.
* Common People (William Shatner) is pretty great
posted by maryr at 8:37 AM on September 23, 2010
Additionally, some others that haven't been suggested yet that might interest you from when I tried a similar playlist...
* Gene Autry (Beulah)
* Ingrid Bergman (Billy Bragg & Wilco)
* Grace Kelly Blues (The Eels) and Grace Kelly (Mika) which less about Grace Kellyherself
* Not sure if she counts, but there's Be My Yoko Ono (Barenaked Ladies) and I Won't Be Your Yoko Ono (Dar Williams). That's not even getting into all the songs about various Beatles.
* Common People (William Shatner) is pretty great
posted by maryr at 8:37 AM on September 23, 2010
The Mountain Goats have "Song for Dana Plato" and "Song for Tura Satana."
posted by Zozo at 8:45 AM on September 23, 2010
posted by Zozo at 8:45 AM on September 23, 2010
Morrisey Rides a Cockhorse by the Warlock Pinchers.
posted by Sheppagus at 10:04 AM on September 23, 2010
posted by Sheppagus at 10:04 AM on September 23, 2010
Los Rancheros - Adam and the Ants (Clint Eastwood, kinda)
Yul Brynner Was a Skinhead - Toy Dolls
James Bond Lives Down Our Street - Toy Dolls
posted by Kafkaesque at 10:27 AM on September 23, 2010
Yul Brynner Was a Skinhead - Toy Dolls
James Bond Lives Down Our Street - Toy Dolls
posted by Kafkaesque at 10:27 AM on September 23, 2010
Elvis Is Everywhere by Mojo Nixon
Steve McQueen by Sheryl Crow
Bela Lugosi's Dead by Bauhaus
And by stars: no anthology should be without Kinky Boots by Patrick Macnee and Honor Blackman.
posted by Pallas Athena at 12:52 PM on September 23, 2010
Steve McQueen by Sheryl Crow
Bela Lugosi's Dead by Bauhaus
And by stars: no anthology should be without Kinky Boots by Patrick Macnee and Honor Blackman.
posted by Pallas Athena at 12:52 PM on September 23, 2010
I Love Lee Remick by The Go-Betweens (Gregory Peck has a mention)
posted by goshling at 1:48 PM on September 23, 2010
posted by goshling at 1:48 PM on September 23, 2010
Natalie's Rap by The Lonely Island is both about Natalie Portman, and features an actor singing; Natalie Portman.
posted by trialex at 3:09 PM on September 23, 2010
posted by trialex at 3:09 PM on September 23, 2010
One of my favorite, obscure, celebrity songs...Tori by Hummmr. Kinda sweet and nostalgic for the good ol' days of the original 90210.
posted by buzzkillington at 3:15 PM on September 23, 2010
posted by buzzkillington at 3:15 PM on September 23, 2010
White Town - Hair Like Alain Delon (sorry, I can't find a video link.. great song, though!)
posted by Mael Oui at 7:43 PM on September 23, 2010
posted by Mael Oui at 7:43 PM on September 23, 2010
Ryan Gosling is in a band called Dead Man's Bones.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt sings Bad Romance.
posted by shannonm at 7:47 PM on September 25, 2010
Joseph Gordon-Levitt sings Bad Romance.
posted by shannonm at 7:47 PM on September 25, 2010
Patrick Swayze - "She's Like the Wind"
Burt Ward - "Orange Colored Sky"
posted by Sys Rq at 6:50 PM on October 2, 2010
Burt Ward - "Orange Colored Sky"
posted by Sys Rq at 6:50 PM on October 2, 2010
Madonna's Vogue mentions an array of stars (mostly movie icons with the exception of Joe DiMaggio). The mentioned are:
Greta Garbo,
Marilyn Monroe,
Marlene Deitrich,
Joe DiMaggio,
Marlon Brando,
Jimmy Dean,
Grace Kelly,
Jean Harlow,
Gene Kelly,
Fred Astaire
Ginger Rogers,
Rita Hayworth,
Lauren Becall,
Katherine Hepburn,
Lana Turner,
Bette Davis.
posted by easilyconfused at 1:23 AM on December 16, 2010
Greta Garbo,
Marilyn Monroe,
Marlene Deitrich,
Joe DiMaggio,
Marlon Brando,
Jimmy Dean,
Grace Kelly,
Jean Harlow,
Gene Kelly,
Fred Astaire
Ginger Rogers,
Rita Hayworth,
Lauren Becall,
Katherine Hepburn,
Lana Turner,
Bette Davis.
posted by easilyconfused at 1:23 AM on December 16, 2010
Soundtracks of
8 femmes (Emmanuelle Béart, Catherine Deneuve, Fanny Ardant, Danielle Darrieux, Virginie Ledoyen, etc),
Grease (John Travolta, Stockard Channing, etc),
Across the Universe (Evan Rachel Wood, etc),
Family Hero (Emmanuelle Béart, Catherine Deneuve),
Les parapluies de Cherbourg (Catherine Deneuve, Je ne pourrai jamais vivre sans toi),
Chicago (Catherine Zeta-Jones, Renée Zellweger, John C. Reiley, etc),
Walk the Line (Reese Witherspoon and Joaquin Phoenix)
Paul Joey (Rita Hayworth, Kim Novak)
High Society (Grace Kelly, duets True Love with Bing Crosby)
La Môme (Although the soundtrack is strictly Piaf's works, Marion Cotillard did sing a couple of times, not in the movie, could be found on Youtube)
Nine (Nicole Kidman, Daniel Day Lewis, Kate Hudson, Sophia Loren, Marion Cotillard, Penelope Cruz, etc)
Hairspray (John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer, Zac Effron, Christopher Walken, etc)
Mama Mia (Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, etc)
Rent (Rosario Dawson, etc)
In Sabrina, Audrey Hepburn sang La vie en Rose, she also had a cover of Happy Birthday to JFK however overshadowed by Monroe's version. lolz.
posted by easilyconfused at 2:15 AM on December 16, 2010
8 femmes (Emmanuelle Béart, Catherine Deneuve, Fanny Ardant, Danielle Darrieux, Virginie Ledoyen, etc),
Grease (John Travolta, Stockard Channing, etc),
Across the Universe (Evan Rachel Wood, etc),
Family Hero (Emmanuelle Béart, Catherine Deneuve),
Les parapluies de Cherbourg (Catherine Deneuve, Je ne pourrai jamais vivre sans toi),
Chicago (Catherine Zeta-Jones, Renée Zellweger, John C. Reiley, etc),
Walk the Line (Reese Witherspoon and Joaquin Phoenix)
Paul Joey (Rita Hayworth, Kim Novak)
High Society (Grace Kelly, duets True Love with Bing Crosby)
La Môme (Although the soundtrack is strictly Piaf's works, Marion Cotillard did sing a couple of times, not in the movie, could be found on Youtube)
Nine (Nicole Kidman, Daniel Day Lewis, Kate Hudson, Sophia Loren, Marion Cotillard, Penelope Cruz, etc)
Hairspray (John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer, Zac Effron, Christopher Walken, etc)
Mama Mia (Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, etc)
Rent (Rosario Dawson, etc)
In Sabrina, Audrey Hepburn sang La vie en Rose, she also had a cover of Happy Birthday to JFK however overshadowed by Monroe's version. lolz.
posted by easilyconfused at 2:15 AM on December 16, 2010
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Robert de Niro's Waiting: Banarama
By movie stars: I happen to think Bruce Willis' rendition of "Under the Boardwalk" is a future classic.
More seriously, She and Him - Zooey Deschanel - is unusually good.
posted by MuffinMan at 3:15 AM on September 23, 2010