Dammit, Janet!

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For the Family Guy episode, see Dammit Janet! (Family Guy).
“Dammit, Janet”
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Dammit, Janet (sometimes Damn It, Janet) is a song written by Richard O'Brien as part of the score for the 1973 stage musical The Rocky Horror Show and incorporated into the 1975 musical comedy film The Rocky Horror Picture Show.[1] Performed as a duet and characterized as "a splendidly schmaltzy tribute to young love,"[2] the song is widely regarded as a classic.[3][4][5] Dammit, Janet provides well known audiences participation moments and has entered the pop culture lexicon through the often quoted "Dammit, Janet!"

Contents

[edit] Background

In the Rocky Horror story, "Dammit, Janet" is considered lead character Brad Majors big song, where he proposes to his girlfriend, Janet.[6] The song begins approximately seven minutes after the opening credits.[7] After Janet catches a bouquet at a friend's wedding, her boyfriend Brad immediately proposes, after which Brad and Janet begin their duet, "Dammit, Janet."[2]

The song provides several audience participation moments. For example, Brad leads off the duet, saying: "I've got something to say."[7] In response, the audience line is "Say it, Brad!"[7] Also, whenever Brad sings "Dammit Janet", the audience line is "Janet", and when Janet sings, "Oooh Brad" as part of her lyrics, the audience line is "Oooh, shit!"[7] Outside of the song itself, the audience line during the Rocky Horror performance is "Dammit, Janet" when Janet appears on screen.[8] Some of the audiences also shouts out "purse!" to note the production error in which Janet's purse moves places on its own from when she first puts it on the ground during the Dammit, Janet song.[9]

[edit] Reception

The song has been characterized as "a splendidly schmaltzy tribute to young love."[2] With the line "Damn it, Janet, I love you" conjuring up flights of romantic fancy,[10] the song is considered as one of the top heartfelt movie moments.[10] Dammit, Janet! has influenced the show loyal audience to the point where the Janet character played by Susan Sarandon in the movie is referred to by some as the "Dammit, Janet!" character.[11][12]Further, the words "Damn it, Janet" are seen as an immortal part of cinematic history.[13][14]

[edit] Pop culture lexicon

Along with the characters of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, the phrase "Dammit, Janet!" has entered the pop culture lexicon.[15] Exclaimed by those involved in the "Rocky Horror Show" phenomenon upon learning a couple has gotten engaged,[16] "Damn it , Janet" is considered an important part of what makes The Rocky Horror Show a cult classic.[17] The phrase has become so ingrained in society that thirty years after first singing the song for the film, American actor Barry Bostwick told an interviewer "For as long as I live, people will be coming up to me and asking me to say, "Dammit, Janet. I love you.""[18]

[edit] Other uses and promotion

In 1996, the Scottish-rooted band, Choke, released an extended play record entitled Damn It Janet.[19] Four years later, Australian musical artists Pants & Corset released an Audio CD entitled, Dammit Janet.[20] Also in 2000, 20th Century Fox licensed a greeting card featuring the signature lip logo of The Rocky Horror Picture Show on the cover and a picture in the inside of Brad holding Janet and saying, Dammit, Janet! Pull yourself together. It's only a birthday card! Happy Birthday, you . . . you monster![21]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Rawson, Christopher. (November 8, 1996) Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Jump to the left. Rocky Horror fun; trash parody. Section; Arts & Entertainment; Page 8
  2. ^ a b c Godfrey, John. (May 17, 1991) Los Angeles Times A Toast! To "Rocky Horror." Section: CA-Calendar; Page 1.
  3. ^ Grant, Ura. (October 24, 2002) P&J From Creepy-Crawlies To Frock N Roll. Page 18.
  4. ^ Cripps, Charlotte. (June 19, 2003) The Independent Still stocking it to them Richard O'Brien, creator of The Rocky Horror Show, reflects on 30 years of a cult legend. Section: Features; Page 18.
  5. ^ Handleman, Jay. (October 12, 2003) Sarasota Herald-Tribune Let's do the Time Warp again The "Sweet Transvestite" and an innocent couple collide in "The Rocky Horror Show" on stage. Section: Arts & Travel; Page G1.
  6. ^ Wloszczyna, Susan. (October 16, 1990) USA Today The Rocky Horror Picture stars. Section: Life; Page 6D.
  7. ^ a b c d Freeman, Donna. (November 9, 1990) Anchorage Daily News Picture this: Fans of the Rocky Horror Picture Show cry, let there be lips. Section: Weekend; Page D12.
  8. ^ Catlin, Roger. (October 25, 1993) Hartford Courant "Hello, Oblivion!" Rocky Horror at home? It just won't be same." Section: CT. Livingl; page A7.
  9. ^ The Press (December 26, 2000) Rocky horrors. Section: Features entertainment; Page 18.
  10. ^ a b Berg, Ken. (February 8, 1991) Orlando Sentinel Valentine videos; Simmering cinema at home. Section: Calendar; Page 16.
  11. ^ Gleiberman, Owen; Schwarzbaum, Lisa. (November 1, 1997) Entertainment Weekly The Indie 50; The essential movies. Section: The movies; Page 86.
  12. ^ Gambit Weekly (June 10, 2003) Proscenium; A Jump to the Left. Volume 24; Issue 24; Page 30.
  13. ^ The Albuquerque Tribune (October 28, 1995) TV Queen. Page 1.
  14. ^ Silver, Vernon. (November 20, 1994) New York Times Film; A New Breed of Cult Favorites for a New Generation. Section: 2; Page 224.
  15. ^ Scheck, Frank. (November 16, 2000) The Hollywood Reporter The Rocky Horror Show. Volume 365; Issue 36; Page 10.
  16. ^ Klepper, Kate. (October 19, 2006) The Decatur Daily Rocky Horror being staged in Huntsville.
  17. ^ Norcia, Nick. (August 17, 2005) The Morning Call Cult makeup ; Uncovering the ingredients of classic cult films. Section: Merge; Page M12.
  18. ^ Bonko, Larry. (July 4, 2003) Virginia Pilot and Ledger-Star Celebrate Independence Day without leaving home. Section: Daily Break; Page E1.
  19. ^ Anderson, Jamie J. (January 5, 2001) Orlando Sentinel Scottish-rooted Choke has come a long way. Section: Calendar; page 15.
  20. ^ Padilla, David. (May 12, 2000) The Miami Herald Untitled Section: Street; page 20S. (also see Amazon.com).
  21. ^ Clark, Mike. (October 6, 2000) USA Today Let's do the Time Warp -- on DVD. Section: Life; Page 3E.

[edit] See also