The Music, Season One
The Music, Season One, a Companion to: The Road So Far series:
Since we’re working hard to make this a ‘go to’ spot for many, and I have to actually GO to work many days of the week and NOT write articles, I thought I’d introduce some ‘lighter fare’ in between some of the meatier courses. [I wonder if it’s because I’m hungry right now that I’m going for food metaphors.]
Seeing how many people have commented that my first article in this series has made them nostalgic [my word] for the episodes past, I thought I’d post a little something, something that gives us the music of episodes past. By no means is this an exhaustive presentation of the music and no doubt my daring to tread into these emotional waters may leave some cold, but I go anyway [I’m silly that way].
Admittedly, I’m no classic rock aficionado, nor am I some new age music fan. I grew up with an older brother who was very into Metallica and Aerosmith and Kansas and Van Halen and Bon Jovi [who rocks, on occasion] and many, many others – Kiss, Foreigner, and ohmygosh there’s a really, really big one that I’m totally missing so hopefully big bro doesn’t read this [he won’t, he has no idea I write anything other than stuff for work] ““ where was I?
*Starting a new paragraph*, so, anyway, I grew up listening to much of the music that Eric Kripke puts in the show (and yes, I’m a better person for it) but I don’t know a lot of ‘stuff’ about the music. I just know what I like, what makes me think, cheer, tear, laugh, sigh, feel really nostalgic, gloomy [in a good way] or that makes me hit the rewind button again and again and again”¦and one more time [that never gets old, hee!]
What I put in here for each season will be those songs that really stood out for me, either they set a tone for an episode or a scene, they identified a character or a memory, or frankly were just really, really cool. You may be amazed at what isn’t in this list for Season 1 but, to be sure, it will show up in a later season, I just don’t want to overdo it [I mean, it’s not chocolate, so it won’t go bad if it hangs around a little longer]
Here we go, Season one music and accompanying clips; just a little something to enjoy whilst I get back to work on something a bit beefier (darn, and I’m eating chicken again tonight). My round up of Season 4 is coming soon, not a part of the Road So Far series, and I’m well underway in writing Season 2, a part of the Road So Far series, but for now, settle back, turn up your speakers and enjoy.
Skin:
Who can forget how stunning this set up was”¦Robert Duncan McNeill directed this episode [wasn’t he Paris from Star Trek Voyager?] I thought he directed this one very well. (Note From Alice: Yes, he was Paris on Voyager and now one of the Producers for the most awesome Chuck).
My favorite scene is shapeshifter Dean telling Sam Dean’s inner secrets”¦but the song that got us there is this:
“In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” by Iron Butterfly.
Scarecrow:
Meg is introduced, Sam and Dean fight, Dad calls, Cigarette Smoking Man comes to town, Kim Manners directs and pays homage to a shot from the X-Files ““ remember when the frogs rain down on the umbrellas? And the fabulous ending that sets the character of Meg perfectly for the future.
“Bad Company” by Bad Company
Faith:
I love the irony”¦don’t fear the reaper”¦of course you should fear the reaper, they’re after you!!! (and he’s scary looking, Tessa is much nicer looking, well, at least when she looks like Tessa, and I’m not into slash but she is a pretty woman.)
Note to self: If I’m ever trying to do major exposition, find a really cool tune to play it to”¦works every time.
I really enjoy the slow build in this scene as the boys reach the conclusion of what they’re up against and the music builds until the reveal and the words of the song come together.
“Don’t Fear the Reaper” by Blue Oyster Cult
Route 666:
I know this episode leaves many in the fandom cold (and apparently in Mississippi too) and it is really not so good, but what it does have, and in abundance, are brotherly moments. Sam learns that Dean shared ‘the’ secret with a girl, a girl he loved, a girl who broke up with him (and hurt him), and in that few days in Mississippi (it snows in Mississippi?) Sam learned a lot about Dean that gave him a newer, gentler appreciation of his brother’s wild ways”¦the ending is what I love.
I love as they’re riding down the highway Sam asks Dean if he ever wonders how much this life costs them when thinking of the girl who got away. Dean just slouches down, dons his shades and tells Sam to wake him up when it’s his turn to drive. Nowhere in there is it suggested that Dean is at all bothered by the life they lead, how time and events will change that but for now it’s simple, soulful; two brothers heading down the road after the next hunt.
“Can’t Find My Way Home” by Steve Winwood
Something Wicked:
Dean has guilt, Sam is there to help, a little kid (and his younger brother) needs help, a cary elderly woman gets the jump on Dean”¦”I was sleeping with my peepers open.” Hah! Dean reveals some of his pain from letting dad down (I love you John, but sheesh!) and also shows some of his more vulnerable side. I can so identify with why and how he keeps himself so tightly controlled (Cassie dumped him for telling the truth, Dad looked at him different for daring to not follow an order, at ten years of age, yeah, I’m sensitive like Dean too. Kinda level headed like Sam though so I’m a great combo of both, probably why I like them together, one unit.
Anyway, the ending is another one of those comfortably, soulful, gentle, nostalgic moments ““ and the first time I saw this episode and heard/saw this ending (last year, about March I think) I realized that I was watching something really awesome and that when it ended (and it will eventually) I would have a montage of really awesome moments through the seasons to remember this journey and this would be one of those…
“Road to Nowhere” by Ozzy Osbourne
Salvation:
Is this the first of the tradition? I think so, but I’ll stand corrected if need be because in no way do I have every facet of this awesome show memorized, but according to my Supernatural Season 1 Official Companion, this is the first time it shows up in the credits”¦some songs might get only one showing and not multiple but this one is not”¦every time we get it, it’s going to get put in here”¦need I say more:
“Carry on Wayward Son” by Kansas
Devil’s Trap:
What an ending, I still remember the first time I saw this (again, I think it was last February or March, I said I remember seeing it, not the date LOL) I saw it on my computer courtesy of SupernaturalTV and their clips, thank you, clip people. I was so thankful my DVDs were almost at my home, and I snuck a peek ahead to In My Time of Dying so I had a clue at least”¦I remember I had to replay it several times and crank up the volume to hear the lyrics and I thought, how awesome to play that song, and it was so true…
“Bad Moon Rising” by Credence Clearwater Revival
So there you go, fellow Supernatural Hellatus support group (that’s long)”¦another little something, something to enjoy and assist in awakening those memories from Season 1. If you’ve got the DVDs, time to pull them out and get watching. If you are in need, perhaps someone will share, or at least tell you where on the internet to find them…I’m not promoting piracy so please, to be fair to Eric and all attached to the show, do it legal. (Here endeth the sermon) enjoy.
(A Couple Additions From Alice)
While I wholeheartedly agree with elle2’s submissions, there are two particular song scenes that blow me away in season one. One sort of counts as classic rock, while the other proves it doesn’t have to be classic to be awesome.
Bloody Mary
I absolutely love The Rolling Stones. I have all their albums pre 1973 (of course). Their newer stuff never did anything for me, until I heard “Laugh I Nearly Died” with the scene. Sam’s intense guilt over Jessica’s death is depicted in the most stunning way here in this closing scene, and the song takes it from a plain Sam emo moment to an emotional masterpiece. Easily one of my favorite scenes from the series.
“Laugh, I Nearly Died” by The Rolling Stones
Skin
“In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” isn’t the only memorable scene set to some awesome music in this one. The other one is a bit more modern, although one of the best damned songs to come out of the 90’s. Plus, what better song to take your skin off with?
“Hey Man Nice Shot” by Filter.
Just watched that bit from devils trap and it’s just done so beautifully that even though i’ve seen that episode that clip so many times the music the dialogue the performances suck you in and although you know the truck is coming you’re so in the moment that it takes you by surprise again. Seriously I just watched it and was listening the the music and was just mesmerised that when the truck hit it totally took me by surprise and I screamed, prety much like i did the first time round. and when the music continues over the wreck, it just clashes in a way that makes it eerie and foreboding in a way that wouldn’t have been quite so much without that song.
oh I miss the classic rock….
Season one had beautiful music. Just say Route 666 again and I love how they used that Winwood song. I’d like to add two things (and not to be nitpicky). It’s Cape Giradeau, Missouri, so yes, it could snow. [In fact if anything there should be more snow in SPN, but you can blame Vancouver for that]. Secondly, I think Dean did agree some with Sam on his question of “is it worth it?” Dean knows he has sacrificed much for his lifestyle and his family. His body language shows that regret. He’s not going to discuss it, but it’s there in his posture and his shutting Sam off with the sunglasses.
Hi, Bethany, Alysha and Alice,
Season one had awesome music (season 2 as well). I think it was the clip on the computer from Devil’s Trap that got me paying attention to the music when my DVDs did arrive, otherwise I’m not sure I would have caught how really important it was/is. I still love that one probably the best …likely also ’cause watching that clip coincided with my reading a ficlet on fanfiction from the MAG 7 group and someone wrote a comedic piece titled…There’s a bathroom on the right…I didn’t get the humor as I didn’t know the song that well, then I saw this clip and got it. Too Funny.
Alysha, I agree with what you said that it was more that Dean does show regret, slouching down, there’s also that twitch in his face and a bit of sorrow in his eyes when Sam asks the question. You’re right, he’s not going to discuss it, to me it’s more that he’s not going to dwell on it, he accepts that this is his life, lack of roots and all.
I must google Cape Giradeau and get a better geographic fix on location, I remember they said that they had to alter the location because it was snowing while they were filming this.
Alice, great additions of music (I’m compiling Season 2 and you have the same invitation I extended with this one, feel free to add.) I do love that part of Bloody Mary and you’re comments are dead on accurate, it’s a poignant moment for Sam and Jared brought depth to it.
That scene in Skin is soooo gross (that each time I have to watch it) and I do enjoy the music thats put to it, it’s grating and hard and works beautifully in the scene…must watch it again.
Glad you all enjoyed the clips, Alice does all the hard behind the scenes work in bringing these to us.
Thank you, Alice.
It’s because of this show that I’ve been able to catch up on music that I missed the first time. That includes The Stones and Filter. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to jam to these tunes for a while! Thanks!
Hi, SupernaturalSoul,
Jam away, it makes the day (and work) and hellatus go faster…and it’s really cool, too.
Love Credence, and Bad Moon Rising fits that scene so well. My brother was a huge Kansas fan and used to play Leftoverture all the time so I grew up with Wayward Son drifting up through the floorboards … I wish they could find a way to cram Cheyanne Anthem in there somewhere too!
Don’t Fear The Reaper is another perfect choice, right song, right place … Only one quibble … Where’s the AC/DC?
Hi, Suze,
I’m not forgetting the AC/DC…I said that some wouldn’t make it here…don’t worry, she gets her own in Season 2, I just didn’t want to ‘overdo’ as if that’s possible.
🙂