Looking for the song ‘Stuck in the middle with you’ (written by Gerry Rafferty and Joe Eagan; performed by their group ‘Stealers Wheel’) on YouTube (2016) , displays the immense popularity of this song; more than 40 years after it was published on the 1972 Stealers Wheel debut album. The number of clicks is considerably impressive: the most popular video on the website counts more than 44 million views since July 2010.
The original music video shows the band with Joe Eagan alternately performing in a big, empty building and him being at a banquet table, surrounded by odd guises, unsuccessfully trying to get some food from the table. Comparing the top comments to the video shown, some incoherence becomes visible. For instance, user ‘nosferotica’ writes: ‘Last time I listened to this song I cut someone’s ear off.’ (YouTube, 2016). Another user asks if anyone could listen to the song, ‘without thinking of torture anymore’ (YouTube, 2016).
Without knowing the linkage of the song to one of the most iconic scenes in later film history, these comments make no sense at all. Moreover, we must agree with Quentin Tarantino, who said ‘that certain pop songs have been used so successfully in certain movies that in a sense the movie blots out all other associations and ‘owns’ the song . In the case of ‘Stuck in the middle with you’ and the ‘infamous’ torture scene in Tarantino’s debut film Reservoir Dogs (1992), this statement does fully apply, as the song originally is about an annoying record biz dinner that Eagan and Rafferty had to attend . Tarantino’s debut became cult over the years, considered to have notably inspired further independent cinema.
The quintessence of Tarantino’s idea of film making is already identifiable in his rough debut: cool characters and violence combined with deadpan humour plus a fantastic soundtrack.
Table of Contents
- The film
- The song
- The scene
- Diegetic 'vs' Non-Diegetic?
- Anempathetic music
- The scene related to the movie
Objectives and Key Themes
This text analyzes the use of Stealers Wheel's "Stuck in the Middle with You" in Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs, exploring how the song's musical qualities and placement contribute to the film's iconic status. The analysis examines the interplay between music and scene, considering the song's inherent characteristics and its effect within the specific cinematic context. The text investigates the impact of music choices on audience perception and the creation of memorable cinematic moments.
- The relationship between music and film.
- The analysis of a specific scene and its soundtrack.
- The impact of music on audience response and interpretation.
- The role of music in creating cult film status.
- The contrast between the song's inherent qualities and its use in a violent scene.
Chapter Summaries
The film: This section provides a detailed synopsis of the plot of Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs, focusing on the events leading up to and including the warehouse scene where the song "Stuck in the Middle with You" is featured. The summary highlights the film's non-linear narrative structure, the introduction of the various characters, and the escalating tension and violence that culminates in a bloody confrontation. The summary emphasizes the film's distinctive style, characterized by its cool characters, stylized violence, and dark humor.
The song: This chapter delves into a musical analysis of Stealers Wheel's "Stuck in the Middle with You," examining its structure, instrumentation, and overall mood. The analysis details the song's composition, including its rhythmic pattern, harmonic structure, and melodic characteristics. The text highlights the song's seemingly carefree and upbeat nature, contrasting this with its unexpected and jarring use in the film's violent scene. This juxtaposition is a key point of the analysis.
The scene: This section offers a minute-by-minute breakdown of the specific scene in Reservoir Dogs where "Stuck in the Middle with You" plays, analyzing the visual and auditory elements in detail. It describes the actions of Mr. Blonde, the victim, and the juxtaposition of the upbeat music with the brutal torture. The detailed description highlights the director's use of camera angles and editing to create tension and unease, contrasting the cheerful music with the horrific violence. The section also explores how the song's rhythm and tempo contribute to the disturbing atmosphere of the scene.
Keywords
Film music, Quentin Tarantino, Reservoir Dogs, Stealers Wheel, "Stuck in the Middle with You," diegetic sound, non-diegetic sound, cinematic analysis, soundtrack, cult film, musical irony, violence, tension, scene analysis.
Reservoir Dogs: A Musical Analysis of "Stuck in the Middle with You" - FAQ
What is the overall topic of this text?
This text provides a detailed analysis of the use of Stealers Wheel's song "Stuck in the Middle with You" in Quentin Tarantino's film Reservoir Dogs. It explores how the song's musical qualities and its placement within a specific, violent scene contribute to the film's overall impact and iconic status.
What aspects of the film and song are analyzed?
The analysis encompasses several key areas: a synopsis of Reservoir Dogs, a musical analysis of "Stuck in the Middle with You," a detailed breakdown of the specific scene where the song is featured, and a discussion of the relationship between music and film, particularly concerning the impact of music on audience perception and the creation of memorable cinematic moments. The contrast between the song's upbeat nature and the brutal violence of the scene is a central theme.
What is the purpose of the chapter summaries?
The chapter summaries provide concise overviews of the key sections of the analysis. They offer a synopsis of the film's plot, a detailed description of the musical characteristics of "Stuck in the Middle with You," and a minute-by-minute breakdown of the pivotal scene in Reservoir Dogs where the song is used.
What are the key themes explored in this analysis?
Key themes include the relationship between music and film, the analysis of a specific scene and its soundtrack, the impact of music on audience response and interpretation, the role of music in creating cult film status, and the contrast between the song's inherent qualities and its use in a violent scene. The concepts of diegetic and non-diegetic sound are also implicitly considered.
What are the objectives of this analysis?
The objective is to demonstrate how the specific musical choice and its placement within the film contribute to its overall effect. The analysis aims to highlight the power of music in shaping audience experience and creating memorable and impactful cinematic moments, especially within the context of a cult classic film like Reservoir Dogs. The juxtaposition of seemingly incongruous elements (upbeat music and violent scene) is a key focus.
What keywords are used to describe the analysis?
Keywords include: Film music, Quentin Tarantino, Reservoir Dogs, Stealers Wheel, "Stuck in the Middle with You," diegetic sound, non-diegetic sound, cinematic analysis, soundtrack, cult film, musical irony, violence, tension, scene analysis.
What kind of audience is this text intended for?
This text is intended for an academic audience interested in film studies, music analysis, and the interplay between music and cinema. It provides a structured and professional approach to analyzing themes within the specified context.
- Quote paper
- Engin Devekiran (Author), 2016, The song ‘Stuck in the Middle With You’ (Stealers Wheel) in Tarantino’s ‘Reservoir Dogs’. How the right song in the right scene makes a film iconic, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/319526
