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The soundtrack of the classic American movie Easy Rider is a must for rock lovers. Not only for its exquisite selection, packed with top quality music, but for all that Easy Rider stands for. Road movie was written by the actors themselves, Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda, along with Terry Southern. Produced by Fonda and directed by Hopper, the film premiered on July 14, 1969, and features actor Jack Nicholson. In a world-overwhelming moment, two bikers, Wyatt, ‘Captain America’ (Peter Fonda) and Billy (Dennis Hopper), drive aimlessly on their Harley Davidson in search of freedom, to escape the sad picture of the world. ‘adult ‘, full of conventions, habits and fears.
The nicknames of the characters allude to Wyatt Earp and Billy the Kid. Throughout the trip the two friends experience unusual stories and adventures. Stuffed with sex, drugs and rock and roll Easy Rider started to be shooting in New Orleans, in full Mardi Gras, but the scenery, for the most part, is nothing but Route 66, the most famous road in the world, symbol of the American Dream. The handpicked location was the ideal backdrop for the aura of freedom that Easy Rider asked for. For about 4,000 kilometers, the highway connects Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California. Route 66 was a promise to leave the old world, the most conservative side of the country, and reach beautiful, sunny California.
The film’s soundtrack album was released in August 1969 by Reprise Records, Dunhill Records label, which is part of Warner Music. The album has ten tracks, although in the movie the number is twelve. For contractual reasons two were left out. Easy Rider appeared as an icon amidst the cultural effervescence of an era. A historic moment where Existentialism, the Hippie movement, Counterculture and the Beat Generation, born after Jack Kerouc‘s book On The Road, inspired an entire generation, including Easy Rider. The film became an absolute reference of rebellion and freedom. Fortunately, even today, at least the spirit of Easy Rider survives. Travel through the following scenes and songs with Wyatt and Billy!
The Pusher • Steppenwolf (Hoyt Axton)
A Hoyt Axton‘s music became popular when it appeared on the Easy Rider soundtrack in the version of the Steppenwolf, originally recorded in 1967 for the band’s first studio album, Steppenwolf, which was released in 1968 by ABC Dunhill. In the lyrics, the author distinguishes the lighter drug dealer, such as marijuana, from the heavy drug dealer, who cares little about whether the client will die or not.
Born To Be Wild • Steppenwolf (Mars Bonfire)
Easy Rider’s theme song is the band’s most famous, the most successful, and was composed by Mars Bonfire. Born To Be Wild has become a classic anthem of rock and roll, of bikers and of freedom. It is considered as the precursor of heavy metal. The phrase ‘heavy metal thunder’ in the lyrics inspired the denomination of the term heavy metal. It is also well known for its original riff. The song was recorded in 1967, for The Pusher’s same album, Steppenwolf, released in 1968 by ABC Dunhill, and was recorded by several other bands and musicians such as The Rolling Stones, The Cult, Slayer, among others.
The Weight • Smith (Robbie Robertson)
Although the song The Weight, composed by Robbie Robertson, appears in the movie in the version of The Band, for contractual reasons on the soundtrack album the recording is by the band Smith, who sought to keep it as close as possible to its original version. The song was initially released on Music From Big Pink, The Band‘s debut album, released in 1968 by Capital Records.
I Wasn’t Born To Follow • The Byrds (Carole King/Gerry Goffin)
Originally recorded for The Byrds‘ fifth studio album Notorious Byrd Brothers, released by Columbia Records in 1968, the song written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin appears as the fourth track on the album.
If You Want To Be A Bird • The Holy Modal Rounders (Antonia Duren)
Antonia Duren‘s music is the pinch of humor of soundtrack. If You Want to Be a Bird (Bird Song) was recorded in 1968 on the album The Moray Eels Eat The Holy Modal Rounders, the fourth studio album of the psychedelic band, by label Elektra Records.
Don’t Bogart Me • Fraternity Of Man (Elliot Ingber/Larry Wagner)
Authored by Elliot Ingber & Larry Wagner Don’t Bogart Me was recorded in 1968 for the band’s namesake album Fraternity Of Man on ABC Records.
If 6 Was 9 • The Jimi Hendrix Experience (Jimi Hendrix)
Jimi Hendrix wrote If 6 Was 9 in 1967 for the album Axis: Bold as Love, the second of The Jimi Hendrix Experience, recorded by Track Record that same year.
Kyrie Eleison/Mardi Gras • The Electric Prunes
(Traditional, arrangement by David Axelrod)
Of religious origin the traditional Kyrie Eleison, arranged by David Axelrod, was recorded for the Miss in F Minor, of psychedelic The Electric Prunes. The album was released in 1968 by the Reprise label.
It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding) • Roger McGuinn (Bob Dylan)
Bob Dylan was invited but declined to actively participate in the production of the track. But he contributed by kindly giving away the It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding), which appears on Roger McGuinn‘s version. The song was originally recorded in 1965 for the album Bringing It All Back Home, released by Columbia Records.
Ballad Of Easy Rider • Roger McGuinn (Roger McGuinn/Bob Dylan)
In addition to kindly indulging It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding) to compose the film score Bob Dylan wrote a few lines on a napkin and handed it to the producers saying, “Give it to Roger. He will know what to do.”. That was the origin of Ballad Of Easy Rider. Although on the album the song is credited only to Roger McGuinn the Bob Dylan brand remains latent in it. Initially recorded for the solo track by McGuinn in 1969 on the Dunhill label, it was re-released with The Byrds in the same year as the release of Columbia Records.
For contractual reasons two tracks were left out, although they appear in the film. Are they:
Let’s Turkey Trot • Little Eva (Gerry Goffin/Jack Keller)
Flash, Bam, Pow • The Eletric Flag
In 2004 the Easy Rider Deluxe Edition, Something In The Air, 1967 to 1969 was released, which includes in addition to the tracks on the original album other songs, which are not necessarily in the movie, but which reflect the spirit of Easy Rider:
1967:
Pushin’ Too Hard • The Seeds
I Had Too Much to Dream Last Night • The Electric Prunes
We Ain’t Got Nothin’ Yet • Blues Magoos
San Franciscan Nights • The Animals
White Rabbit • Jefferson Airplane
I Can See for Miles • The Who
A Whiter Shade of Pale • Procol Harum
Groovin’ • The Young Rascals
High Flyin’ Bird • Richie Havens
1968:
The Weight • The Band
You Ain’t Going Nowhere • The Byrds
The Time Has Come Today • The Chambers Brothers
With a Little Help From My Friends • Joe Cocker
Summertime Blues • Blue Cheer
Nights in White Satin • The Moody Blues
1969:
Mendocino • Sir Douglas Quintet
Get Together • The Youngbloods
My Uncle • The Flying Burrito Brothers
Something in the Air • Thunderclap Newman
Fontes:
AllMusic: www.allmusic.com
Discogs: www.discogs.com
YouTube: www.youtube.com
Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
Photos:
Disclosure/Reproduction