Tom hanks’ “That Thing You Do!” – The Lost Songs from a Blockbuster Soundtrack
By Emma Walker, World-Today-News.com – October 26, 2023
(Image: A collage featuring Tom Hanks directing on set, the Wonders band photo, and album art from the artists mentioned in the article. Alt text: tom Hanks’ “That Thing You Do!” featured a hit song and a wealth of unreleased tracks from prominent artists.)
Next year marks the 30th anniversary of That Thing You Do!, Tom Hanks’ charming directorial debut. The film, a nostalgic romp through the early 1960s music scene, launched the fictional band The Wonders to (mock) stardom on the back of its infectious title track. But behind the scenes, a fascinating songwriting competition unfolded, attracting a who’s who of choice and power-pop luminaries. Now, with a deluxe reissue of the soundtrack on the horizon, the stories behind the songs that didn’t make the cut are finally being revealed.
The title song, penned by Fountains of Wayne’s Adam Schlesinger, perfectly encapsulates the era in just two minutes and 43 seconds. But Hanks wasn’t settling for just one option. He initiated a broad search, inviting a diverse range of artists to submit their take on the film’s musical heart. Here’s a look at the “lost” songs and the stories behind them:
Marshall Crenshaw – ”All I Ever Wanted”
Known for his meticulous craftsmanship and knack for retro sounds, Crenshaw was a natural fit. He initially offered a co-write with Kirsty MacColl, but a lyric referencing a hangover proved a stumbling block. A revised demo didn’t quite hit the mark,according to Crenshaw,though he remains a respected figure in power-pop.
The Posies – “Ask Anybody”
Jon Auer of The Posies recalls a frantic scramble to deliver a song while on tour in Europe. While the band crafted a solid track, Auer admits it lacked the specific spark the film needed. “It didn’t come close to capturing the spirit of the movie,” he says, and the song remains unreleased.
XTC – “My Train is Coming”
Andy Partridge, the genius behind XTC and his alter-ego Dukes of Stratosphear, already had a song in the can – “My Train is Coming” – originally written for the film Buster. He re-recorded it for That Thing You Do!,and it eventually found a home on the Blu-ray reissue of XTC’s Oranges & Lemons.
Robyn Hitchcock – “That Thing You Do”