My Gen X Playlist: Wise Up – Aimee Mann

So I found the soundtrack to Magnolia as I was sorting through my CD collection.

The film is an epic mosaic of interrelated characters in search of happiness, forgiveness and meaning in the San Fernando Valley. The script was inspired by the music of Aimee Mann.

Wikipedia

I watched the movie around twenty five years ago. I remember walking out, scratching my head. I didn’t know what to make of it, but I remember I was left with a confused, dark feeling. What did I just watch? There even was a scene where it was raining frogs. What the F? I never did sort this movie out in my head.

After finding the soundtrack, I decided to give the movie another go. It was a pretty big commitment since the movie is three hours long. Maybe it would make more sense to me now.

It turns out I still was left with a dark feeling, but I was able to understand it a little more. I think I needed a little bit of life under my belt. It was interesting that the characters were all interconnected (see diagram) and were each damaged in their own way. And I shouldn’t say this as if unique or out of the norm. We all carry our own burdens from the past, some just more visible than others. I was waiting for some type of redemption for each character. While it was sprinkled in, it wasn’t to the degree I had hoped for. I reminded myself how this mirrored life. Not everything gets wrapped up in a tidy red bow at the end of the day. Some things get covered with day old newspaper and a sloppy tape job to keep things together instead. Such is life.

I still was curious about the raining frogs. It seemed so outlandish, I had to look it up to see if it is an actual thing. I was pleasantly (is that the right word?) surprised of what I found.

Frog rain is a rare meteorological phenomenon in which frogs get swept up in a storm, travel miles and then fall from the sky when the clouds release the water.

How stuff works

Whoa. I also found a Bible reference to the Book of Exodus where God casts down a rain of frogs on the Egyptians for their refusal to free the Israelites. Note to self. Don’t piss off God.

I did find a movie interpretation that theorized the rain of frogs symbolized a form of reckoning or a wake up call. Well, raining frogs would certainly catch my attention. I’m not a fan of frogs because they really gross me out. I hate that expansive area underneath their mouth and chin. And even if frogs don’t technically have chins, I think you get my drift. Frogs just give me the willies.

What doesn’t give me the willies is the soundtrack with Aimee Mann. I found it interesting that the music came first and the movie was built from there. Here is Wise Up, a more popular track from the movie. I also found the clip from the film where the characters sing along. Even Tom Cruise sings in this one. Enjoy.

This scene is something that, on paper, absolutely shouldn’t work. Then you watch it and it rips your heart out. Genius filmmaking, songwriting, and performances.

YouTube comment by CliveO1515

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For a complete playlist, please click here.

For the Spotify playlist, please click here.

It's not what you thought
When you first began it
You got what you want
Now you can hardly stand it, though
By now you know
It's not going to stop
It's not going to stop
It's not going to stop
Till you wise up

You're sure there's a cure
And you have finally found it
You think one drink
Will shrink you till you're underground
And living down
But it's not going to stop
It's not going to stop
It's not going to stop
Till you wise up

Prepare a list for what you need
Before you sign away the deed
'Cause it's not going to stop
It's not going to stop
It's not going to stop
Till you wise up

No, it's not going to stop
Till you wise up
No, it's not going to stop
So just give up