Help pick opening song for my film


(I've posted this desperate plea elsewhere on the net so I've you've responded to it already, no need to respond here. Thanks for understanding...I'm nearly out of time to make a selection.)

HELP!

I’m desperately looking for a song to replace Sam Cooke’s “You Send Me” for the opening of my film. (See guidelines below)

I have limited time to research songs so if you have a bunch of ideas try to list only your top 5. Very famous standards are almost certainly too expensive for the budget available. Basically if Sinatra, or Dean Martin sings it I can’t afford it.

If you have the time please briefly mention why you think the song works and/or write out a bit of the key lyrics. If you have a specific performer/s in mind for the song title please note that as well.

If someone picks a winner as a gesture of gratitude I will send $100 bucks, a copy of the film when available and, if possible, a thank you in the end credits. If several people pick the same song the money goes to the first poster but the others will get the film and credit as well.

I prefer to remain relatively anonymous on AA so I'm going to keep the title of the film private for now. However, I'll say that the film is a professional production with well-known actors. This can be a fun opportunity to make a significant contribution to the project if for no other reason than posterity.

Below is a copy of guidelines I sent to a record label I’m working with but these guys usually are too corporate to offer this level of creative input.

** Guidelines**

OPENING TITLES SONG:

The opening song needs to have lyrics that help set up the plot of the film: A man hasn’t been able to stop thinking about his ex-girlfriend and decides to return to his hometown and ask her to marry him.

As an example: Sam Cooke’s “You Send Me” was ideal but the rights are unavailable. The lyrics: “At first I thought it was infatuation…it’s lasted so long. Now I find myself wanting to marry you and take you home...you send me...”

Can you recommend songs with similar lyrics? The song doesn’t have to hit every point of the plot. I’ve listed some key elements below. A song with any ONE of the elements is fine but the more elements the better.

- A man wanting to marry a woman or more precisely an old flame
- A man unable to forget about a woman or his old flame
- A man returning home for a woman
- A man finally ready to marry
- A man 'deciding' he’s finally ready to marry
- A man with ‘something’ or someone missing in his life
- The romantic notion that two people are meant for each other.
- The idea of marriage as a romantic notion in general
- Buying a wedding ring

Other considerations for the opening titles song:

- Genre: Virtually any genre besides country, rap, hip-hop or punk is fine as long as the lyrics are easy to understand.

- Tone: Romantic. Positive.

- Pace: The song will be played underneath the opening montage of images. Sam Cooke’s version of “You Send Me” is about as slow as those images can support. A little bit slower is okay. Faster is fine

THANKS 'Goners!
kublakhan
try listening to marvin gaye and tammy terrell hits there should be something there. If you can not afford frank sinatra find a song he did that fits and look under cdnow.com and list the song and it will give you a list of those artists who have recorded it.
just some thoughts
billie holliday- somebody's on my mind
cat stevens- ruby love
stevie wonder- overjoyed

or since many songs sinatra sings are standards find a version of "night and day" or " I've got you under my skin"
The Look of Love, Sergio Mendes and Brasil 66
This Guy is in Love with You, Herb Albert
How about "The 12th of Never" by Johnny Mathis, "This Magic Moment" by the Drifters, "Where I Hold You" by Keola Beamer from his Wooden Boats album (a very lovely song), "Still" by Bill Anderson
1. "Forever" by the Beach Boys (Sunflower album)
2. "Devoted to You" by The Everly Brothers
3. "One Step Away" by The Mavericks (Music for All Occasions
4. "Loving You" by The Mavericks from the same album

Don't be fooled- Mavericks are not country but more neo-pop.
Hope you're still looking...
1. I Hope You Want Me Too by The Mavericks
2.Magnet by NRBQ
3. I'm Nothing Without You by Steve Earle
That's easy. BEGINNINGS from Chicago's Greatest Hits.

"Only the beginnng of what I want to feel forever."

-John
How about "Working My Way Back to You"?

Don't know much about the song, other than hearing it on the radio. Seems to have been done by Frankie Valli & The 4 Seasons, as well as the Spinners.

Here are the lyrics, as found on Angelfire.com:

I keep working my way back to you, babe
With a burning love inside
Yeah I'm working my way back to you babe
And a happiness that died
I let it get away
Keep paying every day

When you were so in love with me
I played around like I was free
Thought I could have my cake and eat it too
And how I cried over losing you

See I'm down and out
And I ain't about to go
Living my life without you
Hey every day, I made you cry
I'm begging girl, 'til the day I die

I'll keep working my way back to you, babe
With a burning love inside
Yeah I'm working my way back to you, babe
And a happiness that died
I let it get away
Keep paying every day

I used to love to make you cry
It made me feel like a man inside
If I had been a man in reality
Then you'd be here baby loving me

Now my nights are long
And only a lion could prowl
Girl, I guess we're too slow Girl,
but you're too proud
And you won't give in
But when I think about all I can't win

I'll keep working my way back to you, babe
With a burning love inside
Yeah I'm working my way back to you, babe
And a happiness that died
I let it get away
Keep paying every day

My heart is kind of low
I just gotta get back home

I'm really sorry
For acting that way
I'm really sorry
Ooh, little girl
I'm really sorry
For throwing away our love
Sweet little girl
I'm really sorry
For making you cry
I really need you
Don't you hear me talking to you
Really sorry
For telling you lies
For so long
Oh please

I'll keep working my way back to you, babe
With a burning love inside
Yeah I'm working my way back to you, babe
And a happiness that died

I'll keep working my way back to you, babe
With a burning love inside
Yeah I'm working my way back to you, babe
And a happiness that died

Working, working
I'm really working
Working baby
Can't you see me working
With respect for all the great suggestions above, after much thought I have nailed it. This tune has the perfect feel, is not well known but is immediately engaging. "Thought It Would Be Easier" by Shelby Lynne. If you dont have "I Am Shelby Lynne" you should. This CD even has the perfect staring out the bus/car/train window song, "Deamsome". If you use the second song consider it a freebie. Seriously- excellent songs with great feel. Good luck!
Paulwp, thanks. That's what I meant to write. I must be suffering from dain bramage!
Dig through the first Doo Wop box set put out by Rhino records. Many of the songs will have the same pace and feel as the Sam Cooke song.

I'd suggest the first song on the third CD, "Been So Long" by the Pastels:

been so long ...
since i held you tight
been so long ...
since i kissed you goodnight
etc.

Some of the Phil Spector covers on the box set might also be familiar for an audience (they turn the girl perspective lyrics into boy lyrics). Aw, get the box set anyway -- it's great!
1) FIREFALL "You are the Woman"
2) POCO "Crazy Love"
3) The TURTLES "Who would Ever Think That I would Marry Magaret"
4)The TURTLES "Lady-O"
Chris Rea -- "Looking for the Summer"
-- "My love"
-- "On the Beach"
I bet he's not expencive at all and very musical.
Tomorrow Is A Long Time. Bob Dylan

If today was not an endless highway
If tonight was not a crooked trail,
If tomorrow wasn't such a long time,
Then lonesome would mean nothing to you at all.
Yes, and if only if my own true love was waitin',
Yes, and if I could hear her heart a-softly poundin',
only if she was lyin' by me,
would I lie in my bed once again.

I can't see my reflection in the waters,
I can't speak the sounds to show no pain
I can't hear the echo of my footsteps,
Or remember the sound of my own name.

There's beauty in that silver, singin' river,
There's beauty in that rainbow in the sky,
But none of these and nothing else can touch the beauty
That I remember in in my true love's eyes.
Yes, and only if my own true love was waitin',
Yes, and if I could hear her heart a-softly poundin',
Only if she was lyin' by me
Then I'd lie in my bed once again
Welcome back, Kubla. The talent fee on these romantic songs are probably more affordable.

Windswept - Bryan Ferry (Boys and Girls CD)

For Emily, Wherever I May Find Her - Simon and Garfunkel (Art Garfunkel song on Parsley Sage Rosemary and Thyme CD)

Try A Little Tenderness - Otis Redding

When A Man Loves A Woman - Percy Sledge

Unchanted Melody - Rightous Brothers

Hope this helps, good luck, Ross
Kubla, the Tommy Edwards song I recommended on AA, Please Love Me Forever (see that post for lyrics) is perfect. Tommy was sort of a poor man's Sam Cooke, sweeter voice but less range (musically and emotionally).

Paul, aka Pablo (my mother always called me that)
Kahn!

1 - great to see your words again.

2 - in the five minutes I've had to think about it I keep coming back to Gabriel's 'In Your Eyes' ... out of budget I'm sure. I will be hanging with a bunch of my fellow musicians tonight and we'll brain storm. I'll forward the request to my wife also ... she is queen of obscure 80s tunes ... she can stump the band like no one I've ever seen.
Solace of You - Living Color
In Your Eyes - Peter Gabriel
Crush - Dave Matthews Band
Satisfied - Ian Moore
One more - I Want You To know You Made Me Happy by the Rotary Connection - I know I am going way back.
I can't respond individually to each post but i'm checking into every suggestion.

I'll be sure to let everyone know when i make a decision.

Thanks SOOOOO much for the help so far!
Hearts Desire by The Avalons (Unart Records) also covered twice by the Manhatten Transfer. Easily the best love song ever made. Or, a re-record of I Know You by Paul Willaims (Old Fashion Love Song etc). He could never sing, but he could write. You could do a recording of nice voice and two or three pieces easy.
Good luck on the film
OK Here goes:

1. "Smokin in the Boys Room", no particular reason.

2. "Patches", if the girl drowns and is found floating.

3. "Cherry Pink & Apple Blossum White", stupid love song.

4. "In the Navy", if the guy turns out to be Gay.

5. "Anything by Holly Near", if the girl's Gay.

If I'm out you can just leave the $100 under the welcome mat. Nice doing business with ya.
1. Colour My World - Chicago
2 Kind of I Love You - Christopher Cross
3. IF - Bread
4. Say You'll Be Mine - Christopher Cross
5. Something - George Harrison (Beatles)
6. Only Love Can Break Your Heart - Neil Young
7. Love The One Your With - Stephen Stills (sorry)
8. If Not For You - Bob Dylan (George Harrison version on All Things Must pass)
9. What Is Life - George Harrison
kubla: here are two by randy newman that i don't think he's used on any of his sountracks. the first should be the version sung by harry nilsson on "nilsson sings newman." the second should be the original by mr. newman.

I'LL BE HOME

I'll Be Home
I'll Be Home
When your nights are troubled
And you're all alone
When you're feeling down
And need some sympathy
And there's no one else around
To keep you company
Remember, baby,
You can always count on me

I'll Be Home
I'll Be Home
I'll Be Home

I'll Be Home
I'll Be Home
Wherever you may wander
And wherever you may roam
You come back
I'll be waiting here for you
No one else will ever love you
The way I do
I'll be here to comfort you
And see you through

I'll Be Home
I'll Be Home
I'll Be Home

A WEDDING IN CHEROKEE COUNTY

There she is sitting there
Out behind the smoke-house in her rocking chair
She don't do nothin'
She don't say nothin'
She don't feel nothin'
She don't know nothin'
Maybe she's crazy, I don't know
But maybe that's why I love her so

Her papa was a midget
Her mama was a whore
Her grandad was a newsboy 'til he was eighty-four
Man don't you think I know she hates me
Man don't you think I know that she's no good
If she knew how she'd be unfaithful to me
I think she'd kill me if she could
Maybe she's crazy I don't know
But maybe that's why I love her so

I'm not afraid of the greywolf
Who stalks through our forest at dawn
As long as I have her beside me
I have the strength to carry on

Today we will be married
And all the freaks that she knows will be there
And all the people from the village will be there
To congratulate us
I will carry her across the threshold
I will make dim the light
I will attempt to spend my love within her
But though I try with all my might
She will laugh at my mighty sword
She will laugh at my mighty sword
Why must everybody laugh at my mighty sword?
Lord, hep me if you will
Maybe we're both crazy, I don't know
Maybe that's why I love her so

-kelly
Kubla, On a rush basis here are the first five I could come up with.

Each song hits and misses your criteria, and each would be spectacular with images, especially if matched with the mood of the moment.

"(Till) I kissed you," The Everly Brothers.

"L-O-V-E", Nat King Cole (1965)

"In Dreams," Roy Orbison (1963)

" White Rhythm And Blues" Linda Rondstant.

"The Sensual World, " Kate Bush (1989)

The Kate Bush would be the most difficult to pull off, considering most people do not understand her writing. I chose it due to the sheer beauty and weight of its sound and performance.
first I can think of is a song I wrote very melodic and very passionate. Its called ALL IN TIME the lyrics are as follows.
when I look into your eyes
all I need is you in my life
every day I feel your love in my heart and in my soul
chorus
everytime I look at you I feel you deep inside
all I wanna do is hold you oh so tight
come to me and stay the night stay the night
verse2
You give me the courage that I need
and the strength to carry on
with each day our love grows strong
heart and soul takes me home
chorus2
everytime I think of you I start to realalize
all my life Ive searched for you and your right before my eyes
all these years without you how did I survive how did I survive?
ending theme
everytime I dream of you youve opened up my eyes
all I wanna do is keep you by my side
I dont wanna turn around and face these lonely nights lonely nights
your my life youre my everything
so I bow before you to give you this ring.

My freind wrote the rythm guitar I wrote the lead guitar and the lyrics and my singer sang it . I think it would work perfect for your movie. the song is somewhat copy written. send me a private email and I will give you my number so you can listen over the phone to get an idea. It has a somewhat of a journey feel to very romantic and touching. lev335@msn.com the song title is All in Time
DIDO, "Thank You".

BILLY VERA & THE BEATERS "Hopeless Romantic"

" " "At This Moment"

" " "Here Comes The Dawn Again"
Hello Kubla!! I am so happy to see you here again.

As for the song, I am not near as quick with a response. I will think about it and post as soon as possible.