Song of the Day
Today’s song of the day is from the camp classic Rocky Horror Picture Show – Science Fiction Double Feature This is the intro song to the movie – which plays while moving lips sing against a black backdrop. A cult classic, this film first hit the screen in 1975, and tells the tale of the mad scientist Dr. Frank-n-furter (Tim Curry), a transvestite from the planet Transexual in the galaxy of Transylvania who is building a man, and Brad and Janet (a young Susan Surandon) who’s car break down leads them to his house. It also features a cameo by Meat Loaf, who sings a rocker before his untimely demise. Oh, and don’t forget the pelvic thrust. It really drives you insane.
The lyrics of this song (by Richard O’Brien) make reference to a slew of B movie sci-fi classics from the 50s (which the movie sends-up). These included The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951), Flash Gordon (1936), The Invisible Man (1933), King Kong (1933), It Came from Outer Space (1953), Doctor X (1932), Forbidden Planet (1956), Tarantula (1955), The Day of the Triffids (1962), Night of the Demon (1957), and When Worlds Collide (1951).
An alternative opening sequence to that which appeared in the movie was planned. It was to include a montage of the clips referenced in the song. This opening was scrapped – some report due to the high cost of obtaining the rights to show these clips and others because they thought the actual lips opening was a better idea.
A clever videographer put together a video of the original concept, complete with movie clips synced to their references in the song, and others. Really well done. I always loved The Blob (1958) – remember how it gets killed?
Want more? Here’s a link to Rocky Music, The Musical World of Rocky Horror, a webpage that delves even more deeply into the Sci-Fi behind the song.
