Eastbound and Down

Eastbound and down, loaded up and truckin'
We're gonna do what they say can't be done
We've got a long way to go, and a short time to get there
I'm eastbound just watch ol' bandit run.



I recently discovered the title of my current favorite tv show comes from the theme to Smokey and the Bandit, performed by Jerry Reed, co-star of the movie and a country star in his own right.

This pleases me greatly. Can I get a "Kenny Fuckin' Powers"?



Amen.

Anyway, whatever happened to movie-specific theme songs? Granted, the director of S&tB, Hal Needham, complained to Jerry Reed that he didn't have any music for the movie so Mr. Reed turned around and cranked out 3 songs. That's not your everyday situation, of course.

Still, think about it: with all the cross-promoting synergy sell-out multi-platform hoo-hah in the world today, how is this not happening? Hell, bands put their songs in commercials all the time. What's stopping some band from writing a catchy tune to accompany the latest Will Farrell/Judd Apatow/Ben Stiller high-concept formulaic clusterfuck of a comedy?

Nothing but a failure of imagination.

P.S. The plot of S&tB involves driving from Georgia to Texas and back in record time with a load of Coors--which, back in the '70s, was illegal because Coors' higher alcohol content beer was illegal east of Texas. Who needed it? Two dudes in mustard yellow suits. Man was I born too late.