"Marley & Me" is surprisingly 90's-centric

The 2008 film "Marley & Me," featuring Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston as the world's most obnoxious dog owners (or owners of the world's most obnoxious dog--whichever), is mostly set in the 90's and has the soundtrack to prove it. So here is a list of all the 90's tunes that show up in the film:

1. R.E.M. - "Shiny Happy People" (from the 1991 album, "Out of Time"):

This song drove many a person crazy, from the earworm of a hook to the almost sickeningly shiny and happy video (featuring Kate Pierson of the B-52's, who sings on the track), but it is and will ever be, incredibly 90's.



Bonus points to those of you who can identify Jane Pratt, editor-in-chief of the defunct and beloved guide-to-the-90's magazine "Sassy" (1988-1994, R.I.P). Here's a hint: in this miasma of 90's fashions, there can only be one daisy-covered dress.

2. Ben Folds - "Rockin' The Suburbs" (from the 2001 eponymous album)

This song is not technically Nineties, but Ben Folds sure is. 90's babies, I've got a gun to your head, sing "Brick!" Louder! You could belt out every word, because that's how big Ben Folds Five was. I myself liked the song "Underground," one of those 90's ironic commentary songs that I mentioned in the last post. In fact, instead of "Rocking The Suburbs," here is a video of Ben Folds Five playing "Underground" live in 1998 on "Sessions at West 54th:"



Check out that dude pull off a backflip at 3:44.

3. Hootie and The Blowfish - "Only Wanna Be With You" (from the 1994 album, Cracked Rearview)

Ah, Hootie. One of the funniest parts of Cameron Crowe's 1996 film "Jerry Maguire" was when the little boy in the airport walks up to Cuba Gooding, Jr.'s football player character and asks him if he's Hootie. It makes me wonder how many times people walked up to singer Darius Rucker and called him Hootie to his face.



Hootie and The Blowfish - Only Wanna Be With You (Live 2008, Joe's Bar, Chicago, IL)

4. Us3 - "Cantaloop (Flip Fantasia)" (from the 1993 album, "Hand on the Torch")

This song was a big favorite of my Mom's. She tends toward more polished, sophisticated sounds, and this track, which sampled Herbie Hancock's Blue Note Records recording "Cantaloupe Island," certainly met those standards. Us3 was an English group, and I was a big fan of dance and electronic groups out of London at the time, so this song fit right into my tastes. A fun and cool track that makes you miss well-crafted radio singles.



Sorry about the out-of-sync sound.

5. Bruce Lash - "Lithium" (2003 cover of the Nirvana song from the 1991 album, "Nevermind")

I had never heard this cover of Nirvana's "Lithium" before seeing this film. It's actually quite appropriate considering that lounge music and lounge covers of rock music became somewhat popular for a short time in the 90's.



6. The Verve - "Lucky Man" (from the 1997 album, "Urban Hymns")

All one has to say to 90's kids is "Bittersweet Symphony" and visions of hysterical drunken nights and bleary-eyed Walks of Shame (avec Walkman) dance in their heads. The Verve is a pretty legendary 90's band, with great songs to boot. "Lucky Man" is one of them. Peace out.