If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out

Well if you want to sing out, sing out

and if you want to be free be free

'cause there's a million ways to be

you know that there are.  

- Cat Stevens

 

Harold and Maude, a film from 1971 starring Ruth Gordon and Bud Court, is one of my favorite films of all time.  I saw the film as a Sophomore in high-school (thanks Amy!) and I have loved it ever since.  It may be, perhaps, that the soundtrack is done by one of my favorite artists, Cat Stevens (a.k.a Yusuf Islam).  Or, it may be the simple, yet totally unconventional love story.  Whatever the case may be, the film is exquisite.  In honor of this wonderful film, I've managed to dig up some handmade and vintage items from the clever folks on Etsy so if you want to be me, be me or if you want to be you, be you, 'cause there's a million things to do, you know that there are.  

A Brief Synopsis:
Harold, a lonely rich kid, plagued by his Mother who has indulged him and nagged him his entire life, entertains himself by going to funerals and staging elaborate suicides.  One day as he is enjoy a funeral service he meets Maude, a 79 year old spit-fire who also frequents funerals but has a rather sunny outlook and a zest for life.  The fun that follows includes stolen cars, rescued trees, bubbles, a priest, a shrink, and a banjo.   

The soundtrack for Harold and Maude doesn't exactly exist, so here's a list of the songs as they appear in the movie and the albums where you can find them:

Don't Be Shy

   from: Footsteps in the Dark

On the Road to Find Out                     

   from: Tea for the Tillerman
I Wish, I Wish                                          

   from: Mona Bone Jakon
Miles from Nowhere                           

   from: Tea for the Tillerman
Tea for the Tillerman                          

   from: Tea for the Tillerman
I Think I See the Light                            

   from: Mona Bone Jakon
Where do the Children Play?              

   from: Tea for the Tillerman
If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out    

   from: Footsteps in the Dark
Trouble                                                   

   from: Mona Bone Jackon

So, if I haven't sold you on the film yet, here are some of my favorite quotes to round out my gushing tribute to a truly one of a kind film...

Vice, Virtue. It's best not to be too moral. You cheat yourself out of too much life. Aim above morality. If you apply that to life, then you’re bound to live life fully. - Maude

A lot of people enjoy being dead. But they are not dead, really. They're just backing away from life. Reach out. Take a chance. Get hurt even. But play as well as you can. Go team, go! Give me an "L". Give me an "I". Give me a "V". Give me an "E". L-I-V-E. LIVE! Otherwise, you got nothing to talk about in the locker room. - Maude

You know, at one time, I used to break into pet shops to liberate the canaries. But I decided that was an idea way before its time. Zoos are full, prisons are overflowing... oh my, how the world still dearly loves a cage. - Maude

Special thanks to: Celentano Woodworks, Naked Vintage and The Fox and the Apple