TV Themes #2, Statistics #16, and David Lynch film songs

Today's TV theme, at #2 in our list, belongs to a show that began to air in 1990 and ran for 2 seasons. It won 3 Golden Globes, 2 Emmys and had another 9 award wins and 44 nominations. If I were to describe it in a few words, I'd say it's Columbo solving a crime in Peyton Place by way of a nightmarish version of Alice In Wonderland. It's Twin Peaks.

In just two seasons, Twin Peaks has managed to become a cult favorite. The beautiful men and women, with All-American looks, being burdened by dark and twisted secrets. The quaint and idyllic small town, being the home of good, honest people, as well as dangerous, criminal ones. And the supernatural presence, chillingly presented by David Lynch in his unforgettable visual and aural style.

The series was definitely my top one of the 90s and one of my all-time favorites. I loved the weird characters, the offbeat humor and most of all, the show's quite unique style. Based on a phrase that the phantom of Laura Palmer utters to agent Dale Cooper in the Black Lodge, "we'll meet again in 25 years", there will be indeed a 3d season of the series to air in a few months time, exactly 25 years after the original show ended. Needless to say, I'm very much looking forward to this revival.

The composer to this exquisitely beautiful theme is Angelo Badalamenti, born in Brooklyn, New York in 1937. For the Twin Peaks theme, he was awarded a Grammy. In 2011, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers presented Badalamenti with the Henry Mancini Award for his accomplishments in film and television music.

Here's the show's theme:

And here's the vocal version, ethereally sung by Julee Cruise:

Here are some of the series' scariest moments:

And here are some surreally nightmarish scenes in the Black Lodge. The weird vocal effects used during the "Black Lodge" sequences were achieved by having the actors learn their lines backwards. The result was then played backwards, meaning the lines came out forwards, but sounded bizarre and otherworldly.

The pattern on the floor of the Black Lodge is an enlarged version of the pattern on the floor of the lobby of Henry's house in Eraserhead (1977), David Lynch's breakout movie. The pattern also appears on Leland Palmer's sport coat at the end of the first episode, as he dances with Laura's picture.

Now, on to this week's statistics. Another good week with strong showings from most of the favorites and a great variety of visitors from all around the world. I'd be glad to have been able to meet all of you. I'm sure that we'd have great conversations together!

The US sits at the top as comfortable as ever, while Greece (at 2nd place) feels Germany's (at 3d place) presence closer than usual. The UK has been revitalized the last few weeks and is at #4, only 8 visits behind Germany. France, the presence of which is getting stronger by the week, has overtaken Russia and sits at #5. 4 visits behind comes Russia, which is less active lately, at #6. Countries 7-10 are all very close, just a visit's difference between each one. They are, in order, these four rising powers: the Netherlands, Portugal, Australia and Mexico.

Also showing up for a visit or two this week were people from Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, India, Iraq, Italy, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Mauritius, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Singapore, Spain, Thailand, Ukraine and Vietnam. It's great to be in your company!

As far as the all-time statistics are concerned, there are important changes: a new country has entered the Top 10 and it is, as I earlier predicted, Portugal. For the moment it sits at #10 together with its neighbor Spain, in a tie. It will be interesting to see which country will prevail. By the way, congrats on your Euro Cup victory guys! With only 8 visits more, Cyprus sits at #9. Not too active lately, it will be interesting to see it holding off the attack of both Portugal and Spain. At #8 it's Ireland, falling yet one more position and being replaced at #7 by the other Euro finalist (ne soyez pas tristes, mes amis!), France. In fact, France has a chance (only 8 visits behind) to catch up with Canada, with little activity lately, at #6.

The UK has returned to March's great form and sits comfortably at #5, posing a threat for Russia, which has somehow slowed down and (with 9 visits more) is at #4. The Top 3 are currently very strong and hard to move: Germany at #3, Greece at #2 and the US, our constant champion, at #1.

This week's "random" song choice will once again not be random, but inspired by the TV show we've listed today. The show's co-creator, director David Lynch has made a number of great movies. (he's made a number of failures too, though). His three greatest movies all have very interesting song choices - and it is these choices that I'll now discuss.

Chronologically, first came Blue Velvet (1986): it was Lynch's first Best Director Oscar nomination. From this film, here's Isabella Rossellini (daughter of Ingrid Bergman and Roberto Rossellini and Lynch's girlfriend at the time) singing Bobby Vinton's Blue Velvet:

Here's Dean Stockwell lip synching to Roy Orbison's In Dreams. Dennis Hopper is the impressive Big Bad.

And here's the song that Angelo Badalamenti has composed for the film with lyrics by David Lynch himself. This was to be their first collaboration of many. Kid Moxie is on vocals.

From Wild At Heart (1990), which won the Palme D'Or at the Cannes Film Festival and obtained a Supporting Actress Oscar nomination for Diane Ladd, here's Chris Isaak and Wicked Game:

And here's Nicolas Cage in a camp version of Elvis' Love Me Tender:

Lynch's masterpiece is Mulholland Dr. (2001). My favorite film of the 21st century (so far) gave another Best Director Oscar nomination to David Lynch. Here's golden oldie I've Told Every Little Star:

Here's the wonderful scene in Club Silencio, which escalates with the rendition in Spanish of Roy Orbison's Crying.

Finally here's a non-musical scene, which is amazing nonetheless. Watch Naomi Watts rehearse a scene with Laura Marling and then have an audition, acting out the same scene. It's brilliant!