ECCENTRIC DIVO: Harry Nilsson
My love of all things eccentric does not end with films, I also love music that’s a little outside the box as well. Harry Nilsson would fit that bill. Harry Nilsson was a singer-songwriter from Brooklyn, NY. Apparently his friendship with members of the Beatles, especially John Lennon, helped to push his career into the mainstream. Many of Harry’s songs were used in some of my favorite films. He also wrote and sang the theme song for the television show The Courtship of Eddie’s Father, which was very popular but was never released as a recording (sigh). Not only did Harry write songs for himself, he wrote many hit songs for other artists as well. Harry’s style varied from record to record, on one record he would sing standards and ballads and on another he would sing songs full of expletives. His refusal to conform to one particular style is said to be the reason why he is often overlooked as one of the most influential songwriters in history. Harry won two Grammy awards for his songs Everyone’s Talking and Without You respectively. Sadly Harry passed away in 1994 at the age of 53 due to a massive heart attack. Harry’s music continues to be used in film, television, and commercials; I find it ironic that many people have never heard of him. Harry’s lyrics are so deliciously strange and delightful,whenever I’m feeling a little blue I can put on a Harry Nilsson song and laugh my ass off. Rest in peace Eccentric Divo.
Harry Nilsson Songs Used In Some of My Favorite Films:
Midnight Cowboy- Everyone’s Talking
Goodfellas - Jump Into the Fire
Reservoir Dogs - Coconut
Forrest Gump - Everyone’s Talking
Casino - Without You
The Ice Storm - Coconut
Magnolia- One
Popeye - Entire Soundtrack
High Fidelity - The Moonbeam Song
Labels: All Things Eccentric
This entry was posted
on Tuesday, November 21, 2006 at 6:41 AM.
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