Cycling film music question

pottssteve

Fellow Cyclists,

I am looking for some advice, so where better to turn than the internet?!

Every year, the school where I work runs something called, "Activity Week". During this time, students go off timetable to engage in a range of physical, cultural and morally uplifting activities.

I have planned to run a cycle tour for a group of students around southern Japan, which promises to be good fun.

On our return, we will need to put together a short movie of 3-4 minutes, showing what we got up to. We have a Go Pro and most likely a drone, so we can have a mix of film and photos to create a montage. As it's the first year this has run I want the movie to be epic in order to guarantee interest for the following year, so I need some advice regarding appropriate music.

At the moment I have 2 options:

Option 1 Is to hit them from the off with something loud and hard - I'm thinking Rammstein or possibly "Fight 'til you die" by Pennywise.

Option 2 is to start slowly then smash it - currently I'm liking "Mothers of the Sun" by Black Mountain. However, this is very long.

However, I'm open to other suggestions that I might not have considered.

The main criteria are:

1. Up to 4 minutes long.
2. No foul language as it's for a school audience.
3. Makes an impact to make jaded teens say "WOW".
4. Fits with cycling in terms of rhythm.

Please feel free to suggest.

Thanks,
Steve

crispybug2

Tour de France - Kraftwerk

Obvious, but obvious because it fits perfectly with all the criteria!

pottssteve

Thanks. It obviously occurred to me, but the version I have has a lot of "huffing and puffing" on it, which could be mis-construed!

However, I don't want any music with bikes in it as it IS too obvious - I'm avoiding Queen's Bicycle Race for the same reason.

But keep 'em coming, please.

mrfpb

Tour de France is a whole album, so tracks like "AeroDynamik" and "ElectroKardiogramm" don't refer to the specific race.

If Kraftwerk is your thing then "Musica ex Machina" or "Atomium" by (ex-Robot) Karl Bartos might suit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyrVuUYWUaM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_x3bq4Dd2A

ktuludays

what about Poison - " Ride the Wind"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUkf9hLaqnk

just shy of 4 minutes long, driving guitar riff and lyrics that could almost fit cycling

Ben6899

Steve,

Just a caution that you make sure you have permission to use whichever track(s) you choose. You don't want to fall foul of any laws.

You could trawl Soundcloud (https://soundcloud.com/) and offer to promote someone who is unsigned. Of course, if you find something suitable!

mfin

pottssteve wrote:

The main criteria are:

3. Makes an impact to make jaded teens say "WOW".

Kids aren't stupid, practically every video montage they have ever seen is accompanied by music that's attempting to be emotive in the cheap, lazy and utterly predictable way it has become used.

It sounds to me from your suggestions that you just want yet another predictable piece of music that does this, I wouldn't spend much time and just pick something.

I could video myself going shopping and bang some heavy metal over it and it would do the same boring trick, it wouldn't make the video interesting and for anyone to go "wow", it would just look like yet another youtube video that you see everyday (perhaps that's what you're after and need though cos it will seem normal to the kids).

Here, just use this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvjLgjtJKsc

*some kids are stupid

pottssteve

Thanks to those who have replied.
ktuludays - Poison has potential, I think.

Ben - thanks for the warning, and I will have a look at soundcloud.

mfin - Congratulations on the most passive-aggressive post so far! I hope you don't teach for a living. In my experience, kids get a kick out of watching their friends and teachers do something out of the ordinary, so cycling around Japan would fit the bill. Adding a funky soundtrack would add to that, as would the elements of humour that the video would include, telling the story of the trip and encouraging students to want to sign up for the following year. I'm not trying to recreate Citizen Kane. I'm sure your shopping experiences are short, as presumably you are shopping for one...But thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts.

Steve

seanoconn

American Flyers soundtrack? Plenty of possibles to ramp up tension and excitement.

davesnothere

pottssteve wrote:

mfin - Congratulations on the most passive-aggressive post so far!

Steve

Nail -- Head

pottssteve

Seanoconn - I watched American Flyers recently, and I agree that the music did add to the suspense. I will take another listen. The music I use doesn't have to be cycling related - none of the kids would get that reference anyway.

Currently working through some Henry Rollins to see if anything floats my proverbial boat...

Steve

Matthewfalle

Sail by Awolnation

Matthewfalle

everlong - Foo Fightrrs

Matthewfalle

Green Day - time of your life

Matthewfalle

mrfpb wrote:

Tour de France is a whole album, so tracks like "AeroDynamik" and "ElectroKardiogramm" don't refer to the specific race.

If Kraftwerk is your thing then "Musica ex Machina" or "Atomium" by (ex-Robot) Karl Bartos might suit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyrVuUYWUaM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_x3bq4Dd2A

no to Kraftwerk - they aren't 40 year old men so will find it dull.

rjsterry

Matthewfalle wrote:

mrfpb wrote:

Tour de France is a whole album, so tracks like "AeroDynamik" and "ElectroKardiogramm" don't refer to the specific race.

If Kraftwerk is your thing then "Musica ex Machina" or "Atomium" by (ex-Robot) Karl Bartos might suit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyrVuUYWUaM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_x3bq4Dd2A

no to Kraftwerk - they aren't 40 year old men so will find it dull.

This applies to quite a few of the suggestions.

mr_goo

Your definitely right to go with Rammstein. My choice would be 'Ich Will'.
However as already pointed out on here copyright and permission to use might be a issue. Rammstein are known to police the use of their music.
Given this it my be best to use a classical piece.

napoleond

I’d go for something like an ambient Brian eno piece, like music for airports. Let the film do the talking.

wiznaeme

My 18 year old son and his music obsessed friends suggest Riding in the Wind by Judas Priest.

pottssteve

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions. I will look into all of them and be mindful of copyright, even though the movie is not for public display.
Please keep them coming as it's good to get new ideas.
Thanks,
Steve

mfin

pottssteve wrote:

Thanks to those who have replied.
ktuludays - Poison has potential, I think.

Ben - thanks for the warning, and I will have a look at soundcloud.

mfin - Congratulations on the most passive-aggressive post so far! I hope you don't teach for a living. In my experience, kids get a kick out of watching their friends and teachers do something out of the ordinary, so cycling around Japan would fit the bill. Adding a funky soundtrack would add to that, as would the elements of humour that the video would include, telling the story of the trip and encouraging students to want to sign up for the following year. I'm not trying to recreate Citizen Kane. I'm sure your shopping experiences are short, as presumably you are shopping for one...But thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts.

Steve

Oh come on, you're just looking for some clichéd heavy music just like thousands of other videos have on youtube. That's what I was pointing out. It's a simple predictable and tired trick that's been done to death, that's what I was saying.

The good thing is, it's easy to do exactly the same as all these other videos do, and it will look and sound just like yet another one of them. That is a positive, as it means the effort required is so small to achieve it because it's copying really as against trying to be a bit original or a bit different which would be far more challenging.

If you're creatively inclined you'll know what I mean.

mr_goo

Hi Steve

Changed my mind. Try these. They would all work.

'Kick Start My Heart' - Motley Crue.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DI4Z7Dq6Q1g

'Electric Worry' - Clutch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4ABpbxIPFI

'Gear Jammer' - George Thorogood and the Destroyers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0U-ermF-tQA

'Come with Me' - Raveneye (4mins and the lyrics work.... mostly)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxwiR4CxTiw

mr_goo

mfin wrote:

pottssteve wrote:

Thanks to those who have replied.
ktuludays - Poison has potential, I think.

Ben - thanks for the warning, and I will have a look at soundcloud.

mfin - Congratulations on the most passive-aggressive post so far! I hope you don't teach for a living. In my experience, kids get a kick out of watching their friends and teachers do something out of the ordinary, so cycling around Japan would fit the bill. Adding a funky soundtrack would add to that, as would the elements of humour that the video would include, telling the story of the trip and encouraging students to want to sign up for the following year. I'm not trying to recreate Citizen Kane. I'm sure your shopping experiences are short, as presumably you are shopping for one...But thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts.

Steve

Oh come on, you're just looking for some clichéd heavy music just like thousands of other videos have on youtube. That's what I was pointing out. It's a simple predictable and tired trick that's been done to death, that's what I was saying.

The good thing is, it's easy to do exactly the same as all these other videos do, and it will look and sound just like yet another one of them. That is a positive, as it means the effort required is so small to achieve it because it's copying really as against trying to be a bit original or a bit different which would be far more challenging.

If you're creatively inclined you'll know what I mean.

Ain't nowt wrong with clichéd heavy rock music on videos. Honestly can't see anything by Boyzone, Pussycat Dolls or other dross working for what is trying to be achieved. Plus Japan has a long and strong history of following rock music.

pottssteve

Thanks once more for the suggestions, Mr Goo. I have not heard most of them so will give them a listen.
Mfin- I do know what you mean, you just came across a bit aggressively... As I mentioned, it will be different as the video will include their friends and and teachers, which they get a kick out of. We will also ham it up with some slow motion stuff of us attempting to look cool and then screwing up. I am going for a "cycling is fun but also cool" vibe to get more kids interested. Feel free to suggest some music, by the way...

Steve

mfin

Ok... here you go ...

Breeders Cannonball
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxvkI9MTQw4

Jane's Addiction Mountain Song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAjDF5uVm94

Muse Map of the Problematique
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1qzYsESDhc
same with no vocals
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4joCa_K-LU

(tip, there are stacks of muse songs with vocals lifted, eg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVG30dvzgmM )

davesnothere

Orbital - Belfast

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HNtsdtnBfk

Ben6899

mfin wrote:

Oh come on...

I think it was your delivery.

Matthewfalle

Or, crazily, why don't you use a Japanese rock band - shed loads of stuff available on the internet to listen to, be slightly quirky but fit the bill.

Or just ask someone while you are out there.

pottssteve

Matthewfalle wrote:

Or, crazily, why don't you use a Japanese rock band - shed loads of stuff available on the internet to listen to, be slightly quirky but fit the bill.

Or just ask someone while you are out there.

Excellent suggestion, which has led me to discover Asian Kung Fu Generation! I think we will be going down this route (especially as they have a song called Bicycle Race)...

Thanks,
Steve

Matthewfalle

It's a pleasure.

See, Smithy was right.