Slapstick Heart

Album: Omnipop (It's Only a Flesh Wound Lambchop) (1996)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Phillips wrote this song with R.E.M. for Die Hard: With a Vengeance (the 1995 film, the third in the series, also marked the singer's acting debut - ironically, as a mute terrorist). Director John McTiernan had a different vision for the end titles song, though, and it was scrapped. Phillips remembered in a Songfacts interview: "They wanted something more military for the end, it turned out, so they did an instrumental version of 'Johnny Comes Marching Home,' which was kind of odd, but I was very excited to be able to collaborate with those guys and write 'Slapstick Heart.'"

    After the song was rejected for the film, Phillips included it on her album Omnipop (It's Only a Flesh Wound Lambchop), which was produced by her then-husband, T Bone Burnett.
  • Slapstick comedy is like The Three Stooges, not subtle and obviously played for laughs. In this song, Sam Phillips has a slapstick heart, so tragic it's comic. She's totally obsessed with a guy even though he's clearly not right for her.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Spooner Oldham

Spooner OldhamSongwriter Interviews

His keyboard work helped define the Muscle Shoals sound and make him an integral part of many Neil Young recordings. Spooner is also an accomplished songwriter, whose hits include "I'm Your Puppet" and "Cry Like A Baby."

Gavin Rossdale of Bush

Gavin Rossdale of BushSongwriter Interviews

On the "schizoid element" of his lyrics, and a famous line from "Everything Zen."

Kerry Livgren of Kansas

Kerry Livgren of KansasSongwriter Interviews

In this talk from the '80s, the Kansas frontman talks turning to God and writing "Dust In The Wind."

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse Pop

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse PopSong Writing

Songs that seem to glorify violence against women are often misinterpreted - but not always.

Petula Clark

Petula ClarkSongwriter Interviews

Petula talks about her hits "Downtown" and "Don't Sleep In The Subway," and explains her Michael Jackson connection.

Dr. John

Dr. JohnSongwriter Interviews

The good doctor shares some candid insights on recording with Phil Spector and The Black Keys.