Neil Jordan on the music used in Breakfast on Pluto – the movie based on Pat McCabe’s book:

‘In a way, Patrick saw the whole world through songs, didn’t he?’ says Neil Jordan, who chose the soundtrack selections. ‘He kind of believed in the naïve sugary hopefulness of the lyrics of pop songs. So I decided that the whole burden of the soundtrack would be carried by songs from the era.’

The title phrase, Breakfast on Pluto, comes from a ’70s song by Don Partridge, a one-man-band folkie who still goes by the name of ‘King of the London Buskers.’ The flamboyant music scene of the day is reflected not only in song selections: for example, smooth rock crooner Bryan Ferry is cast as a sinister Mercedes-driving assailant; the bar band “Billy Rock and the Mohawks” synthesizes various strains of entertainingly wretched pop, and Billy is played by onetime punk hero Gavin Friday. Even the mascara and elephant-bell flares that Patrick sports as a young teen conjure up Marc Bolan and early Bowie.

The film has no conventional score. Jordan says: ‘Sometimes it seems that scores drown out the emotion in films these days.’

Songs used in the film include:

Sugar Baby Love – The Rubettes

You’re Such a Good Looking Woman – Joe Dolan

Breakfast on Pluto – Don Partridge

Me & My Arrow – Harry Nilsson

You’re Breaking My Heart – Harry Nilsson

Running Bear – Gavin Friday (production)

Wig Wam Bam – Gavin Friday (production)

Honey – Bobby Goldsboro

Sand – Gavin Friday (production)

Me & Mrs Jones – Billy Paul

Fuck the British Army – Paddy’s Irish Clan

Everyday – Slade

The Moonbeam Song – Harry Nilsson

Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep – Middle of the Road

The Wombling Song – The Wombles

Freelance Fiend – Leafhound

Tell Me What you Want – Jimmy Ruffin

Feelings – Morris Albert

Smoke Gets in Your Eyes – Billy Livesey

Windmills of your Mind – Dusty Springfield

Caravan – Santo and Johnny

Children of the Revolution – T-Rex

No More White Horses – T2

For The Good Times – Kris Kristofferson

Dream World – Don Downing

For What It’s Worth – Buffalo Springfield

Love is a Many-Splendored Thing – Jerry Vale

Makes You Blind – The Glitter Band

Rock Your Baby – George McCrae

In the Rain – The Dramatics

Madame George – Van Morrison

Cypress Avenue – Van Morrison

Fly Robin Fly – Silver Convention

How Much is That Doggy – Patti Page