Original Music Thread
Original Music thread
Some spoilers ahead…
This series was, in my opinion, groundbreaking in its use of music throughout each episode. I started a re-watch on NetFlix, and so much of the music has been replaced. It just isn’t the same without the original music (although it’s still awesome, don’t get me wrong!). It seems that, since they couldn’t get the original music rights, they replaced the pivotal original songs with a scored music that was reasonable facsimilies of those songs. But there’s just something missing. Luckily I was able to get the series on DVD (a used copy, but still in great condition), with all the original music, on Amazon Marketplace. I’d recommend it to anyone with the means to do it, and it’s totally worth it. The end scene/end credit songs seem to be the best and/or have the most impact.
Another thing I love about the music on this show is that it’s from all genres of music. Club (obviously), Alternative Dance, Rock, Punk, Chill/Trip-Hop, even classical and opera.
Memorable musical moments:
Badly Drawn Boy – The Shining, S1 Ep 19: Brian’s father has died, and he’s having a hard time with it, and the fact that his father wasn’t much of a dad. He spends most of the episode drunk or high. At the end, on a snowy night, he sends his father’s bowling ball down the street, and is finally rid of him and his ghost.
Garbage – You Look So Fine, S1 Ep 20: Justin just won the King of Babylon contest, and has taken his trick to the backroom (or down a level under some stairs, not sure!). Brian follows to watch, and as this song plays, he realizes that he does have feelings for Justin.
Jamie Oakes – Go To The Water, S1 Ep 21: Brian overhears Michael planning on moving to Seattle with Dr. David, and is trying to reconcile his feelings about it. It’s hard to find Jamie Oakes’ music anywhere, but I did find a used copy of his CD with this song on it, and it was totally worth the purchase. His music is very bluesy-rock-folk, if you’re into that kind of thing.
Pete Townshend – Rough Boys, S3Ep9: Brian and Justin are back together, but Brian’s trick arrives for their 11:00 hook-up. I love the cinematography of this entire scene.
Future Proof – Massive Attack, S3 Ep 12 – Brian and Justin are trying to snag the cop that killed Dumpster Boy; Hunter uses his wiles to do the job instead. The song weaves throughout the final scenes of the episode, and the scene as Hunter picks up the cop in the snowy alley outside the sleazy bar is so haunting, mainly because I love Hunter and his awesome snarkiness! This show really turned me on to Massive Attack and other chill/trip-hop music.
So many other great songs… S3 Ep1, Capitol K – Anon (when Justin comes back to Brian’s loft to get his stuff after their breakup)
S2 Ep17, Queen – Good Old Fashioned Loverboy (Brian walking down the alley alone when he finds out Justin went skiing without him)
S3 Ep4, Cassius – the Sound of Violence (after Justin returns Brian’s bracelet)
S3 Ep5, Tilt feat. Maria Naylor – Headtrong Relentless Vocal Mix (Justin confronts Brian in the back room at Babylon about Brian’s advice to Ethan)
S3 Ep 7 – Gioia Bruno – From the Inside (Junior Vazquez Mix) – Brian sees Justin in the back room at Babylon with some other guy, and they stare into each other’s eyes while, ahem, they’re with other people.