Special thanks to Ruth FinkWinter for her insistence
to me that the song lyrics were necessary -- at least as a separate page
-- and for her loyal appreciation to my work, both in the story and the
building of my website.
This is a guide, song after song, to the musical
numbers featured in my fictional sequel, "Frankie Comes Again." My
story was originally written as a musical (13 lyric songs / 7 instrumental
mood settings), and transcibed on the internet as a non-musical (essentially).
Although you most likely will never hear the "melody" for each song, I
will now attempt to let you read the lyrics and provide a little "mood"
for the song -- hopefully allowing a suitable replacement for the melody
you cannot hear.
I hope you enjoy them.
Superheroes Instrumental
I always felt that the very opening of the "movie" sequel should connect the original's last scene. Therefore, the song "Superheroes" (from Rocky Horror's last scene) should open this one. But to be "different" and to set a mood, I thought it best to use the instrumental version that had eventually be released on the "Sing It" CD. At least it would start out instrumental, and end with the actual Crim's spoken verse (old film footage of the original). Of course, the scene before (where Brad, Janet and Dr. Scott lie in the crater) would have to be reshot with the new actors, with thick fog "blurring" their facial details.
Have You Ever Seen Such A Funny Thing?
I always felt that Brad and Janet would be laughing stocks when they arrived back in their hometown of Denton. I mean, can't you imagine? They (including Dr. Scott) were dressed in tattered floorshow costumes. How could they explain it? So I felt it important to have the first song be about that. The townpeople would gossip and laugh, as well as the police. Oh, and the reporters! Throw in Janet's mom and dad -- you've got a unique situation! (My inspiration for this song's set up -- in a police station -- was from a musical film called "Newsies.")
Essentially, the song started *AFTER* the FBI investigator questioned Brad and Janet (Dr. Scott was in the interrogation room). I altered this slightly when I placed it on the internet. Still in their floorshow costumes, but with wool blankets wrapped around them, the reporters surrounded Brad and Janet, snapping several photos for the newspaper. Amongst the reporters were Townspeople, whispering in each others' ears, trying to spread their version of what they "heard" happened.TOWNPERSON (female): (to another female)
Have you ever seen such a funny thing?
Yesterday she wore a dress
But today, it's even less!
TOWNPERSON (female): (to her husband)
Have you ever seen a peculiar thing?
Even Brad, he looks a mess
In a corset, none-the-less!
TOWNSPEOPLE:
What could have happened to that ideal couple?
What has happened over night?
What created such a sight!
What makes us think that they are heading for trouble?
It is such a crazy scene --
Have you ever seen such a funny thing?
REPORTER #1:
Can it, Janet,
Be that you were involved in that UFO spotted early morn?
JANET:
I have nothing to say, you won't believe me anyway
REPORTER #2:
Had, Brad,
An alien abducted you & made you wear some lingerie so torn?
BRAD:
It is nothing you'd believe, come on people, won't you leave?
REPORTERS:
Tell us what happened to the ideal couple?
What happened yesterday
To make you dress that way?
And do you think that you're heading for trouble?
Come on, tell us everything
'Cause we've never seen such a funny thing!
TOWNPERSON (male): (to another male)
Have you ever seen such a funny thing?
Brad was macho, yesterdee
Now he's dressed up like a she
TOWNPERSON (male): (to his wife)
Now I find myself in curiosity
How I thought they'd one day be
The perfect family
TOWNSPEOPLE:
Something has happened to this ideal couple
Overnight something has changed
'Cause now they're dressed so strange
Can't help but think that they're heading for trouble
Did they have a kinky fling?
No, we've never seen such a funny thing!
JANET'S MOM:
Has it, Janet
Been too traumatic, mother's here to save the day
JANET:
They won't leave me alone, I just want to go home
JANET'S DAD:
It's sad, Brad
You look pathetic, and you're gonna regret it one day
BRAD:
We'll get better don't you fear, just get her out of here.
TOWNSPEOPLE & REPORTERS:
What could have happened to our ideal couple?
Now they'll be a laughing stock
'Cause the people like to talk!
Yes, now we think that their lives are in for trouble
They're not telling us a thing
Have you ever seen such a funny thing!!!!
(BASS vocals tailing the last line:)
Have you ever seen such a funny thing!
Baby
Ever since I remember, it seemed to be a common idea that in a sequel, Janet should get pregnant. So why disappoint fans? But I felt the discovery of the pregnancy should be alarming for Janet: who was the father? Of course, I felt it only fair to she and Brad's strong relationship in RHPS to have Brad be the father, so I had to ensure they had sex together within the same 24-hour period so that their was some sort of doubt in her mind as to who the father of the baby was.
And who could pass the chance to cross the idea of Riff Raff and Cosmo by having the doctor look like them, and in a hallucigenic sequence, turn fully into Riff Raff. Throw in a cross of Magenta/Nation and Columbia/Ansalong, and you've got a very fun and unique scene. I left this song intact in my story, so there's no sense reprinting the lyrics here.
Somebody
I felt a sequel to Rocky Horror, regardless of whether or not it connected to Shock Treatment, should deal with the emotional impact "that night" left on Brad and Janet. "Somebody" was just the song for the job.
Relying on a similar piano structure as O'Brien's song "Superheroes," the word "somebody" refers to Frank N. Furter and their longing for more. It's no doubt that Frank N Furter changed their lives forever, and this song allowed audiences to understand those emotions in the verses of both Brad and Janet.
Yet on the other hand "Somebody" (the word) could refer to a year to have "anyone" help them during this difficult understanding of what has happened. Regardless, the emotional impact of that evening is revealed. I left the song intact in my story, so I will not reprint the lyrics here.
Baby (Instrumental ballad)
When Janet went to New York City to have her baby, this scene is done in quick sequences, with a haunting ballad in the background to provide a sense of sadness and desperation. After all, Janet was carrying a deep secret, and she has been away from Brad for a very long time, missing him.
Appropriately, during these scenes, the song "Baby" (from earlier) was chosen, but this time slowed down to a beautiful ballad (the original was jumpy and fast).
Jitters
Another tense moment as our main characters, Brad and Janet, attempt to put the past behind them and marry each other -- all the while wondering if they're doing the right thing. Both miss Frank N. Furter and the carefree adventure he started in their souls. Both are afraid to talk about it, leaving a secret too frightening to voice.
It was very important to have this song, to show their struggle with the question, "Should I Say I Do When I Haven't Been Honest With My Fiance' -- Or Even Myself?" Meanwhile, everyone around them is pushing them into going on with the wedding, to put the past behind them.
The verses are sung in each dressing room (at the church). Janet's verses are in the female dressing room, surrounded by her female friends (and Macy) and family. Brad's verses are in the male dressing room, surrounded by his male friends and family. When both verses and choruses are done, the scene switches to the heart of the church, where the song changes into the wedding march: Brad and Janet have just married.
But first...JANET:
Something seems so wrong
No, I don't think that I'm strong
JANET'S MOM:
That's just jitters, just jitters
Don't let it turn you into a big quitter
BETTY:
If you search within your heart
Then you'll have no problem start...ing down the aisle!
JANET:
Something makes me uneasy
This feeling that's deep inside me
NEELY:
That's jitters, just jitters
Hold on tight, you're not a quitter
MACY:
And don't you fret on what you lack
One day you will look back...and have to smile!
ALL FEMALES (except Janet):
Trust yourself and trust your heart
You're bound to make a brand new start
Forget about your worries and fears
There's only one thing you feel, it's love
There's only one man you're thinkin' of
Yes, you know -- so let go -- of jitters.
BRAD:
Inside I feel lost
What's the price, what's the cost?
JANET'S DAD:
That's just jitters, just jitters
Don't let it turn you into a big quitter
RALPH:
If you search within your soul
Then you'll have no problem show...ing that you care!
BRAD:
Something makes me queezy
This feeling that's deep inside me
VANCE:
That's jitters, just jitters
Hold on tight, you're not a quitter
KIRK:
And don't you fret on yesterday
The bad times gone away...no longer there!
ALL MALES (except Brad):
Trust yourself and trust your heart
You're bound to make a brand new start
Forget about your worries and fears
There's only one thing you feel, it's love
There's only one gal you're thinkin' of
Yes, you know -- so let go -- of jitters.
Entertain Me
There's no better time to characterize someone that the first time you see them in a scene. The Queen's first scene featured this fun song, showing how she just loves to punish people...for sheer entertainment.
It is sung entirely by the Queen, with her guards all around her, and occasionally a prisoner being escorted off for punishment.QUEEN ANDORIA:
(VERSE:)
What can be more fun
Than when I torcher another one
With their punishment to pay
Another head will roll away!
Entertain me!
Entertain me!
If you badmouth the Royal one
Then I'll have to take your tongue
You took your best friend's wife
Now I'll have to take your life
Entertain me!
Entertain me!
(BRIDGE:)
Never in my life have I enjoyed so much fun
If you look at me the wrong way then I think you better run!
(CHORUS:)
That's entertainment -- Gonna have a real good time
That's entertainment -- A mass suicide is fine
That's entertainment -- Bend on over if you can
That's entertainment -- Come on, take it like a man
That's entertainment -- I'll torcher men who look happy
That's entertainment -- So entertain me!
(VERSE:)
If you look at me the wrong way
I'll poke out both your eyes
I'll fry your tongue in oil
If I catch you telling lies
Entertain me!
Entertain me!
If you steal from neighbors
Then I'll steal your upper limbs
I'll be doing you a favor
If you have too many friends
Entertain me!
Entertain me!
(REPEAT BRIDGE & CHORUS)
Somebody/Entertain Me (instrumental)
When Brad and Janet get zapped to Transexual, they find themselves inside large glass tubes, which are "open" in the front. The mood to set with music is fear and confusion, a need for "somebody" to help them. It seemed appropriate then to use an instrumental version of somebody.
However, the mood changes when the Queen enters the room, therefore, the music must switch to the humorous tickle of the piano keys with an instrumental reprise of "Entertain Me." The idea is to make (through the music) Brad and Janet wonder what the Queen is really up to.
I'm Not Asking For Much
The Queen has a mission: find out what Brad and Janet know about how to bring Frank N. Furter back to life. If they won't tell her when they are together, she decides to give it a try seperately. Calling upon Janet, she drugs her (a step towards "Plan B") and attempts to pry it out of Janet via this song...QUEEN ANDORIA:
I know I've got a lot and I am spoiled
By royalty and diamond rings and such
But I think you'll understand
I am the fairest in the land
I want it all, I'm not asking for much
(CHORUS:)
Wealth and fame and greed
That's all I'll ever need
But tell me what you know
And then I'll let you go
Make Frankie come alive
And I'll kiss your butt goodbye
So tell me now, I'm not asking for much!
If you know how, I'm not asking for much!
(VERSE 2:)
I've taken lots of pleasure in the fine things
Like satin sheets so gentle to the touch
I know my order's tall
But I wanna have it all
I want it all, I'm not asking for much!
(REPEAT CHORUS)
Take Me (I'm A Lonely Girl)
Of course, when Queen Andoria has Brad alone, she finds another way to find out what Brad knows about creating life -- and what better way to get to a man than through seduction! This song is sort of burlesque, somewhat "Stripper" music, somewhat seductive at the same time. Interesting enough, the song ends as a reprise of "I'm not asking for much." Again, it is sung entirely by the Queen... The humor in this song is that the Queen is never lonely, and her seductive words to Brad seem practically comic! You can just imagine her sitting on his lap in the chorus, and whispering verses in his ear...QUEEN ANDORIA:
Baby...
It's all understood
You're lookin' real good
Oh, baby...
You want what I got
I'm lookin' real hot
Oh, you can just take me 'cause I'm such a lonely girl
Oh, baby...
Oh you could be mine
I'm lookin' real fine
Yeah, baby...
I've got all this love
It's more than enough
Oh, you can take me because I'm such a lonely girl
(CHORUS:)
Take me, say that you want me
Oh, tell me what I wanna know
Oh, use me, and when we're finished
We'll love again, and I won't be a lonely girl.
(VERSE 2:)
Baby...
I want you, indeed
Tell me what I need
Oh, baby...
I'm filled with desire
Can you feel my fire
Tell me what I want 'cause I'm such a lonely girl
Oh, baby...
I need you right now
And you know just how
Yeah, baby
We'll take it real slow
Tell me what you know
Tell me what I want 'cause I'm such a lonely girl
(REPEAT CHORUS)
Final Countdown
When Dr. Scott gets zapped up to Transexual, he learns of the bomb that's inside the castle, and he develops a plan. The entire sequence needed a background music, somewhat mysterious, somewhat James-Bond-style. Since Dr. Scott has a song coming up later, I felt it best to use that song as an instrumental to set the mood in this scene.
Floorshow: "Tearin' My Heart Up" / "Kiss Me, Mr. Valentine"
One of my favorite scenes in a movie was a scene inside the Olivia Newton-John musical fantasy called "Xanadu." The scene involved Gene Kelly who envisioned the nightclub as a "big band" scene, Glenn Miller style. Yet his partner, a young man in his early 20's, envisioned the club to be a rock-n-roll club, featuring that famous '80's rock band sound. What was unique about this scene was the fact that Gene Kelly's "dream" featured a "big band" song, followed by his young partner's Rock N Roll "dream" -- and when the rock n roll scene ended, the two styles of music crossed over each other, two entirely different songs with their choruses sung at the exact same time! I LOVED IT!!
So I always wanted to incorporate Brad and Janet's floorshow in the same manner. After all, they were two very different personalities. Brad's song, "Tearin' My Heart Up" was sung in one style (rock), while Janet's was sung in another style (disco). At the end, both choruses were sung at the same time, on top of each other, perfectly!
Little did each other realize, both songs were about their history with Frank N. Furter, as well as a yearning to have their life back with each other to be normal and happy. Perhaps there is a lesson to be learned from Frank: that you can love your parter, but never limit yourself to new explorations within your relationship. Have fun. Life is too short.TEARIN' MY HEART UP (sung by Brad):
(VERSE 1:)
How can one go on livin' in the past
Holdin' on to memories but how long will it last
You can tell yourself you could run from it
But you realize you should be learning from it
(BRIDGE:)
Life is too short, you need to let yourself free
That's what someone some time back told me
(CHORUS:)
The past -- was a blast
But now it's tearin' my heart up
Live now -- I don't know how
Because it's tearin' my heart up
(VERSE 2:)
How can you live life afraid to explore
Suppressing all the feelings that you try to ignore
Never taking chances leaves you nothing to gain
You can't deny it or even try to explain
(REPEAT BRIDGE & CHORUS)
KISS ME MR. VALENTINE (sung by Janet):
(VERSE 1:)
Want to -- I want to want you
Need to -- I need to need you
See you -- back in my arms again
If you -- if you want me
Want to -- want to need me
See me -- come to my arms again
(CHORUS:)
Kiss me, Mr. Valentine
Come on, baby, make me feel so fine
Kiss me, Mr. Valentine
Come on, baby, make me feel alive
(VERSE 2:)
Last year -- Last year I felt it
This year -- I cannot help it
You, dear -- I need you here again
Touch me -- Touch a Touch me
Need me -- Just say you need me
Free me -- come to my arms again
(REPEAT CHORUS)
(Brief musical interlude, then BOTH CHORUSES sung together at same time, twice)
Time Warp 2
What's the most famous song in The Rocky Horror Picture Show? Of course, it's Time Warp. And I feel that some of the best sequels borrow popular elemants from their original. Therefore, the song just had to reappear in the sequel. Unfortunately, I grew tired of it (How many versions are there now?) So I altered the music very slighly, gave it a techno-rave feel, and gave it new verses, leaving the chorus the same. For the Ansalong part (previously sung by Columbia), the music stopped, exccept for an ambient slow beat, creating a sad moment, which picks up again after her verse. Since I left the song intact in my story, I will not reprint it here.
The End Of The Act
This song has very little lyrics to it. What few lyrics there are are intermixed with key scenes of the party, execution, and departure of Ansalong. It's primary focus was the fast and suspenseful music to keep the mood of running out of time. There's a line or two in the song that reveals Dr. Scott knew his plan was a suicide mission. I believe it's very honorable.DR. SCOTT:
Ever pacing, heart is racing
Make a plan to escape
Need to help them leave here
Before it gets too late...
------
Much too old for all these games
My life seems so complete
I pray to God to let this work
Don't let me feel defeat...
------
Time is gone, I can't go on
I cannot tell a lie
I give my love and a hug and kiss
I cannot say goodbye
When You Touched Me
This song was a song that Janet sang to Columbia's casket, believing it was Rocky's casket. It was about the baby they made together, and the secret she's carried for a year now. It was important to incorporate the "Touch Me" words in the title and chorus, although the two songs sound nothing alike.
This song was wonderful for me to write. It was one of the first songs I wrote for my sequel, using primarily the black keys only on the piano. Very ambient, haunting, and beautiful.JANET:
I've...been thinkin' of you
There's something...that you need to know
That I...can't stop thinkin' of you
You put in me...something to grow
When you touched me
You made my life complete
What you gave me
Knocked me off my feet
And inside me
I know you'll always be
Because you touched me when you touched me
When you touched me
I've...got something to say
My baby...has gone away
And I...each night, I pray
That one day, I'll give my secret away
(REPEAT CHORUS)
Kick My Heels Off / Sweet Transvestite (reprise)
This song has always been a great song to me: Frank N. Furter brought back to life. I envisioned the first part of the song to be sung by Frank, unnoticed by Rocky and Janet as they talked. Their voices would become fainter and fainter in the background as a single chord of music synthesized and held became more dominant in sound. First Frank's thumb would twitch and then his fingers. Still Rocky and Janet would notice. The camera would zoom in on Frank's closed eyes, where the pupil is obviously moving behind the lid. The camera moves down next to Frank's mouth. The humming music chord gets louder, drowning Janet and Rocky's words out almost entirely. Suddenly Frank's mouth opens and sings the first lines, slowly, practically a capella (although the chord is still dominant). His voice starts out as weak.FRANK:
What is this?
What's happened to me?
What's the date today?
(strength returning)
Where am I?
Am I dreaming?
I've only one thing left to say:
(Standing up, Janet & Rocky notice with excitement)
I'm just a sweet Transvestite
From Transexual, Transylvania...uh huh.
(Fast music starts, and Frank sings happily, full strength)
(VERSE:)
It's great to be alive
I cannot question why
I'm thankful to the one's who rescued me
Oh Rocky, was it you?
With Janet, maybe, too?
I feel a brand new start before me!
It's time to kick off my heels
Get set for some brand new thrills
I'll do the Rock, I'll do the roll
I want everyone to know:
I'm just a sweet transvestite
From Transexual, Transylvania...uh huh.
I don't know how you did it
All my secret notes were hidden
I can't believe I found my way back home
I feel this isn't earth
As I start a new rebirth
Maybe start again, and never be alone!
It's time to kick off my heels
Get set for some brand new thrills
I'll do the Rock, I'll do the roll
I want everyone to know:
I'm just a sweet transvestite
I'm just a sweet transvestite
I'm just a sweet transvestite
And I'm finally home!!!
Final Countdown 2
This is the background music for key scenes before the bomb explodes. It had to have the energy feel that "Planet Schmanet Janet" had, and what better feel than in the previous instrumental of Final Countdown. This time however, the song starts out fast paced and gets faster and faster in feel, the closer to explosion time it gets.
Somebody (Ambient instrumental)
When the planet blows up, Brad and Janet find themselves back on earth, dressed once again in floorshow attire. There is a strong feeling of sadness in the air, and the music needed to reflect it. Therefore, a more ambient instrumental of "Somebody" was necessary to reflect that mood.
Time Warp (Ballad Instrumental)
When the credits pop up, I felt we should continue the slow feeling in music, by offering "Time Warp" as a ballad instead of a fast version, instrumental of course. This way, we can keep the feel, and as credits roll by, the "final scene" can play: that of Riff Raff, Magenta, Bert and Ansalong in Europe. This also includes the final moment when Ansalong meets Ricky. A fantastic way to tie things up.
Time Warp 2 (reprise)
Just like Rocky Horror, the final segment of credits should end in Time Warp. So let's reprise a much shorter version of TIme Warp 2 here, possibly the chorus or so, and let the last credits roll with it! Let's do the time warp again!