Help pick opening song for my film


(I've posted this desperate plea elsewhere on the net so I've you've responded to it already, no need to respond here. Thanks for understanding...I'm nearly out of time to make a selection.)

HELP!

I’m desperately looking for a song to replace Sam Cooke’s “You Send Me” for the opening of my film. (See guidelines below)

I have limited time to research songs so if you have a bunch of ideas try to list only your top 5. Very famous standards are almost certainly too expensive for the budget available. Basically if Sinatra, or Dean Martin sings it I can’t afford it.

If you have the time please briefly mention why you think the song works and/or write out a bit of the key lyrics. If you have a specific performer/s in mind for the song title please note that as well.

If someone picks a winner as a gesture of gratitude I will send $100 bucks, a copy of the film when available and, if possible, a thank you in the end credits. If several people pick the same song the money goes to the first poster but the others will get the film and credit as well.

I prefer to remain relatively anonymous on AA so I'm going to keep the title of the film private for now. However, I'll say that the film is a professional production with well-known actors. This can be a fun opportunity to make a significant contribution to the project if for no other reason than posterity.

Below is a copy of guidelines I sent to a record label I’m working with but these guys usually are too corporate to offer this level of creative input.

** Guidelines**

OPENING TITLES SONG:

The opening song needs to have lyrics that help set up the plot of the film: A man hasn’t been able to stop thinking about his ex-girlfriend and decides to return to his hometown and ask her to marry him.

As an example: Sam Cooke’s “You Send Me” was ideal but the rights are unavailable. The lyrics: “At first I thought it was infatuation…it’s lasted so long. Now I find myself wanting to marry you and take you home...you send me...”

Can you recommend songs with similar lyrics? The song doesn’t have to hit every point of the plot. I’ve listed some key elements below. A song with any ONE of the elements is fine but the more elements the better.

- A man wanting to marry a woman or more precisely an old flame
- A man unable to forget about a woman or his old flame
- A man returning home for a woman
- A man finally ready to marry
- A man 'deciding' he’s finally ready to marry
- A man with ‘something’ or someone missing in his life
- The romantic notion that two people are meant for each other.
- The idea of marriage as a romantic notion in general
- Buying a wedding ring

Other considerations for the opening titles song:

- Genre: Virtually any genre besides country, rap, hip-hop or punk is fine as long as the lyrics are easy to understand.

- Tone: Romantic. Positive.

- Pace: The song will be played underneath the opening montage of images. Sam Cooke’s version of “You Send Me” is about as slow as those images can support. A little bit slower is okay. Faster is fine

THANKS 'Goners!
kublakhan
kubla: here are two by randy newman that i don't think he's used on any of his sountracks. the first should be the version sung by harry nilsson on "nilsson sings newman." the second should be the original by mr. newman.

I'LL BE HOME

I'll Be Home
I'll Be Home
When your nights are troubled
And you're all alone
When you're feeling down
And need some sympathy
And there's no one else around
To keep you company
Remember, baby,
You can always count on me

I'll Be Home
I'll Be Home
I'll Be Home

I'll Be Home
I'll Be Home
Wherever you may wander
And wherever you may roam
You come back
I'll be waiting here for you
No one else will ever love you
The way I do
I'll be here to comfort you
And see you through

I'll Be Home
I'll Be Home
I'll Be Home

A WEDDING IN CHEROKEE COUNTY

There she is sitting there
Out behind the smoke-house in her rocking chair
She don't do nothin'
She don't say nothin'
She don't feel nothin'
She don't know nothin'
Maybe she's crazy, I don't know
But maybe that's why I love her so

Her papa was a midget
Her mama was a whore
Her grandad was a newsboy 'til he was eighty-four
Man don't you think I know she hates me
Man don't you think I know that she's no good
If she knew how she'd be unfaithful to me
I think she'd kill me if she could
Maybe she's crazy I don't know
But maybe that's why I love her so

I'm not afraid of the greywolf
Who stalks through our forest at dawn
As long as I have her beside me
I have the strength to carry on

Today we will be married
And all the freaks that she knows will be there
And all the people from the village will be there
To congratulate us
I will carry her across the threshold
I will make dim the light
I will attempt to spend my love within her
But though I try with all my might
She will laugh at my mighty sword
She will laugh at my mighty sword
Why must everybody laugh at my mighty sword?
Lord, hep me if you will
Maybe we're both crazy, I don't know
Maybe that's why I love her so

-kelly
1. Colour My World - Chicago
2 Kind of I Love You - Christopher Cross
3. IF - Bread
4. Say You'll Be Mine - Christopher Cross
5. Something - George Harrison (Beatles)
6. Only Love Can Break Your Heart - Neil Young
7. Love The One Your With - Stephen Stills (sorry)
8. If Not For You - Bob Dylan (George Harrison version on All Things Must pass)
9. What Is Life - George Harrison
first I can think of is a song I wrote very melodic and very passionate. Its called ALL IN TIME the lyrics are as follows.
when I look into your eyes
all I need is you in my life
every day I feel your love in my heart and in my soul
chorus
everytime I look at you I feel you deep inside
all I wanna do is hold you oh so tight
come to me and stay the night stay the night
verse2
You give me the courage that I need
and the strength to carry on
with each day our love grows strong
heart and soul takes me home
chorus2
everytime I think of you I start to realalize
all my life Ive searched for you and your right before my eyes
all these years without you how did I survive how did I survive?
ending theme
everytime I dream of you youve opened up my eyes
all I wanna do is keep you by my side
I dont wanna turn around and face these lonely nights lonely nights
your my life youre my everything
so I bow before you to give you this ring.

My freind wrote the rythm guitar I wrote the lead guitar and the lyrics and my singer sang it . I think it would work perfect for your movie. the song is somewhat copy written. send me a private email and I will give you my number so you can listen over the phone to get an idea. It has a somewhat of a journey feel to very romantic and touching. lev335@msn.com the song title is All in Time
OK Here goes:

1. "Smokin in the Boys Room", no particular reason.

2. "Patches", if the girl drowns and is found floating.

3. "Cherry Pink & Apple Blossum White", stupid love song.

4. "In the Navy", if the guy turns out to be Gay.

5. "Anything by Holly Near", if the girl's Gay.

If I'm out you can just leave the $100 under the welcome mat. Nice doing business with ya.
Hearts Desire by The Avalons (Unart Records) also covered twice by the Manhatten Transfer. Easily the best love song ever made. Or, a re-record of I Know You by Paul Willaims (Old Fashion Love Song etc). He could never sing, but he could write. You could do a recording of nice voice and two or three pieces easy.
Good luck on the film