It’s not often that a movie uses one of my favorite songs in one of its most emotional scenes, so when it happens you can be damn sure it’s going to end up on this list.
Such was the case in the delightfully funny and bittersweet Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, a feature length movie inspired by a series of YouTube shorts by writer/star Jenny Slate and writer/director Dean Fleischer Camp. This is another movie that will come up again soon so I won’t spend too much time on it here.
The song in question is ‘Peaceful Easy Feeling’ by the Eagles and it is performed by Marcel at a loved one’s funeral. The combination of the circumstances, the song choice, and Slate’s tender vocals make this scene an instant tearjerker.
The movie clip isn’t available on YouTube but I did find this full recording of the song, so just imagine a small shell with one eye and pink shoes belting it out.
[And Happy 17th Birthday to my daughter Fiona!]
I like the way your sparkling earrings lay
Against your skin so brown
And I want to sleep with you in the desert tonight
With a billion stars all around
[Chorus]
‘Cause I got a peaceful easy feelin’
And I know you won’t let me down
‘Cause I’m already standin’
On the ground
[Verse 2]
And I found out a long time ago
What a woman can do to your soul
Aw, but she can’t take you anyway
You don’t already know how to go
[Chorus]
And I got a peaceful easy feelin’
And I know you won’t let me down
‘Cause I’m already standin’
On the ground
[Verse 3]
I get this feelin’ I may know you
As a lover and a friend
But this voice keeps whisperin’ in my other ear
Tells me I may never see you again
[Chorus]
‘Cause I get a peaceful easy feelin’
And I know you won’t let me down
‘Cause I’m already standin’
I’m already standin’
Yes, I’m already standin’
On the ground
Meet Me In Montauk 
This was a sweet scene in a special movie.
And Happy Birthday Fi!🎂🎈🎉
Of course your description of the moment is LOL funny but I know it must be special ❤️. Happy Birthday Fiona and Happy Valentine’s Day xoxo
Maaarrcceeelll!!!
Love that Jenny Slate’s songs from this movie are available on music streaming now too. Her voice is really lovely – even in shell mode.
Obviously since this is my top of the year, I recommend it to all. Looking forward to reading your future posts about it 🙂
Happy birthday to Fiona ❤️
A belated (blog comment) HB to Fi.
Loved everything about this special film, including Marcel’s poignant farewell. In a story focused on loss in its many forms, the choice to use this song felt particularly poignant. Hope the scene eventually can be added here, though it likely needs to be viewed in the context of the film to have its full impact.