I really feel previous realizing that among the many film anniversaries in 2025 is the fiftieth anniversary of The Rocky Horror Image Present. A incredible musical that is as a lot a relic of the previous and a cult basic because it is without doubt one of the most celebrated and controversial films of all time, The Rocky Horror Image Present‘s cultural footprint cannot be exaggerated.
The rumor a few revival with a comic book e-book sequel is an thrilling prospect for followers who revisit the film yearly, host dress-up viewing events, and watch each doable stay present of the musical. The enjoyment felt in sharing the expertise of watching The Rocky Horror Image Present with a gaggle of individuals equally enamored with it’s timeless.
With a stacked solid dancing round in a few of the greatest costumes in The Rocky Horror Image Present, the film could not be extra chaotic, energetic, and flamboyant if it tried. 50 years after its preliminary launch, The Rocky Horror Image Present‘s timeless and electrical soundtrack nonetheless enthralls viewers who maintain the fandom rising and grooving to the music.
16
“Over At The Frankenstein Place”
For such a cheeky self-referential nod to the truth that The Rocky Horror Image Present is a reimagination of Frankenstein, Over At The Frankenstien Place is a fairly sluggish and mushy music. Whereas it is a candy expression of hope in regards to the mild that Janet (Susan Sarandon) and Brad (Barry Bostwick) see, it isn’t essentially the most memorable music within the film.
One of the vital fabulous quotes in The Rocky Horror Image Present is from this music, nonetheless, as there’s a stupendous sense of triumph that Brad and Janet expertise after they notice the mansion’s not empty. The music is made even cheekier by the eventual realization that their presumed supply of solace will hang-out them for all times.
15
“The Sword of Damocles”
The tongue-in-cheek humor that pervades each second of The Rocky Horror Image Present is probably its largest power. The sword of Damocles, an allusion to the well-known courtier of Dionysius, is a proverbial time period used to consult with the risks anybody in energy faces by wielding energy, however the one who sings the music has the least autonomy.
Rocky (Peter Hinwood), a muscular man with blond hair and a pointy jawline, sporting a golden Speedo, is created by Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry) for his sexual pleasure, and is destined to be a intercourse slave for Frankie. But, the primary phrases out of his mouth are “The sword of Damocles is hangin’ over my head.”
14
“Planet Schmanet, Janet”
Dr. Frank-N-Furter’s actually villainous bent of thoughts is already clear by the point he freezes the three people of their tracks after which turns them into stone. Nonetheless, the best way he taunts Janet and touches her as a result of she had intercourse with Rocky reveals how insecure Frankie is. Nonetheless, his off-putting antics make this efficiency onerous to look at.
Planet Schmanet, Janet could also be a portrayal of Frankie’s demonic facet, however the music’s catchy and groovy composition undercuts any potential criticism of the character. It is tough to not benefit from the music whilst Frankie’s villainy is probably ruining the lives of the protagonists, who have not carried out something fallacious sufficient to deserve this therapy.
13
“I Can Make You A Man”
Whereas many have stated that the idea of the perfect male physique in The Rocky Horror Image Present has aged poorly, the sheer gender euphoria skilled watching a lean, non-muscular man who is not enticing by typical requirements cross-dressing and giving a lecture about masculinity in music can’t be exaggerated. Frankie’s cheeky discount of masculinity to sexually enticing traits is hilarious.
Nonetheless, I Can Make You A Man is simply not catchy sufficient to get caught in your head. In any other case, it will be among the many greatest songs within the film. The music additionally highlights his brilliance as a scientist, as he can efficiently create dwelling beings in only a week. It is a health club music from earlier than health club songs had been a factor.
12
“I Can Make You A Man” (Reprised)
Till he brutally murders Eddie (Meat Loaf), Frankie simply appears a little bit eccentric. Nonetheless, he nearly reveals a psychopathic, cold-bloodedness when he goes again to singing I Can Make You A Man after killing Eddie. The reprised music is arguably higher than the primary model, not less than funnier and extra iconic, as a result of it is much more salacious.
Frankie is not hiding that Rocky exists to please him sexually, and he continues singing praises of muscled our bodies by naming particular components and conveying by means of his physique language how the considered them excites him past management. That is additionally the place he drops his lab coat and the gender euphoria from the primary a part of the music is felt extra.
11
“Eddie”
You’ll have to see the choreography of Eddie to consider how a lot music and dance might be created with utensils and by witty actions made by visitors seated at a dinner desk. The truth that the music is criticizing and concurrently expressing love for a person who was killed a couple of minutes in the past makes it darkly humorous.
The Rocky Horror Image Present is a well-liked cult basic even right now due to the best way it interrogates gender norms, and Eddie is a major instance. The chorus of the music goes “When Eddie stated, ‘He did not like his teddy’/ you knew he was a no-good child”, disagreeing with the notion that liking cuddle toys as a child is unmanly.
10
“Tremendous Heroes”
It’s becoming that The Rocky Horror Image Present ends with a haunting music in regards to the harrowing transformation that Brad and Janet underwent throughout their time in Dr. Frank-N-Furter’s mansion. After Riff Raff has killed Rocky and Frankie, he flies the mansion, which was apparently a spaceship, whereas Brad, Janet, and Dr. Scott (Jonathan Adams) crawl away within the smoke.
The music is a brief epilogue-of-sorts, as Janet and Brad mirror on the teachings they learnt within the mansion, and a haunting refrain envelops them because the digicam spins away. Tremendous Heroes additionally acknowledges how misplaced and tiny people really feel after they briefly uncover Bohemian aliens. It is not among the many greatest songs within the film, however it’s the right nearer.
9
“As soon as In A Whereas”
Maybe as a result of it did not go well with the vitality of the remainder of the musical, which stays upbeat and electrical even throughout moments of sorrow or grief, this one music was lower from the film, and solely exists in a deleted scene. As soon as In A Whereas is a music Brad sings regretfully after he has intercourse with Dr. Frank-N-Furter, dishonest on Janet.
The music’s haunting tone is made much more somber by the conclusion that Janet herself cheated on Brad with Frankie earlier, though she wanted persuading, very like him. With a stupendous montage of moments from their relationship, As soon as In A Whereas is a mushy declaration of affection by means of the eyes of a regretful lover.
8
“Science Fiction/Double Function”
One of many artwork kinds which can be slowly disappearing from the craft of filmmaking is the artwork of making memorable opening credit and title playing cards. Whereas not an out of date observe, it happens a lot lower than it used to earlier than, and The Rocky Horror Image Present‘s opening credit show why it is an efficient storytelling device as properly.
Actress Patricia Quinn, who performs Margerita in The Rocky Horror Image Present, graces us together with her lips when the film opens. With an erotic vitality, she lip-syncs to the lyrics of Science Fiction/Double Function, which performs within the background because the opening credit seem. Viewers know the film will probably be chaotic, erotic, and can contain sci-fi earlier than it is even begun.
7
“Sizzling Patootie, Bless My Soul”
The Rocky Horror Image Present hit field workplace charts in 2021, 46 years after its launch, proving it will by no means fade into obscurity as a result of its followers care about it sufficient to maintain it alive. One of many fan-favorite moments is the transient look of Meat Loaf as Eddie, a leather-jacket-wearing bike-riding rock-and-roll-loving older experiment of Dr. Frank-N-Furter.
Sizzling Patootie, Bless My Soul is without doubt one of the grooviest songs within the film, as it should have you ever headbanging inside moments. The one pure rock music within the soundtrack, its influence is additional buoyed by Meat Loaf’s wacky dance, which is an ideal mixture of basic rock star dance and Frankenstein-like chaotic physique actions.