Got Me A Movie, I Want You To Know: The Best Songs About Movies and the People Who Make Movies

A bee got into my bonnet the other day, and I started thinking about my favorite songs about the movie industry. Not songs from movies–those are a different beast altogether. And then there’s the songs that were used in movies that are now joined at the hip: “In Dreams” by Roy Orbison will forever be remembered as the point in which Blue Velvet really falls down the rabbit hole.

No, I want songs that celebrate or lament Hollywood, tributes to the stars or reminiscences of some actor’s tragic demise. Here’s my half-assed list–it is by no means exhaustive. I’m sending out the clarion call: if you can think of others, please send them in. Please spare me Candle in the Wind–that song sucks.

By the way, these are in no particular order:

Debaser, The Pixies. A tribute to Bunuel.

Take, Take, Take and The Union Forever, The White Stripes. The first about an obsession with Rita Hayworth; the second about an obsession with Citizen Kane.

Lon Chaney, Chickasaw Mudd Puppies. Great song that you’ll never find–these guys (a guitarist and a guy in a big rocking chair, singing and keeping the beat with his boots) are long gone. All about the “Man of a Thousand Faces”. Nearly indecipherable lyrics, most of which are references to his many films.

The Right Profile, The Clash. And…
Monty Got A Raw Deal, R.E.M. A pair of songs about the tragic life of Montgomery Clift.

Act Naturally, Buck Owens (and later sung by Ringo on Help!). “They’re going to put me in the movies…”

David Duchovny, Bree Sharp. She’s probably regretting not going with Gillian Anderson on this one.

King of the Mountain, Southern Culture on the Skids. Fab song about a back-woods pornographer.

Martin Scorsese, King Missile.

“He makes the best f–king films
He makes the best f–king films
If I ever meet him I’m gonna grab his f–kin’ neck and just shake him
And say thank you thank you for makin’ such excellent f–kin’ movies!”

That’s a short list, I know, but it’s a Monday morning, and I still haven’t had enough coffee. Send in your suggestions when you’re clear-headed.