Top 4 Rockabilly Songs from Musicals
by Rebecca Seung on Dec 08th, 2010
Cry Baby - Please Mr. Jailer
Musicals might mostly feature random break-out song and dance numbers and overly romantic ballads of premature confessions of unrequited attraction, but to lump all musicals into that group would mean missing out on some truly classic numbers and legendary performances by notable stars in the music industry.
The following four songs are personal favorites from a narrow slice of the musical pie–the rockabilly piece. Other genres abound in both stage and film, but for anyone new to the experience of musicals, these songs are an easy transition from ordinary radio play. If they came up on a shuffle, I doubt you’d even notice their origin.
1. “The Climb” – Viva Las Vegas
Even though this is my favorite Elvis or Ann-Margret musical, and the one that brought the two heartthrobs together, my favorite number from the movie isn’t sung by either of them, but is instead performed by The Forte Four. Perhaps that’s testament to how many great songs are in this musical, from the upbeat title track “Viva Las Vegas” to the flirtatious duet “The Lady Loves Me” and my personal runner up “C’mon Everybody” that combines the best of both starlets–Elvis’s singing and Ann-Margret’s dancing. The movie is a lighthearted flick that is a wonderful example of how contemporary rock ‘n’ roll can be the main attraction on the silver screen.
2. “My Rifle, My Pony, and Me” – Rio Bravo
Performed by Ricky Nelson and Dean Martin, this song cruises like a cool breeze through an open camping tent, lingering long enough for goosebumps before fading back into the night. The music is haunting and soulful, providing the perfect backdrop for quiet, lonely nights in the dusty Midwest, and this song creeps up under my skin so that I can barely make it through the movie before hitting rewind to hear it again.
3. “Beach Blanket Bingo” – Beach Blanket Bingo
Also from the era of teen idol music movies, this one stars the iconic duo of Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello and features a fun, friendly score that combines syrupy surf with crooning doowop, making girls swoon and everyone else throw on some sunscreen.
4. “Please, Mister Jailer” – Cry Baby
As a spoof of the old musicals from the 50s and 60s, the ones that I grew up with and cherish, my fear is always that song choices will resort to gimmicky comedy for a couple of cheap laughs, instead of being honest with the genre and presenting something original. With Cry Baby, as ridiculous as the plot and acting get at times, the music numbers never waver from their classic rockabilly roots, and this one in particular is a great showcase of an underrated voice in Amy Locan.