MovieChat Forums > Meet Me in St. Louis Discussion > That inane title song is soooo cruddy

That inane title song is soooo cruddy

posted 14 years ago by onepotato2
20 replies | jump to latest

I enjoy this movie a lot. But I'm watching the dvd from Netflix right now. That infernally stupid title song is under the DVD menu... it's under the credits... Agnes sings it at 3 minute mark, then grandpa!... it's sung by the other two girls in the first 15 minutes. I want to take a razor and slice off my ears.
This is an utterly tuneless piece of garbage!

How did MGM (whose quality is generally pretty high) allow this cruddy, irritating song to stay in the picture?

[–] johnston.scot 14 years ago

The song is really from 1904, and wasn't written for the movie.

That doesn't necessarily explain why it was in the movie, of course, but it's vaguely interesting. Incidentally, I didn't find it to be cruddy or irritating, though it does stick in your ear.

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] johnston.scot 14 years ago

Well ... you can use a song title without using the song. It's a slightly interesting diversion to think up examples: "Dazed and Confused" and "Can't Buy Me Love" leap to mind; I suspect there are a bunch more. Many are probably coincidental.

I agree that the period music worked with the feel of the movie. The title song is not at all typical musical-theater fare, but it worked well the way it was used in the movie. Plus, at the time it was released, I suppose there were a goodly number of people who knew the song already, and it would've been an even more specific period-setting device.

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] onepotato2 14 years ago

I agree that the period music worked with the feel of the movie. The title song is not at all typical musical-theater fare
by - johnston.scot
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Meh, so include it once.
And can all the reprises.

[–] dmnemaine 14 years ago

The reason that the song is sung so many times is to introduce us to the Smith family. It was a very clever idea to have it passed from character to character as they go about their business. Then Esther and Rose's repise of the song very nicely sets up Mr. Smith's entrance and his frustration at having a bad day at the office, precisely on the day that the family is coniving to have an early dinner. The song is perfecty integrated into the story, and it works wonderfully. I also have the suspicion that possibly the repetition of the song sets the audience up to sympathize with Mr. Smith when he comes in from work. We have heard the song over and over too, and can understand his frustration when Rose and Esther are singing it.

[–] OlLineRebel 14 years ago

"Can't Buy Me Love" WAS used in the movie title. Not within the story itself, but in the title and credits.

[–] Tony-358 14 years ago

Martin and Blaine only wrote three songs for the film.

[–] bradford-1 14 years ago

It's a crummy tune, but at least it serves as an introduction to the family and allows minor characters to participate in a musical number. If you have ever noticed, only the stars in old musicals take part in musical numbers (of course there are exceptions to the rule). MMISTL takes it a step further by allowing two nonmusical actors, Leon Ames and Mary Astor, to perform a number by themselves.

[–] practicepiano 14 years ago

Besides introducing the characters and showing the father's reaction, it is part of what puts us in the time period.

It was a pop tune of the day, and, taking in all of the verses (which are not in the movie), mostly about people leaving spouse, job and church, and spending or betting all of their money (including some that was stolen!) at the fair.

http://www.perfessorbill.com/lyrics/lyloulou.htm

I don't think it was meant to be a lovely ballad -- just a little fresh ditty. But it was popular, and the father's reaction was probably typical of a lot of people of the time.

[–] tmaj48 14 years ago

It was a silly novelty song; it works perfectly in the film, since it shows
how nearly everyone in the family is carefree and can indulge in frivolous
whimsy all day, while the father, whose only apparent purpose in life is to
slave away his life in his office in order to provide for the whole bunch, can't
stand to listen to it anymore since he's the only one who doesn't have time
for any fun.
The song's not so bad, but there's something about the way Garland looks
as she sings the words "I will be your tootsie-wootsy" that I find very creepy;
her face is strained and her eyeballs nearly come out of her head.

I'm not crying, you fool, I'm laughing!

[–] netshopper-2 14 years ago

I thought the point of it early in the film was to show the fever everyone in town had for the upcoming World's Exposition in St. Louis. They could hardly contain themselves...except for the father who found it annoying.

[–] agnieszka01 13 years ago

LOL, yes it is kind of annoying and yet catchy at the same time. I had it in my head all day after watching the movie on DVD (the song was also played over the DVD menu). "We will dance the hoochie coochie/I will be your tootsie wootsie" Ugh! Dumb! Awful! Yet kinda cute at the same time.

[–] ak47wong 13 years ago

As others have mentioned, it was actually written for the 1904 St Louis World Fair: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meet_Me_in_St._Louis,_Louis

Here's a recording (the chorus starts at 2:22): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYoGsVaT8vk

[–] donofthedial 12 years ago

Why are you so down on a lightweight novelty song that tells a little story?

It has a nice verse, too, which i don't think they sang in the film.

Perhaps you will change your opinion when you grow up.

[–] 12 years ago

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[–] MystMoonstruck 9 years ago

"Meet Me n St. Louis, Louis" was wildly popular then, and it would have saturated the title town! St. Louis grew from a trading post on the river, and this was a special part of its history, bringing international attention to it. Everywhere people went, they very likely heard the song sung, hummed and/or whistled.

The father's aggravation reminds me of "Daisy Bell", a song that parodies the incredible popularity of "A Bicycle Built for Two (Daisy Bell)". Here's Mick Moloney performing the latter-day attack:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80NfYSmlmwo

"Meet Me in St. Louis, Louis" drops us into the time period when a mess of lousy songs didn't pelt people's ears all of the time. One song could reach maddening or enjoyable popularity, depending on how one viewed it. I think it's cute, catchy and memorable like many songs of the period. Try some!

(W)hat are we without our dreams?
Making sure our fantasies
Do not overpower our realities. ~ RC

[–] crlnrgbrght5 9 years ago

Apparently their Papa doesn't like it either, he tells them to stop that "catterwalling".

[–] gorgsharpy 9 years ago

It has the same crazy irony as the film's ending. The fixation to St. Louis and its small town horror.

I mean why do you think Tootie was obsessed with death?

"You couldn't be much further from the truth" - several