11. Tommy James & the Shondells: “Crimson and Clover”
In “Priscilla,” Elvis and Priscilla share their first kiss in the late ’50s to the tune of this woozy classic — which, in reality, came out in 1968. I like the way the critic Stephanie Zacharek describes this anachronism in her review of the film: “After Elvis bestows his first, gentle kiss on Priscilla’s lips, she enters a fugue state, having shifted to a new plane of existence. At that point, it’s Tommy James & the Shondells’ ‘Crimson and Clover’ that cocoons around her like a whisper, a song from the future, a haunting in advance.” (Listen on YouTube)
12. Roxy Music: “More Than This”
A spot-on choice — world-weary, full of ennui, still showing off some taste — of what Murray’s “Lost in Translation” character Bob Harris would sing at karaoke. (Listen on YouTube)
13. Dolly Parton: “I Will Always Love You”
I don’t want to spoil exactly when this song plays in “Priscilla,” but I do want to give you some context that will make the moment hit even harder. Elvis loved Dolly Parton’s 1974 hit and wanted to record it himself, but his manager, Col. Tom Parker, asked for at least half of Parton’s publishing rights. Though it killed her to turn him down — Elvis! — selling off her publishing was a bridge too far. So she said no. Karma took until 1992 to arrive. “Then when Whitney’s version came out,” Parton said, “I made enough money to buy Graceland.” (Listen on YouTube)
Obviously, Doctor, you’ve never been a 13-year-old girl,
Lindsay
The Amplifier Playlist
Listen on Spotify. We update this playlist with each new newsletter.
“Sofia Coppola’s Best Needle Drops” track list
Track 1: The Jesus and Mary Chain, “Just Like Honey”
Track 2: Gang of Four, “Natural’s Not in It”
Track 3: The Ramones, “Baby, I Love You”
Track 4: Heart, “Magic Man”
Track 5: Gwen Stefani, “Cool”
Track 6: Air, “Playground Love”
Track 7: Bow Wow Wow, “I Want Candy”
Track 8: Sleigh Bells, “Crown on the Ground”
Track 9: The Cure, “Plainsong”
Track 10: My Bloody Valentine, “Sometimes”
Track 11: Tommy James & the Shondells, “Crimson and Clover”
Track 12: Roxy Music, “More Than This”
Track 13: Dolly Parton, “I Will Always Love You”
