‘I thought it was a speech by Kurt Vonnegut’: Baz Luhrmann on making Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen)
‘Some kid had credited a column of life advice in the Chicago Tribune to the writer of Slaughterhouse-Five. It then spread on a new invention called the world wide web. I thought it would make a great spoken word song’
In 1997, my music supervisor Anton Monsted and I decided to make a charity album with remixes of songs from my films. I was working on a new version of Rozalla’s rave banger Everybody’s Free (To Feel Good) that, for Romeo + Juliet, we had turned into an ecclesiastical song with vocals from Quindon Tarver and King’s College Choir.
Around this time, a graduation speech apparently by Kurt Vonnegut offering life advice was spreading on a new invention called the world wide web. It was what we would now call viral – but it was also a hoax. Some kid had taken a column by a smart, respected columnist called Mary Schmich, who wrote for the Chicago Tribune, and instead credited it to the Slaughterhouse-Five author.
We thought it would make a great spoken word song. We found a voiceover artist, Lee Perry, to impersonate an imagined Vonnegut and spent a great deal of time getting it right, so that it felt naturally spoken and rhythmic.
Date: |
Filter
-
Free Speech Becomes a New Battleground in Abortion Litigation
The First Amendment looms large in lower court cases that may find their way to the Supreme Court.The New York Times - Top stories - Abortion -
Congress can help colleges counter antisemitism through free speech
The recent shocking torrent of antisemitism has awakened Americans. More and more are speaking up. The First Amendment provides them — as well as faculty and students — with opportunities to educate the public about Israel, Jewish history and ...The Hill - Politics -
Who gets 15 hours of free childcare and how do I apply?
Parents in England can now access 15 hours of free weekly childcare for their two-year-olds.BBC News - Top stories -
Proposed North Carolina law would make it illegal to wear masks in public
Republican senators in North Carolina passed a bill Wednesday revoking a pandemic-era law allowing for masks to be worn in public for health concerns.NBC News - Top stories
More from The Guardian
-
Israeli minister vows to quit war cabinet if PM fails to agree new Gaza plan
Benny Gantz’s threat to withdraw his opposition party from coalition calls into question future of government. The Israeli war cabinet minister Benny Gantz has threatened to resign if Benjamin Netanyahu fails to adopt an agreed plan for Gaza, ...The Guardian - World - Israel -
French forces launch ‘major operation’ in New Caledonia, as unrest claims another life
Operation will aim to retake road linking airport with Noumea, as the capital’s mayor says the situation is ‘not improving’. French forces have launched a “major operation” to regain control of a road linking New Caledonia’s capital Noumea to the ...The Guardian - World - France -
Georgian president vetoes ‘foreign influence’ law
Salome Zourabichvili says bill contradicts constitution but ruling party is expected to override her action in coming days. Georgia’s president has vetoed a “foreign agents” bill that has split the country and appealed to the government not to ...The Guardian - World -
‘I am ready for a rematch’: Usyk looks to family and future after world title win
Ukrainian sheds tears after split-decision win over Tyson Fury‘I thought I did enough but I’m not a judge’, says FuryOleksandr Usyk, the new undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, broke down in tears but shrugged off concerns that he might ...The Guardian - World -
Rishi Sunak faces cabinet backlash over plans to curb foreign student visas
Education secretary Gillian Keegan, Jeremy Hunt and David Cameron oppose move, while university leaders warn of economic and cultural impact. Rishi Sunak is facing a cabinet revolt over plans to scrap a graduate visa scheme that allows overseas ...The Guardian - World