 | A unique soundtrack for a unique story. |
Signed, Sealed, Delivered: One In A Million hands down upheld its tradition of perfectly-picked tracks to accompany some of the films' most important moments, all of which came from Broadway shows as performed by Montaldo's most talented singers and dancers.
Check out the songs you'll be singing at the next talent show.
Check out the songs you'll be singing at the next talent show.
| | "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" - Stevie Wonder Because the intro. |
"Closer Than Ever"
When I started researching the music of One In A Million, it didn't take long to realize the Broadway influence. Several of the film's major moments are accompanied by music from the off-Broadway musical "Closer Than Ever," quickly bringing the working title of this film, "Closer To The Heart," into context.
Apparently a music-only production, Closer Than Ever contains no dialogue, but its content consists of a slew of different topics and spans the emotional spectrum. Here are the selections that made it into One In A Million and when they're heard.
Apparently a music-only production, Closer Than Ever contains no dialogue, but its content consists of a slew of different topics and spans the emotional spectrum. Here are the selections that made it into One In A Million and when they're heard.
| | "You Want To Be My Friend?" Perhaps the most awkward possible follow-up to Oliver's epic flub, this song had me cringing even for the minute or so Nikki and Graham so cutely sang and acted it out. I almost didn't have the chance to enjoy it given the unfortunate circumstances surrounding the performance. |
| | "It's Never That Easy/I've Been Here Before" The lyrics of this song might as well be the flip-side of "Brand New Key," which we heard in From The Heart. Where that tune had an optimistic outlook about getting together and exploring something new, this song about being fine on one's own accompanied Shane being left at the table while Oliver retreated to temporarily flee the mess he made. Two key lines from this song can be clearly heard in the film. The first is, "The man leaves and I'm on my own, I just sit and watch the door..." when Oliver excuses himself from the table, a clear reference to Shane's deep wound of abandonment, most notably with her father. As you'll remember from For Christmas, she specifically references "watching the door" for her father to return. Like she said to Oliver in Truth Be Told, "it must be hard imagining any [man] staying in [her] life." |
The second set of lines heard are, "Tell myself I'm fine alone. Yes, I've been here before...Before we start, why should I rush to break my own heart?" before and after Oliver encounters Ramon. As Oliver attempts to share with his dad, he's scared to rush into something with Shane, no doubt afraid he'll end up heartbroken. In fact, he's almost convinced being alone is a better alternative than risking his heart. Both of these things seem to be contributing heavily to his hesitation to call their dinner a "date," among his other flubs, and this song perfectly captures these realities for both Oliver and Shane.
"Carousel"
Perhaps the most heart-stopping moment to hit the Signed, Sealed, Delivered canon to date was accompanied by a painfully beautiful song from the musical, "Carousel." Appropriate for a pair who has clearly danced circuitously around their feelings for each other, seemingly never to meet.
| | "If I Loved You" With Shane and Oliver's "quiet evening" hanging by its final thread, the interruption of the final performance of the evening doubled as a painful reflection on the core of Shane and Oliver's problem---being too paralyzed by the past to move forward. Her heart actively breaking, Shane slowly begins to re-imagine Michael and Sophia as she and Oliver, ultimately letting go at a critical moment, which we'll discuss next week. Meanwhile, Oliver's heartfelt attempt to take Shane's hand ultimately failed, and he perhaps, for the first time, witnessed the depth of her hurt as he watched Shane wipe away tears after the performance. His own heart broke in that moment as well. |
This powerful ballad (that Emma Pedersen blew me away in delivering) captured in full the love Shane and Oliver have for each other as it's expressed through their inaction. What struck me was how heavily the depth of their longing weighed on them---and even on me watching the scene play out---only to suddenly evaporate, unattainable, as the last note faded. My chest STILL constricts as I watch it.
Mailbox Tunes
Always a hoppin' hotspot, the Mailbox Grille had a few great musical moments that are worth tracking down and re-visiting.
| | "Live It Up" Kyle Tredway (Feat. Dionyza Sutt) When Papa O'Toole visits Oliver at the Mailbox Grille this song can be heard in the background. It acts as a great predecessor to the song playing at the very end of the film by the same artist. |
| | "It's All Good" - Kyle Tredway Closing out the movie, this version is the only one available on Youtube, but the version heard in the film is available on iTunes for download. You can also check it out on Spotify. It pretty much perfectly captures how love is all you need, highlighted by Oliver being surrounded by all the people and places that mean the most to him and that adorable smile he busts out right before the credits. Things really are looking up for all of them. |
This carefully curated soundtrack added unexpected depth to this seemingly light and funny film, and I can't wait to continue sharing with you all the little bits and details you might have missed over the next few weeks!
If you haven't already, get familiar with the soundtracks of other films from the canon by checking out the Music section.
Still Wiping Tears,
~C
If you haven't already, get familiar with the soundtracks of other films from the canon by checking out the Music section.
Still Wiping Tears,
~C
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