No, really. Clint Eastwood sings on the titular “Gran Torino” song. Warner Bros. has put up a For Your Consideration site that includes most of the music and score of the film (Eastwood is an accomplished musician and has been scoring his own films for years now).
So yeah, it’s Eastwood’s music (actually his son Kyle composed the score this time), he stars, he directs, big deal, right? It’s just par for the course on his movies. Well, now he sings and he kind of sounds like a warbling toad that was once Tom Waits. It’s kind of hilarious to hear. We’re not sure who the other voice is (sounds vaguely Bono-ish), but the song is written by Eastwood, Jamie Cullum, Kyle Eastwood and Michael Stevens (we’re pretty sure it’s the cult teen keyboard idol Jamie Cullum). The song is the last track on the WB site, presumably that means it plays in the closing credits.
Our thoughts on “Gran Torino” changed when we read the Nick Schenk-penned script which is so surprisingly decent it might even get nominated for an Oscar. The film screens this week so we’ll all know if its actually Oscar-worthy or not soon enough. Chud points to a song that Eastwood sang in the 1969 western, “Paint Your Wagon.”
Nope. The young crap-pop Brit pianist is Jamie Cullum, not Cullen. If it were Cullum, it would’ve been a million times worse than the recent James Bond theme.
Eastwood is an accomplished musician and has been scoring his own films for years now
Musician, yes, but he only actually started film-scoring seriously circa Mystic River (he moved into it gradually, first doing themes with the likes of Unforgiven – Lennie Niehaus does all the heavy lifting).
John Williams, Ennio Morricone, Lalo Schifrin, Jerry Fielding (RIP) and Maurice Jarre – all of whom have scored Eastwood movies he’s starred in, directed or both – never felt the need to direct. That’s all I’m saying.
Cindy, the difference being that the composers probably wouldn’t be any good at directing. Is it any small wonder Cullum is being nominated for a Golden Globe for his work in this movie? Best song actually, for the exact song we’re discussing here…
No offense, but anything Clint touches is gold, and I have no problem with him writing a song and singing a verse. I doubt you could get Lucas or some other pompous ass director to write and sing in a song, and then have it well received enough to get nominated for a Golden Globe.
That’s all I’m saying…
To be honest, I thought the honesty and rawness of Eastwood’s vocal was touching in the moment of the film’s closing. You could really feel it, thats what makes a performance good.
Ah, I agree with About Carter…I thought his singing was the perfect touch. It did what a theme song should do for a film and that is to connect the two. It was beautiful and very touching.
Who is this Don Runner Guy that is a second credit as a performer of the Song “Gran Torino”? My buddy saw his name and is now convinced that it was not Mr. Eastwood but this guy sining at the end, and i can find no hard evidence to the contrary. I think Clint Eastwood is way better than some millie vanillie crap, but like I said i can find no proof… any help?
Eastwood’s mothers maiden name was Runner – imdb it. It is definitely him singing under the alias of Don Runner.
Eastwood’s mothers maiden name was Runner – imdb it. It is definitely him singing under the alias of Don Runner.
Eastwood’s mothers maiden name was Runner – imdb it. It is definitely him singing under the alias of Don Runner.
just saw the movie on dvd. mr eastwood must be the vocalist on the opening stanza of the theme song. when i first heard it, i thought it was jazz pianist jimmy rowles. makes sense. i read that mr. rowles was diana krall's mentor.
Chadams are you high?
Gran Torino is superb song sang beautifully by a talented artist. A bond theme would be interesting although if Jamie were to do it in an old school Matt Munroe type way.
I think someone has a chip on their shoulder…..
wow! clint is really old .. Sabas long time, not anything about him .. the years really do not go in vain!