William Holden Videos : Son of Sam Peckinpah

elliott smith sam peckinpah the wild bunch mashup son of

Son of Sam Peckinpah

While living in Brooklyn in the late 90's, tragic sadcore genius Elliott Smith spent a lot of time shooting up heroin and watching classic, art, and foreign films at the BAM Rose cinemas. Top of his list -- the restored director's cut of Sam Peckinpah's classic The Wild Bunch. When he wrote the original acoustic version of "Son of Sam," he set it to the penultimate scene of the film -- the gathering of the Wild Bunch before one of the bloodiest battles ever filmed. The track is available online if you don't happen to own the "Happiness" single -- and no, it doesn't work with the album version on Figure 8. Start the song immediately as William Holden leaves the bordello. Watch as Ernest Borgnine plants his knife into the ground perfectly on the downbeat. Elliott sings: "Something's happening" as the bunch get their guns from the horses; "I told the boss off and made my move" as William Holden walks back with his rifle; "Got no-where to go" as the bunch gathers to make their death-march. Listen for the chord change immediately as the bunch begins walking with confidence to the line "Not uncomfortable." And of course -- the line "But I know what to do" plays as the camera angle changes on the bunch as they continue the walk towards certain death as they go to avenge the honor of their fallen compadre Angel. The long shot begins to zoom in on them with the line "acting on orders from above." Excellent pairing. Well done, Elliott. Sleep soundly.

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