Thursday, January 28, 2016

Riske Business: Oscar Nominated Songs I Love But Probably Shouldn't

by Adam Riske
Sing for the gold.

Title: “Happy”
From: Despicable Me 2
By: Pharrell Williams



I love this song for a very specific reason. It’s because you can change the lyrics to “I’m ADAM RISKEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!” “If your car is blocking my car, then you have got to move it!” “I’m ADAM RISKEEEEEEEEEE!!!!”

Title: “The Hands that Built America”
From: Gangs of New York
By: U2



I don’t know why but I really love this song. My best guess is that it’s like a textbook example of what a pre-packaged “Oscar song” would be. Nevertheless, I think it works really well especially when played in the context it is in the movie Gangs of New York.

Title: “Until”
From: Kate & Leopold
By: Sting



This song is as charming as the music video is lazy. Should I watch Kate & Leopold? I rented it once from Hollywood Video but never watched it…hmmm. I want to play this song for my future boo on acoustic guitar.

Title: “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing”
From: Armageddon
By: Aerosmith



Do you think mission control at NASA ever watched this music video on their big screen? This song is just lovely. Also, my goodness is Liv Tyler adorable in this movie. It makes me want to re-watch Armageddon, which I never thought I would say.

Title: “My Heart Will Go On”
From: Titanic
By: Celine Dion



This song rules! You read that right. It rules. It’s the love theme to end all love themes. Celine Dion has lovely hair too. Like she uses Pantene Pro-V. Is it just me or do they show the clip of Jack and Rose on the front of the boat (“I’m flying!”) like 30 times in this video?

Title: “I Have Nothing”
From: The Bodyguard
By: Whitney Houston



OMG do I love The Bodyguard! I bet I could slay this song at karaoke. It would not be perceived as masculine but who cares? I must say, though, I’m not a big fan of Whitney’s chandelier wig in this video. She looks like when I put a blanket on my head and pretend to my niece and nephew that I have long hair.

Title: “(Everything I Do) I Do it For You”
From: Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
By: Bryan Adams



This song is romantic as fuck. Is it just me or does Bryan Adams look like a less intimidating James Remar? BTW…who is Bryan Adams singing this song to in the context of this video? What ever happened to Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio?

Title: “Blaze of Glory”
From: Young Guns II
By: Jon Bon Jovi



I wonder if the proprietors of this drive-in ever considered “location, location, location” before they built their movie theater on top of a canyon. I also wonder what played on the second half of the double bill with Young Guns II. Probably Flatliners. BTW…the drive-in will be closed for two weeks because some asshole burned it down.

What Oscar nominated songs do you love but are embarrassed to admit loving? Did you dance to these at your Bar or Bat Mitzvah?

24 comments:

  1. Today I learned that Young Guns II is an Oscar nominated movie.

    ReplyDelete
  2. "See You Again" from Furious Seven is a pre-packaged "Oscar song" that somehow didn't even get an Oscar nomination.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yup! I was very surprised it didn't make the cut.

      Delete
  3. "The Power of Love" from Back to the Future
    "Take My Breath Away" from Top Gun
    "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" from Mannequin
    "Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman" from Don Juan DeMarco
    "How Do I Live" from Con Air
    "Accidentally in Love" from Shrek 2

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I adore that Don Juan DeMarco song. Good choices! Except Accidentally in Love...long story...I have a dark personal history with that one.

      Delete
    2. I echo Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now, classic!

      I'd also add "Look of Love" Casino Royale 1967 - Silky as all hell. I also noticed in looking at a list of nominated songs that the Academy not only lacks in nominating good movies but also good songs.

      Delete
    3. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
  4. You're The Best, from The Karate Kid is the the most iconic song for me, but I don't think it was nominated for an Oscar.

    All the songs from Mary Poppins probably deserve a mention (maybe I just watched it recently, or maybe it's very good, or maybe my kids keep singing them on the way to school).

    ReplyDelete
  5. I for one am grateful that we've entered an era (...) where a man can stand tall and proudly proclaim his love for "My Heart Will Go On". It's a beautiful song.

    Possibly far more on the "probably shouldn't" side of things than any of your choices, for some reason I've always loved McCartney's much-maligned "Vanilla Sky". And I swear I'm not just a sucker for former Beatles that look like my grandmother.

    ReplyDelete
  6. “Say You, Say Me” from “White Nights.” Naturally.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Seeing as were not holding back here goes..

    I Love
    "It Must Have Been Love" by Roxette from Pretty woman, which I also really like, The Directors cut is my Favourite version if you've not seen it, its a bit darker, not as PG friendly

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Phenomenal choice. I featured that in a previous "Songs I Love.." column.

      Delete
  8. 'My Heart Will Go On' is such a fucking jammer. I didn't need the Riske endorsement to make me feel better about this opinion, but it's good to have just the same!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I was gonna say "Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)" by Phil Collins from Against All Odds, but I'm not sure that's a song I either am or should be ashamed to like.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good song ruined for me by American Idol.

      Delete
    2. Damn you, American Idol! You ruin everything! Good riddance!

      Delete
  10. Dammit great post. I literally just watched a tube video of Celine Dion doing that song at the Oscars live. Kills it, of course.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think I'm a fan if I'm being honest with myself.

      Delete
  11. How about "Say you say me" by Lionel Richie(White Nights) or "Take my Breath away" by Giorgio Moroder(Top Gun)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Does "Roll to Me" from the Flipper trailer count? Asking for a friend...

    ReplyDelete