Son of Sam Peckinpah

Over the last ten years, much has been written about "The Dark Side of the Rainbow" – the experience of watching the classic 1939 film "The Wizard of Oz" with the volume turned down and simultaneously listening to the classic 1973 Pink Floyd album "The Dark Side of the Moon." The synch has been made easier with DVDs and CDs. Simply begin the album at the precise moment that Leo the lion roars for the third time during the opening MGM logo animation. The resulting sychronicitous audio/visual trip is quite intriguing, often astounding, and exceedingly surreal.

To watch a few of the finer moments, check out this page at Rolling Stone Magazine.

I’ve done a bit of research into other such moments of musical/filmic synchronicity that are less well known.

Here is my current favorite…

Elliott Smith’s demo version of “Son of Sam” (2000) and Sam Peckinpah’s "The Wild Bunch" (1969).



While living in Brooklyn in the late 90’s, tragic sadcore genius Elliott Smith spent a lot of time shooting up heroin and watching classic, art, and foreign films at the BAM Rose cinemas. Top of his list – the restored director’s cut of Sam Peckinpah’s classic "The Wild Bunch." When he wrote the original acoustic version of “Son of Sam,” he set it to the penultimate scene of the film – the gathering of the bunch before one of the bloodiest battles ever filmed. The track is available online if you don’t happen to own the “Happiness” single – and no, it doesn’t work with the album version on the "Figure 8" album. Start the song immediately as William Holden leaves the bordello. Watch as Ernest Borgnine plants his knife into the ground perfectly on the downbeat. Elliott sings: “Something’s happening” as the bunch get their guns from the horses; “I told the boss off and made my move” as William Holden walks back with his rifle; “Got no-where to go” as the bunch gathers to make their death-march. Listen for the chord change immediately as the bunch begins walking with confidence to the line “Not uncomfortable.” And of course – the line “But I know what to do” plays as the camera angle changes on the bunch as they continue the walk towards certain death as they go to avenge the honor of their fallen compadre Angel. The long shot begins to zoom in on them with the line “acting on orders from above.” A ton more of great moments. Excellent pairing. Well done, Elliott. Sleep soundly.