Q&A - Alexandra Patsavas (Music Supervisor)
Mad Men's music supervisor Alex Patsavas talks about delving into the music of the '60s and what she takes into consideration when choosing a song.
Q: So much is said about the meticulousness of Mad Men. Is it the same with the music?
A: Yes. Like in every area of the show, Matt [Weiner] certainly was very precise about the type of music that he was interested in putting in the show. There's a great deal of music that is, of course, from the period, but occasionally we do step out -- like a Cranberries song that was featured in Season 1. And there are at least one or two tracks that are contemporary that will be featured in Season 2. It's important that the spirit of the track be appropriate -- and not always the year that it was produced or written.
Q: Can you talk about a song from an episode and why you chose it?
A: A good example would be "Manhattan" by Ella Fitzgerald. Anytime you get a music supervision gig, you begin to delve into the world, especially if it takes place in another era. It's an exciting research project. We focused on songs about New York and that was one of the first things that we really looked into -- a song from the era about the city -- and that was one of the gems that I came across. It's the vocal performance; it's the timelessness of Ella's voice and the lyrics. I find that it's about how a song feels first and then the lyrical content next. Because even if the lyrics are perfect, but the song doesn't feel right, you never get to that point.
Q: Do you ever hear songs in the course of your daily life that you really want to use on the show?
A: Oh, definitely. I find myself choosing to put on music from the period, listening to some McGuire Sisters, who did the best version of "Volare" that I've heard in awhile.
Q: As the show has progressed further into the '60s, how does the music change?
A: The '60s were a time of great change in American music. We're about to experience the beginnings of folk. It's a little later than '62, but it's about to start. When we began the '60s, it was Rosemary Clooney... And at the end of the '60s, music transitioned to an entirely different place.
Ms. Patsavas,
Whatever happened to Amy Winehouse's "I'm no good". It used to play in the latter episodes of 1st Season. I used to think it was a theme song. In fact, I taped it and took it to the music store to find out who it was I loved it so much. The guy at the store, knew right away who it was, and said "she's a genius". That just added to everything else in the show I love. I noticed her song is also left out of the Mad Men cd I so want to buy. Has she been blackballed because "we know she's no good"? (She's really great--just kidding)
Everyone from Sugarland to Seether can be found on my iPod. I used to despise any music made before 1970.
Then I fell in love with Mad Men and now have a Mad Men playlist that makes me feel somewhat better on any given day. I also feel like smoking a cigarette and downing scotch.I'm just saying.
Join us at our Mad Men fan site.
www.madmen.ning.com
Does she mean the Cardigans instead of the Cranberries? I remember a Cardigans song used over the end credits of a Season 1 ep, but I don't remember the Cranberries at all.
Amy Winehouse's "You Know I'm No Good" was used in the first season's promos and coming attractions. Am I correct? I'm not sure where else and I'm not sure why not now. The promo music and graphics are what attracted me to the show in the first place. So stylish. The quality of the show followed, of course. All in all, the music has been perfect. As a lover of American standards and music in general, each song resonates for a 50s child like me. Although I never would have known about Amy Winehouse, I bought her CD and love it. Genius.
Alexandra,did you ever consider' NEVER ON SUNDAY" as one of the entries?After all its on sunday.Did you see my submission as Don Draper?
http://blogs.amctv.com/mad-men-contest/2008/08/christopherkopoulos-as-don.php
Alexandra, I love the music on Mad Men. Jack Jones' "Lollipops and Roses" was the perfect song to end the last episode.
Since this is now 1962, Barbra Streisand should begin entering the consciousness. By 1963, she was the biggest female vocalist in the country. Surely, Don would have heard "A Sleepin' Bee" or "Soon It's Gonna Rain."
Hi Alexandra,
Like everyone I really enjoy the music of Mad Men and I think your ideas are brilliant. Being a composer myself I'm surprised no one has mentioned the incredible talent of the original music composer for the show: David Carbonara. Wouldn't you agree that his music ties together the wonderful choices of tunes you've chosen for the show?
Hi Alexandra,
What is the song and who is the singer in the Pete/Trudy/box of chocolates scene in the first Episode of Season 2? I'm guessing a newer lounge singer rather than someone from 1962. You've chosen some terrific opening & closing songs, and had me hooked from the beginning with "Band of Gold" and "On the Street Where You Live". Keep up the excellent picks!
I so agree with everyone here that the music has fit the scenes so well so far. The best music/scene match to me has been "Manhattan" by Ella F. with Pete gazing out the window at a gorgeous NYC nighttime panorama. It was perfect! Oh, and the scene with Don with his kids to "On The Street Where You Live" like dcmadmenfan said! Oh, it's just too hard to pick only a few! Keep up the good work, Alexandra!
I bought the CD and (shhh... via WMedia Player 10) added "I'm No Good" to it. Still cannot find THE song that was criminally left off the CD soundtrack ("Band of Gold")
If Alexendra is reading this: is there a reason why "Band of Gold" was left off Season 1 CD?? Publishing/Licensing issues?
ericcooley, I so agree (as you may recall you and I posted about this very song months and months ago) and I am with you on this...where oh where is "Band of Gold" one of the most beautiful--and evocative--songs ever featured on Mad Men????!!!! I can't see how it could possibly have been left off the CD either. Wasn't it almost the first song heard in the first episode (if not THE first) ??
Wow, I posted as if not having "Band of Gold" on the CD is the end of the world! LOL But, it would be nice if it was on there. I guess we all can pirate it like ericcooley was forced to do with Amy's song...if it can ever be found at all. Maybe there were indeed licensing/publishing issues with Don Cherry or? Anybody know??
Allyjay, Barbra Streisand was an acquired taste for many people at that time. I was young but I didn't become until a fan of hers until Funny Girl. An "older" guy like Don would probably not have listened to Barbra at any time in his time, and certainly not at the beginning of her career.