Stereo MCs – Connected (1992)
[Album 563/1001]
Last week, when BuriedOnMars reviewed Captain America, I argued in the comments that through his presence alone, Stanley Tucci improves every movie he’s in by 20%.
Of all my math-y theories, it’s surely among my least controversial.
Tucci’s just that good!
Though it got me thinking, instead of actors & movies, what about songs & movies?
One could easily make the argument that songs would/should enhance a movie (as they’re specially selected for specific scenes).
But is the inverse also true, can a movie enhance a song?
If a given song appears in a good movie, is the song enhanced by a measurable %?
Or if a given song appears in a lousy film, does the song lose a % of its lustre?
According to the lads in High Fidelity, it can. and irreversibly so!
.
Barry: Top 5 songs about death…And, uh, You Can’t Always Get What You Want.
Dick: No. Immediate disqualification because of its involvement with The Big Chill.
Barry: Oh God. You’re right!
(at 0:45)
.
In 1992, the Stereo MCs recorded a track named Step it Up.
It’s the side two opener on Connected and is reasonably appropriate as a measuring stick for the rest of the album.
Some songs may be slightly superior/inferior but most will be comparable in terms of overall quality and dance-ability.
In 1993, Step it Up was included in the film Wayne’s World 2.
As show in the scene below, it gets a decent amount of airtime as the record playing in the club prior to Y.M.C.A.
The question is, does your opinion of the song, and by extension the band & album, change after seeing it featured in the movie?
Does it get boosted 20% for the positive/memorable association?
Does it drop by 20% as Wayne’s World 2 just isn’t your bag?
Does its inclusion in the film neither help nor hurt its cause?
In any event, I’m sure Wayne’s World 2 would have been 20% better if Mr. Tucci had made an appearance!
.
(starting at 2:00)
…..
Verbalize the Positive
Cheers to BuriedonMars for inspiring this post!
1001albumsin10years 
Thanks so much for the shout out! I of course can agree with this. Movies definitely do have an effect on songs for me. I can’t think of anytime when a movie made me hate a song. The Royal Tenenbaums put The Ramones Judy is a Punk on my radar. More recently Love and Happiness by Al Green at the end of The Nice Guys. And after watching Zodiac I can never listen to Donovan’s Hurdy Gurdy man the same way ever again.
I’d forgotten about the Tenenbaums appearance – I think I’m due for a re-watch.
And my pleasure!
Here is an album I always saw in my store, but never actually heard.
Yes folks that’s my witty and deep contribution today.
The wit & depth are appreciated!
Oh and very sorry to say but Wayne’s World 2 just isn’t my bag 😦
I remember you weren’t a fan – as long as you approve of the original!
All day and all of the night.
To be honest, the only track that I have ever heard by these guys in the title track. But man, was it a zinger back in the day. Can’t say I remember the scene in Wayne’s World 2. In fact, can’t say I remember that film at all.
It’s not as consistently excellent as the first, but still plenty of funny scenes!
Hah, my hubs inspired you! And I totally remember Stereo MCs! I barely remember Wayne’s World 2, however (but LOVE the first movie).
The hubs was an inspiration!
It’s funny, I’d argue Austin Powers 2 was stronger than AP1 but I’d imagine few would make the same argument with the Wayne’s Worlds
Well, I can’t say I’ve ever enjoyed YMCA that much before!
Haha, if it comes on at a wedding reception, I inevitably do this Wayne’s World 2 dance!
Good LP this one, have bopped to a few tracks from this one in my time.
I found many of the tracks bop-worthy as well!
I’ve never heard this! I know one or two tracks thanks to airplay, but it was never something I ever checked out. I may do so, right enough… I always see the CD for a quid!
That’s even cheaper than 2 for a Fiver!