Grosse Pointe Blank
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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Grosse Pointe Blank is a 1997 American comedy crime film directed by George Armitage, and starring John Cusack, Minnie Driver, Alan Arkin and Dan Aykroyd. The film is 1980s revival themed, and the soundtrack features largely independent music from that decade. The film received positive reviews from critics and grossed $28,084,357.
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Soundtrack
The score for Grosse Pointe Blank was composed by Joe Strummer, formerly of The Clash, and the soundtrack includes two songs from The Clash: "Rudie Can't Fail" and their cover version of Willi Williams' "Armagideon Time".
In addition to The Clash, the tracks featured in the film are largely a mix of popular and alternative 1980s punk rock, ska, and new wave from such bands as Violent Femmes, Echo & the Bunnymen, The Specials, The Jam, Siouxsie and the Banshees and A-ha. While most songs played throughout the film (especially at the reunion) had been recorded by the time of the students' graduation in 1986, several songs were recorded later:
- The Guns N' Roses version of Paul McCartney's "Live and Let Die," heard in the scene where Martin first visits the Ultimart, was released in 1991.
- Los Fabulosos Cadillacs' "Matador," heard during the dance scene at the reunion, was released in 1993.
- The Specials' version of "Pressure Drop," played by Debi at the radio station during her "'80s weekend," was released in 1996.
- Eels' "Your Lucky Day in Hell," heard when Martin and Debi visit the Hippo Club for drinks, was also released in 1996.
The soundtrack album reached #31 on the Billboard 200 chart, prompting the release of a second volume of songs from the film.
Grosse Pointe Blank - Music From the Film
- "Blister in the Sun" - Violent Femmes (2:08)
- "Rudie Can't Fail" - The Clash (3:31)
- "Mirror In The Bathroom" - English Beat (3:09)
- "Under Pressure" - David Bowie and Queen (4:03)
- "I Can See Clearly Now" - Johnny Nash (2:46)
- "Live and Let Die" - Guns N' Roses (3:02)
- "We Care a Lot" - Faith No More (4:03)
- "Pressure Drop" - The Specials (4:18)
- "Absolute Beginners" - The Jam (2:50)
- "Armagideon Time" - The Clash (3:53)
- "Matador" - Los Fabulosos Cadillacs (4:34)
- "Let My Love Open the Door (E. Cola Mix)" - Pete Townshend (4:58)
- "Blister 2000" - Violent Femmes (2:58)
- This version of "Blister in the Sun" is a new recording that mirrors the original 1983 arrangement. It does not appear in the film.
- "Blister 2000" is a newly recorded, drastically rearranged version of "Blister in the Sun," which also does not appear in the film.
Grosse Pointe Blank - More Music From the Film
- "A Message to You, Rudy" - The Specials (2:53)
- "Cities in Dust" - Siouxsie and the Banshees (3:49)
- "The Killing Moon" - Echo & the Bunnymen (5:44)
- "Monkey Gone to Heaven" - Pixies (2:56)
- "Lorca's Novena" - The Pogues (4:35)
- "Go!" - Tones on Tail (2:32)
- "Let it Whip" - Dazz Band (4:24)
- "The Dominatrix Sleeps Tonight" - Dominatrix (3:40)
- "War Cry" - Joe Strummer (5:58)
- "White Lines (Don't Don't Do It)" - Grandmaster Flash & Melle Mel (7:24)
- "Take On Me" - A-ha (3:46)
- "You're Wondering Now" - The Specials (2:37)
- "Go!" is the short version, originally issued as the b-side of "Lions."
Soundtrack omissions
Several songs that appear in the film are not featured on either of the soundtrack albums:
- Johannes Brahms' "Fugue in A-Minor" - Jacques van Oortmerseen
- "Ace of Spades" - Motörhead
- "In Between Days" - The Cure
- "Your Lucky Day in Hell" - Eels
- "Sharks Can't Sleep" - Tracy Bonham
- "Little Luxuries" - The Burros
- "Big Boss Man" - Jimmy Reed
- "Detroit City" - Bobby Bare
- "Walk Like an Egyptian" - The Bangles
- "99 Luftballons" - Nena
- "Doors of Your Heart" - The English Beat
- A muzak version of "Live and Let Die" is heard when Martin first steps into the Ultimart. The artist is unknown.
- Adam Ant's "Friend or Foe" appears in the film's trailer but does not appear in the film itself.
