How "Almost Famous" Made the Perfect Soundtrack
What is it that makes a film soundtrack brilliant? From the familiar chords of Darth Vader’s “Imperial March” to the triumphant orchestra in Indiana Jones’ theme song, it’s safe to say that original music can bring a fictional world to life. However, using top chart hits can make a film feel extremely relatable and timely. Perhaps the secret to the perfect soundtrack lies in the blend of both contemporary songs and fresh pieces. Such is the case for the soundtrack from the 2000 Cameron Crowe film, “Almost Famous.” With a story so near and dear to director Crowe’s heart - he lived it - he knew he needed to include some of the seventies rock anthems he grew up loving. However, he also wanted to make the film’s fictitious band, Still Water, feel just as real as the rock n’ roll legends they were modelled after. The solution: Crowe and his wife, Nancy Wilson, the talented frontman of Heart, constructed a whole album of retro sounds on their honeymoon. With no set intention for the use of the music, they poured their organic feelings of happiness and nostalgia into this creation. Little did Crowe know that over a decade later, he would be able to make a major motion picture loosely depicting the events of his adolescence - providing the perfect occasion to use these unique sounds.
From the moody melodies of Simon & Garfunkel, to the shrill vocals in Black Sabbath’s “Paranoid,” to groovy guitar solos in the Allman Brother’s “One Way Out,” “Almost Famous” explores a wide range of twentieth century styles. While this mix of genres may seem disjointed, the film’s playlist melds perfectly with the pace and tone of the plot and its many characters. The story begins in the late ‘60s with the odd choice of “The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t be Late)” as it’s opening track. While it’s high pitched and cartoonish vocals wouldn’t be my first choice, the Alvin and the Chipmunks song fittingly represents the early stage of life that Will, the protagonist, is in. Patrick Fugit’s character Will has yet to come into his own identity, and he has yet to learn about the soul that exists in music. His musical knowledge truly begins when his hippie older sister, Anita (played by a young Zooey Deschanel), gifts him her large record collection before she runs away from home. She tells him that listening to The Who’s “Tommy” with a candle burning will “set you free”. Will does exactly that, and sparks his own music loving journey.
The original songs that duo Wilson and Crowe created come into play once Will receives the opportunity to write an article for the prestigious Rolling Stone magazine on the up and coming rock band, Still Water. The duo's “Fever Dog” is the first hit that Still Water performs. If you weren’t well versed in classic rock, you may be fooled into thinking this catchy tune is merely a Led Zeppelin or Creedence Clearwater Revival cover. This track in combination with Wilson’s instrumental “Lucky Trumble” provides a layer of Southern Rock authenticity that seamlessly blends Crowe’s fabricated and real visions of the 1970s.
The most memorable song that the film utilizes isn’t in the original score that Wilson and Crowe crafted; instead it’s the illustrious anthem of Sir Elton John,“Tiny Dancer.” The song with lyrics that everyone can’t seem to resist belting out despite the common misinterpretation of the chorus as “hold me closer Tony Danza”. At this point in the story, the band members are still bitter from last night’s heated quarrel and they have just begrudgingly rescued guitarist Russell from his acid-induced antics. The crew of band aids (the film’s term for the band’s entourage) and musicians sit in uncomfortable silence, reluctant to apologize and admit their wrongdoings. As though a message is being sent from above, Tiny Dancer suddenly begins to play on the radio. First to give into the familiar tune is the bassist, then a few of the band-aids, followed by the rest of the band and head groupie, Penny Lane. Before you know it, the whole bus is screaming along in unity and the anger from days past is once again forgotten in the name of loving music.
Regardless of what songs get handpicked in a film, the soundtrack’s main objective is to reach some form of unity - whether that be with the characters, the audience, or both. “Almost Famous” is one of the rare music movies that manages to accomplish all of the above, which is why it has maintained its praise over two decades after its release.