TV soundtracks have turned into an exercise in branding as well as advertisement for the upcoming new season of a show. The soundtrack for 'Desperate Housewives' follows this model, but the brilliance of its selection of artists and songs moves the collection well above the typical set of TV-inspired recordings.
Listen to tracks from the album
Brilliant New Songs
The soundtrack for the hit TV series Desperate Housewives kicks off with the spoken word introduction to the show's opening defining event by 'Mary Alice.' The direct segue into SheDaisy's brilliant contemporary country "God bless the American Housewife" sets the tone for this outstanding song collection which is perfectly matched to the atmostphere and attitude of the hit show. Among the other outstanding new songs here are Shania Twain's witty comparison of men to "Shoes," Joss Stone's incomparably soulful "Treat Me Right (I'm Yours For Life)" and k.d. lang's wickedly clever "Dream Of the Everday Housewife."
Housewives Classics
In addition to new songs, this soundtrack pays appropriate attention to classic songs related to the plight of the housewife from days past. Liz Phair delivers a knowing version of the Rolling Stones' "Mother's Little Helper." Martina McBride belts out a convincing take on "Harper Valley PTA," and Gloria Estefan slips into the role of slightly faded disco queen with Candi Staton's chestnut "Young Hearts Run Free." These songs are very familiar, but the performances are at such a high level that the nuances brought to these new recordings keep the old songs fresh.
The Present Informed By or Repeating the Past?
With this album the listener is likely to be struck by the contemporary relevance and accuracy of such 60's commentaries as "Mrs. Robinson" or "Harper Valley PTA." At some point in the past 40 years it may have seemed that concerns about hypocritical Puritanical school boards or shallow wealth would be left behind in the social upheavals of the 60's. Desperate Housewives and its soundtrack has come to remind us that the past is once again present, and we're struggling to identify what we've learned.
