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Song Question - The More I See You, The More I Want You

posted 17 years ago by ammacinn
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Here's an odd one (which I'm also going to post on Wenders' site, if there's a discussion board there):

In the VHS version and the theatrical print I saw of KINGS OF THE ROAD, the first single that Winter puts into the little 45 player as he drives (around about the time of the bowel movement) is "The More I See You, The More I Want You," which, since it accompanies shots of the two men looking at each other (Lander with his shirt off, even), has definite homoerotic underpinnings, which have been remarked upon elsewhere. It's a warbly and crappy-sounding 50's poptune but totally fitting and an important detail in the film; I've long grown familiar with it.

Okay, so: I broke down recently and picked up a Chinese all-region boot of this film - tho' it has no English subtitles, I thought I would enjoy watching the images in widescreen on DVD, until there's a domestic release, and I was very curious, I admit, if the poop scene would be left intact, or if the Chinese would censor it. Worth the price of admission, and yes, it's intact. HOWEVER, there's an oddity: the song that plays in the above scene is different. It sounds far more contemporary, a 70's song, maybe by a German band, even, and the music "fits" the soundtrack quite a bit more, tho' of course seems totally wrong given what I'm accustomed to. The sole lyric is the repeated refrain, "If I could read her mind, I wouldn't want to read." The film seems to be uncensored - well, I haven't checked the masturbation scene, but if the poop is there, I'm guessing the guy jerking off is too. Since the boot in question is copied off the German version, I really don't know what to make of the different songs!

Theories:
1. The Chinese changed the song because of the homoerotic overtones.
2. The German and US prints of the film always had different songs, and the German version retains the original tune
3. The song has been changed for DVD release for copyright reasons.

Anyone know the real story?

Allan (alienatedinvancouver.blogspot.com)

[–] www.wedd 14 years ago

I don't know the real story I'm afraid, but I did notice the change, too. I presume it was legal reasons, that's the usual answer. Quite liked the tune that he now plays, though! Finally, if you look at the 45 he puts in the player (and I'd like to know what you call it, too- I had never seen a record player that you can just load the discs into like that) it has a London Records label on it, clearly not the home of the song that plays.
PS, I personally don't feel much homoeroticism in the movie- I know it's about two men alone, sleeping in close proximity, and it has full-frontal nudity, etc, in it- I really think the characters are way too hung up on women for that sort of thing to cross their minds!