Desert Island CD

Me, flying my plane full of unsuspecting movie lovers…

Inspired by Fandango Groover’s Desert Island DVDs, I have asked a plane full of movie bloggers to participate in a similarly-themed assignment appropriately named Desert Island CD. The concept is simple: You are stranded on a desert island with just one CD to listen to (and miraculously a neolithic CD player). What are 12 tracks you most desperately want to have on that CD? Since we are movie blogging, the only requirement is that each track comes from a movie soundtrack.

Obviously, there is a few aspects that have to be taken into account. Mainly, you don’t know how long you will be stranded on that desert island so each track must be priceless! Would you choose songs you can listen to forever? Would you include sappy, whiny ones when you are already in a dire survival situation? etc… While all the people on board more or less pondered the question and burned their little CDs, the airplane ironically… crashed.

Oups…

Survival of the Fittest

Sadly, not everyone on the plane survived the ordeal. A few died of a heart attack within the first few seconds of the plane being in distress, some were pulverized during the crash landing, others mangled by sharks during their attempt to swim to an island. Nonetheless, life goes on and more importantly, the pilot survived as well as a few survivors:

Desert Island

The Pilot’s Tracks

I have to say this was very tough to run down to 12 tracks. There is so many great movie songs and music I will really miss on my desert island but at least I got those 12:

#1. Stayin’ Alive, Beegees (Saturday Night Fever)

As I have finally made my way to the beach after an exhausting swim across water-infested sharks, I want this song to be playing. Also, it will fit plenty of situations I will find myself in like being chased by tigers in the jungle or eating live worms and insects for survival.

#2. Pan’s Labyrinth Lullaby, Javier Navarrete (Pan’s Labyrinth)

After the excitement of actually surviving the crash, reality soon dawns on me that I’m on desert island all by myself for God knows how long. This haunting song will set the perfect mood for the nights when I mourn for the dozens of movies bloggers I killed in the crash. Ok I’m being nice because to be honest, I could care less ah! It will also provide for plenty of eerie creepiness as I ponder what is making noise around me in the dark of the night.

#3. Hummell Gets the Rockets, Hans Zimmer (The Rock)

Instead of getting rockets, I’m getting water, food and the resolution to hang on for dear life! I’m a man on a mission. Absolutely love this Hans Zimmer composition playing at the beginning of The Rock!

#4. Promentory, Trevor Jones and Randy Edelman (The Last of the Mohicans)

Can you picture this already? I’m tracking stupid deers in the forest with a knife between my teeth, running for miles like it’s nothing. I’m a possessed man hungry for some real meat and that deer doesn’t have a chance! Once I hunt it down, I will cook it on top of the hill and savor my kill with the panoramic scenic and this song.

#5. Don’t You Forget About Me, Simple Minds (The Breakfast Club)

One of the great movie song of the 1980′s which is perfect to remind me that I need to build distress signals that are as visible as possible. Since every single human being on Earth will be concerned about my fate, it is certain that hundreds of search parties will be scouring the ocean for me. Or at least that’s what I will be imploring in my thoughts when listening to this song.

#6. Stand by Me, Ben E. King (Stand By Me)

Let’s face it, there will be plenty of idle time to reminisce about the past when you are stuck on a desert island. This unforgettable song by Ben E. King was featured in Rob Reiner’s 1986 coming-of-age movie of the same name, a great story of friendship and loss of childhood innocence.

#7. Molossus, Hans Zimmer (Batman Begins)

I will be taking dumps in the woods to this tune. Then, even taking a crap and wiping my rear with dead leaves will feel epic and majestic! Well, to be honest I constantly feel epic and majestic…

#8. Sparks, Coldplay (Wedding Crashers)

Every now and then, we all crave for a song like this, when you feel like you are alone on a deserted island (wait a second…) One of my favorite Coldplay song and probably the only one worth salvaging from their debut album Parachutes.

#9. Days of Heaven, Ennio Morricone (Days of Heaven)

If I could only choose one track from Ennio Morricone incredible body of work, this is it. This Oscar nominated score for Terrence Malick’s Day of Heaven, one of the most beautiful movie ever made, is certainly a melody worth humming in loop until the end of time.

#10. When Your Mind’s Made Up, Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova (Once)

Maybe I will get the foolish idea of making a raft with tree branches and various debris from the plane crash. This is a life or death decision so I will need to listen to this song because my mind will be made up! Probably up there with Falling Slowly as my favorite song from the Once soundtrack.

#11. Main Title, Jerry Goldsmith (Rudy)

It’s late, I’m tired. I just love the melody and this song reminds me of the entire underdog story of Rudy. It will give me hope in the darkest hours of being on a deserted island.

#12. Now We Are Free, Lisa Gerrard/Hans Zimmer (Gladiator)

I will play this song when I’m finally getting rescued… or laying still about to die like Russell Crowe at the end of Gladiator. One of my favorite movie track of all-time (duh!)

Did you survive the airplane crash? Feel free to compile your Desert Island CD in the comments or post a link to it below !

TAGS:

56 Comments

  1. Novroz says:
    March 19, 2011 at 9:06 AM

    Stand by me is so close to be in my list!
    How could you make youtube link without showing the video?

    Reply
  2. James Blake Ewing says:
    March 19, 2011 at 9:39 AM

    Days of Heaven score! Wooo!

    Reply
  3. Aiden R. says:
    March 19, 2011 at 9:46 AM

    LOVE “When Your Mind’s Made Up” and I’m sad that I forgot “Don’t You Forget About Me”. Bitchin’ list, man.

    Reply
  4. Anna says:
    March 19, 2011 at 10:27 AM

    Really cool list, haven’t really payed much attention to Pan’s Labyrinth as a film with awesome music but I do get it now, that’s one creepy tune.

    I’m still sad that I forgot the Pixies Fight Club tune .. (http://5plitreel.wordpress.com/2011/03/19/desert-island-cd/)

    Reply
  5. Greg Cwik says:
    March 19, 2011 at 10:36 AM

    Ennio Morricone is amazing. I had a tough choice between him and Herrmann on my mix but I went with Herrmann. Morricone’s score for Once Upon a Time in America is beautiful

    Reply
    • Castor says:
      March 19, 2011 at 6:31 PM

      Yea Morricone is a legend. Incredible the amount of memorable soundtracks he has had a hand in.

      Reply
      • rtm says:
        March 20, 2011 at 1:40 PM

        Looks like we share the love for Morricone and Hans Zimmer, Castor! Both of them consistently churn out great work, don’t they… very different style but both are awesome in my book. Great list, Castor!

        Reply
  6. Fletch says:
    March 19, 2011 at 11:36 AM

    I dig the angle you took of taking songs for certain occasions. You gotta be the only one that ends up taking a Bee Gees song, though the title really does sell it. LOL for that.

    Promontory – hell yeah!

    Reply
  7. Jack L says:
    March 19, 2011 at 12:53 PM

    I really like this list and the whole idea!

    I’ve made my own, I hope you received the message I sent with the link in…

    Great choices, I loved the Days Of Heaven score, Morricone was a genius.
    The Last of The Mohicans score was particularly excellent as well, one of the best things about the film, along with DDL.

    A lot of Hans Zimmer tracks, he is very talented, I thought the music for Inception was one the best thing about the film by far. (I’m not a fan of that film)

    Reply
    • Castor says:
      March 19, 2011 at 6:33 PM

      Yes, I’m a big Hans Zimmer fan. I’m basically guaranteed to like or love every single one of his soundtracks. Also liked less popular ones like Blackhawk Down and Sherlock Holmes for example.

      Reply
      • Jack L says:
        March 19, 2011 at 6:58 PM

        Yes, the Sherlock Holmes one was great, I don’t know why it doesn’t get mentioned more…
        I didn’t like the film, but that score was just terrific!

        Reply
  8. Stevee says:
    March 19, 2011 at 3:46 PM

    Purdy cool list! Here’s mine:
    http://filmjunkie25.blogspot.com/2011/03/desert-island-cd-what-would-i-take.html

    Reply
  9. Castor says:
    March 19, 2011 at 4:00 PM

    I’m a little bit behind with everyone’s list. Busy day, I will drop by everyone’s in a bit :)

    Reply
  10. Kaiderman says:
    March 19, 2011 at 5:33 PM

    Well, we share the Breakfast Club love but that’s about it. :)

    Reply
  11. Marc says:
    March 19, 2011 at 6:23 PM

    Great calls on Batman Begins, and The Rock (hard to pick just one great track from those scores).

    I too had “Now We Are Free”. That is such a beautiful and hypnotizing song that really sends the movie off into the credits.

    Reply
    • Castor says:
      March 19, 2011 at 6:36 PM

      Thanks Marc, “Now We Are Free” is such a great way to finish the movie. I was immediately hooked to the song the first time I heard it.

      Reply
  12. Ripley says:
    March 19, 2011 at 7:44 PM

    Oooo…this is awkward…

    That wasn’t actually me that survived. That was my twin sister. She just stole my CD because she couldn’t find her own at the time. Back-stabbing bitch, that one.

    Reply
  13. TheScarletSp1der says:
    March 19, 2011 at 8:49 PM

    The Gladiator, Last of the Mohicans, Batman Begins, and The Rock….all great choices and were in the runnings for or made it on my list! But the BeeGees tossed in there….that’s class!!

    Reply
  14. Colleeng says:
    March 19, 2011 at 9:26 PM

    What a creative list. I’m so glad you covered all of bases. I mean even a song for crapping? You are indeed a survivor! It might take me a bit, but I’ll be jumping over to everyone’s list. At the last minute I bumped “Never Can Tell” from Pulp Fiction. I never really paid much attention to the score in Pan either. I was too creeped out!

    Reply
  15. rtm says:
    March 19, 2011 at 9:32 PM

    Sorry for the delay Castor, quite a lot of obstacles I encountered as I swam to the island. Thank God my CD is safe :D Here’s my list: http://wp.me/pxXPC-305

    Reply
  16. Jess says:
    March 19, 2011 at 9:41 PM

    Just finished mine! http://insightintoentertainment.blogspot.com/2011/03/desert-island-mix-cd.html

    Reply
  17. Mad Hatter says:
    March 19, 2011 at 11:01 PM

    MINE’S UP TOO…

    http://mcneilmatinee.blogspot.com/2011/03/songs-we-sing-desert-island-cd-blog.html

    Reply
  18. Nikhat says:
    March 20, 2011 at 4:38 AM

    Great list!
    This is mine- http://beingnormajean.blogspot.com/2011/03/where-is-my-mind-desert-island-cd.html

    Reply
  19. Chris says:
    March 20, 2011 at 8:33 AM

    Good idea for a blogathon. I’ve selected my 12 tracks. You can add me to the list you’ve made above, Castor, thanks. Here’s my link:

    http://moviesandsongs365.blogspot.com/2011/03/desert-island-cd-blogathon-12-tracks.html

    Reply
  20. Nicholas says:
    March 20, 2011 at 10:19 AM

    Wow. I’m fairly certain that is the only time in my life I have been compared to Lara Croft. I don’t think in reality it would end very well for anyone if I tried to punch a shark in the face but, nonetheless, I’ll take it, sir!

    And yes, I can picture you cooking your dead deer on top of the hill and savoring your kill with the panoramic scenic and that song. Totally. Perhaps I should have brought a song off that soundtrack? Ah well. Great list. Simple Minds is one I never even thought about. Nice.

    Reply
  21. Colleeng says:
    March 20, 2011 at 12:18 PM

    Thanks for doing this Castor. I’m blown away by everyone’s picks. Now I’m going to have to go on iTunes and get all these great new songs I’ve just been turned on too. I can’t believe some of the biggies I forgot, but my list were the first ones to pop into my head. Now we need volumes 2 and 3. I mean we may be on this island for awhile ya know!

    Reply
  22. Kano says:
    March 20, 2011 at 12:48 PM

    Nice and challenging. Here is my list for the addition: http://steel11kane.blogspot.com/2011/03/desert-island-movie-soundtrack.html

    Reply
  23. AndyS says:
    March 20, 2011 at 1:46 PM

    Hola Castor sir!

    I have survived the plane crash and decided to listen to some tunes whilst looking for any Smoke Monster(s): http://mngeekramblings.blogspot.com/2011/03/12-tracks-to-live-for.html

    Brilliant idea, mate.

    Reply
  24. Ross McG says:
    March 20, 2011 at 4:22 PM

    nice list Castor, id have gone with the fun vacuum cleaner song on the back of the bus song from Once myself, but good choice. couldnt help but make my list a bit more cheesy. great meme idea, well done dude!

    Reply
  25. Jason says:
    March 21, 2011 at 12:37 PM

    Good list. I found out about this kinda late but I did my top 20. I dunno why you stopped at 12, I can burn up to 20 songs on a CD but whatever. Anyway, awesome idea.
    -Jason

    Reply
  26. Tom Clift says:
    March 22, 2011 at 6:33 AM

    Finished mine! Had an absolute blast putting it together – I’ll grab any excuse to talk about and listen to film scores!

    http://reviewsbytom.blogspot.com/2011/03/desert-island-cd-12-tracks-from-movie.html

    Reply
  27. Andrew says:
    March 22, 2011 at 6:50 PM

    I absolutely love film scores. I compiled my own list also!

    http://buckle22.blogspot.com/2011/03/desert-island-cd-12-tracks-from-movie.html

    Reply
  28. M. Carter @ the Movies says:
    March 23, 2011 at 10:28 AM

    I came very close to including “Don’t You Forget About Me” but subbed in “Wise Up” at the 11th hour. Excellent selections, and I’m glad to see something from “Once” in here. Talk about a great modern-day musical.

    Reply
  29. Travis McCollum says:
    March 23, 2011 at 7:26 PM

    http://www.tmtme.com/2011/03/desert-island-cd-blog-thon.html

    Here’s mine. It took way more time then I thought to make. Too many good songs.

    Reply
  30. Red says:
    March 28, 2011 at 9:14 PM

    1. “Falling Slowly”, Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova (Once)
    2. “The Call”, Regina Spektor (Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian)
    3. “I Need a Hero”, Bonnie Tyler (Short Circuit)—gotta have one guilty pleasure
    4. “The King of the Golden Hall”, Howard Shore (Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers)
    5. “Forth Eorlingas”, Howard Shore (Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers)
    6. “Let the Right One In”, Johan Söderqvist (Let the Right One In)
    7. “Like a Dog Chasing Cars”, Hans Zimmer (The Dark Knight)
    8. “The Weary Kind”, T-Bone Burnett and Ryan Bingham (Crazy Heart)
    9. “Wake Up”, Arcade Fire (Where the Wild Things Are)
    10. “Lose Yourself”, Eminem (8 Mile)
    11. “Us”, Regina Spektor ((500) Days of Summer)
    12. “Pot Kettle Black”, Tilly and the Wall (Whip It)

    Reply
    • Red says:
      March 28, 2011 at 10:05 PM

      Actually, scratch that last one…Not exactly one of T&W’s best songs…replace it with “Bring Me to Life”, Evanescence (Daredevil).

      Reply

Leave a Comment


Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. You can also subscribe without commenting.

Trackbacks

  1. Desert Island CD « Polychrome Interest
  2. Desert Island CD – 12 Movie Tunes To Take With You On a Desert Island | split reel
  3. Desert Island CD Challenge!! « Scarletsp1der's Blog
  4. Desert Island CDs Blogathon « M. Carter @ the Movies
  5. Meme of the Moment: Desert Island CD’s « the m0vie blog
  6. Desert Island CD « Fandango Groovers Movie Blog
  7. Desert Island CD: 12 Of The Best Movie Songs « Ross v Ross
  8. Quelle avanie: Ten good uses of songs in movies « The Ascetic Sensualists
  9. Desert Island CD – 12 Tracks from Movie Soundtracks I Love | Desert Island CD – 12 Tracks from Movie Soundtracks I Love - Desert Island CD – 12 Tracks from Movie Soundtracks I Love - Desert Island CD – 12 Tracks from Movie Soundtra