One of my all-time favorite juxtapositioning of film and music together is the end of Kill Bill Vol. 2 where Uma Thurman is driving down the road in glorious noir to the mesmerizing beat of Shivaree’s iconic tune “Goodnight Moon”. It’s one of those songs that, for whatever reason, really grabbed me the first time I heard it as something truly unique.

I’m still trying to figure out exactly what genre it fits in. I wouldn’t call it pop. I suppose you could call it alternative, but it would stick out like a sore thumb placed next to just about any alternative band mix. I personally think it has surf undertones, but it sure wouldn’t fit on a modern surf collection. Between the funky instrumentation (love the bass line!) and the background vocals it’s got this creepy vibe, and I agree with a YouTube commenter who described Ambrosia Parsley’s lead vocal as something skin to “liquid sex”.

And as someone who loves creative and unusual lyrics, it’s hard to find anything that matches these:

There’s a nail in the door and there’s glass on the lawn
Tacks on the floor and the TV is on
And I always sleep with my guns when you’re gone

There’s a blade by the bed and a phone in my hand
A dog on the floor and some cash on the nightstand
When I’m all alone the dreaming stops and I just can’t stand

What should I do just a little baby
What if the lights go out and maybe
And then the wind just starts to moan
Outside the door he followed me home

Well goodnight moon I want the sun
If it’s not here soon I might be done
No it won’t be too soon ’til I say, Goodnight moon

There’s a shark in the pool and a witch in the tree
A crazy old neighbor and he’s been watching me
And there’s footsteps loud and strong coming down the hall

Something’s under the bed now it’s out in the hedge
There’s a big black crow sitting on my window ledge
And I hear something scratching through the wall

Oh what should I do just a little baby
What if the lights go out and maybe
I just hate to be all alone
Outside the door he followed me home

Now goodnight moon I want the sun
If it’s not here soon I might be done
No it won’t be too soon ’til I say, Goodnight moon

Well you’re up so high, how can you save me?
When the dark comes here tonight to take me up
The mouth from woke and into bed
Where it kisses my face eats my hand

Oh what should I do just a little baby
What if the lights go out and maybe
And then the wind just starts to moan
Outside the door he followed me home

Now goodnight moon I want the sun
If it’s not here soon I might be done
No it won’t be too soon ’til I say, Goodnight moon
No it won’t be too soon ’til I say, Goodnight moon

Shark in the pool. Witch in the tree. Pretty cool. If for some reason you haven’t heard it give it a good listen. I think it’s a great tune.