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News & ArtsWednesday, August 31, 2011
Music / Savage Love Sing It, Stockard
Posted by Dan Savage on Wed, Aug 31, 2011 at 6:15 PM
Typing the words "there are worse things you could do" got this playing in my head...
...and now it's playing yours. (I like this version too.)
5
Sadly, Dan, you are one of the many that accept the movie version of this song. As written originally (before the screen play adaptation), this song was sung to the boy that she thought she was pregnant by and had nothing to do with "Sandi", ONJ's character. Makes for a totally different reference when you know what the song is REALLY about. I'm kinda a purist about stupid crap like that. Just sayin.
6
I've always loved this song. As a gay teen who was deeply closeted, but very much a musical theater fag, Rizzo the character, and this song in particular, was an inspiration to me. Rizzo was proud and strong and a smartass. She knew herself. She was my own little personal It Gets Better message.
Later, as a newly out-of-the-closet young gay man, navigating the bar scene, this song again became important to me. That time it said don't be a jerk or a tease - which is always good advice.
All in all, it's a much better message - not to mention a much better song - than the finale of Grease where Sandy totally transforms herself to conform to Danny's personal fantasy. I always hated that part.
Later, as a newly out-of-the-closet young gay man, navigating the bar scene, this song again became important to me. That time it said don't be a jerk or a tease - which is always good advice.
All in all, it's a much better message - not to mention a much better song - than the finale of Grease where Sandy totally transforms herself to conform to Danny's personal fantasy. I always hated that part.
8
Love, love Stockard Channing, and I love the Rizzo character. But then, I've always loved me some slutty girls.
9
If I am not mistaken (but I frequently am) Stockard Channing actually played Sandy on Broadway in the original cast.
10
Damnit. Got it backwards (comment #5) and SLOG won't allow edits. The song was sung to the boy in the movie and in the original, it was directed to "Sandi(y?)".
Terrible mistake for a self declared "purist". My bad.
Terrible mistake for a self declared "purist". My bad.
12
Funny enough, the very best version of this song I've ever heard was in the local high school around here's production a few years ago. It's very sad that I can't find any recording that perfects the song quite like the high school actress who I can hear sing it so hauntingly in my head.
And yes, it's a lot more powerful when it's sung directly to Sandy.
And yes, it's a lot more powerful when it's sung directly to Sandy.
13
Well see there you go, Dan. I told you I am frequently mistaken. But did Stockard Channing play Sandy?
14
In contrast, Dan, the title you gave today's SLLotD got "Pretty Little Picture" from "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum" stuck in my head.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrP2eFiNA…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrP2eFiNA…
16
Maybe we're thinking of how Kenickie (RIP) played the Broadway Danny, because I thought Stockard played the Broadway Sandy, too, though I can't imagine it. She's so good in this role in this movie it's staggering. She steals every. single. scene.
17
Dear Lord, people...
@11: Burn!
@13: I think you're confusing Sandy with Rizzo. Stockard Channing only ever did Grease on film, never on stage. Adrienne Barbeau was the original Broadway Rizzo.
@16: Barry Bostwick was the original Broadway Danny, Jeff Conaway was his understudy and replacement. I know you haven't claimed otherwise, so that's just an FYI.
@5/10: She doesn't sing it to Kinickie in the movie, she sings it to herself (an internal monologue, if you will) in response to overhearing Patty Simcox whispering about her to someone else. Regardless, it's about context. Whether she sings it to Sandy, Kinickie or anyone else, the song is about Rizzo. There's nothing in the lyric that relates the song specifically to Sandy. The film isn't ignoring it's *real* meaning, just using it in a different way. And don't call yourself a purist when you can't even spell Sandy's name correctly.
@11: Burn!
@13: I think you're confusing Sandy with Rizzo. Stockard Channing only ever did Grease on film, never on stage. Adrienne Barbeau was the original Broadway Rizzo.
@16: Barry Bostwick was the original Broadway Danny, Jeff Conaway was his understudy and replacement. I know you haven't claimed otherwise, so that's just an FYI.
@5/10: She doesn't sing it to Kinickie in the movie, she sings it to herself (an internal monologue, if you will) in response to overhearing Patty Simcox whispering about her to someone else. Regardless, it's about context. Whether she sings it to Sandy, Kinickie or anyone else, the song is about Rizzo. There's nothing in the lyric that relates the song specifically to Sandy. The film isn't ignoring it's *real* meaning, just using it in a different way. And don't call yourself a purist when you can't even spell Sandy's name correctly.
18
@17 - Just what I was thinking re: Who is Rizzo singing to. Thank you! (Also, super impressed that you knew it was Patty Simcox!)
22
Really, the character of Rizzo can do no wrong in my book. It's completely different onstage, yes, but the character herself is amazing.
And with Stockard Channing, anyone who is twice the character's age, but still makes it believable, is perfection in my book.
And with Stockard Channing, anyone who is twice the character's age, but still makes it believable, is perfection in my book.
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