July 10, 2023

1980 - June: “The Blues Brothers Original Soundtrack”

37 minutes

The Blues Brothers Original Soundtrack is a powerhouse collection of rhythm and blues that captures the essence of the iconic film. It features a blend of classic blues, soul, and rock 'n' roll performed by legendary artists including Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, James Brown, and Cab Calloway.

The Blues Brothers originated as a musical comedy act created by Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi on the sketch comedy show “Saturday Night Live” in the late 1970's. Inspired by their shared love for blues and R&B music, Aykroyd and Belushi created fictional characters, Jake and Elwood Blues, as their alter egos. The act gained popularity, leading to the release of their self-titled debut album in 1978 and eventually to the creation of the Blues Brothers motion picture in 1980.

In the film, parolee Jake Blues is joined by his blood brother Elwood Blues on a “mission from God” to save the Catholic orphanage in which they were raised by reuniting their band and raising the $5000.00 for the property tax bill. Their quest brings them to a number of characters played by iconic artists including Cab Calloway and James Brown. The resulting soundtrack stands as a testament to the enduring power of blues music and left an indelible mark on both the film and music industry.

John Lynch dons his suit and dark sunglasses to bring us this feature.

Minnie the Moocher

Cab Calloway originally presented Minnie the Moocher back in 1931, and reprises the song for this film. Calloway was a regular performer at the Cotton Club in Harlem, and a popular vocalist of the swing era. Calloway plays Curtis in the film, a father figure and mentor to the Blues Brothers, and performs this song as a warm-up to the concert.

Jailhouse Rock

As the movie ends with Jake and Elwood back in prison after successfully paying off the tax bill for the orphanage. The band plays Elvis Presley's "Jailhouse Rock" for the inmates as the credits roll. Jake Blues (Belushi) takes lead on this upbeat number.

Think

Aretha Franklin covers her own song as Mrs. Murphy, trying to persuade her husband Matt Murphy to not join the band. Franklin had a lot of difficulty lip synching the song and would have preferred to just sing it live. The Blues Brothers join her on this cover.

Gimme Some Lovin'

The Blues Brothers cover this piece originally performed by the Spencer Davis Group and made famous by Steve Winwood. While the song was a top 20 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, in the film it gets a decidedly cooler reception in the honky tonk bar in which it is performed.

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

Lookin' for Love by Johnny Lee (from the motion picture “Urban Cowboy”)

With the decline of disco, crossover country & western hits became popular. John Travolta starred in this movie which capitalized on the popularity of country music.

STAFF PICKS:

Train in Vain (Stand By Me) by the Clash

Bruce brings us the third single from the Clash's third album, “London Calling.” This was a double album, and a post-punk turn by the group. The song was originally intended to be a giveaway flexi single, but was put on the album at the last minute when that deal fell through. Mick Jones wrote and sings lead on this song, inspired by his tumultuous relationship with Stiltz guitarist Viv Albertine.

Free Me Big by Roger Daltrey

Wayne features the front man for the Who in a solo effort written by Argent guitarist Russ Ballard. The song is on Daltrey's 1980 solo album “McVicar” It also appears on the soundtrack for the movie "McVicar" in which Daltrey plays John McVicar, an inmate in prison for a number of bank robberies. The other members of the Who play on this song as uncredited musicians.

We Live for Love by Pat Benatar

Rob's staff pick is performed by Benatar, but it is often confused for a Blondie song. It is a single from Benatar's debut album, “In the Heat of the Night,” and was written by Neil Giraldo, Benatar's then-guitarist and now-husband (and still guitarist). It was the leading track from side two.

Ride Like the Wind by Christopher Cross

Lynch's staff pick went to number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, held out of the number 1 slot by Blondie's “Call Me.” It is Cross's debut single from his Grammy winning 1979 self-titled album. Cross dedicated the song to Lowell George, formerly of the band Little Feat, who had died in 1979. Michael McDonald is easy to identify on backing vocals.

NOVELTY TRACK:

Turning Japanese by the Vapors

Songwriter and Vapors lead singer David Fenton says this is all the cliches about angst and youth and turning into something you didn't expect to. This new wave song went to number 36 on the Billboard Hot 100.

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**NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.

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By Rob Marbury, Wayne Rowan, Bruce Fricks, John Lynch

4.9

4747 ratings