Stuck in the Middle
Michael W. Johnson English 151 10/12/95
Joe Egan and Gerry Rafferty were a duo known as Stealers Wheel when they
recorded a Dylanesque pop hit, “Stuck in the Middle With You”, in April of 1974.
The single reached number five on the charts – little did they know that
eighteen years later it would become a cult favorite.
In 1992 Quentin Tarantino, a little known writer/director, took the
Cannes film festival and the world by surprise with his motion picture Reservoir
Dogs. The movie is about the difficulties that occur when five “master”
criminals are hired by a crime king pin named Joe to pull off the biggest
diamond heist of the century.
Stuck right in the middle of the movie, the Egan/Rafferty hit is played
as a introduction to one of the best or worst torture seens ever in the history
of movies. It depends on how you look at it. I’ll set-up the scene in the movie
where it is being played, try and follow me… The five criminals hired go by
color-coded names . During the heist the cops show and things got out of
control. Two of the robbers were shot and killed after Mr. Blonde, the “on the
edge” gangster started shooting up the place when an employee triggered the
alarm. Mr. White and Mr. Orange (an undercover cop) escaped the scene and
headed for the hideout where all the men were supposed to meet. On the way to
the hideout Mr. Orange was shot, he was bleeding severely but the injury was not
life threatening. Shortly after their arrival, Mr. Pink met with them and they
all anxiousley waited for Mr. Blonde.
Mr. Blonde, acting cool and unaffected by the mornings events, made his
entrance. After being questioned by Mr. White about why he went psycho in the
store, Mr. Blonde called them out to see a “surprise” he had in his trunk. Mr.
Blonde in an effort to find out how the police heard about the robbery in
advance had kidnapped a police officer. They carried the man into the warehouse
and after tying him to a chair Mr. White and Mr. Pink commenced beating the hell
out of him. They Asked him to tell how the police knew of the heist, he said
he knew nothing and after beating on him some more, Nice Guy Eddie came in. He
was Joe’s son and told Mr. White and Mr. Pink that they would have to come with
him to ditch the cars. Mr. Blonde was told to stay and keep an eye on the cop
and the injured Mr. Orange. My idea is that the following scene was written by
Director Tarantino choreographed to the song by Stealers Wheel. Rather than the
norm where a scene is written and the music is picked thereafter. As I describe
the scene I will give the lyrics to the song and show how they correspond to the
characters actions in the scene.
Mr. Blonde starts talking to the cop, who still insists he knows
nothing. The lyrics to the song begin; keep in mind that I am suggesting that
the words are what the cop is thinking.
Well I don’t know why I came here tonight. I got the feeling that something
ain’t right. I’m so scared in case I fall off my chair, and I’m wondering how
I’ll get down the stairs. Clowns to the left of me, Jokers to the right… Here
I am stuck in the middle with you.
The words being sung tell us that the cop is wondering how he got into
this situation, he knows something is up, and he is scared that he may not be
able to make it through the rest of this torturous interrogation alive. The
clowns are his fellow officers who allowed the situation to get so out of
control, and the jokers are Mr. White and Mr. Pink. And now he is stuck in the
middle of this whole ordeal with the most cynical, evil, and hardest criminal of
the bunch….Mr. Blonde.
Yes I’m stuck in the middle with you and I’m wondering what it is I should do
It’s so hard to keep this smile from my face cause I’m and I’m all over the
place (chorus)
These are the lines that justify what I am saying the most. He is
wondering what he should do, he knows that Mr. Orange is a cop and if he were to
mention it to Mr. Blonde it may save his life. It is an internal conflict in
which he heroically decides to keep quiet. He can’t keep the smile off his face
because he knows the cops are outside just waiting for Joe to come to the
warehouse so they can bust the whole operation, and when he comes the torture
will be over.
Well you started out with nothin’ and your proud that your a self -made man. And
your friends they all come callin’ – slap you on the back and say – please,
please. Tryin’ to make some sense of it all But I can see it makes no sense at
all Is it cool to go to sleep on the floor? ’till I think that I can’t take
anymore. (Chorus)
Here, the officer is bringing out the fact that Mr. Blonde is proud of
his life as a criminal, and proud that his friends, Joe and Nice Guy Eddie
come callin’ -begging Mr. Blonde to work for them right after he got out of
prison. The cop tries to understand the situation that he is in but he realizes
it is a lost cause. The last two lines show what the officer is asking himself.
Should he spill his guts or should he keep quiet until Joe shows up.
The music stops. The cop is a bloody mess, Mr. Blonde had not only beat
him, he had cut off his ear, and doused him with gasoline. He was just about
ready to set him on fire when six gunshots rang out– Mr. Orange, the
undercover cop had shot Mr. Blonde to death. Joe, Nice Guy Eddie, Mr. Pink and
Mr. White all return shortly thereafter. They find Mr. Blonde, the cop, and Mr.
Orange all covered in blood and question Mr. Orange about what happened. Mr.
Orange tried to explain that Mr. Blonde was going to burn the cop, and split
with the diamonds. Joe called him a traitor and would not believe him. Joe shot
the police officer and was ready to kill Mr. Orange when Mr. White turns his gun
on Joe to protect his friend. Intern Nice Guy Eddie turns his gun on Mr. White.
Sirens could be heard as the movie hit its climax – the cops bust in and three
shots are heard, and three bodies drop to the floor.
Quentin Tarintino is a acumen in the the field music, I believe he truly
wrote the seen I described – the torture seen – to coincide with the Stealers
Wheel song. In the research of my opinion I luckily stumbled on a quote from
Tarentino taken from the compact disc booklet of “Truth and Fiction.”
“Personnally, I don’t know if Jerry Rafferty neccessarily appreciated the
connotations that I brought to “Stuck in the Middle With You”. There’s a good
chance he didn’t. But that’s one of the things about using music in movies
that’s so cool: the fact that if you do it right, it’s about as cinematic a
thing as you can do. You’re really doing what movies do better than any other
art form. It works in this visceral, emotional, cinematic way that’s special.
And when you do it right and you hit it right, then you can never really hear
that song again without thinking about that image from the movie. That’s what
comercials are counting on, but it never quite works with commercials.
The thing is, once a movie has done that with a song, as far as I’m
concerned that movie owns it. I mean, they’ve used “Stand By Me” so many times,
but to me the one that used “Stand By Me” that way was The Wanderers. They play
“Stand By Me” as the lead character, Ken Wahl, realizes that JFK has been shot.
And it’s perfect.”
I couldn’t agree more with what Tarentino is saying. His movies
especially draw upon music to make the scenes flow together in a surreal,
inspiring style. What more can a movie connoisseur like myself ask for in a
movie? As Tarentino says “Stand By Me” is perfect in The Wanderers, I say
“Stuck in the Middle With You” is perfect in Resovoir Dogs.
Другие работы по теме:
Lost Essay Research Paper reaching back for
Lost Essay, Research Paper reaching back for something that isn’t there you suddenly feel you no longer care your once soft feelings are hard as stone and in your decisions you are now alone
Writing A Poem Essay Research Paper Writing
Writing A Poem Essay, Research Paper Writing a Poem It is beyond reason; there is no motive, no explanation Why it is, I do not know because there is cause, no clarification.
Life Of Equiano Essay Research Paper Olaudah
Life Of Equiano Essay, Research Paper Olaudah Equiano (Gustavus Vassa) was kidnapped from his African village at the age of eleven. Shipped through the ardous “Middle Passge” of the Altantic Ocean. More than two centuries later, this work is recognized not only as one of the first works written in English by a former slave, but perhaps more important as the paradigm of the slave narrative, a new literary genre.
Chivalry Essay Research Paper It is apparent
Chivalry Essay, Research Paper It is apparent in today s society that the definition and application of chivalry has changed through history. During the Middle Ages, chivalry was a code of brave and courteous conduct for knights. According to this system of morals and manners, a knight was to remain faithful to God, loyal to his king, true to his lady-love, and helpful to their less fortunate kinsmen.
Television Vs Reality Essay Research Paper From
Television Vs. Reality Essay, Research Paper From watching certain television shows I have learned that different T.V. families have different values. In this essay I will compare the values of the Brady Bunch to Malcom in the Middle, how they have changed, how it reflects our culture, and if the
Colony Groups Essay Research Paper Colony GroupsThe
Colony Groups Essay, Research Paper Colony Groups The New England, Middle, and Southern colonies had very different viewpoints on how life was to be lived. The New England colonies believed that the society had to ’stick together’ to survive, and they were primarily based on shipping and moving of goods.
Poverty In America Essay Research Paper Brandon
Poverty In America Essay, Research Paper Brandon Cristobal Mr.Orozco 9/25/00 Phil 103 ? Poverty, all day, everyday? Coming home everyday to nothing to eat is the scenario for the young children whose parents are on welfare. Those parents are stuck on welfare and can?t give there children anything they want, they take the money the state gives them just to get by, maybe not even able to get the biological needs to survive.
Music Worlds Essay Research Paper There are
Music Worlds Essay, Research Paper There are many types of harassment but in this article we will be visiting verbal harassment. Once a student hits middle school they experience new situations. One situation happens to be the harassment from other students. For some this is difficult, they have never had groups of kids laughing and making jokes about them.
The Corruption Of The Church In The
Middle Ages Essay, Research Paper Shane Temple Extra Credit As the population of Europe grew in the 12th century, the churches that had been built in the Roman style with round, arched
Middle Passage Essay Research Paper Middle PassageIn
Middle Passage Essay, Research Paper Middle Passage In these two essays gA Physician fs View h by Alexander Falconbridge (1788) and gAn African Slave fs view h by Olaudah Equiano (1789), both of the authors talk about the life of slaves in board and their own experiences when they crossed the ocean to another contient.
Sickle Cell Essay Research Paper What is
Sickle Cell Essay, Research Paper What is sickle cell anemia? Sickle cell anemia is an inherited disease of red blood cells. Normally red blood cells contain a protein called hemoglobin A, which carries oxygen to all the organs in the body. With sickle cell anemia, however, the body makes a different kind of protein, called hemoglobin S.
Common Ground Essay Research Paper In the
Common Ground Essay, Research Paper In the video, Common Ground, several ways of alternative organic farming are discussed. Although the tape is somewhat outdated, it still is effective in showing what changes have been made in farming and the issues concerning farmers and the environment. The main objective of the video is showing the process of coming together and meeting in the middle between the farmer and environmentalist, just as it is titled, Common Ground.
Appraising My Test Taking Skills Essay Research
Paper The advantages of my test taking skills are effectiveness,organization, and good review tools. Thus, the disadvantages are manageable review time and strategy planning. I find myself mostly “stuck” on planning a strategy.
Ethan Frome Charachter Analyses Of Ethan Essay
, Research Paper Character Analyses- Ethan In Edith Wharton s Ethan Frome, the title character, Ethan, is man of 28 stuck in a tedious marriage with a woman that he does not truly love. However, Ethan s character and the morals of the day prevent him from leaving his wife for a woman who he is in love with. This says a lot about Ethan s character.
Nothing To Remember Essay Research Paper One
Nothing To Remember Essay, Research Paper One day in the calendar stuck in my mind. As I woke up that morning, I knew this day was something I would remember for the rest of my life. Or would I? The alarm rings, and I get out of bed. All the practice, would finally be put to use today. What an exciting time. The people I have known since birth would all go there separate ways very soon.
My Room Essay Research Paper The room
My Room Essay, Research Paper The room was small and dark. The air was humid and had a stale, musty smell to it. You would think that the building should have been condemned and abandoned long ago. The door, hanging loosely on two rusty hinges, could barely be opened enough to let a person pass. The floor was littered with junk ranging from filthy socks that stood unsupported, to half a pizza that was far beyond edible.
The Leaf Essay Research Paper Hello my
The Leaf Essay, Research Paper Hello, my name is leaf. I just came from Akron, Ohio and here I am in the Barnhart?s front yard. Here?s how I got here. There was a scrubby looking man who was walking to the mall and I got stuck to the bottom of his shoe. He walked into an auto parts store and as he stepped on the carpet to wipe his feet off I fell from his shoe.
Relief Pitching Essay Research Paper Set up
Relief Pitching Essay, Research Paper -Set up your relief men with the best reliever for the end and the others as middle men if the starter fails early. -Relief men with good arms can pitch an inning or two for two or three days in a row.
Medea Essay Research Paper Medea
Medea Essay, Research Paper Medea’s plan is to kill Jason’s new bride and his two children she had bore for him and then flee for Athens. The chorus tries to console Medea and tell her not to do such horrid things to other people particularly her children. Medea ignores their request and is stuck with the decision of whether or not to kill her children.
Medieval Music Essay Research Paper Music in
Medieval Music Essay, Research Paper Music in the middle ages is similar to the music that we listen to today in the way that there are many different types of music for different types of people. There were many types of music in the middle ages including Slavic, Jewish, Popular, middle eastern, and many other types of religious music as well as music for entertainment.
History Of Lacrosse Essay Research Paper What
History Of Lacrosse Essay, Research Paper What is Lacrosse? Summary: Lacrosse is the oldest sport in North America, and dates back to the 1400 s. Lacrosse did not become well know until the 1600 s.
Earthquake Proof Building Essay Research Paper Our
Earthquake Proof Building Essay, Research Paper Our company name is CNN Incorporated. The first thing we did was dig up all the soft soil and filled it with cement. After that we stuck big steel poles into the cement to hold the building in place and keep it on the ground. The garage is made out of brick and it has 9 cement pillars to make the structure stronger.
The Most Important Day Of My Life
Essay, Research Paper The Most Important Day of My Life The most important day of my life had just happened recently. It all started out when some friends and I were bored. We wanted to do something
High School Vs Middle School Essay Research
Paper High School vs. Middle School A Comparative Essay There are two distinctive differences, that make high school much more difficult, when you make the jump from middle school to high school: you have to work much harder and you get more freedom as a reward. High school is far more involved and it is more difficult than middle school.
The Middle Ages Essay Research Paper During
The Middle Ages Essay, Research Paper During the English middle ages law often took on the form of an ordeal. An ordeal is a method of trial in which the accused was given a physical test that could only be met successfully if he or she was “innocent”
Comparecontrast Oldyoung Essay Research Paper CompareContrastOldYoungThere
Compare/contrast Old/young Essay, Research Paper Compare/Contrast Old/Young There are many similarities as well as differences between elderly people and young adults. Older people seem to be more set in their ways. They also seem to know much more in general about most everything. Young adults, on the other hand seem to have a much broader outlook on life.
Arab Israeli Conflict Essay Research Paper ArabIsraeli
Arab Israeli Conflict Essay, Research Paper Arab-Israeli Conflict The Chicago Tribune published an article by Ray Moseley entitled Arab-Israeli street battles claim more lives?, which examines the continuous struggle for peace in the Middle East. This article discusses how many Arabs are being killed at the hands of Israeli soldiers.
Enslavement Essay Research Paper In the three
Enslavement Essay, Research Paper In the three packets we read Zinn, Mannix and Cowely, Takkaki they all refer to the Middle Passage and the brutality of enslavement. Specifically my interests were how the slaves white and black were treated. The women were treated with no respect at all. They were beaten and raped for no legitimate reason by their masters. ?”Beatings and whippings were common.
Hell Essay Research Paper HELL Hell
Hell Essay, Research Paper HELL Hell. What is it? How do you get there? Well Hell isdifferent for many people. For some people Hell can be stuck inan elevator with Kathy Lee Gifford and listening to John Tesh beltout the tunes on his piano. Hell can also be living in a thirdworld country with no food and dying of some common disease thatis easily curable in some other country.
THE CANTERBURY TALES Essay Research Paper The
THE CANTERBURY TALES Essay, Research Paper The Canterbury Tales Chaucer uses satire in the Canterbury Tales to expose his attitude towards the Catholic Church of the Middle Ages. The first way in which he does this is by satirizing a common nun of the Middle Ages. Chaucer, in The Canterbury Tales, tells of a nun who is supposed to be married to the church.
DARE Essay Research Paper DARE
DARE Essay, Research Paper DARE I Promise not to do drugs because I know that if I do drugs A. Nobody will like me except people that do drugs (druggies). Also I’d rather be drug-
Winston And Julia Essay Research Paper Winston
Winston And Julia Essay, Research Paper Winston and Julia: an unlikely pair Ever since the fist time Winston laid eyes on Julia he really didn?t like her all that much. What would bring two very contrary persons together? Julia is a vibrant young woman that is a member of an anti-sex league. To Winston, Julia looks like a stuck up girl with important things to do.
My Name michelle Essay Research Paper Once
My Name (michelle) Essay, Research Paper Once I looked up the definition of my name. It said ?Who is like god?, and it is also the fem. version of Michael. When I was born my name wasn?t as simple as Michelle, it was Michelle-Leann, and later
Poem More Than You
’ll Ever Know Essay, Research Paper More Than You’ll Ever Know Words can’t express My feelings for you. I search for the right words, But none that I find will do.