Candy-Colored Clowns and Candy-Coated Songs : Meet "The Lynch Mob" and Explore the Jarring Juxtaposition of Beauty and Terror!

IT IS HAPPENING

...AGAIN.

One of my favorite directors, David Lynch...

Image courtesy of du-har @ deviantart.com

 ...has mastered the use of innocent love songs to create a sense of uneasiness

as you watch his twisted tales of mystery and horror. As Lynch's characters

sing their songs, you can't shake the feeling that something bad is about

to happen. This subject came up recently when my friend Cathy and

I were discussing a song that I posted - "Triangle" by Janie Grant.

We agreed that Janie's teen-pop ditty would work well in a Lynch

 project. In addition to building suspense and apprehension,

pop songs are used as a counterpoint or contrapuntal

device, meaning that the lyrics and mood of the

music deliberately contradict the images

appearing on the screen. 

Meet "The Lynch Mob..."

...some of my favorite characters from David Lynch movies and TV series.

They will introduce a few songs that were actually used by Lynch in his

productions, along with a few other songs that are well suited for

the quirky director's darkside stories.

I'm FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper from Twin Peaks. 

Here's the type of sweet, innocent, tender love song that is used by David Lynch

to lull you into a false sense of security before he lowers the boom. Watch the

following video. At some point in the song, an uneasy feeling will creep in

and creep you out. If this were a scene from a scary movie, you would

know that something terrible is about to happen, but you wouldn't

know exactly what or when. The tension leading up to the actual

terror on the screen can become unbearable, and deliciously so. 

CLICK TO START THE VIDEO NOW!  

Imagine the lovely Paris Sisters, Priscilla, Albeth and Sherrell,

setting you up for the chainsaw massacre as they sweetly sing

their cover of Bobby Darin's "Dream Lover" on Bandstand. 

"Dream Lover" - The Paris Sisters

(June/July 1964, highest chart pos. #91 Hot 100/#94 Cash Box,

performance on June 27, 1964, ep. of American Bandstand) 

I'll have what they're havin'! Did you effen see that?

I'm Frank "Effen" Booth from the effen David Lynch film Blue Velvet,

and you just watched the effen Paris Sisters performing baby wants an

effen "Dream Lover" on a 1964 episode of American Bandstand. 

The sibling trio's biggest hit is another song that's effen Lynch perfect, and the

demented director used it in his 2017 Twin Peaks revival series. Imagine an

effen ax murder taking place as you listen to-- "I Love How You Love Me." 

"I Love How You Love Me" - The Paris Sisters

(Oct./Nov. 1961, highest chart pos. #5 Hot 100/#7 Cash Box) 

I'm Audrey Horne...

bad girl breaking badder

on Twin Peaks. That hit

single by The Paris Sisters,

"I Love How You Love Me,"

was produced by Phil Spector

...and so was this next one. 

CLICK TO START

THE VIDEO NOW! 

You'll swear you're watching a

deleted scene from a David Lynch

thriller as you experience the sibs

in the British film It's Trad, Dad!

released in the U.S. as Ring-A-

Ding Rhythm! The Paris Sisters

ask the musical question--

"What Am I To Do"? 

"What Am I To Do" - The Paris Sisters

(B side of "Let Me Be The One," scene from

Mar. 1962 film It's Trad, Dad! aka Ring-A-Ding Rhythm!) 

I'm an aspiring young actress named

Betty Elms... or is it Diane Selwyn?

I'm confused and I know you are too.

Twenty years ago, David Lynch gave

my clone, actress Naomi Watts, her big

break and brought mind bending mystery to

theaters in Mulholland Drive. In this scene

from the film, Lynch makes effective use of

Linda Scott's hit "I've Told Every Little Star." 

"I've Told Every Little Star" - Linda Scott

(Apr./May 1961, highest chart pos. #3 Hot 100/#6 Cash Box,

scene from Oct. 2001 film Mulholland Drive) 

I'm Bob, the shapeshifting demon on Twin Peaks.

 

The pop/jazz standard "Dream A Little Dream Of Me" was first recorded

in 1931 by Ricky Nelson's dad Ozzie Nelson. A version by The Mamas

And The Papas with Cass Elliot on lead vocals was released as a

single in 1968 and brushed the top 10. 

CLICK TO START THE VIDEO NOW!

LA-based YouTube star Anne Reburn took the dreamy ballad,

made it her own and performed it in a video that looks

like it was produced by David Lynch himself!

"Dream A Little Dream Of Me"

cover by Anne Reburn (Sept. 2019)

Hey there, we're Lula and Sailor from Wild At Heart.

 Here's another sweet and innocent hit by another sister act, also from LA.

They're Patience & Prudence (McIntyre). Like the other songs in this feature,

the one this sister duo made famous practically begs to be used as a suspense

builder or counterpoint song. Turns out it was featured in four episodes of

American Horror Story season 1 - Murder House and also in the psycho

thriller TV series You. Imagine Rubber Man impaling an unsuspecting

victim as Patience & Prudence sing-- "Tonight You Belong To Me." 

"Tonight You Belong To Me" - Patience And Prudence

(Sept./Oct. 1956, highest chart pos. #3 Cash Box/#4 Hot 100)

I'm back, you effen effer! 

Thought you were effen rid of me? Effen think again!

In 1963, effen rock & roll legend Roy Orbison scored a top 10 hit with the

song "In Dreams." In 1986, David Lynch used a re-recorded version of

Orbison's operatic ballad of lost love in his neo-noir mystery thriller

film Blue Velvet, starring yours bluntly, Frank effen Booth! 

"In Dreams" - Roy Orbison

(1986 re-recorded ver., scenes from Aug. 1986 film Blue Velvet) 

I'm The Log Lady. My log does not judge. That's your job. 

My inquiring log wants to know. Did you find "Sixteen Reasons" to like these

sweet but oh-so-creepy pop hits? The Lynch Mob has logged a lot of time here

at Shady's Place. As we bid you farewell... remember that the answer is within

the question, and if you shut your eyes you'll burst into flames. Sweet dreams! 

"Sixteen Reasons" - Connie Stevens

(scene from Oct. 2001 film Mulholland Drive) 

Remembering John

January 16, 1993...
26 years ago today...

John Ettline died. 

John spent the last nine years of his life without his wife Helen.
Imagine the strength and courage it took for John, a man in his 80s,
to go it alone, enduring the hardships of winter and keeping the Dell
in operation even as the teenage patrons became increasingly
rough, rowdy and disrespectful. How many of us
could have stood up to that challenge?

 THE FOUR LADS 

This year as we remember John I selected for your listening pleasure
three songs that I think he would have enjoyed, beginning with a song
that is worth a thousand memories, one that reached its zenith on the
pop chart 63 years ago. The Four Lads sing "Moments To Remember."

 "Moments To Remember" - The Four Lads 

 (Jan. 1956, highest chart pos. #2) 

 FRANKIE LYMON 

 AND THE TEENAGERS 

Here's a great record that failed to reach the chart in the U.S. but made a run
at the top 10 in the UK. Released in December 1956, The Teenagers Featuring
Frankie Lymon is the group's only album. This song from the album peaked
at #12 in the UK. The title reminds us that generations of Dell rats needed
to convince their parents, teachers, clergymen and police that going to
the Dell did not turn them into bad kids. Frankie Lymon and the
Teenagers sing - "I'm Not A Juvenile Delinquent."

 "I'm Not a Juvenile Delinquent" - Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers 

 (Nov. 1956 U.S. ver. uncharted, Feb. 1957 UK version reached #12, 
 from Dec. 1956 album The Teenagers Featuring Frankie Lymon) 

 ROY ORBISON 

Hard to believe it's been more than 30 years since the great Roy Orbison's voice

fell silent. I think John would enjoy hearing Roy's first major hit, a record that

shoulda been, coulda been and woulda been #1 on the chart in 1960 had it

not been blocked by Brenda Lee's "I'm Sorry." Here's Roy Orbison aka

"The Big O" aka "The Caruso of Rock" singing "Only The Lonely."

 "Only The Lonely" - Roy Orbison 

 (July 1960, highest chart pos. #2) 

John, you were the King of all Dell Rats.

If we have anything to say about it, you
and Helen will always be remembered.

We love you and miss you, John!