The many lovers left alive
So, any speculations about the newly revealed title of Jim Jarmusch’s upcoming vampire film – Only Lovers Left Alive?
As some googling will tell you, it’s not the first time this phrase has been used as a title:
– In 1964, a British novel by Dave Wallis called Only Lovers Left Alive was published. It’s not at all about vampires, but rather a sort of apocalyptic teenage Lord of the Flies:
”What happens when the teenagers take over the world? The adults have all committed suicide with Easiway pills, and the cool youngsters have taken over! Free smash, loot, and love as they like, the gangs roar through the streets on their motorcycles in search of disappearing stocks of lipstick, gasoline, and food. Free adult control, the teenagers commit every sin but hypocrisy. Only Lovers Left Alive—’Arresting and terrifying...Will keep you pondering long after you put it down.’"
Apparently, Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones bought the film rights to this novel, but it was never made into a movie. Interestingly, Jim Jarmusch’s teacher and friend, the legendary filmmaker Nick Ray also had plans to make a movie out of the book (see Nicholas Ray: The Glorious Failure of an American Director, page 443).
– In 1981, British punk band The Wanderers released a record called Only Lovers Left Alive.
– Since then, it has been the title of several songs, by artists such as Jeff Dahl, The (International) Noise Conspiracy, The Soft Set,The Long Blondes, Joe Grushecky, Phast Phreddie & Thee Precisions and States of Matter.
Anything else? Any thoughts on whether there might be a connection to any of the above?
