Background Information
The “Big Short” is a movie directed by Adam McKay with an all-star cast. Released in 2015, the movie is about the economic meltdown of 2008 and how a select few investors, were able to foresee the crash. It’s based on the non-fiction book of the same name, “The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine” by Michael Lewis. The film won an Academy Award for best adapt screenplay. The opening scene of the movie features Led Zeppelin’s song, “When the Levee Breaks”, which won a Grammy for the band in 1994.
Relevance of Led Zeppelin Song in the Movie
The song can be seen as a metaphor for the financial crisis. The lyrics convey the fatalistic message of impending doom, yet they are exuberant and melancholy all at once. It’s an incisive song about disaster and its emotional impact. It’s a song with lines like, “If it keeps on rainin’, levee’s gonna break / When the levee breaks, I’ll have no place to stay” and “In Houston, Texas there was a man, / I know he should have been away” which serves as a reference to the catastrophe and its victims. This is very appropriate for the movie because it is about the economic meltdown and its victims.
Why Was it Used as the Opening Scene?
The opening scene of the movie sets the tone as it introduces the characters and the backdrop of the financial meltdown. To this end, the chosen song is extremely effective: it’s not only up-tempo with a driving beat, it also conveys a sense of sadness and dread. It helps to slowly build tension as the movie progresses, finally leading to a full-blown financial disaster.
TheSong’s Use in Other Films
The song has been used in several other movies, including Casino and Armageddon. There is something about its raw energy and rock and roll sound that lends itself perfectly to film soundtracks. The song has become something of a classic over the years, and it is easy to understand why it was chosen for the opening of The Big Short.
Connection to the Economic Collapse
For many, the financial crisis began not with a crash but with a slow drip of bad news. The use of the Led Zeppelin song in The Big Short conveys this subtle but powerful transition from simple investments to the big disaster. As the song progresses, the drums get louder and more frantic, and the connotations become progressively more ominous. It’s a perfect metaphor for the feeling of sudden and impending doom that was experienced by many during the economic collapse.
Position of Led Zeppelin in the Music Industry
Led Zeppelin is one of the most legendary and iconic bands in the history of rock and roll. The band has sold hundreds of millions of records, and their music has been featured in countless movies and TV shows. Their sound has been imitated by countless musicians, and their influence is still felt in many corners of the music industry. It is only fitting that one of their most powerful and evocative tracks should be used in a movie about such a momentous event.
How Did the Big Short Launch Zeppelin’s Track to More Audiences?
The use of Led Zeppelin’s song in The Big Short definitely put the song back in the spotlight. Young audiences who may not have been familiar with the band could instantly recognize a classic rock song when they heard it. It was no longer an obscure track from a bygone era, but instead it was a modern classic. Its renewed popularity undoubtedly led to more exposure and appreciation of the band.
What Impact Has the Big Short Had on the Music Industry?
The Big Short was a hugely successful and influential movie, and its opening scene was essential in setting the tone and providing insight into the financial crisis. The use of Led Zeppelin’s song in the movie can be seen as a breakthrough in the way soundtracks can be used to enhance films. The use of classic rock songs in movies was not uncommon before The Big Short, but the success of the film may have encouraged other directors to use similar tactics in their own projects.
How Have Music Soundtracks Developed Since the Big Short?
The soundtrack of The Big Short was iconic, and it was no doubt a significant factor in the success of the movie. Since then, the use of classic rock songs in soundtracks has become more common. From Guardians of the Galaxy to Bohemian Rhapsody, classic rock songs are being used to set the tone and create an emotional response in audiences. It is yet another example of how timeless and iconic Led Zeppelin’s music continues to be.
The Impact of the ‘Big Short’ on Music and Film
The use of classic rock songs in films has definitely been impacted by The Big Short. Not only does it show the enduring power of the music of Led Zeppelin, it also demonstrates the importance of a powerful soundtrack when it comes to creating an impact with a movie. The music and the message of the movie come together in The Big Short to create an unforgettable experience, and it has undoubtedly inspired many other filmmakers to follow in its footsteps.
