Black Mirror Soundtrack: Irma Thomas
Black Mirror is Charlie Brooker’s disturbing British science fiction anthology series about a dark, narcissistic, and dystopian world in the near future. The plots focus on technology and require the audience to consider whether technology is something to encourage human evil, or that it’s something inherently evil by itself. The dark, satirical themes of Black Mirror examine the worst parts of modern society and the unintended consequences of technology.
Charlie Brooker is a master at dystopian storytelling. The scenarios he brings to life in Black Mirror are certainly plausible, and some might argue, verging on reality. It’s that familiarity — with the future — we see around the corner — that is resonating with many viewers. Black Mirror isn’t trying to fool viewers, or representing a fantastical Star Trek universe; it’s eerily familiar to what we all see happening right now. Brooker noted that “each episode has a different cast, a different setting, even a different reality. But they’re all about the way we live now – and the way we might be living in 10 minutes’ time if we’re clumsy.”
Black Mirror uses pop culture and familiar imagery to weave a story and illustrate this near reality perfectly. The song, “Anyone Who Knows What Love Is (Will Understand)” is used in several episodes and raised the profile of Irma Thomas, the artist who first recorded the song. First heard in the second episode of the first series, “Fifteen Million Merits,” later again during “White Christmas” and in season three, episode five, “Men Against Fire” it’s just familiar enough, in tone and melody, to make us accept the Black Mirror Universe.
“Anyone Who Knows What Love Is (Will Understand)” was written by Randy Newman in the early 60s. It was his first charted hit as a songwriter. The first fully vocal version was recorded by the New Orleans Soul singer, Irma Thomas and was released as a 45 in June 1964. The B-side of this 45 contained “Time Is On My Side” a hit for the Rolling Stones only weeks later.
Thomas once joked with a writer from the New Yorker, “Honey, my story sounds like a black version of the Loretta Lynn story.” The Louisiana native cut her first record while a teen single mother in the late 1950s and struggled for decades before receiving a Grammy Award in 2006. Irma Thomas is still performing today and enjoys the support of a loyal fan base in and around New Orleans.
Series creator Charlie Brooker explained to Thrillest the intentions behind using this song saying, “We had the Irma Thomas song come back in because it does sort of nest the whole thing together in some kind of artistic universe, to sound wanky for a moment. So, it is deliberate, but it’s not part of some grand unveiling that this is all set in the year 2030 or something.”
Watch Black Mirror on Netflix.
Related Posts
Latest News
-
Brooklyn-Austria-based power indie rockers superWAV release aTypical, a heady, bluesy EP
Brooklyn-and-Austria-based power indie rock band superWAV are back with aTypical, a heady,...
- Posted November 28, 2023
- 0
-
California Independent songwriter Patrick Ames releases two new powerful singles
At age 69, Songwriter Patrick Ames Grows Ever More Determined...
- Posted November 27, 2023
- 0
-
Ava Della Pietra’s Latest Single ‘talk it out’ – A Heartfelt Exploration of Emotional Connections
Ava Della Pietra, a name swiftly gaining traction in the...
- Posted November 10, 2023
- 0
-
Open Studio Pioneers a New Era in Jazz with the Upcoming Album ‘Peter Martin & Generation S’
Listen to the album’s lead single, “Groove Echo Chamber” Groundbreaking...
- Posted November 6, 2023
- 0
-
Exploring Connections and Destinies: Rebel Kicks Drop “Past Life” Ahead of ‘somewhere.in.between.’ EP
Rebel Kicks are set to perform at The Cutting Room...
- Posted November 1, 2023
- 0
-
#EgoDanceContest – Ava Della Pietra Hosts National Dance Competition
Join the dance challenge and win cash prizes while showcasing...
- Posted October 24, 2023
- 0
-
ACL Music Festival 2023
The Austin City Limits Music Festival is an annual music...
- Posted October 23, 2023
- 0
Like us on Facebook
Latest Backstories
-
The Real Story behind the song, “Mr. Bojangles”
In our continuing weekly series, we examine the backstory...
- September 6, 2023
- 0
-
RIP Robbie Robertson.
Canadian, Robbie Robertson, legendary lead guitarist of “The Band”...
- August 9, 2023
- 0
-
Celebrate Good Times: The Story Behind Kool and the Gang’s Hit Song
If you have ever been to a wedding, a...
- July 12, 2023
- 0
-
Gold Dust Woman: The Story Behind Stevie Nicks’ Signature Song
The song was written earlier in her life in...
- July 6, 2023
- 0
-
Stevie Nicks Honors Tom Petty at Emotional Louisville Show
Stevie Nicks, the High Priestess of Rock and Roll...
- June 28, 2023
- 0
Latest Photo Galleries
-
The Zombies in Nashville, Indiana 10.19.23
The Zombies are one of the most enduring and...
- October 20, 2023
- 0
-
Barry Manilow in Louisville, Review and Photos
If you are a fan of pop music, you...
- August 24, 2023
- 0
-
Post Malone delivers in Indianapolis
Ruoff Music Center was electric as Post Malone brought...
- July 10, 2023
- 0
-
Peter Frampton Rocks the House at the PNC Pavilion in Cincinnati
Peter Frampton is a living legend, and he proved...
- June 29, 2023
- 0
-
The Doobie Brothers Celebrate 50 Years of Rocking Down the Highway
The Doobie Brothers have been on the road for...
- June 29, 2023
- 0
0 comments