Memorable TV Performances: Deftones, Incubus & Adam Sandler- Be Quiet and Drive

Way back in the past, there was this network called MTV where all they did was play music videos 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. That was when it first started. Then over time they introduced other programming while still being music centric. Nowadays MTV resembles nothing that it once was. The past of MTV though did leave us some lasting memories and great music videos and memorable performances. Some of those performances were quite out of left field at times but, during the moment they were quite intriguing. One such performance that has always stuck in my head was during the promotion of the Adam Sandler movie, Little Nicky. This happened back in the year 2000, Adam Sandler was hosting a special that highlighted his movie and the soundtrack and during this members of Deftones and Incubus (both bands appear on the soundtrack. Incubus has “Pardon Me” on it and Deftones have “Change (In The House Of Flies)” and an acoustic version of “Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)” on it) joined Adam on the couch for an acoustic version of Deftones’ song “Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)” from my personal favorite Deftones album, Around The Fur. Side Note, “Be Quiet and Drive” is my all time favorite Deftones song as well. This performance is one of those interesting ones but also memorable. Take a moment and check this out and let me know what you thought of it!

Adam Sandler, Deftones & Incubus- Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away):

Memorable TV Performances: Adam Sandler- The Thanksgiving Song

The date is November 21, 1992 and during the Weekend Update segment on Saturday Night Live, anchor Kevin Nealon brings out Adam Sandler to perform a song. This was originally intended to be a recurring Thanksgiving tradition with other cast members debuting their own original songs, but the next year, it was again Sandler, doing another version of the same song in the style of Bruce Springsteen. Adam’s “Thanksgiving Song” was written by Adam Sandler along with SNL writers Robert Smigel and Ian Maxtone-Graham. Interestingly (as always there is something interesting about these performances/songs), this song was the predecessor to “The Chanukkah Song.” When that song became a hit, “The Thanksgiving Song” was then released as a follow-up the next year; it too became a hit, charting at #40 on the Adult Top 40 chart and #29 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart in 1997. The song continues to receive extensive radio airplay around Thanksgiving. So, now that we know all that, Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Adam Sandler- The Thanksgiving Song:

The Thanksgiving Song (Live):

That Was A Bad Idea: Sheryl Crow covering Sweet Child O’ Mine

Back in 1999, on the soundtrack and in the movie to the Adam Sandler film Big Daddy, something truly wrong happened. There was an atrocious cover of a song that should have never been allowed to be released. Sheryl Crow’s version of the Guns N Roses classic “Sweet Child O’ Mine.” I still remember hearing it in the movie and thinking this was terrible, and guess what, it still is. Her version was originally released as a bonus track on her third album. And even more interestingly, the recording not only won her a Grammy but, it was also produced by Rick Rubin. Over the years, Crow’s version has been regarded as one of the worst cover songs ever, and rightfully so. Despite all the negativity towards it though, it became somewhat of a hit in areas like Australia, Canada, Iceland and the U.K. I still want to know who thought this would be a good idea and who approved it to be in the movie.

Sheryl Crow- Sweet Child O’ Mine:

 

Songs In Film: Lynyrd Skynyrd- Tuesday’s Gone in Happy Gilmore

When you think of Lynyrd Skynyrd, I’m sure the first thing that comes to mind is “Free Bird.” That’s the same for me too. Over the years though, I’ve really come to the realization that “Tuesday’s Gone” is a better song than “Free Bird.” That’s just my opinion, and we can talk about that later if you’d like. Anyways, the other night while looking for something mindless to watch, I noticed Happy Gilmore was about to start and so I settled in and watched. As it began I couldn’t help but remember that “Tuesday’s Gone” opens and closes the movie and its the perfect song to do both. So with that in mind, check out this great use of the song in one of the funniest movies ever!

Tuesday’s Gone in Happy Gilmore:
Opening Credits:

 

 

Ending:

 

Classic Soundtracks: The Wedding Singer

The Wedding Singer is one of those movies that no matter when it’s on, it’s always a fun movie to watch. It’s aged well and the jokes are still funny. One other thing about the movie that has always been great is the music. The 80’s had some really good music and some that was well, lets just say, it was crap. One of the fun parts of The Wedding Singer was the ability for them to poke some fun at the music of the time. Either way, the soundtrack to the movie is a classic and it’s perfect for your 80’s themed parties or when you just want to have a good time. Songs by David Bowie, New Order, The Psychedelic Furs, Depeche Mode, The Smiths, and Billy Idol are just a few of the greats that appear on the soundtrack. Plus the two songs that Adam Sandler sing in the film are included and both of those are actually quite well done, especially “Somebody Kill Me.”

 
The Wedding Singer Soundtrack:

 
Adam Sandler- Somebody Kill Me:

 

Classic Soundtracks: Airheads

The other night, I couldn’t sleep and as I was flipping through the channels, I saw Airheads was just starting. It’s really fun to go back and watch movies you saw years ago, and see how much things have changed or haven’t. Airheads is still a fun movie, especially the scenes involving Lemmy. As I was watching, I realized how cool the soundtrack is. Featuring songs from Motorhead, White Zombie, Prong, Primus, Ramones and Anthrax, the soundtrack to Airheads is flush with 90’s rock and metal. And who can forget the name of the band… THE LONE RANGERS… “wait a minute, you can’t pluralize The Lone Ranger.”

 

Airheads- Soundtrack: