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Shumway, David R. “Rock 'n' Roll Sound Tracks and the Production of Nostalgia” Cinema Journal 38.2 (1999): 36-51
The article discusses the idea of soundtracks and their growth in modern film. A soundtrack is described as an album put together consisting of prerecorded music with the aim of linking ideas of the film with concepts that the audiences understands through recognized music. The article states that the concept of a rock and roll soundtrack became popular with the films The Graduate, and Easy Rider. While The Graduate features pop music that provides nostalgia, Easy Rider includes music that represents youthful rebellion. The music in Easy Rider is diegetic, while it is not in The Graduate, but it is meant to be heard and contributes to the film. In Easy Rider, the music often exists to send a message and is the focus of attention. The article also touches upon the idyllic idea of generational cohesion that is present in the music of the film. The plot of the film abnegates the concept however, as the dreams of communalism are ended with the deaths of the main characters. The article also discusses at length the nostalgic role of music in the films American Graffiti, The Big Chill, Dirty Dancing, and Baby, It’s You.
Reading this article provides acumen for Easy Rider as a complete work. The music becomes just as important as the plot, as it contributes to the message. The fact that the music in the film was all prerecorded instead of the film having a score supports the idea of auteurism because all of the music was chosen from the filmmaker's personal collection. The music also provides a way for the audience to connect to the story on a personal level. In moments when the music is the focus of the film, the viewer can feel the mood of the story and understand the message through lyrics.
The article discusses the idea of soundtracks and their growth in modern film. A soundtrack is described as an album put together consisting of prerecorded music with the aim of linking ideas of the film with concepts that the audiences understands through recognized music. The article states that the concept of a rock and roll soundtrack became popular with the films The Graduate, and Easy Rider. While The Graduate features pop music that provides nostalgia, Easy Rider includes music that represents youthful rebellion. The music in Easy Rider is diegetic, while it is not in The Graduate, but it is meant to be heard and contributes to the film. In Easy Rider, the music often exists to send a message and is the focus of attention. The article also touches upon the idyllic idea of generational cohesion that is present in the music of the film. The plot of the film abnegates the concept however, as the dreams of communalism are ended with the deaths of the main characters. The article also discusses at length the nostalgic role of music in the films American Graffiti, The Big Chill, Dirty Dancing, and Baby, It’s You.
Reading this article provides acumen for Easy Rider as a complete work. The music becomes just as important as the plot, as it contributes to the message. The fact that the music in the film was all prerecorded instead of the film having a score supports the idea of auteurism because all of the music was chosen from the filmmaker's personal collection. The music also provides a way for the audience to connect to the story on a personal level. In moments when the music is the focus of the film, the viewer can feel the mood of the story and understand the message through lyrics.