John Waters, the cinematic provocateur, is celebrated for his transgressive themes and darkly comedic vision. But beyond the shock value and культовый status, there’s another layer to his genius often overlooked: his impeccable taste in music. John Waters Movies are not just visually arresting; they are audibly captivating, brimming with carefully curated soundtracks that perfectly complement his bizarre and brilliant worlds.
While some iconic John Waters films like Hairspray, Cry-Baby, Pink Flamingos, Serial Mom, and Pecker boast official soundtrack releases, these albums only scratch the surface of the musical goldmine within his filmography. Even these stellar soundtracks are incomplete, missing key tracks that are integral to the moviegoing experience. For instance, the Hairspray soundtrack, while fantastic, notably omits the infectious Chubby Checker hits that define the film’s dance-craze energy. Similarly, Cry Baby leaves out Webb Pierce’s mournful “He’s in the Jailhouse Now,” and Serial Mom strangely lacks the upbeat irony of “Tomorrow” from Annie.
And then there’s a vast catalog of John Waters movies that, shockingly, have no official soundtrack albums at all! This is where an exciting, ongoing project comes into play: the mission to identify and compile all the songs featured in John Waters movies that haven’t made it onto those precious few soundtrack albums. Furthermore, for films like Cry-Baby that feature remakes of classic songs, the project delves deeper to unearth the original versions that inspired these cinematic interpretations. Think of discovering The Chordettes’ original “Mr. Sandman” behind the Cry-Baby rendition.
The dedication goes beyond simply finding the songs; it’s about pinpointing the precise version used in each movie scene. Take Little Richard in Mondo Trasho; the film utilizes live recordings from the 60s, a stark contrast to the studio versions employed in later works like Pink Flamingos. The nuances extend even to different cuts of the same film. The 1972 Pink Flamingos and the 1997 anniversary edition have musical variations, with tracks like “Sixteen Candles” appearing in the former but not the latter. Even the television version of Cry-Baby sneaks in extra musical moments.
This meticulous approach can sometimes lead down unexpected rabbit holes. The quest for the original Chubby Checker tracks from Hairspray is a prime example. Original recordings are now hard to find due to copyright issues, replaced by readily available but sonically inferior 80s stereo remakes. The initial assumption was that John Waters would use the classic 60s mono recordings. However, close listening revealed a surprising twist: Waters actually utilized those very 80s remakes! A humorous, albeit frustrating, discovery highlighting the intricacies of this musical treasure hunt.
This is where you, the John Waters aficionados and music detectives, come in. The project has already unearthed dozens of songs, but countless more remain elusive. Identifying instrumental pieces, especially from the early, more obscure films, proves particularly challenging.
Therefore, the call is out to scour your record collections, revisit your John Waters movie viewings, and lend your ears to this sonic excavation. If you recognize songs, possess these musical gems in your collection, or hold any information that could assist in this endeavor, please reach out! Email Jeff Jackson to forward your musical clues.
A more comprehensive list of identified and sought-after songs is on the horizon, but for now, here’s a glimpse into the musical landscape being mapped.
Movie Codes:
[MT] Mondo Trasho
[MM] Multiple Maniacs
[PFO] Original Pink Flamingos
[PF25] Pink Flamingos 25th anniversary version
[FT] Female Trouble
[DL] Desperate Living
[PY] Polyester
[HS] Hairspray
[CB] Cry-Baby
[CBR] Songs remade for Cry-Baby
[SM] Serial Mom
(Pecker is considered to have a complete soundtrack album.)
Songs Already Discovered:
- “Lollipop” – The Chordettes [MT]
- “Two Faces Have I” – Lou Christie [MT]
- “Keep Your Hands Off My Baby” – Little Eva [MT]
- “Pony Time” – Chubby Checker [HS]
- “The Fly” – Chubby Checker [HS]
- “Let’s Twist Again” – Chubby Checker [HS]
- “Limbo Rock” – Chubby Checker [HS]
- “Dancing Party” – Chubby Checker [HS]
[Note on Chubby Checker: The project specifically seeks the 1980s stereo remakes of these Chubby Checker songs, identifiable by their stereo sound and a slightly off guitar note in the intro of the 1980s version of “Limbo Rock”. These less-desirable versions are, surprisingly, the ones featured in Hairspray.]
More Songs in the Collection:
- “Jack the Ripper” – Link Wray [MT]
- “The Girl Can’t Help It (live)” – Little Richard [MT]
- “Mashed Potato Time” – Dee Dee Sharp [HS]
- “Slow Walk” – Sil Austin [MT – frequently used]
- “Jailhouse Rock” – Elvis Presley [MM]
- “I Want You, I Need You, I Love You” – Elvis Presley [MT]
- “Just Because” – Elvis Presley [MM]
- “We’re Off to See the Wizard” – Wizard of Oz [MT]
- “Gee” – The Crows [CB]
- “Duke of Earl” – Gene Chandler [HS]
- “Sixteen Candles” – The Crests [PF]
- “Come and Go With Me” – The Dell Vikings [MT]
- “Blue Moon” – The Marcels [MT]
- “He’s in the Jailhouse Now” – Webb Pierce [CB]
- “Get a Job” – The Silhouettes [MT]
- “Remember (Walking in the Sand)” – The Shangri Las [MT]
- “See You Later Aligator” – Bill Haley [MT]
- “Dig” – Nervous Norvus [FT] (A particularly cool find!)
- “Gravy” – Dee Dee Sharp [HS]
- “Do the New Continental” – the Dovells [HS]
- “God Bless America” – Kate Smith [MM] (Seeking a better quality version)
- “Flying Saucer (1 & 2)” – Buchanan and Goodman [MT]
- “Whole Lotta Shaking Going On” – Jerry Lee Lewis [MT]
- “Western Movies” – The Olympics [MT] (Used with gunshot sound effects)
- “Goin’ Out of My Head” – Little Anthony and the Imperials
- “No Particular Place to Go” – Chuck Berry [MT]
- “Trouble” – Elvis Presley [MT]
- “I Got Stung” – Elvis Presley [MT]
- “Rumble” – Link Wray [MT]
- “Sh-Boom” – The Crew Cuts [CBR]
- “Mr. Sandman” – The Chordettes [CBR]
- “Leader of the Pack” – The Shangri Las [MT]
- “Little Bitty Pretty One” – Thurston Harris [MT]
- “Tutti Fruitti (Live)” – Little Richard [MT]
- “Long Tall Sally (LIVE)” – Little Richard [MT]
- “Rip It Up” – Elvis Presley [MT]
- “The Angels Listened In” – The Crests [MT]
- “Ricochet” – Teresa Brewer [MT]
- “I Want You To Be My Girl” – Frankie Lymon [MT]
- “What’d I Say (1 and 2)” – Ray Charles [MT]
- “Sitting In the Park” – Billy Stewart [MT]
- “Along Came Jones” – The Coasters [MT]
- “These Boots Are Made For Walking” – Nancy Sinatra [Early movies like Eat Your Makeup or Roman Candles]
(Many songs from Pink Flamingos were initially on the ‘needed’ list but were removed upon the release of the Pink Flamingos soundtrack album.)
The Still-Wanted Songs (A Long List Awaits!)
Essentially, the project seeks every song used in a John Waters movie that isn’t on the ‘already discovered’ list. Hairspray and Cry-Baby are particularly rich in unreleased music. Checking the closing credits of these films will reveal numerous songs not yet accounted for. For Cry-Baby, the original songs that inspired the musical numbers are also of interest. The Crew Cuts’ version of “Sh-Boom” is sought after because the movie version’s arrangement clearly draws from it. All musical numbers in Cry-Baby are rooted in genuine 50s classics. Beyond the featured songs, background score elements also need identification, such as a song resembling “Women and Cadillacs” heard on a car radio in Cry-Baby.
The early John Waters movies present their own set of challenges. Identifying songs, particularly instrumentals like the twangy tune at the start of Multiple Maniacs, can be difficult. Mondo Trasho, in particular, is peppered with snippets of obscure songs that defy easy identification.
Specific Songs on the “Most Wanted” List:
- “Strangers in the Night” – Frank Sinatra [MT]
- “Tomorrow” – Annie (MOVIE soundtrack version) [SM]
- “Jambalaya (On the Bayou)” [MT] – Not the Brenda Lee version, but a slower, Muzak-like female vocal version.
- “He’s Got the Whole World In His Hand” [MM] – The Laurie London version doesn’t quite match the Multiple Maniacs rendition.
- “Take a Number from One to Ten” – Lyda Roberti [MT] (An obscure track from the film College Rhythm)
- “I’m Following You” – ??? [MT]
- “Holy Holy Holy” – ??? [MT]
The 25th-anniversary edition credits of Pink Flamingos are another valuable resource for uncovering missing music – scan them for unlisted tracks.
Classical music used in John Waters’ films is also part of the search. While exact versions are less critical due to numerous recordings, identifying pieces that closely resemble the film versions is the goal.
Classical Music Already Identified:
- “Pomp and Circumstance” [MT]
- “Rite of Spring” [MT, PFO]
- “Ride of the Valkyries” [MT]
Classical Music Still Needed:
- Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony (first movement) [MT]
- Marche Slave [MT] (Likely Tchaikovsky’s Marche Slave)
Unidentified Classical Music:
- The music during the “shrimping”/”Cinderella” scene in Mondo Trasho.
- The opera aria as MVP stumbles from the woods in Mondo Trasho.
- The music when Divine smashes car windows at the end of Multiple Maniacs.
The Debbie Harry, Tab Hunter, Chris Stein, and Bill Murray tracks from Female Trouble and Polyester remain elusive. Dubbing from the films may be the only current option. Perhaps a future Female Trouble reissue might bring a soundtrack release, and the long-rumored Polyester album for Rhino Records might someday materialize.
–Joe–
SIDEBAR: Mondo Trasho Music – A Deeper Dive
Joe has compiled a more detailed list of the music in Mondo Trasho, a film essentially conceived as a silent movie set to music.
Legend:
[x] Item already owned
[?] Item unidentified
[-] Item not owned yet
[/] Artist partially identified
[~] Educated guess
MONDO TRASHO – Song Breakdown
PROLOGUE / CREDITS
[x] “Jack the Ripper” – Link Wray
WALK TO BUS STOP
[x] “Short Shorts” – The Royal Teens
[?] Sound effects: dogs barking
[x] “Pomp & Circumstance, March No. I” – Elgar
ON THE BUS
[x] “Jambalaya (On the Bayou)” – Jo Stafford
IN THE PARK
[/] “I’m Following You” – Artist unknown
[x] “I Want You, I Need You, I Love You” – Elvis Presley
[x] “Sitting In The Park” – Billy Stewart
[?] Operatic aria
[x] “Strangers in the Night” – Frank Sinatra
[x] “Little Bitty Pretty One” – Thurston Harris
THE SHRIMPING
[?] Modern classical composition – piano/violin
[x] “Hot Diggity (Dog Ziggity Boom)” – Perry Como
[-] “It’s Almost Like Being In Love” – Judy Garland
[x] “See You Later, Aligator” – Bill Haley & His Comets
[x] “Ricochet (Rick-O-Shay)” – Teresa Brewer
DIVINE ENTERS IN THE EL DORADO CADILLAC
[x] “Long Tall Sally (live)” – Little Richard
[?] Operatic aria
[x] “Tutti Fruitti (live)” – Little Richard
[?] Operatic aria
[x] “The Girl Can’t Help It (live)” – Little Richard
[?] Operatic aria
[?] Rock & roll saxophone solo
[?] Operatic aria
THE CAR ACCIDENT
[x] “Treat ‘Em Right” – Mae West
[x] “Riot in Cell Block 9” – The Robins
[?] Operatic aria
[x] “Treat ‘Em Right” – Mae West
[?] Operatic aria
[x] “Treat ‘Em Right” – Mae West
[x] “Leader of the Pack” – The Shangri-Las
[x] Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony
[x] “Remember (Walking in the Sand)” – The Shangri-Las
[x] “Why Does Everything Happen to Me?” (a.k.a. “Strange Things Happen” – James Brown, live at the Apollo)
ON THE RUN WITH AN UNCONSCIOUS GIRL
[x] “I Want You To Be My Girl” – Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers
[x] “It Only Hurts For a Little While” – The Ames Brothers
[x] “I Want You To Be My Girl” – Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers
[x] “Riot in Cell Block 9” – The Robins
[x] “No Particular Place to Go” – Chuck Berry
[-] “Lonesome Fugitive” – Merle Haggard and the Strangers (aka “I’m A Lonesome Fugitive” or “The Fugitive”)
[x] “Come Go With Me” – The Del-Vikings
[x] “Two Faces Have I” – Lou Christie
SHOPLIFTING AND STEALING SHOES
[-] “Finger Poppin'” – Ike & Tina Turner
[x] “Riot in Cell Block 9” – The Robins
[x] “Come Go With Me” – The Del-Vikings
[x] “Night Train (live at the Apollo)” – James Brown
[x] “Slow Walk” – Sil Austin
[/] “Marche Slav” – Tchaikovsky
THE LAUNDROMAT & THE FIRST MIRACLE
[?] Intro to unknown rock/R&B song
[?] Speech by black vocalist – “you can’t do anything for us” – “leave mine alone”
[x] “Rite of Spring” – Stravinsky
[/] “Holy Holy Holy” – Artist unknown + wildtrack dialogue
[?] Sound effect – bells ringing
[/] “Holy Holy Holy” – Artist unknown
[x] “The Girl Can’t Help It (live)” – Little Richard
[x] “The Angels Listened In” – The Crests
[x] “Shakin’ All Over” – Mae West
[x] “Slow Walk” – Sil Austin
THE CADILLAC IS STOLEN
[x] “Rip It Up” – Elvis Presley
[x] “Slow Walk” – Sil Austin
[x] “Riot In Cell Block 9” – The Robins
[x] “Treat ‘Em Right” – Mae West
[x] “Remember (Walking in the Sand)” – The Shangri-Las
[x] “Oh Lonesome Me” – Don Gibson
[-] “Waddle, Waddle” – The Bracelets
[x] “Slow Walk” – Sil Austin
[~] “What a Rare Mood I’m In” – Judy Garland?
[x] “Slow Walk” – Sil Austin
MINK STOLE / MENTAL HOSPITAL DRAGNET
[?] Wildtrack dialogue, apparently – Mink makes noises
[x] “I Got Stung” – Elvis Presley
[?] Opera – possibly German – first a woman sings, then a man, then the woman again
[x] “I Almost Lost My Mind” – Pat Boone
[x] “Remember (Walking in the Sand)” – The Shangri-Las
[x] “Riot in Cell Block 9” – The Robins
[?] Unknown rock/R&B song – “woah oh oh ohhhhhhh”
[?] Unknown sax solo
[x] “Riot in Cell Block 9” – The Robins
[x] Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony
[x] “I Got Stung” – Elvis Presley
THE MENTAL HOSPITAL
[x] “We’re Off to See the Wizard” – The Wizard of Oz Cast
[?] Noises, sound effects, laughter – avant-garde collage of sounds, possibly wildtrack dialogue
[?] Crowd cheering – someone addresses the crowd – excerpt from a live concert album (Garland?)
[x] “Keep Your Hands Off My Baby” – Little Eva
[?] More weird noises and sounds
MINK’S TOPLESS TAP DANCE
[-] “Take a Number From One to Ten” – Lyda Roberti
[x] Fats Gonder’s intro to “James Brown ‘Live’ at the Apollo”
[-] “Take a Number From One to Ten” – Lyda Roberti
[x] “What’d I Say (Parts 1 & 2)” – Ray Charles
THE SECOND MIRACLE: ESCAPE FROM THE SNAKE PIT
[/] “Holy Holy Holy” – Artist unknown
[?] Sound effect – bells ringing
[/] “Holy Holy Holy” – Artist unknown
[x] “The Angels Listened In” – The Crests
[x] “Earth Angel” – The Penguins
[x] “Flying Saucer (Parts 1 & 2)” – Buchanan & Goodman
[x] “I’m Blue (The Gong Gong Song)” – The Ikettes
[x] “Tutti Fruitti (live)” – Little Richard
[?] Unknown guitar solo
[x] “Come Go With Me” – The Del-Vikings
[x] “Slow Walk” – Sil Austin
[x] “634-5789 (Soulsville U.S.A.)” – Wilson Pickett
GETTING TO THE DOCTOR & ROBBING THE CAB
[x] “Slow Walk” – Sil Austin
[x] “Woo-Hoo” – The Rock-A-Teens
[?] Unknown song by vocal group – “Penny, nickel, dime, quarter, dollar Money! They’re driving me crazy!”
[?] Sound effect – dogs barking
[x] “See You Later, Aligator” – Bill Haley & The Comets
[x] “Come Go With Me” – The Del-Vikings
IN THE DOCTOR’S WAITING ROOM
[?] Stripper / burlesque music
[x] “You Tickle Me Baby” – the Royal Jokers
[?] Dialogue: “Help! Help someone!”
[x] “Riot in Cell Block 9” – The Robins
[?] “Help! Help someone!”
[x] “Dance of the Comedians” – Kabalevsky
[x] “Remember (Walking in the Sand)” – The Shangri-Las
[?] “Help! Help someone!”
[x] “Rumble” – Link Wray
[?] Unknown classical music
[x] “Rumble” – Link Wray
[x] Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony
DR. COATHANGER’S DREADFUL EXPERIMENTS
[x] Little Richard stage patter
[?] Long dialogue excerpt – WOMAN: “These monsters…” MAN: “Care for a girl?…” SECOND MAN: “Let me inspect…”
[x] More Little Richard stage patter – intro to “Jenny, Jenny”
[?] Creepy classical organ music – Bach? Carnival of Souls?
[x] “Flying Saucer (Parts 1 & 2)” – Buchanan & Goodman
[?] Female R&B vocalist speaks: “Good Godamighty, the man sure makes me feel real.” – Aretha Franklin?
[x] “Flying Saucer (Parts 1 & 2)” – Buchanan & Goodman
[x] “(You’ve Got) The Magic Touch” – The Platters
[x] “Flying Saucer (Parts 1 & 2)” – Buchanan & Goodman
[x] “Remember (Walking in the Sand)” – The Shangri-Las
[x] “Come Go With Me” – The Del-Vikings
SHOOTOUT IN THE WAITING ROOM
[x] “Riot in Cell Block 9” – The Robins
[x] “Blue Moon” – The Marcels
[x] “Western Movies” – The Olympics
[?] R&B quote – James Brown? – “Owwww! Sometimes the going gets a little tough!”
[x] “He’s So Fine” – The Chiffons
[x] “Get a Job” – The Silhouettes
[x] “Western Movies” – The Olympics
[?] R&B quote – James Brown? – “Owwww!”
[x] “Get a Job” – The Silhouettes
[x] “Western Movies” – The Olympics
[x] “Get a Job” – The Silhouettes
[x] “Blue Moon” – The Marcels
[x] “Get a Job” – The Silhouettes
[x] “Blue Moon” – The Marcels
[x] “Get a Job” – The Silhouettes
[x] “Blue Moon” – The Marcels
[x] “Get a Job” – The Silhouettes
[x] “Blue Moon” – The Marcels
[?] The unknown “Owwww!” again
[x] “Get a Job” – The Silhouettes
[x] “Western Movies” – The Olympics
[x] “Get a Job” – The Silhouettes
[x] “Riot in Cell Block 9” – The Robins
BONNIE IN PERIL
[x] “Along Came Jones” – The Coasters
[?] R&B quote – Tina Turner? – “That’s why he’s all kinds of rude to ya.”
[x] “Along Came Jones” – The Coasters
[x] “I’m Moving On” – Ray Charles
[x] Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony
[?] Pop record excerpt – “I almost flipped when she looked my way…”
[x] “Remember (Walking in the Sand)” – The Shangri-Las
[?] Novelty record quote about feet – “From head to my (escalator) feet?”
ON THE RUN WITH DR. COATHANGER
[x] “Come Go With Me” – The Del-Vikings
[-] “Mars, Bringer of War” – Gustav Holst
[x] “Don’t Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes” – Perry Como
[x] “Rescue Me” – Fontella Bass
[?] Rock saxophone solo – Dion?
[x] “Lolipop” – The Chordettes
[?] Dion-ish sax solo
[?] Pop/R&B song – “Worry Me”? – “Worry me, and you’ll be left alone…”
[x] “Angel Baby” – Rosie and the Originals
[x] “Kansas City” – Wilbert Harrison
[?] R&B song – “Owwww! I didn’t do no crime”
[?] Pop song – “I worry so much. I make myself sick.”
[?] Dion-type sax solo
[/] “Goodbye to Love” – Artist unknown
THEY’RE A TWOSOME AGAIN / IN THE PIGSTY
[x] “Rumble” – Link Wray
[x] “Ride of the Valkyries” – Wagner
[/] “Holy Holy Holy” – Artist unknown
[x] “Flying Saucer (Parts 1 & 2)” – Buchanan & Goodman
[?] Classical piece with vocals
[x] “Maybe” – The Chantels
[x] “(You’ve Got) The Magic Touch” – The Platters
[x] “Flying Saucer (Parts 1 & 2)” – Buchanan & Goodman
BACK TO REALITY, SUCH AS IT IS
[x] “Here I Stand” – Wade Flemons & The Newcomers
[x] “Going Out of My Head” – Little Anthony and the Imperials
[x] “Surfin’ Bird” – The Trashmen
[x] “(You’ve Got) The Magic Touch” – The Platters
[x] “Flying Saucer (Parts 1 & 2)” – Buchanan & Goodman
[x] “Whole Lotta Shaking Going On” – Jerry Lee Lewis
THE BUS STOP DIALOGUE
(Dialogue transcript)
