“Midnight Cowboy” is a story of young people living at the bottom, which won an Academy Award even though it was rated as an adult.

The eternal theme song sung by Nilsson “The Rumored Man”

One of the major attractions of this movie is the theme song ``The Rumored Man'' sung by Nilsson . In Japan, it is used in commercials for beer and other products, so everyone has probably heard it at least once.

However, the theme song was originally scheduled to be performed by Bob Dylan , not Nilsson. He read the original story and accepted the job, but the song was not finished by the deadline. The producers then turned to Derek Taylor, the Beatles ' publicist. He recommends songs by Nilsson and Randy Newman , among others. Nilsson, who was born in Brooklyn, New York, is a singer-songwriter with a stylish atmosphere, and ``Rumored Man'' was included on his 1968 album `` Air Ballet .'' It seems that he himself wanted to use the song `` I Guess the Lord Must Be in New York City '' (Lonely New York), but at Schlesinger's request, ``The Rumored Man'' was used. is what happened. The content of the movie is suffocating and heartbreaking at times, but the theme song plays a role in purifying the movie.

Nilsson “The Rumored Man” PV

By the way, Dylan prepared a song called `` Lay Lady Lay, '' which was included on his country album `` Nashville Skyline '' and became a hit single in 1969 (it's also a good song).

In fact, the author of "The Rumored Man" was not Nilsson, but a musician named Fred Neil . It was included in Neil's album released in 1966 (it doesn't have the freshness of Nilsson, but has a more rugged and somber sound).

Like Dylan, Neil was active in the New York folk scene in the early 1960s. In No Direction Home (2005), Martin Scorsese's documentary about Bob Dylan, there is a photo of a young Dylan and Neil playing together, and ``I remember going out to a club with Fred Neil.'' You can also hear Dylan's testimony that ``I was there.''

"No Direction Home" trailer

In addition to "The Rumored Man," the film also uses instrumental music composed by John Barry , and the harmonica sounds that convey the sadness of the city penetrate your heart (the harmonica player is Toots Thielmans , a great jazz player). . The songwriting using the harmonica has a somewhat Dylan-esque feel to it as well!

50 years since its creation, a powerful masterpiece that still stands out.