It looks like others are finally coming around to what we reported here over a month ago: Sad Brad Smith’s “Help Yourself” from the film “Up in the Air” is a formidable contender in this year’s Best Original Song race. EW’s Adam Markovitz does note something we haven’t conveyed yet, however — that director Jason Reitman caught Smith’s act at a Chicago coffee shop on a recommendation and asked him to write something up for the film. “Help Yourself” is the result, and it’s a fantastic track.
No, really, I don’t usually dig on this sort of melody. It seems so dangerously close to being too precious for it’s own good, but pulls back just enough to be a pretty profound piece unto itself. The tune plays in a marriage sequence that is, really, the emotional heart of the film. I would love to see Smith nominated and performing on that stage, but you just never can tell with the music branch.
Anyway, we provided Mary J. Blige’s “I Can See in Color” from “Precious” earlier in the week, so it seemed only right to pass Sad Brad Smith’s track along also. As always, we’ll continue to keep an eye on this race as it unfolds.
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14 responses to “Listen to Sad Brad Smith’s ‘Help Yourself’ from ‘Up in the Air’”
If I remember correctly, most if not all of the discussion was about the other song, the one passed along to Reitman via a cassette tape.
It’s very Elliott Smith-esque. I like it, though I’m holding out hope for Nine or The Princess and the Frog to win in this category.
Some tracks can be listened entirely in Youtube because of a show there has been taken in Orlando.
‘Down in New Orleans’ is cute but ‘Almost There’ simply blew me away, what a wonderful song. But I just see one song from the film nominated.
Loyal: Can’t speak for others, but at least around these parts, going back to that first post, we’ve been indicating that the closing track’s chances were minimal while this one had a better shot, given the fact that it’s played in the context of the film.
Yeah, I also remember there being a question if the cassette song would even qualify (the Once scenario).
Definitely sounds like Help Yourself is the better horse in this race for the film regardless.
The cassette song was cute and a nice way to end the song but it’s also a bit thin, and more of a novelty, I’d say, than anything. And indeed, I believe it wouldn’t qualify.
This seems a lot more resonant and relevant than “I Can See in Color.” It just seemed like a flashy vocal piece for Mary J. Blige…after listening to it multiple times, it starts to make a lot of sense. But “Help Yourself” hits you instantly.
Oh thank you so much. Ever since I heard that piece of it in the trailer I’ve been waiting until I could get a listen to the whole thing. Wonderful.
Dang this song is catchy. Can’t wait to buy it.
Heads up, Kris (or whoever your webmaster is): the highlighted “Precious” at the end of the article links you to all articles tagged “Up in the Air”.
Gosh, that’s rather lovely.
Beautiful. Do you when it becomes avaible to buy? I haven’t been able to find it. :(
The song is now available on iTunes.
hey thanks for spoiling the movie asshole, was it really necessary to mention that the song plays in a marriage sequence? The trailers leave us asking what happens to this isolated man on this journey and you just told us, fuck you
no-one spoiled the movie for you but you yourself. Maybe you can expect to find information on the plot if you go checking out sites about movies. Besides that, the guy doesn’t get married. He ends up being a victim of his own lifestyle….woops!