Friday, October 10, 2008

What was that song?

Blame Wes Anderson once again for infecting my head with amazing music that would have otherwise gone un-noticed. Yes, the director who clogs my MySpace movie favorites with dark comedies such as Rushmore, Bottle Rocket, Tenenbaums, Zissou, and the still rising, The Darjeeling Limited. Anderson also directed a prologue to The Darjeeling Limited titled Hotel Chevalier, which was originally left out of the film and offered for free on iTunes until the prologue's popularity made it necessary for Anderson to re-insert it with the main film. I digress.

Hotel Chevalier features a song that Jason Schwartzman casually plays as his ex-girlfriend (Portman) announces an unexpected visit. "Where Do You Go To (My Lovely)" by Peter Sarstedt eventually became a buzz for quite a few ears as the movie re-popularized his old-world tunes after the theatrical release. It also gave us a perfect setting for the scene to follow. Although the scene in which this song debuts takes place in Paris, the main movie takes place in India - an odd bridge and coupling of cultures to cover with a song, right? Kudos to Anderson and/or his music supervisor for finding this song. Sarstedt was born in India, yet this song has that rooted Parisian, Moulin Rouge-era feel...a perfect fit. I mean, it's no surprise that Anderson yet again delivers an amazing soundtrack...but the (re)discovery, placement and use of Sarstedt's song is abnormally unique.

Peter Sarstedt - Where Do You Go To (My Lovely)

The song never rocketed in the U.S., though it reached #1 in 14 other countries. Sarstedt even won an Ivor Novello Award back in 1969 for his composition and songwriting.

Seriously, nice hair.

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