5 Best Songs From ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’
The 1988 movie Beetlejuice made Tim Burton a superstar director, gave us some jokes we’ll never forget, and made Harry Belafonte’s “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)” part of our childhood soundtrack. The songs from Beetlejuice Beetlejuice are collectively even stronger. The mix of styles perfectly complements the film’s tone.
‘Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)’
They didn’t have to go there. Belafonte’s “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)” was a huge part of the original film, so the studio probably mandated that the track appear in the sequel. At least Beetlejuice Beetlejuice gives the tune a new, humorous arrangement.
Too many modern sequels drown themselves in unnecessary callbacks. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice has one or two too many, but it mostly plots its own course. The film has so many new characters and plot developments that make it a different beast from Burton’s original.
‘Right Here Waiting’
Richard Marx was successful, but he was not a legend. “Right Here Waiting” was successful, but it is not a classic song. Burton found a way to include the track in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice that pokes fun at it while also being a good joke in its own right.
“Right Here Waiting” doesn’t leave much a cultural legacy. That’s significant considering that it was a radio staple for many years. A certain ghost played by Michael Keaton has finally given this song a real purpose.
‘Margaritaville’
Jimmy Buffett’s “Margaritaville” is treated like a novelty. However, it’s a little more layered than people give it credit for. The track deconstructs both addiction and misogyny in a digestible pop package. It also has a deceptively simple instrumental arrangement that will stick in your head forever once you’ve heard it all the way through for the first time.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, however, uses the tune as a joke. It had to. The world has been treating the track like a joke for the better part of 50 years.
‘Tragedy’
Many younger fans only know the Bees Gees from their most iconic hit, “Stayin’ Alive.” But “Tragedy” is one of their best songs. It’s a great bridge between the disco sound of the late 1970s and the synthesizer sounds of the early 1980s. It also packs an emotional wallop that most of the disco hits of the 1970s sadly lack.
Burton uses the track during a wonderfully ghoulish scene with Monica Belluci’s character, a “soul-sucker.” Without giving it away, it’s one of the films’ most bizarre and entertaining moments. Burton’s still got it.
‘MacArthur Park’
Richard Harris’ “MacArthur Park” is one of the most ridiculous tunes in pop history. It goes on forever, clumsily combines genres, and has some of the worst lyrics ever. The song might have been forgotten forever, except for Donna Summer’s disco cover. That version only made the song more absurd, with its dance beat and Summer’s oddball laugh.
While not giving it away, Burton uses the original in a major film set-piece, and it works better than anything that he’s done in years. Summer’s redux also plays an important role in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. “MacArthur Park” is the perfect mix of camp and sincerity for Burton’s bonkers sequel.
