Category Archives: song of the day

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Song of the Day #3,495: ‘Concerto for Piano and Orchestra, Movement 3’ – Ben Folds

Ah, the very rare instrumental track on a Random Weekend. This one comes from Ben Folds’ last album, So There, which featured eight songs backed by an orchestra as well as Ben’s ‘Concerto for Piano and Orchestra’ in three movements.

I listened to the full concerto once, after first buying the album, and never again until today. I just don’t find myself reaching for classical or orchestral music, even if I really enjoy it. I find this sort of thing better in the background, whether it’s the background of a movie or everyday life.

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Song of the Day #3,494: ‘Testing 1, 2, 3’ – Barenaked Ladies

It’s hard to go wrong with a Barenaked Ladies song on Random Weekends.

You know the song will be catchy and clever. Nothing loud or discordant. It will feature strong pop vocals by either Ed Robertson or (especially) Steven Page. The musicianship will be solid if not exceptional. It will probably be good for a laugh, or in other instances, could even choke you up a bit.

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Song of the Day #3,493: ‘No Man’s Land’ – Rupert Gregson-Williams

My last 2017 movie music moment is the cheat I mentioned earlier this week. That’s because my love for this scene has very little to do with the music. I just didn’t want to pass up an opportunity to feature my favorite moment from one of the great cinematic surprises of last year, Patty Jenkins’ Wonder Woman.

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Song of the Day #3,492: ‘Bellbottoms’ – The John Spencer Blues Explosion

Before getting to my next 2017 movie music moment, I want to give a shout out to a song I’m not featuring this week because I posted it during my movie wrap-up last month. That track is the Dave Matthews Band’s ‘Crash Into Me,’ which was used so beautifully in Greta Gerwig’s Lady Bird, not once but twice.

The first time ‘Crash Into Me’ plays, it’s a bittersweet but comic moment, as Lady Bird and her best friend cry to the song over a failed relationship. The second time, it marks a lovely moment of growth for Lady Bird as she becomes more confident in who she is and who she doesn’t have to pretend to be any longer. (I’m being vague because I know some of my readers haven’t seen the film yet and I don’t want to ruin its many lovely surprises).

So ‘Crash Into Me’ is technically my top movie song of 2017. But let’s get to the car chase!

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Song of the Day #3,491: ‘Annie’s Song’ – John Denver

Another favorite movie music moment from 2017 is from Bong Joon-ho’s Okja, and it’s the second example this week to feature a John Denver song.

In fact, by coincidence or cosmic fate, John Denver’s songs were featured in no fewer than five films last year, including the Kingsman and Alien sequels and the crime film Free Fire.

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