Thanks to the two recent teaser trailers “The Muppets” looks like a total blast, capturing the vibe that made us giddy for the felt covered co-stars back when we were in short pants. The film features an all star cast (Jason Segel, Amy Adams, Rashida Jones, Chris Cooper with cameos from Emily Blunt, Ricky Gervais, Alan Arkin, Jack Black, Billy Crystal, Zach Galifianakis and more) and will be tuned up by “Flight of the Conchords” star Bret McKenzie. But it wasn’t always that way. With My Morning Jacket‘s new album “Circuital” hitting stores today, frontman Jim James has been doing the press rounds revealing that at one time he was on track write songs for the upcoming movie, but that you can hear some of his efforts on the band’s latest long player.
“‘Wonderful’ and ‘Outta My System’ were my attempts to do new music for a new version of the Muppets’ Electric Mayhem band [in which Animal plays the drums], and unfortunately the guy who hired us for it was fired during a corporate takeover,” James explained to Vulture about his hiring and firing. “Then we had a separate chance to do the songs for the Muppets movie, but that didn’t work out, either. Maybe someone will read this and give us another shot. The original versions of the songs were more Muppet-y, more bouncy, like I’m singing in more of a goofy voice.”
James also tells GQ that the songs would be more kid friendly if they made the movie saying, “If it ended up being for the Electric Mayhem band, I would’ve taken out the drug references.” Well, yeah.
Anyway, you can take a listen to the songs in question below and dream of what could have been. But McKenzie is certainly no slouch and we can’t wait to see what he brings forth, particularly with his former “Flight Of The Conchords” director James Bobin at the helm. “The Muppets” hits theaters on November 23rd. And oh yeah, in case you forget, that Todd Haynes directed webcast of the band’s concert is tonight as well. You can watch it right here starting at 9 PM EST.
My Morning Jacket “Outta My System”
