Introduction
The success of a film depends significantly on the choice of the theme tune. When considering whether “I’ll Change My Style” by Jimmy Reed is a piece of appropriate music for “Man of Her Dreams,” several points of contrast need to be considered. “I’ll Change My Style,” a famous blues song first performed in 1962, is renowned for its uplifting lyrics and catchy melody (Reed). The song recounts the tale of a man ready to alter every aspect of himself to win the love of his life. On the surface, it might appear to be a passionate and romantic song. However, a deeper examination reveals several elements that run counter to the story and themes of the drama film. Despite its catchy melody and emotive lyrics, Jimmy Reed’s song is not a good fit for the film “Man of Her Dreams” because of the stark differences in genre, tone, and setting.
Genre Differences
The movie’s and the song’s different genres serve as the first point of comparison. The horror and drama movie “Man of Her Dreams” also has elements of a complicated love story. The song “I’ll Change My Style” is a traditional R&B ballad, in comparison. The movie features a psychopath who murders several people and explores themes of adultery, murder, and escape, all of which are prevalent in the drama and horror genres (A Man of Her Dreams). The narrative is intense, thrilling, and menacing, characteristic of the horror genre. On the other hand, the song is a soft blues ballad about altering one’s personality to appease a lover. In order to satisfy their lover, the narrator will alter their appearance, smile, gait, way of speaking, and even their kissing. The genre difference between the song and the movie is substantial.
The movie explores the protagonist’s emotional journey as she negotiates her relationships, and the perilous situation she finds herself in falls under the drama category. In stark contrast to the movie’s theme, violence or peril is not mentioned in the song. Instead, the tune has a slow, melodic tempo and a classic 1960s soul sound. The song’s lyrics allude to a common subject in blues, which is the readiness to alter oneself to please a lover: “I’ll change my ways / each night and every day” (Reed 2). As such, the song is a traditional R&B ballad with a romantic and soulful feel, while the movie is a blend of horror and drama that tackles dramatic and scary topics. The song’s concept might be overly straightforward and incapable of capturing the nuanced feelings and tension of the film.
Tone Differences
The second area of contrast is the tone difference between the song and the movie. “Man of Her Dreams” has a dramatic, suspenseful, and foreboding tone. The movie has a sense of impending disaster and is gloomy and ominous. While the heroine is caught up in a deadly love triangle with an obsessive psychopath, it captures the gravity of the situation. The tone of the song “I’ll Change My Style,” in comparison, is lighthearted, playful, and carefree. Again, this is in stark contrast to the movie’s premise because the song has no sense of urgency or danger.
The movie’s somber tone accurately captures the risky, high-stakes character of the narrative. Nevertheless, the song’s melody and upbeat tempo imply optimism and a readiness to adjust to the circumstances. For instance, the lyrics state: “I’ll change my style / even change my smile / if the beatin’ in my heart / is too slow for you” (Reed 1). In direct contrast to the gloomy tone of the film, the song has an optimistic, playful tone with a sense of hope and optimism. The tone of the music could be unable to convey the movie’s emotion.
Setting Differences
The setting differences between the song and the movie serve as the third point of contrast. The film’s atmosphere is gloomy and dismal, with a sensation that danger awaits around every turn. The majority of the scenes in the film take place in urban and suburban areas, such as an antique shop (A Man of Her Dreams). The fact that the story occurs in the present day adds to the plot’s reality and intensity. On the other side, the song has a casual and jovial vibe. The words are about altering oneself to please a lover, and the melody is upbeat.
Furthermore, the words of the song “I’ll Change My Style” do not specifically mention the scene. However, given the song’s romantic and melancholy tone, a private space like a bedroom or a tiny club seems more fitting. The song’s lyrics state: “I’ll change my walk / even change my talk / if there’s something ’bout my kisses / that don’t please you” (Reed 2). They imply a readiness to accommodate a lover’s preferences no matter the circumstance. Instead of focusing on a particular geographical setting, the song’s setting concerns the singer’s and his lover’s feelings and desires. The setting of the song might not be able to convey the foreboding mood of the movie for the reasons mentioned above.
Conclusion
In conclusion, although it is a pleasant love song, “I’ll Change My Style” is inappropriate for the horror-drama film “Man of Her Dreams.” The song struggles to replicate the suspenseful and unnerving mood of the film due to the variations in genre, tone, and setting. The song may be a blues enthusiast’s favorite classic, but it is obvious that it does not fit the themes and plot of the horror drama film. By selecting a more fitting song, the producer can improve the viewing experience for the viewers and produce a compelling movie.
Works Cited
Reed, Jimmy. “I’ll Change My Style.” Vee-Jay, 1962. Spotify, Web.
Man of Her Dreams. Directed by Martin Kitrosser, The Image Organization, 1997.