Nashville (1975) - “Since You’ve Gone”
It’s not on the official soundtrack of Robert Altman’s film for some reason, but this song gives me the heart swells every damn time. And here’s a super weird fact: it was written for the film by Gary Busey.
Even if you haven’t seen “Nashville” (which you really should because it’s one of Altman’s best) you get a sense, even just from this clip, of the intricacy of the film’s many-threaded relationships. For one, there’s the love triangle formed by the three members of the fictional folk trio Tom, Bill and Mary, but scattered throughout the audience are Lily Tomlin, Geraldine Chaplin, Shelley Duvall, and a 70s who’s-who turning out the performances of their careers.
Sure, Mary’s pitch is all over the place. But just like Altman’s signature slightly stuttering zoom, imperfection is part of the magic.
See the movie. It’s a classic. Seriously. Gary Busey.
