#Syd Straw Que Sera

[aki-salunar]

Syd Straw Que Sera Sera

[specialagentblogger]

Chain of Influence from Alexa Chung's IT: Heathers and Beetlejuice

Alexa Chung used to be a British TV host, model, and the IT girl of the 2010s. Ballet flats, hot pants, cashmere cardigans, and statement sunglasses made her a modern fashion icon. During a time when skinny jeans, neon accessories, and flower crowns were a thing, the IT girl stood out with ahead-of-her-time style choices. She definitely was one of the first well-known women that I sourced my creative inspiration from.

"IT"

In 2013, Alexa released her debut book IT, featuring her drawings, style influences from film and music and witty advice. This pastel pink, 'cultural reset' of a book, catered to young, aspiring "It" girls and wannabe Vogue Editors. Despite receiving critiques akin to a "wasted opportunity", IT marked the sweet beginning of character development for my 13-year-old self. The book led me on a transformative journey, unveiling my taste in music, film, and fashion - a chain of influence, if you will.

HEATHERS (1988)

One of the films that started my endless love for cinema and marked the chain of influence, was Heathers (1988) - directed by Michael Lehmann and written by Daniel Waters. A satirical and macabre cult classic about a high school, where obnoxious jocks rule and the mean girls are all called Heather - until Veronica (Winona Ryder) and her mysterious boyfriend (Christian Slater) plot to exterminate every bully. Pair a cinematic legend (our girl Wino) with a sexy hunk that is Christian Slater, and you have yourself an 80s classic. Watching this film when you’re 14 years old, in your secret world (my room) on a mini laptop was a transformative experience. In a sense that, in that moment, I fully understood the magic that cinema held, and all I knew was that I wanted more. My eyes could not get enough of the cinematography, the costumes and the beautiful young actors - all while the haunting Syd Straw’s voice sang Que Sera, Sera (strongly advisable to put this song on while reading this post). 

The film itself tells a classic tale of relational agression between high school girls. In the words of Lyn Mikel Brown, or her book of the same name - Girlfighting (2003), the author argues that for quite some time, soap-operas, films, and reality TV had only focused on women who are in competition with one another. Heathers falls right into that category. Its main focus is Veronica Sawyer (Winona Ryder) - one of the Heathers clique, who finally gets tired of being an accomplice to other school kids’ misery. She has this line in the film: “I don’t really like my friends. It is like they are people I work with and our job is being popular”. It is the moment where Veronica foreshadows her involvement in the downfall of her mean friends. The irony of the twist is as absurd as it gets - a kind-hearted girl hates to see mean girls bullying everyone, so she turns to murder to end the meanness altogether.

COSTUMES

Iconic, voluminous hair, fitted checkered jackets with shoulder pads, midi grandma skirts, coloured stockings and none other, than bitchy attitudes! Every shot of Heathers is filled with endless outfit inspiration, curated by Rudy Dillon. Oh, how fun would it have been to dress like that in high school. I love how this kind of fashion evokes a nostalgic longing for a time before I was even born. From then on out, you could not catch me leaving a vintage clothing store without an 80's padded jacket.

Guessing who I went as for Halloween in 2014 would be easy. I put my grey skirt on, borrowed my grandpa’s ashy blue t-shirt, covered my face in fake blood and bought a paper cigar from Tiger. It was magical. I walked around saying “What’s your damage, Heather?” - sadly, no one understood the reference back then and I ended up really scaring my mum. I might have been better at Maths, had I not been rewatching Heathers every other evening. However, no regrets. 2 + 2 is still 4, forever till the end of time. 

Beetlejuice (1988)

IT's chain of influence continued naturally when I decided to explore Winona’s earlier work. The first one that came to mind was Winona’s breakthrough film 'Beetlejuice' (1988), crafted by the extravagant auteur Tim Burton, who is renowned for the gothic and fantastical settings in his work. The contrast-heavy cinematography in Burton’s mise-en-scène is highly influenced by German Expressionism, an art movement that emerged in Germany in the early 20th century. The most predominant aspects of this movement include distorted sets, angular or weirdly-shaped architecture, and a dark, frightening atmosphere.

The film tells the story of a recently deceased couple (Geena Davis and Alec Baldwin), who start haunting their own home after a new family moves in. In an attempt to scare away the living occupants, the couple summons a mischievous spirit named Betelgeuse (Michael Keaton) by saying his name three times. The narrative takes an intriguing turn with the introduction of Winona Ryder's character, Lydia, who, along with her parents (Catherine O’Hara and Jeffrey Jones), becomes entangled with the supernatural world. Winona Ryder delivers a captivating performance as Lydia, portraying a goth teenage girl with the ability to see the dead.

CINEMATOGRAPHY

Cinematographer Thomas E. Ackerman fully realised Burton’s ominous vision for the film. Every single shot is like a surrealist painting - a true feast for the eyes. Even if one does not find the film’s plot appealing, the visual aesthetic will still definitely satisfy one’s artistic hunger. Ackerman's attention to detail and use of lighting contribute to the film's haunting atmosphere, making it a visual masterpiece.

Beetlejuice vs. The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari

As mentioned previously, the influence of German Expressionism is evident in Burton’s work, and in my opinion, especially in Beetlejuice. The film has striking visual similarities to, arguably, one of the first horror films, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920), directed by Robert Wiene. The film follows a somnambulist who makes horrifying predictions of future events. I watched it during my first year of film studies, and I have to say, I was utterly spellbound. The fact that a film without any sound can be that spine-chilling, still blows my mind.

The distorted corridor in Beetlejuice mirrors the endless, distorted corridor in The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. It evokes a sense of claustrophobia, almost like an optical illusion. The surrealist, angular structure of the Caligari corridor seamlessly fits into Beetlejuice, capturing the dreamlike, or rather nightmarish atmosphere.

In the following comparison shots, we can even identify a door with a diagonal line in Burton’s still, and the exact same shaped detail (window/door) on the house in Wiene’s still. Furthermore, there is a black silhouette of a man in the background, seemingly holding a broom in Burton’s shot. Similarly, in Caligari’s shot, there is a man wearing black, holding what appears to be a cane.

The following two shots sparked an 'aha' moment for me. In one, the green light and the appearance of a dead bride with a tulle veil emerge from the darkness. In another, there is a muted green light covering the room, and a girl sleeps in a white nightgown, reminiscent of a wedding dress, on a bed adorned with tulle sheets.

THE DINNER

There's a campy (and even a bit meta) dinner scene in Beetlejuice, making it one of the most standout moments in cinema to date. It features Lydia, her parents, and their friends. In an attempt to scare them into leaving, the deceased couple (the Maitlands) and Betelgeuse possess the guests. One by one, they start moving involuntarily and start to sing Harry Belafonte’s 'Day-O (The Banana Boat Song),' in his distinctive voice. I truly love this artistic decision because it cleverly uses dark humour and absurdity to dilute the frightening topic of spirits and afterlife.

As I reflect on this chain of influence, I think of it as the epitome of 'one thing led to another.' I love that I could delve into Winona Ryder's creative universe and discover life-altering cinematic classics as a young girl. This, however, is just one of the many discoveries I made as a 13-year-old reading Alexa's book. More is yet to come...

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

[playlists-without-links]

self-hatred playlist-

"Tongues and Teeth" by Crane Wives

"Hate Yourself" by TV Girl

"Love's not a Competition (But I'm Winning)" by Kaiser Chiefs

"Right Action" by Franz Ferdinand

"What's Wrong" by half . alive

"(Don't Fear) the Reaper" by Blue Oyster Cult

"Kill Bill" by SZA

"Guilty" by MARINA

"Que Sera, Sera" by Syd Straw

"Rainbow Veins" by Owl City

"Kokopelli Face Tattoo" by AJJ

"Linda Ronstadt" by AJJ

[kevinpriceshair]

.

[cherryslushy]

Top 5 Heathers Songs

5. You

4. Can’t

3. Rank

2. Them

1. Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be) by Syd Straw

[katesattic]

Now Available on my blog: The Complete Sanders Sides Spotify Playlist Breakdown

I purposely ordered these songs in the way they appear. And if you can play it off shuffle, I would encourage you to do so. Placing songs from the Q&A at the beginning and the songs with which I chose to end each playlist were not placed where they were accidentally by any means. But there is a method to my madness. I realise that many of you don’t have Premium and will only be able to play them on shuffle.

Some songs on these playlists just spoke to me, others I had to think about before adding. After each Blurb explaining the playlist, I’ve added links to them, so you don’t have to hunt them down. Hope you enjoy listening to them because they were fun to make.

-Kt💗

[You can either click here to be taken to the page or keep reading below the cut]

Thomas - Most of the songs appearing on his playlist are songs that Thomas has covered. Some of the songs also appear on the Sides playlists. They are his Sides Afterall, so it only makes sense that they share some songs. {Link}

Orange Colored Sky {Nat King Cole} – Thomas has stated this to be one of his favourite songs. It had to be the first song.

Snow In Venice {Elizaveta} – Thomas’s cover of this song has got to be one of my favourites so it seemed only right.

Fly Me To The Moon {Frank Sinatra} – He covered it.

Love Like You (End Credits) {Rebecca Sugar} – It’s SU!

My Dragon Pal and Me {Cast of Galavant} – King Richard sometimes reminds me of Thomas. This song in particular.

Freeze Your Brain {Original World Premier Cast} – HE WAS JD IN HEATHERS: THE MUSICAL (the Orlando Production)

Waving Through A Window {Ben Platt} – He covered it.

We Are The Crystal Gems (Full Theme Song) {ZachCallison}

Welcome to the Black Parade {My Chemical Romance} – He covered it.

Guns and Ships {Original Broadway Cast}

Feels Like Summer {panama Wedding}

It’s Over Isn’t It {Deedee Madno Hall} – This has got to be another favourite song he’s covered.

Sick Muse {Metric}

Bubble Gum {Brigitte Bardot} – j’avais besoin d’ajouter une chanson en français.

Colors {Honest Men}

I Found You {Fraser Murray}

Here Comes A Thought {Estelle} – HOW ARE THOMAS’S SU COVERS SO GOOD?

Seventeen {Original World Premier Cast} – I think he and Nicole are better. But here’s the original.

Anything Vine Can Do, YouTube Can Do Better {Jon Cozart} – Thomas actually sings in this one, so …

Let’s Face It I’m Cute {11 Acorn Lane} – Thomas is cute.

Seasons Of Love {Original Broadway Cast}

Here {Alessia Cara} – the social anxiety and introversion he talks about.

Bueberry Hill {Louis Armstrong}

YouTube Culture {Jon Cozart}

Little Game {Benny}

Absolutely Smitten {dodie}

Dead Disco {Metric}

What A Wonderful World {Louis Armstrong}

Goodnight My Friend {Cast of Galavant}

Logan - This was the most difficult playlist for me to compile. Anxiety’s was easy because I stuck to a few artists and Patton and Morality each had a specific tone I was following. But I am least confident in this playlist. Anyway, most of the songs in this playlist relate to Logan more in their titles than in their tone. I tried to have mostly jazz and hip-hop genres, but I’m not sure I was very successful in that. In short, his songs mostly relate to his struggles to empathise and understand emotion. {Link}

Comfortably Numb {Pink Floyd} – Logan used this song to describe how he was feeling in the Q&A.

Immortals {Fall Out Boy} – this is a song from Logan’s favourite Disney film.

Achilles Last Stand {Led Zeppelin} – Mythology, literature, etc.

White & Nerdy {“Weird Al” Yankovic} – Logan’s a big ol’ nerd. And we love him for it.

The Meaning of Life {Monty Python} – Seems like something Logan would ponder.

What Am I Feeling {Cast of Galavant} – He doesn’t understand emotions.

Somethin’ Stupid {Frank Sinatra} – title more than meaning.

Another Brick In The Wall {Pink Floyd} – “Don’t Need No” is a double negative and I feel like that would bug him and I’d assume that’s why he’d want this kids to be educated.

Guns and Ships {Original Broadway Cast} – Logan can rap.

Blow Us All Away {Original Broadway Cast} – Ibid.

Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien {Édith Piaf} – Nah, he doesn’t regret anything *cough* infinitesimal *cough* Nothing.

You Oughta Know {Alanis Morisette}

I Wish I Knew Better {Owen Danoff}

Jamais seule {Loane} – Never alone. Not when he has books.

All of Me {Billie Holiday}

Education {Pearl Jam}

Word Crimes {“Weird Al” Yankovic}

Emotions {Evence} – no lyrics, because songs without lyrics are more confusing … like emotions.

I Don’t Like You {Cast of Galavant} – How he feels about Roman … probably.

Hit The Road Jack {Ray Charles} – again probably directed at Roman or Patton

Dance Off {Macklemore & Ryan Lewis}

Almost Like Being In Love {Nat King Cole} – ALMOST

Bohemian Rhapsody {Queen}

As Good As It Gets {Cast of Galavant} – he’s a realist

Galaxy Song {Monty Python} – That ending though.

Patton - Patton’s playlist was fun. I wanted it to be both parental (hence songs like “Que Sera Sera”) but also childish (hence the songs from kids shows and Disney films). I wanted it to play off the duality of Patton both being the parental side yet also being the most innocent/naïve of the group as well. I wanted his playlist to be very fun and playful. As such, I didn’t pay too much attention to the genre of the songs, I just wanted to be sure they were upbeat. {Link}

I Am The Walrus {The Beatles} – Patton used this song to describe how he was feeling in the Q&A.

Campfire Song Song {Spongebob Squarepants} – He pretty much just listens to it on repeat.

Winnie the Pooh {Disney Studio Chorus}

The Bare Necessities {Phil Harris and Bruce Reitherman}

He Mele No Lilo {Mark Keali’I Ho’omalu and Kamehameha Schools Children’s Chorus}

Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride {Mark Keali’I Ho’omalu and Kamehameha Schools Children’s Chorus}

Steven Universe Theme Song {Giant Woman}

Pennies From Heaven {Louis Prima}

A Spoonful or Sugar {Julie Andrews}

Fly Me To The Moon {Frank Sinatra}

Beauty {Original Cast of Starship}

Pays to Bean Animal {Team StarKid}

La vie en rose {Édith Piaf} – I feel like the English version of this song is much more sombre than the French one and that’s why I put the French version on Patton’s playlist

Stadium Love {Metric}

Simple Song {The Shins}

You Make Me Feel So Young {Frank Sinatra}

Dream A Little Dream Of Me {Eliza Fitzgerald}

Angel Dance {Robert Plant}

Ironic {Alanis Morisette} – Because, the only ironic thing about this song is that the lyrics have nothing to do with irony. Reminds me of Patton’s use of “adultery.”

Je Ne Sais Pas {Joyce Jonathan} – Literally, the titles is I Don’t Know, and if that ain’t Patton.

1234 {Feist} – Almost put this on Logan’s playlist. But Feist counts “1234,56, 9 and 10��� where did 7 and 8 go? Because of that, I felt this song was better suited to Patton.

The Moss {Cosmo Sheldrake} – this would work for Roman too, but I imagine it more as a parent telling a story than a knight living the story.

Ramble On {Led Zeppelin}

Feels Like Summer {Panama Wedding}

Que Sera, Sera {Sly & The Family Stone} – Because this song is so parental and I’m a sucker for Heathers. Syd Straw’s version is my favourite, but it’s not available here, so I went for the version at the end of the film.

Roman - Disney, you guys, Disney. So, Roman’s playlist had to be both filled with Disney and be as theatrical as he is. His playlist comprises of songs from the Disney Princess lineup (not necessarily a song sung by the princess) in chronological order as well as show tunes. Roman is Thomas’s fanciful Sides, so it seemed only natural to include soundtracks from musicals (whether film, television, or stage) as well as to includes songs focusing on the self and one’s dreams. {Link}

All I Do Is Win {DJ Khaled} – Roman used this song to describe how he was feeling in the Q&A.

Halo {Beyoncé} – His favourite “band”

Some Day My Prince Will Come {Adriana Caselotti}

A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes {Ilene Woods}

An Unusual Prince/Once Upon A Dream {Mary Costa}

Part Of Your World {Jodi Benson}

Beauty And The Beast {Angela Lansbury}

One Jump Ahead {Brad Kane}

Colors Of The Wind {Judy Kuhn}

I’ll Make a Man Out of You {Donny Osmund}

Almost There {Anika Noni Rose}

I See the Light {Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi}

Touch The Sky {Julie Fowlis}

Love Is an Open Door {Kristen Bell and Santino Fontana}

How Far I’ll Go {Auli’i Cravalho}

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious {Julie Andrews}

Freeze Your Brain {Original World Premier Cast}

My Shot {Original Broadway Cast}

For Forever {Ben Platt}

I’m Too Sexy {Right Said Fred} – OK, but like seriously. This is such a Roman song.

Ma Pomme {Maurice Chevalier} – mostly for this line “J'suis plus heureux qu'un roi”

Dreams {The Cranberries}

My Way {Frank Sinatra} – C’mon

Orange Colored Sky {Nat King Cole}

Virgil - The songs on this playlist are in the emo, rock, and punk genres for the most part. I also think this playlist has the least variety of artist, the reason for this being when one is in an emotional state, one is more likely to listen to familiar songs. Songs the person is used to and songs that comfort them. As such, Anxiety’s playlist changes between a few repeated artists. {Link}

I’m Not Okay (I Promise) {My Chemical Romance} – Anxiety used this song to describe how he was feeling in the Q&A.

Taking Over Me {Evanescence} – This is a song from his favourite band.

Don’t Threaten Me With A Good Time {Panic! At The Disco} – It’s full of angst. What else can I say?

Stressed Out {Twenty One Pilots} – He is anxiety personified after all.

Don’t Let Me Get Me {Pink}

Basket Case {Green Day}  

Paranoid {Black Sabbath}

Dazed and Confused {Led Zeppelin}

Fallen Leaves {Billy Talent}

Call Me When You’re Sober {Evanescence}

Welcome To The Black Parade {MCR} - He/Thomas sang this song on snapchat. So, I had to.

Heavydirtysoul {TOP}

Bring Me To Life {Evanescence}

Welcome To My Life {Simple Plan}

This Is Gospel {Panic! At The Disco}

Gimme Sympathy {Metric}  – He wants to be understood by the other Sides. He wants sympathy.

Goner {TOP}

Red Flag {Billy Talent}

Teenagers {MCR}

Haunted {Evanescence}

Just Like a Pill {Pink}

I Write Sins Not Tragedies {Panic! At The Disco}

Devil In A Midnight Mass {Billy Talent}

Help I’m Alive {Metric}

Good Riddance {Green Day} – it felt only appropriate to end his playlist with a song with such title.

[winglandwasteland]

Multi-Fandom Song Fic Series:

Each Reader insert in this series will be based off of a song depending on what letter you or I pick.

To request a reader insert for this series message me or reply to this post however you want telling me the fandom and character from that fandom you want paired with the reader + a letter for which song. You can also add basic plot details if you want.

To see a list of fandoms that I do click here: Fandom’s that I like 

Feel free to request more than one.

No Smut.

No character death.

Does not have to have a happy ending.

A- Angel - Sarah McLachlan

B- Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen

C- Chasing Pavements and Cry - Glee Versions (for this one you can suggest either song)

D- Dear Future Husband - Meghan Trainor

E- Easy Living - Miranda Lambert (Sorry if you don’t like country music) Everytime We Touch - Cascada (Pick either one)

F- Faithfully - Journey and Fly - Maddie and Tae (for this one you can suggest either song) (also sorry again if you don’t like country music)

G- Get it right - Glee Original Song

H- Honesty - Billy Joel

I- If I had you - Adam Lambert and I'm Going Slightly Mad - Queen (Like I said before you can pick either song)

J- Jar of hearts - Christina Perri

K- Kerosene - Miranda Lambert (Sorry not sorry for all the country music on this list)

L- Love - Nat King Cole

M- Mermaid - Train

N- Never can say goodbye - Jackson 5

O- "Octopus's Garden" - Beatles

P- Puff The Magic Dragon - Peter Paul & Mary and Paranoia in BB - The Avett Brothers (Either one)

Q- Que sera, sera - Syd Straw

R- Radioactive - Imagine Dragons

S - Shatter Me - Lindsey Stirling

T- Take a bow - Glee version and Take me to church - Hozier (Either)

U- Umbrella - Rihanna

V- Vice - Miranda Lambert (I have nothing to say...um sorry?)

W- We are the champions - Queen

X- X amount of words - Blue October

Y- Young volcanos - Fall out boys

Z-  Zebras and Airplanes - Alicia Keys (Only song on this list that I don’t know well)(also trust me there aren’t a lot of songs that start with z)

@fandom-smut-shots @diy-daisy-is-fandom-smut-shots @lavenderscorpion