My Gen X Playlist: Romeo and Juliet – The Killers

I know this would fall under the chick flick category, but I really enjoyed Under the Tuscan Sun. I think the idea of impulsively ditching your life to start another in the Italian countryside sounds like an appealing option that I’d never have the stones to try. When I visited Tuscany, I understood what all the hype was about. It’s beautiful.

There was a time I read a lot of travel literature. There is a small travel section in Vroman’s that I’d peruse on lazy Sunday mornings. Even though I’d watched the film, I thought Francis Mayes’ novel would be a good read. Why not.

I’m disappointed to say that the book was tortuously slow. Hollywood took a wide swath of liberties with the storyline and thank god they did. If they made a movie of the book as is, it would have been a disaster. I was hopeful it would take a turn for the better and stayed with it until the end. But it didn’t. I was so surprised it was awful. Or maybe that’s too harsh of a criticism. I had my expectations set too high. I’d rather say that instead of disparaging the author or discouraging someone from picking it up and giving it a try. If you ever give it a chance, I’d suggest checking it out at the library. Save your money for a real page turner.

I was searching for songs about books and came upon The Killers’ cover of Romeo and Juliet. Although I grew up with the Dire Straits original, I thought this cover version was pretty good. It’s been awhile since I’d heard this song. It was a nice listen.

The song is also a nice match because Shakespeare’s tragedy is set in Italy. Although Verona is nowhere near Tuscany, close enough. Plus I learned of another Italian connection, albeit a loose one.

The song was written by Dire Straits frontman Mark Knopfler and inspired by his broken romance with Holly Vincent, leader of the band Holly And The Italians

The Killers covered this on their 2007 B-sides, covers and rarities compilation Sawdust. In an interview with Q magazine. . . , the band’s drummer Ronnie Vannucci explained why they chose this song: “We’ve covered ‘Romeo And Juliet’ because it’s a great song – Brandon was really into it. . . Frontman Brandon Flowers added: “. . . We’re not ashamed of covering ‘Romeo And Juliet,’ either. It’s one of the finest songs ever. Brilliant melodies.”

Songfacts

If the Killers aren’t ashamed to cover Romeo and Juliet, I shouldn’t be ashamed to admit liking Under the Tuscan Sun. Sometimes you just have to like what you like, all others be damned.

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For a complete playlist, please click here.

For the Spotify playlist, please click here.

A lovestruck Romeo sings the streets a serenade
Laying everybody low with a love song that he made
Finds a streetlight, steps out of the shade
Says something like, "You and me babe, how about it?"
Juliet says, "Hey, it's Romeo, you nearly gimme a heart attack"
He's underneath the window
She's singing, "Hey la, my boyfriend's back
You shouldn't come around here singing up at people like that
Anyway, what ya gonna do about it?"

"Juliet, the dice was loaded from the start
And I bet, when you exploded into my heart
And I forget, I forget
The movie song
When you gonna realize it was just that the time was wrong?
Juliet"

Come up on different streets, they both were streets of shame
Both dirty, both mean, yes and the dream was just the same
And I dreamed your dream for you, and now your dream is real
How can you look at me as I was just another one of your deals?

Well you can fall for chains of silver, you can fall for chains of gold
You can fall for pretty strangers and the promises they hold
You promised me everything
You promised me thick and thin, yeah
Now you just say, "Oh Romeo, yeah, you know I used to have a scene with him"

"Juliet, when we made love you used to cry
You said I love you like the stars above, I'll love you 'til I die
There's a place for us
(You know the movie song)
When you gonna realize it was just that the time was wrong?
Juliet"

"I can't do the talk like they talk on the TV
And I can't do a love song like the way it's meant to be
I can't do everything, but I'd do anything for you
I can't do anything except be in love with you
And all I do is miss you, and the way we used to be
All I do is keep the beat and the bad company
And all I do is kiss you through the bars of a rhyme
Juliet, I'd do the stars with you any time"

"Juliet, when we made love you used to cry
You said I love you like the stars above, I'll love you 'til I die
There's a place for us
(You know the movie song)
When you gonna realize it was just that the time was wrong?
Juliet"

And a lovestruck Romeo sings the streets a serenade
Laying everybody low with a love song that he made
Finds a convenient streetlight, steps out of the shade
Says something like, "You and me babe, how about it?"
"You and me babe, how about it?"