“Sing Street” takes us back to the 1980s, portraying the lost decade – as it’s known – for social and economic development, when Ireland was being devastating by one of its greatest economic recession, as well as showing a generation trying to break free from the Catholic church. Although the world was in crises, the 80s decade was so rich in terms of creativity that many talents emerged in the music scene such as Joy Division, A-Ha, The Cure and Duran Duran. The plot explores those aspects of our contemporary history.

The film is a 2016 coming-of-age comedy-drama film directed and written by John Carney, renowned Irish director responsible for two hits “Once” (2007), Begin Again (2013) and also the original Amazon Prime Video series “Modern Love (2019)”. He decided to create the movie based on his secondary school memories, of a teenager who grew up in his 80s.

Plot

“Sing Street” tells the story of Conor (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo), a boy who goes through a tumultuous process of changes in his life, in the 80s. His parents are in terrible financial trouble and marital crisis, and Conor is forced to leave his good school in Dublin for a public school runs by somewhat outdated priests. It is in this scenario that Conor faces bullying and the grey life in Dublin. But, influenced by the funny older brother Brendan (Jack Reynor) and an enigmatic girl called Raphina (Lucy Boynton) that he has a crush on her, so he decides to make up a band to impress her. The problem is that he doesn’t play or sing anything. But the impulses seem to be stronger than the obstacles, and he gathers some unlikely friends and creates Sing Street band.

Conor invites Raphina to be such a kind of muse of the band video clip, and then Conor and his friends seriously and professionally work on the project. The lyrics songs are getting deep according to the boy’s experience and challenge to face their lives, reflecting what happens within their families, school and in Conor’s love interest. Clumsy, he starts to change his style, always impacted by some band ( Duran Duran, David Bowie, Robert Smith …). He feels very confident about that, even it does not work in his favour (lol). In the same way, the band seems to emulate all the best of eighteenth music.

Movie Soundtracks

As in the previous films, John Carney loves creating characters and stories that they are directly involved with music. Sing Street soundtrack includes songs “Rio” by Duran Duran, one of the most iconic groups of the 80s, “Inbetween Days”, a classic song of the legendary band The Cure”, “Town called malice” by The Jam, “Maneater” by Daryl Hall and “Stay Clean” byMotörhead. In addition, the album is composed of original songs such as “Girls” and “Drive it like you stole it” (Who does remember Sing Street first concert during the prom? It’s so cool!)

I recommend you have a look at the movie soundtracks below and have fun!